Favorite Pins Friday

It's a perfect summer day here in Chicago!

The girls are napping, dishes are done

and I don't feel like doing anything else.

So I'm linking up with Cara for

#1: First up is a pin on how to clean your oven.

This looks a lot like mine and

so I can't wait to try out this

super easy method.

 

#2: Next are tags for popcorn that

you give to a substitute teacher.

The idea is you add them to an unpopped bag of popcorn.

You leave it on your desk as a thank-you for a substitute

that is in your room for the day.

I think that is such a nice idea. 

 

#3: Here is a neat way to tie a bow.

 

 

 

#4: I really want to try this next year.

 

 

The students write positive statements and compliments about each other.

They put the name of the person getting the compliment,

but they don't sign their own name.

Then the teacher put them up on a bulletin board.

 

#5: Mailbox Clips

I love this idea!

I currently have my mailboxes numbered,

but I always forget everyone's number.

Also, the numbers are on the sides of each compartment

so sometimes the kids forget which spot belongs to them.

This would make things so much easier and

I could change the names each year.

Integrating Techonology into Math

Today I'm linking up with Kristin at iTeach 1:1 for

 

The topic for today (actually yesterday) is integrating

technology into math.

 

Skitch App 

I've posted about this app before,

but my kids really enjoy it.

 

We used it when we wanted to document

math around the school.

 

These are pictures from our area and perimeter hunt.

The students went around the school

and took a picture of something that showed area or perimeter.



Then using Skitch, they added their lines

and a label.



I printed all the pictures and we hung them up.



 

We also did this at the beginning of our fractions unit

to show objects that were divided into equal parts.

 

The kids love walking around the school

to take their pictures.

It is a bit of a competition

to see who can find the coolest object.

 

How are you integrating technology into math?

 

How else could Skitch be used in your classroom?

 

Head on over and link up with your idea!



Win, Loss, A Thing of Cost - New Linky!

I'm so excited for today.

I've loved being a part of so many linky parties.

Today is the day I am going to try my own.

Well, kind of my own, as I'm joining

Matt at Digital: Divide and Conquer

for this great adventure.

Win: I made fruit roll-ups.

It was so easy to make and

they were made with real fruit!

The steps are above.

After you cook the fruit,

spread it on a baking sheet.

Be sure to put down parchment paper

and spray it with oil.

Bake on the lowest setting for 5-8 hours.

You may need to open the oven door slightly

to let some moisture out.

They taste really good.

 

Loss: I haven't started any school planning.

I know a lot of you will tell me

not to worry, but I do.
Look at my three ideas I'm writing about today.
 None of my ideas are about school.

Have you seen all the products people

are putting up on Pinterest

and ideas they are showing on their blogs?

Where are people finding the time to do this?

Is this a loss or me venting?

 

Thing of Cost:  H20 Blasters

$1.00 at Dollar Tree

 



 

Each on is 26" long.

Just put the tube into a bucket,

pull back the handle

and it fills with water.

They are easier for some little kids

to use than the ginormous water guns.

 

Now it's your turn!

Share a win, loss and a thing of cost.

YES - your thing of cost can be a product you created

or even one that someone else created.

Keep it short and sweet.

 

Please be sure to copy the button at the top,

add it to your post and link it back to my page.

 

Monday Made-It and A Giveaway

It's Monday and that means it is a time

to share all the great things we have made.

I made craft stick puzzles.

 

 My initial reason for making these

was a road trip we are taking soon.

But I really think these could be used in your classroom. 

 

My daughter and I started by printing up

some of her favorite pictures. 

 

Then we laid out the craft sticks,

cut the pictures and

glued them onto the sticks.

I put one picture on each side

so that you actually have two puzzles in one.

 

 

Finally I used a razor to cut

the pictures in between the sticks.

 

 

You have a puzzle!

They are personalized and won't take up much space.

 

Of course, I then began to think how I could

use this idea in the classroom.

 

* Have each puzzle show a vocab word.

Your students could figure out the word

and write the definition on a recording sheet.

 

* Put a math problem on the puzzle for kids to solve.

 

* Show pictures that are a preview of an upcoming unit of study. 

Students can make predictions about what

they will learn.

 

How could you use these puzzles in your classroom? 

 

If you taking a road trip with your kids,

come over and follow my Pinterest board on the topic.

I have a bunch of other fun ideas pinned.

 

 

 

Now onto the giveaway...

Check it out!

You can even enter right here on my blog.

 

  



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Hope your week is off to a good start.

Just a reminder that Wednesday is the start of....

 

July Currently

It must be summer.

How do I know?

Because all of the teachers are getting

their "Currently" filled in before the month even starts!

 

So here is mine...

Fonts by Wizard of Boz

 

Listening:  My daughter is a big fan of My Little Pony. 

I laugh because I used to play with them

many, many years ago too.

Of course, she also loves her superheroes, princesses, cars...

 

Loving:  Those of you who have been following me

know that I've made a bunch of activities for our

family road trip.  Well, this is the month we go to NC.

I can't wait!

 

Thinking:  Another exciting event in July will be on Wednesday

when Matt from Digital: Divide and Conquer and I start

a new linky.

We both have been a part of so many great link-ups

and thought we might also try it out.

 Matt and I hope that this will be a quick and easy linky.

 

An example could be...

 

Win:  The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup

or some other great event in your life.

Maybe it was a new product you tried out.

 

Loss:  It keeps raining and the hot weather went away.

Was there something you tried and it didn't work?

 

A Thing of Cost:  Share a product you made

or something you bought at the store.

 

The point is we want it to be fun and

all about you!

 

Wanting:  We had some days of hot weather

and now it is back in the 70's. 

That is too cold for me!

 

Needing:  A summer goal was to organize

all the closets in my house. 

Maybe this week it will happen?

 

Tip, Trick, Hint:  Sometimes I worry when others

are posting everyday. 

I have to remember that I need to do what works for me.

Blogging everyday doesn't work and that is alright!

 

Have a wonderful July!!



Five for Friday and Technology in Reading Linky

I was trying to think of five things from this week.

You know it's summer when that is hard to do.

I'll try my best!

1.  There is a great summer linky going on at

i Teach 1:1 and Learning to the Core.

This week everyone is sharing ways to

integrate technology into reading.

One online program I used all last year was

Tween Tribune.

 

I

 

This site has articles on current events that are interesting to kids.

You will find 4 different reading levels

and there are even articles in Spanish.

Tween Tribune was used as homework.

My students logged in, read an article and responded.

I was able to give them the assignment right

on the site.

Each morning I got on and read their responses.

I could also respond back to them.

It's a really easy site to use and a lot

of my kids enjoyed this assignment.

 

2.  People that know me well, know that I'm not much

into the classroom decorating thing.

But this past year, after reading so many blogs,

I started a color scheme in my room.

 I was very excited when I found these magnets at Target.

My colors are black, turquoise, purple and green.

I like that the colors are in the pack

along with some similar colors. 

 

3.  A NEW LINKY

Next Wednesday, I'm starting a new linky with

Matt at Digital: Divide and Conquer.

I hope you will check back and link up with us.

It's going to be one that everyone can use!

 

4.  Do you find it hard to keep on the lastest news?

Here is something for you!

 

 

This is the description on the website:

theSkimm is the daily newsletter that simplifies the headlines for the educated professional who knows enough to know she needs more. We do the reading for you and explain it with fresh editorial content, breaking down what you need to know to start the conversation.

 

I wake up in the morning, read this email

and feel I know the basics of what is happening in the world.

Then, at night when the girls go to sleep,

I can find out more info if I need it.

 

5.  BLOGLOVIN'

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'.

 

Have a great weekend and

don't forget to come back on Wednesday!

 

 

Giveaway Winners

Bethany at Fab and Fun in 4th and I just finished our

200 Followers Giveaway.

We had the drawing last night and the winners are....

 

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Be sure to check your email in the next couple of days 

for all your great prizes.

Thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway.

Happy Thursday!