Testing

Selling My First Item on TPT

Hello Bloggie friends,
I know that each of you has heard of the wonderful website Teachers Pay Teachers. I utilize this website at least 4 times a month. I am so grateful for the time and effort that other teachers put into creating lessons and activities. It's quite amazing to me because I would like to be a frequent TPT seller but I never have enough free time. Earlier this year I created an Addition BUMP game for my first item on TPT.
I have created an Earth Day Activity to use with teaching kids how to REUSE items. It was inspired by Pinterest and I thought of it just 30 minutes before we did it in class! I love Pinterest by the way. Below are samples of my students creations.

What's going on?

At my current school in Missouri, we've been out of school for two weeks for spring break. Yep, my school gets two weeks.  In addition to resting my throat and voice, I  went to Chicago to visit family. One of the places I visited was the Shedd Aquarium. I took tons of pictures for my students. They are very much interested in sea life, plus we just did a camouflage unit in Open Court in which we read stories about ocean animals using camouflage. We go back tomorrow and although it is bittersweet, I am anxious to hear about the things that my students did over spring break.

Spider Crab at Shedd Aquarium. YIKES!

This is so late. The students made their own invitations to our Christmas program in December.

At my school, giving students a spring break work packet is mandatory. Now, in second grade, I usually only have like 5 out 15 turn in the completed packet the day it is due. So I have decided to give those students a special treat at the end of the day. A golden Easter egg with goodies inside. You have to recognize those students who are trying their best as well.


Also this week and next week in writing we will be doing descriptive sentences and paragraphs. Notice the pop rocks in the picture to the right. I found a great way to reintroduce descriptive writing to my students from a Abby Mullins, an amazing and creative teacher blogger. I will post her blog info at the end of this week and pictures of our writing activities. Enjoy the pictures!
Take care!

More things from my classroom

Science Weather Unit. This is another Foldable for the types of clouds. Students had to write one fact about each cloud, then use cotton balls or polyester filling to recreate the cloud on their cube.These are hanging from our ceiling now. 

I have a ton of pictures from things that we have done in my classroom. I'll be unloading and talking about them in the next few posts. 

Last trimester, we talked about Rights and Responsibilities of citizens in Social Studies. I had them make an eight flap foldable listing some rights that we have on the front and on the inside they drew a picture of that right. They loved it!

This is a timesaver and sanity keeper. We all know how the precious babies love to tattle on another. I got this idea from Pinterest, and made my own Tattle Monster out of a tissue box. Students not only have to write down the tattle, but say something nice about that person, and write down a resolution. LOVE IT!

Addition BUMP!

I'm back!
So months ago I found the incredible games of Addition and Multiplication Bump on a teacher website. I introduced it to my students and it was love at first sight. I decided to create my own version for students to practice adding three numbers (our math curriculum stresses this a lot). Since my classroom this year is Beach/Ocean themed, the Addition Bump Game is too. The directions are on the game sheet. You just laminate it or put it in a sheet protector, give students dice and counters, and let them play (if they already know how to play Bump). Click the link.

Adding Three Numbers Addition Bump!

Blogging and Praises

I forgot how much I enjoy doing this. This weekend I've had time to relax and reflect. I also graded my students' multiplication x2 and x3 quizzes from this week and 12 out of 13 of the students passed with a 90% or better. WOW. I'm so happy and proud of them!

I'm Back!

Hi there!

In Science we have been studying weather. Here is a picture of the types of clouds puppets that I made. This was introduced to the children on the second day of our cloud study. I gave each puppet a voice and the kids loved it! Acting is a big part of teaching, as we all know.

Also, Christmas is around the corner. This bulletin board background in my classroom will not change all year but I wanted to get festive. This tree will hold paper ornaments given to those students as a reward for turning in homework on time, being a good listener, quiet, following directions, doing the right thing, etc. They will get an ornament with their name and the reason, color it and then I will stick it on the tree. The last week I will add glitter and decorations to the tree and maybe have them stand by it for a picture. 

Next week, the second grade teachers have decided not to start a new lesson in reading and will review all of the things covered this semester, plus we have report cards, a Christmas program, and about 4 major tests to give the students next week. I have to admit that they are bouncing off the walls already. Is it December 21st yet?

Happy Holidays!