Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Top 'o the Tuesday Night to ya! *Freebie*

March is a magical month - with it being reading month...which, is a BIG month at our school, AND a visit from that rascally leprechaun!!!!!

First, can you all join me in a virtual hug for Beth at Made in the Shade in Second Grade?!?!  That girl let me in on a little secret called POWERPOINT.  Here, I've been maneuvering around Word, throwing things at my computer...who knew creating in Powerpoint is WAY easier?!?!  Give it a go if you haven't already!!!!  I'm one happy girl, for it!

Lisa and Beth posted {HERE} about their leprechaun traps.  They have their families create traps at home for a neat family project....and have some imaginative creations that come back to school in hopes of catching that pesky guy.  I warn you though, those girls...I'm sorry, I have to take a quick break before I say this...

Okay, I'm back - those girls, {breathe, breathe, breathe} don't believe in leprechauns.  I know, I know - they've got it all wrong...but their activities are ALL RIGHT!  You'll want to check them out, but I think it's pretty obvious who's NOT going to get that pot of gold. 

I have the kids work with a partner to create traps.  I just throw out a bunch of "stuff": toothpicks, paper plates, styrofoam cups, string, yarn, sequins, craft sticks, markers, crayons, shiny gold paper - you get the picture.  I have them look at the materials first and then they talk with their partner to make a plan.  I do set some limits like 2 cups, 2 paper plates, etc.  Then they draw a "blueprint" of their trap, write out a to-do list and then have at it.  They have SOOOOOOO much fun!  As they finish up they find the perfect spot in the classroom to place their traps and then move on to writing about what they would do if they caught that pesky guy.

You can find these activities and more in my St. Patrick's Day mini-unit.


In other news...I have not been happy with the chairs my kids sit in at my guided reading table.  They are HUGE sleigh chairs.  I have six of them at my table, and of course they don't fit, my kids don't fit and they don't push in very nicely either.  My classroom is about the size of a postage stamp, so space is a hot commodity.  My friend...can you guess...Barb has the perfect solution that she uses in her equally small classroom.  I made a trip to IKEA {I hate shopping, and I really hate shopping at IKEA...I know you think that's impossible, but it's true} for those guys and I'm already in love.  My boys put them together tonight and I can't wait to slide them right under that table so neatly.  Here's what I got in case you're in the market.

Oh, and being the Polish {through marraige} girl that I am...

Happy Paczki day!!!!!

Yes, I did take a few nibbles of one of these...deeeeeelish.  Happy Fat Tuesday!  Click on the picture if you're wondering what a paczki {pronounced: poonchkey}is.  Mmmmm....

Holly

10 comments:

  1. I love leprechaun stuff!!! But I'm Scottish on my dad's side and he hates St. Patrick's Day!!! Ha!
    I don't know what that donut thing is but I'd like to take a big bite out of it!!!
    Love your new stools!
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

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  2. oh girl..WORD?!?! I BET you were throwing things!! lol I use publisher, not ppt, but I can only imagine your frustration..lol
    and fat tuesday= beignets...ummmm

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  3. Hi!
    I have never had a paczki (pronounced punch key!) and I think I'm not missing anything! I hope!

    I have a couple of those stools from IKEA. Be careful, they could get wobbly. . . especially if your kids tip or rock on them. Keep a screw driver handy to tighten them every once in a while!
    Thanks for the ideas on St. Patrick's day.

    Patty

    Second In Line

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  4. Love your St Pattys unit! So cute and creative!!! :)
    So I need to get Powerpoint on my old beater computer (have it at school). Come visit me and enter my giveaway when you have time! :)
    Happy Fat Tuesday! (and equally fat Wednesday! LOL!)
    Cheryl
    Crayons and Curls

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  5. Uh... Paczki.... YES PLEASE!

    Lovin' the leprechaun traps.
    Dragonflies in First

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  6. Oh Holly- I did the same thing when I started making things... Word is not friendly in that way!!! I was sooo excited when I was directed to PowerPoint as well! THANK THE LORD!!!!!

    -Staci
    Let's Teach Something 

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  7. I also use Publisher for about everything! Word is great for tables, but beyond that....it's Publisher for resizing objects, etc. I'm just happy I know how to embed videos in Powerpoint :) hee hee.

    As for the stools, I was soooo grateful that our school has them for our reading tables! They DO take up less space and the kids love them (just make sure they stay balanced on them). I got this idea from a BrainPop booth at a conference: get colorful toilet seat covers for your stools and it makes your room very bright and cheerful! :) If I think about it, I'll publish a picture on my blog. I did this when we opened up our new school and the teachers loved it so much, there are many in our school doing the same thing! I found mine at Walmart or Big Lots on clearance (otherwise they get really expensive at $7/seat).

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  8. LOVE THIS! You are so fabulous :) Can't wait to use all these great resources :)

    Lisa :)
    Made In The Shade In Second Grade

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  9. P.S. You totally crack me up and I will be happy to share my "gold" with you! And Beth sends you a hug back...hehe :)

    L :)
    Made In The Shade In Second Grade

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