Tiny Topics *Freebie*

You know what sorta stinks?  You southern state gals do everything first.  Yup, you get to do all the fun stuff before me - and by the time I get to it, you're all like "Hello, been there done that".  Tomorrow is our 100th Day of School!!!!!  Can I hear a "YEEHAW" and a "WHOO HOOO"?  Probably not, because most of you are still recovering from yours and you're probably all thinkin' "Thank goodness THAT'S done!"

So, instead of chatting up the 100th Day I'll talk about Tiny Topics.  You know me, I'm an on a whim kinda girl, don't get me wrong, I plan my whole week ahead {Those of you who go out two weeks, or even a month...say whu?}usually on Friday.  I even try to pull everything I'll need and put it  in the appropriate bins.  But sometimes, an idea pops in the 'ol noggin, and I can't stop myself.

Today was one of those days.  I planned on talking to the kids about our mentor author, Angela Johnson {Lucy Calkins, Author's as Mentors}.  I thought I'd have them write any "little seed ideas" that they might think of on a piece of paper and store it safely in their writing folder but then I remembered the little teeny tiny notebooks from Oriental Trading I found in my classroom a couple of months ago.

I quick hopped on the computer {just seconds before picking my wild ones up from lunch} and created these.

Actually, mine weren't this cute - I made these once I got home. Print on 1" x 2 5/8" address labels.

The notebooks are plain white so the kids decorated them.

Little seed ideas are kept in here - rather than BIG watermelon topics.

We practiced writing simple words or phrases to help us remember our tiny topics.

Keeping it handy - never know when a tiny topic might pop in your mind! Look how organized this little guy's desk is!!!

This little guy wanted to keep his in his pencil box...

I was just kidding before, I actually LIKE that you girlies do everything first...then I get to do all your super cool stuff!!!!  Like my sweet 100th day door sign that I made today with butcher paper.  {Wish I could remember who I stole that idea from!} 

Sweet dreams!

Holly

Currently

Happy Monday!!!!

Last night I watched my last Super Bowl commercial and saw that Farley had started her February Currently Linky party...

You don't know {Wait a minute, yeah, you probably do} what self control it took to NOT link up right then and there. I went to bed, and even woke up in the middle of the night to double check that I closed the garage door, locked the slider and LINK up.  I did actually open up the computer and said to myself in a whisper...no don't do it.  And went back up to bed...

Woke up this morning, and thought "Rats it's a hair washing day"...no time to blog.  Not that I could do a Currently that fast anyway...I have to merinate my thoughts and type, erase, type, erase, type...

Here it is, pre-Bachelor...by the way, I checked Reality Steve and I know who wins.  Yes, I'm the person who sometimes reads the ending of a book mid-book...I can't stand suspense. It makes my heart palpitate.  No worries...I'm a steel trap.

So, here's my Currently...{Click on it to take you over to Farley's blog and link up yourself...don't be shy!}

Toodleloonies!!!

Holly

What I Love

I LOVE that I have so much to love in this world. I have a hubby who makes me laugh and think, I have two boys who have taught me more in their little life times than I've learned in the whole lot of my own, and a profession that I love more today than I did 13 years ago {Even though it's grown increasingly more difficult - I feel proud that I'm able to rise to the challenge rather than retreat from it - believe me, there have been moments....}. 

Kimberly {A fellow Michigan girl!}, over at Funky First Grade Fun, is hosting a most loveable linky party!!

Boys' belly laughs? Boys belly laughs? Boy's belly laughs? Remember - i teech frst grde.

Please stop what you're doing for a moment of silence.

I will be running a 5k tomorrow.

Thank you.

Holly



Find Your Pace *Freebie*

Happy Friday!

Okay, so I don't know if this was a fluke, if it was the placebo effect, dumb luck...you know that my kiddos have been a bit off since....Christmas! {Honestly, maybe before that...Halloween?} Seemed like each day they were slowly slipping away with me grasping, yelling "Nooooooooooooooooo"....

I posted {here} about Brain Gym; something I once did, but brushed aside because...well, I'm usually teaching right up to the bell - literally it's a mad dash with me saying "Go! Go! Go! No time for dawdling...LET'S GO!!!!!!!" {I try not to do this, by the way, I hate ending our day like that...but shoot, there's so much to teach and just not enough time...}

Okay, so I've been wracking my brain what I can do to bring back that class of sweeties that once was.  Like I said, our mornings are fine, it's our afternoons that cause this teacher to melt. down.  Our inservice last Friday came at just the right time. 

We've been doing Brain Gym all week...it took a while to get into the groove, but my kids have really caught on to the routine and just after lunch {We have recess before lunch} we spend 5 minutes - tops - on the PACE routine.  You can read about it {here}.  Seriously, you guys, as the week went on my kiddos gradually became more calm in the afternoons.  Placebo? I don't know...I mean, I did tell them that doing these activities would get their brains and bodies ready to learn, so I planted that seed, but truly their behavior has improved like you wouldn't believe!  I'm sold.

This Friday Freebie, is in honor of Pamela Woods, The Vintage Teacher.

Click to visit her blog and leave a supportive message for her family.

Pam left an indelible mark on the blog world and won't soon be forgotten.

Hug your loved ones a bit tighter this weekend!

Holly

Herman! You Have a Herman Too, Don't You? *FREEBIE*

Hey Sweet Cheeks,

{Disclaimer}:
Yeah, so this post isn't really much about Herman, it's more about getting your kids moving...Herman just seemed like a title that would make you want to come and read...sorry for the trickery, but now that you're here, you might as well stay!

Happy Tuesday...that would make tomorrow Wednesday, which makes us 1/2 way through the week, which means I have Media AND whatever special I have {I have a hard time keeping track of my specials because we have an A, B, C rotation...I can't even begin to tell you how many times we waited at the gym doors only to find out we have Music...} which makes for an "easy" afternoon.  Lord knows we need it.  Our mornings remain the glorious wonders they've always been, but for some reason we come back from lunch and HOLY TOLEDO...the kicker is, we have the early lunch {brunch} so that means the afternoons are   l    o     n    g!

It's time to pull out the brain gym.  I used to do brain gym a ton, and for whatever reason {crazy-full-absolutely-no-wiggle-room-curriculum} I stopped.  We had a PD day on Friday and part of it was spent refreshing our memories on brain gym activities.  Do you use it in your classroom?  I started today and plan to incorporate it daily..it's quick, easy and effective.  Click {HERE} for more information. We do the series of movements called PACE.  Which is described in the linked article.  This video shows how do do the various movements...it's a little hokey and they do each movement for a LONG time...in the classroom you'd shorten it, and you don't have to all do it simultaneously. 



Another activity our school does to help our kids stay focused, cross the midline, the whole nine yards is Motor Parents {Motor Moms and Dads}.  Parent volunteers run the program out in our hallway.  We have balance boards, balance beams, tunnels, Sit n' Spins, mats, mini-tramps, etc. all set up in stations.  The kids are pulled for 5 minutes tops.  They go through each station, practice counting by 5's, 10's, add, subtract, spell, etc. while doing these quick motor activites.  Read about it {HERE}.

I'm also thinking of incorporating yoga.  Do any of you use yoga in the classroom?  What do you think of it?  Our OT gave us some yoga cards that use kid language to explain the different poses.  I'm willing to try anything at this point! 

Now for Herman. I wish I had a picture of Herman.  He's our scrap box.  Whenever we do craftivities we feed our scraps to Hermie.  He just gobbles those scrapple-ies right up.  Click on the picture to grab your own Herman.

Toodles!

P.S.  I have a new blog look coming soon...I'm so dang excited!!!!

P.P.S.  We are having a Michigan Bloggy Bash!  Head on over to Amy's blog @ The Resource{ful} Room!  Bloggers AND followers are welcome!!!!  Hey, if you don't live close by...come anyway, I have a blow up mattress with your name on it...only the best for my bloggy friends!

Holly

Tagged...

It's no surprise, I've been tagged and now I'm it - I run slower than molasses in January.  Mrs. McNutt over at Be a Nut with Mrs. McNutt tagged me. She's a new blogger and I was her 2nd follower.  She's up to 7 followers - maybe you could click {HERE} and make her day by following her newbie blog!!!

I really like my questions {at the very end}...so if you weren't tagged - feel free to answer any or all in a comment below {See how I try to trick you into leaving comments?!? I'm pretty good, eh?}

So here are the rules:

1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

Twelve Fun Facts:
1.  I can roll my tongue
2.  One leg is smaller than the other
3.  I like to listen to NPR
4.  My nostrils are my least favorite part of my body
5.  I'm doing Biggest Loser at my school, sadly I usually win or come in the top three...I say sadly    because I rock it out when it comes to weight loss...I just can't keep it off
6.  I'm running a 5k on Super Bowl Sunday
7.  My ears are pierced but I never wear earrings
8.  I like bubble baths - Mr. Bubble is my favorite

9.  My biggest pet peeve is people who talk, talk, talk but don't listen
10. I have really good friends
11. Perfumes give me a headache, but I can wear yummy smelling lotions, my current favorite is Jingle Bellini - Bath and Body Works

12. I love being a mom to two boys!

Twelve Questions - Answered...

1. Why did you decide to create a blog?  Honestly, I'm not sure why - maybe because I wanted to reciprocate all of the generosity that is found in blogland.  Maybe because I wanted to stretch myself and learn something new?!  I didn't really mull it over, I just did it on a whim...
2. How did you learn the tricks of blogging? I did a lot of stalking and Rebecca over at Teaching First was so patient with me and answered my many questions!
3. Do you have any hobbies? Running, reading, blogging, teaching, watching my boys play sports and one day I will get that piano! {So I can re-learn how to play}
4. In my spare time I like to chat on the phone, blog, or do any of the above hobbies.
5. My biggest challenge in the classroom is knowing that many of my kids do not get the support they need at home...I carry that burden on my shoulders...helping them overcome this lack of support.
6. What is your go to behavior modification plan for little ones who struggle with your whole class behavior plan? I don't really have a "Go To" behavior mod. I'm chef's surprise when it comes to that.  I always try to figure out WHY they are doing what they are doing and go from there.
7. What is one funny thing a student told you? When I was pregnant with my first one of my little girls came up to me and said "Mrs. W. I found out how your baby is going to come out {I wasn't fast enough to stop her...she kept going} and you DON'T want to know"...HA!
8. Does your school use a reading and math curriculum? We use Bridges/Number corner for math and Reader's Workshop for reading. 
9. Where is one place you would love to visit? Hawaii
10. What is your favorite store?  Target
11. What is your favorite meal? Meatloaf, stuffing, fresh green beans
12. I couldn't be organized without Binders.

Tag Twelve People...

Kelley - Buggy for Second Grade
Rebecca - Teaching First
Stacy - 2nd Grade Paradise
Jen - The Teachers' Cauldron
Cheryl - Crayons & Curls
Traci - Dragonflies in First
Laura - Peace, Love and First Grade
Mrs. Nunley - First Grade Magic
Lisa - Stories From Second
Lisa & Beth - Made in the Shade in Second Grade
Amy - The Resource{ful} Room!
Heather - Heather's Heart

Here are my questions for those tagged:
1. What is your favorite kind of candy?
2.  What is something you are really uptight about?
3.  Is your car clean right this very minute?
4.  What's your "favorite" household chore?
5.  Do you miss Oprah?
6.  Do you play an instrument?
7. What's your favorite piece of technology?
8.  Do you have a social life?
9.  Are you a phone talker?
10. Do you text?
11. What's your favorite piece of furniture in your house?
12.  Does anything make you squeamish?

Drip. Drip. Drip. {Some Pictures, a Freebie and a Giveaway!}

...Nope, that's not a faucet dripping...that would be my nose. Okay, I'll admit it - at more than one point today I stuffed a tissue up my nose to prevent drippage.  No worries, my kiddos weren't in the room, but I HAD to prepare my cute little craftivity for today and the bending/cutting combo with my nose left me no other choice. 

I'm not quite sure what's going on in Good 'ol Room 8 but my kiddos have been a wee bit off the wall.  Yeah, probably a little bit more than a little bit...they were off in a big way.  I'm guessing it might be because we haven't gotten any snow. Seriously, that's my theory.  The kids are used to exerting their extra energy on the sled hills and there's no sledding to be had.  Next week will be better, right?!?

Since most of my kiddos brought their silly with 'em we went with that and read some Tacky the Penguin.  Love that penguin!  Didn't our "Tacky's" turn out cute?

We've also been working on solving number stories in math.  I'm still wrapping my brain around our new math series {Bridges}. This is my second year with it and I'm just starting to find the holes.  The kids do a lot of creating and solving number stories but it doesn't seem like the program does enough explicit instruction.  So, I've tweaked...the kids are getting good at recognizing the "Magic Math Words" and what they tell us to do.  I pulled out an oldie but a goodie...ADD Math.  Are you familiar with it?  I used to do it daily {Arithmetic Developed Daily} but have since exchanged it for Number Corner. One of my favorite pieces of ADD math is how it breaks down solving a number story...the acronym is TIPS which stands for Think, Information, Plan, Solution.  Each half piece of paper looks like this:

You can click on the picture and it will take you to their website if you are interested.  I know, I know...some might think it came from the time of dinosaurs...but I'm telling you some things stand the test of time and this is one of them!  Sometimes you just need direct, explicit instruction.  Really, you do!

I created this poster {Click HERE}  if you're interested in creating your own:

Clipart: Scrappin' Doodles

Our math program uses the spiral approach {Which is something else I'm trying to wrap my brain around} so in addition to number stories we worked on fact families. We did a fun activity that I found over at Kelley's blog. To grab it click ---------> Buggy for Second Grade!  They loved it and it was a little challenging for them.  A perfect combo!

I have got to give a shout out to Sheree over at Peterson's Pad!

She finally has reached 100 followers, but I'm telling you, she should be WAY past that.  Her blog is awesome. I can't tell you how many activities I've downloaded and used in my classroom.  She's so sweet and so creative and is having a giveaway!!!!! {Please take a minute and head over and be sure to follow...I'd love to see her reach 200 before she can even annouce her giveaway winner!!!!}.  She's giving away a $10 Amazon gift card or any one of her awesome TpT packets. 

And last but not least...I won this super cute shirt over at Heather's giveaway.  Luckily, I wore it today because I got so many stinkin' compliments on that thing, nobody noticed the tissues hanging out of my nose at our staff inservice in the afternoon... {It's a bit blurry which is a good thing...you'd call me Rudolph otherwise}.

Note the tissue in my hand...at least it's not shoved up my sleeve...how old am I?

If you want to purchase your own...I advise wearing it on a bad hair day, a day when you've got a pimple the size of Gibraltar...nobody will notice because all they'll see is your cute lil' shirt.  You can purchase one at Sewing Sassy {HERE}.

Happy Weekend!!!!!!

Holly