Monday Made It #4 - Weekly Objective Signs

I'm linking up with Tara again over at 4th Grade Frolics.  

I made these yesterday using cheap dollar store picture frames, scrapbook paper and these beauties right here.  Anyone remember using these as a kid?? My sister and I use to decorate out backpacks with them.. so fun. This is definitely not an original idea, as I'm sure most of you know... but I'm honestly way too lazy to want to go hunt for the original pin.  Sorry.  If it is your idea originally - THANK YOU.  Time saver.. and space saver.. I can use my board for other things now :)

From Teaching 4th

M - A - T - H

Time to link up again for Monday Made It #3!!

Last week when I made the glitter jars the second time around, I also picked up letters to make these gorgeous letters from Tara.

BUT... I don't teach reading.. (I do have a class library.. but I don't teach the subject.) So, instead, I picked up the letters M - A - T - H.  :)  Because it's shorter than science and social studies.. haha.. and because.. unfortunately.. it's our main focus.. thank you Texas and your high stakes testing. :( I don't have any before pictures.. but here is the final product.. very happy with the outcome.. especially considering I spent a good hour painstakingly picking out a good mix of scrapbook paper.

From Teaching 4th

Texas Teachers - CScope anyone??

So here's a question for my fellow Texas bloggers.  Does your district use CScope??  My district bought CScope as a curriculum a few years back, but never really made us use it. This year, however, they've started to throw out the new buzzword "non-negotiable."  Which, to me, means... don't bother complaining arguing griping moaning giving viable arguments against CScope, you're using it - end.of.story. I've been using it a few years for Science.  And for science, it is great, minus the fact that there's nothing to grade.  For everything else.. I hate it. We're departmentalized, so I teach Math, Science, and Social Studies aka Texas History.  I've looked through the Math... and ... well.. I'm at a loss for words. We tried it once for social studies... and unless they've completely revamped the lessons, I'll be trying to get my kids to compare the economy of the American Indians in Texas to the Old Three Hundred that Stephen F. Austin brought to Texas before my kids even know who Stephen F. Austin is.  What fun! And to add insult to injury.... no lessons are posted on the CScope website, except the first six weeks.  They'll be adding the rest as the year goes on.. so I can forget about planning ahead.. So... maybe I'm looking for some reassurance from someone who has used CScope and loves it.... OR I might just be venting... not sure.

From Teaching 4th

Update x2 - Glitter Calming Jars

I just wanted to give an update to the glitter calming jar I made for Monday Made It.  I wasn't sold on the glass jar, or the type of glitter I used so I went to Michael's to look for something else that would work - I tried Hobby Lobby for the original calming jar, but they only had glass mason jars.  Anyway, while browsing the store I found the PERFECT jars.  A little on the small side - but I figure my 4th graders have small hands.. and they don't need a giant bottle to stare at.  I'll add details later.. I'm off to a curriculum meeting.. oh joy!!


Update x2

Okay.  So here are the bottles I used.

They come in packs of 6 for $5.99, but with your 15% discount for being a teacher, the price is $5.09.  Turns out to be less that $1 a bottle.. woohoo! :)





Here it is in hand.  Small, but
plastic; and in my opinion, the
perfect size.

Here is the green one in use.  The sound you here, when it's being shaken are the BBs that I used to help break up all the gunk on the bottom. The blue one takes longer to settle.  I added more glitter glue to that one.. and I may have added more clear Elmers glue as well. Here is a picture of all the items I used (for the blue jar), minus the water.. I still have enough of everything to make a few more bottles of blue, green, and purple.

From Teaching 4th

Monday Made It - Glitter Calming Jar

So, I'm very much aware that I haven't posted in forever, but that doesn't mean I haven't been blog stalking. :) I'm absolutely loving summer vacation... I have 2 curriculum meetings this week for a couple of hours.. And after that I'm done with school until early August when i go back early to set up my classroom.

In my blog stalking, I saw that Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics is having a linky party.



Next year, I will have two students with autism... First time for me. I want to have a lot of sensory resources for my kiddos that they can use to help them feel more comfortable in uncomfortable situations. So I made this Glitter Calming Jar.


The photo really doesn't do it justice.. But I can't figure out how to upload a video from my iPad... C'est la vie.

From Teaching 4th

iPad = Love

Dear Fellow Bloggers, It is probably obvious to those of you that follow my blog (eek!) that I don't update regularly.  I apologize for that.  I'm not much of a talker and really don't have a lot to say; however, I do really love the blogging community and the ideas and experiences that are shared.  Having said that.. I have found the best most amazing software ever! Here's the back story: My district is so behind on technology it's not even funny.  Our technology department is more of a hinderance than a help as far as finding new avenues of technology to help us along in the classroom.  It's really annoying frustrating.  So I've taken it upon myself to get my classroom to where I want it to be technology-wise... or as least give myself a running head start. I got an iPad for Christmas when it first came out.  And was very bummed when the iPad2 came out a few short months later.  Since then I've been trying to figure out how to best use it in my classroom. ------------------- And then this marvelous post on Facebook from Laura Candler at TeachingResources about how to use the iPad in the classroom caught my attention and someone responded about this incredible software called Doceri.  I did some research.. downloaded the free trial on my computer at school and the free app from the app store.  I had to create my own wireless network in my classroom using this gem: (we just won't tell my technology department) and it has been amazing.  I finally have the Interactive Whiteboard I've always dreamed of and I get to move around the classroom while working with it.   :) I've only done a few runs with it in my classroom, but plan on using it more once I receive the GoodPoint Stylus that I ordered.  Cannot.Wait. Next project:  Figure out how to use Smart files without a SmartBoard/IWB.

I Survived!

Week 1 is over! :) My two classes are great, each in their own way. My homeroom is well-behaved and eager to learn.. YAY! My 2nd class is.. well.. they need "reminders" about why they're at school, but we'll get there. They realized this week that I meant it when I said science could be boring (paper/pencil only) or fun (hands-on investigations + some paper/pencil). We tried fun Wednesday. Needless to say, we did boring Thursday. Then I put myself on a soapbox and talked for a good 15 minutes about what was expected of them. We tried fun again Friday and it went MUCH better.

Accomplished this week:
Math: geoboard rules, lines and angles learned, math journal entries (angles and lines), problem solving steps, multiplication facts 2s and 5s, review of place value to the thousands

Science: journals set up, safety contract signed by parents and students, guidelines pasted, two investigations on the physical properties of matter

Social Studies: read our first lesson "People Come to the Americas"

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As we get faster and don't have to spend such a long time on rules/procedures/reminders, I'm hoping to get more social studies in. I'm a bit behind already in everything, but I'll catch up soon enough. Now I need to go find petri dishes and BBs. Renewed inspiration from Tales of Frogs & Cupcakes.

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Tonight: Out for drinks and dinner (my friend is oddly craving steak) and a movie (Columbiana).

I love the weekends.

From Teaching 4th