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