Plants a Camp Out and a Freebie!

Hello!
Hope you guys are all doing well!

As for me I am doing fantabulous.  My husbands schedule switched back and now he is off on weekends again.  You do not know how happy this makes me.  Dealing with both boys on the weekend, plus making sure the house is clean (or at least presentable. Ha! Lets keep it real) and then doing all the other million things teachers take home was driving me craaaaazy!!!
My hats off to any single moms out there.  You guys are amazing!

Well anywho!

In the classroom we are learning about plants.  Let me tell you when I planted them last week I was really worried about these little plants.  I literally prayed for them over the weekend.  I plan to do this project for mothers day that I found on Pinterest.

Source: houseofhepworths.com via Angie on Pinterest

So as you can see there is a little pressure on this little grass to grow.  Well when I left my little cups last week this is what they looked like.  Just dirt in a cup.

When I came back from the weekend  this is what they looked like.

Yay! We have grass.  Hopefully we get more grass but at least its a start.  I will keep praying things will turn out.  I have a backup just in case but I really thought this was cute and different.  My kiddos love logging in their observations.  Just take a look at them.  They can't see a camera or they go crazy.  I love these kiddos!

We are starting testing this week also and let me tell you I am not a happy camper.  I just want to skip this month and get to the fun end of the year stuff.

One week before school ends I always do a fun week at camp learned-a-lot.  I bring in a tent and have a makeshift campfire, we decorate our classroom, we sing camp songs, and even tell scary stories.  It truly feels like a week at camp.  I made this unit filled with fun camp activities. Here is a little peek, just click on the pics to check out the whole unit.  

We write in our journal everyday summarizing the events of the day.  My students love this time because so much is going on at camp they have a lot to write about.  

This cover is a freebie along with another activity if you download the preview.  

So just click on the pic to head on over to my TPT store and enjoy!

This is one of the parent letters offered.  There is also a blank one so you can fill out what you need for your classroom or one that just asks for money donations.  

We recite this everyday in our classroom just like we were in camp.  The kids love it!

There is more songs offered in the unit but this is my kids favorite song.  They literally beg to sing this song.  

So as you can see I am looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel.  I can't wait to go to camp!
Cindy

Earth Day Celebration and a Fiesta

Hello!

I know Earth day was two days ago but let me tell you I have been so busy and exhausted that by the time that I get home I have no energy.  So I am playing a little catch up now.
My kiddos loved all of our Earth Day activities but let me tell you the one that they loved the most was our trash to treasure project.  They literally begged for more time.  They were so into making their creations that it was pretty quiet in my room, which means I loved this activity as well.  Hahaha!  This was my first year doing this and I really didn't know what to expect but it came out great.  My OCD was really getting to me when they started creating and there was bottles and papers everywhere!  I had to calm down and let them just explore and create.  After they cleaned it all up and my classroom was back to normal.  Here are some pics of some of their creations.

The kiddo on the left made a car using toilet paper rolls for wheels and an eggos box.  He even made an action figure to go inside.  The kiddo on the right made a parachute man.  He decorated the bottle but its a little hard to see.

My sweetie on the left made a picture frame and even added yarn so you can hang it on the wall.  The kiddo on the right made a robot.  If you look closedly he added eyes and a mouth.  If you look in the back you can see a kiddo that made a mask.  He was too funny!  He said he was Cereal Man the superhero.

These are half of my crazy kiddos!  They love taking pictures.  

Well now that Earth Day is over we are now getting ready for Cinco De Mayo!  This year we will be celebrating it on May 3rd since May 5th lands on Sunday.  We usually do a big fiesta on Cinco de Mayo.  We listen to music, eat chips and salsa, play bingo, learn a little spanish, learn about the history of Cinco de Mayo, and even learn The Mexican Hat Dance.  It is so much fun!  We use this unit which is filled with a lot of fun activities.  So just click on the pic to head on over to TPT.

We are also going to be starting our new Math Journals for the month of May. If you haven't used these they are a great way to start your math block or for independent work.  There are is one version that can be displayed on the smartboard or there are strips that students can cut out to put in their journals.  Journals are included in the unit.  Just click on the pic to check them out.

Cindy

Five for Friday

Hello Everyone!!!

First off I have to tell you that I am exhausted!  This week has been super busy!  I am linking up with Doodle Bugs for their Five for Friday linky party.

1.  Earlier this week we made a trip to the Dollar Store.  My son is so excited for summer that he decided to dress up.  We had so much fun trying on these silly glasses!

2.  This week my little one has grown so much it seems.  He is starting to shake his head to say no and now he is starting to play and interact more with his brother.  I tried to get a picture of them playing swords.  Not the best pic of them but it was such a quick moment. 

              

                                                  

3.  On Thursday our First Grade Team took a trip to the Kids Museum.  That place is so big and so much fun.  Let me tell you I was so exhausted after the field trip.  I was literally in bed by 8:30pm.  The students had sooooo much fun!

4.  Today our school had their Spring Carnival.  At our school the teachers work the booths and this year Angie (my wonderful teamate over at Teaming Up To Teach) signed us up for the Toilet Bowl toss.  The students literally have to throw toilet paper rolls inside a toile bowl thing.  It sounds innocent enough but let me tell you it gets old quick.  We had to chase those toilet rolls all over the place.  My back is killing me!  Next year we know not to sign up for that booth.  Maybe will be doing something a little more quiet.  Our carnival was from 5pm to 7pm and let me tell you I am tiiiiired!  

Here is a pic of me and Angie with our toilet! (Thats me on the left with my Starbucks in hand.)

Here is another pic of us being silly!  Our school's mascot is a Superhero so we had this football toss booth.  We found it to be the perfect picture booth.  Ha!!!!  

5.  Speaking of Superheroes I have been pretty busy this week finishing up some things.  

We are also finishing up our Earth Day unit.  The students got to take their Earth Day Patrol badges home this weekend and their citations.  They were on a mission to make sure that they take care of the Earth.  They really loved giving each other citations for littering or for wasting water.  It was awesome to see them.  (Sorry no pic!) Check out this activity here

We are starting plants next week.  I am super excited!  The students will be making grassheads and hopefully they grow long enough to become a gift for their mommy.  I am keeping my fingers crossed it all works out.  Doing it with plenty of time in case I need a backup.  Ha!

Well hope you enjoyed my week because now I am off to bed.  I really needed this weekend.  Hope you enjoy yours as well.  

Cindy

Earth Day and a Freebie!

I am linking up with Charity Preston for Maniac Mondays.  Head on over to Classroom Freebies to check out all of the wonderful freebies this week.

My classroom will be starting Earth Day activities this week.  I know its not until April 22nd but we have a field trip on Thursday and spring carnival on Friday so I wanted to get a head start on it.

I have created this Earth Day unit:

It includes literacy and math activities.  It also has a craft and a mini-reader.  click on the pic to check it out.  

Now onto your freebie!  In the spirit of Earth Day I wanted the freebie to fit the theme.  So here you are:

I am having my students bring in 'used' material to class.  I am going to collect it for a whole week (Or as long as my OCD can stand it. LOL!)   Then on Earth Day I am going to give each student some used materials and ask them to invent something new.  They could make picture frames, art, pencil holders, jewelry,  or anything their creative brains will let them.  They will then title their piece and write about it.  

Hope you enjoy!  

Just click on the pic and download the preview for your freebie.  

Cindy

Five for Friday 4-12-13

Hello!!!

This is my first time linking up with  Doodlebugs for their five for Friday Linky party. Here we go:

1.  This week went by super sloooow!  I have a sick baby and let me tell you its been a lot of late nights so I have been exhausted.  Good thing my mom watches him because that helped tremendously so I wouldn't take time off of work.  All I could think of was the weekend because I can nap when my boys nap.  Ha!

2.  This week in class we are learning about producers and consumers.  So me and Angie ,over at Teaming Up To Teach, had the students make bookmarks for the students to sell to each other.  The girls mostly made hearts, butterfly designs and other girly things.  My students are crazy with Minecraft so their were a lot of those designs but a little boy in Angie's class did this bookmark:

Angie and I just started cracking up.  As we questioned him on where he came up with this he said it was his favorite song.  He started singing "I got $20 in my pocket..." and started pop locking.  Omg!  I wish I could have recorded him he was really really good and hilarious.

3.  On Friday I usually give the students time to finish up their classwork before Fun Friday.  This is the day where everyone I mean everyone is on task and trying to finish their work so that they can earn that Fun Friday.  I wish they would do that the rest of the week. We ended up playing a Smartboard games this week for  Fun Friday didn't have the energy to pull out the board games and math manipulatives.  

4.  We also had a birthday this week.  My students love wearing their birthday glasses.  They also get a hat  but this student is too cool for that.  This is my birthday wall.  I got the inspiration from Erica Bohrer.  I love birthdays this year because I have absolutely banned cupcakes!  I know I sound horrible!  The reason being is that I have peanut allergies but let me tell you I love it.  Their is no mess from icing and the kiddos are not hopped up on sugar.  We sing happy birthday and the kiddos are allowed to bring juice drinks and fruit snacks it they really desire to bring something.  

                                                      

5.  The last picture I leave with is a picture of where I went to eat today.  I have been trying to eat healthy because I need to lose the baby weight ( it doesn't matter that my baby is now 10 months ok I still blame it on baby weight.  Hahahaha!)Well today I had enough, I was craving a cheeseburger and some fries so I convinced my hubby and we headed here:

I don't know if you have one of these where you live but I love this place for quick good cheeseburger.

Well hope you enjoyed my week.  Now I am off to try to relax before I have to give the next dosage of medicine.  My poor baby!   

Cindy

Classroom Germs!

I am linking up with Charity Preston for Maniac Mondays.  Head on over to Classroom Freebies to check out all of the wonderful freebies this week.

My class did this mini germ unit and loved it.  

It includes 8 pages of germ themed experiments and a craftivity.  

Hope you enjoy as well!   Just click on the pic for your freebie.  

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!!!

Hello!

I have great news!  We have 10 lucky winners for our Spring Extravaganza Giveaway.

10 lucky winners have won the following:
(if you weren't a lucky winner this time don't you worry head on over to our TPT page by clicking on the pics to check out these great units.










The winners are:

a Rafflecopter giveaway I have sent you each an email so please look for an email from First Grade A to Z.  Thank you again for joining our giveaway and glad to have you as followers.

Melissa can you send me your info at FirstGradeAtoZ@gmail.com.

Cindy

Beach Days/Giveaway

Hello!
First off don't forget to enter our giveaway!  10 lucky winners will receive four wonderful April themed items.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Well I am back to school from Spring Break I miss my babies at home but I feel like I have hit crunch time in class.  I don't know about you guys but I feel like time is flying.  Before you know it my students will be 2nd graders and I feel like I still have so much to cover.  AHHHHH!
Ok.Ok I am back.   Had a little nervous breakdown there.  Its not like we haven't done anything but I always feel like there is more to cover.
                                                   
All this thinking of end of the year reminds me of summer and my old classroom.  I use to have a Beach themed room and it always made me feel relaxed.  I loved the colors and the vibe it gave off.  Don't get me wrong I love my Hollywood themed classroom I have now and don't plan to change it but I do miss my Beach Theme some days.  Here are a few pics of my old room and some Freebies.

This was my student work board.  they kept all of their book boxes for their Daily 5 underneath.

This was my job chart "A Sea of Helpers". I added all the boats and have all the students names on stars. All those baskets on the shelf were for homework, money and notes, spelling lists and the one closes to the door is for classwork. I don't use the hooks for their backpacks instead I have the students put them on their chair and use this to hang their coats during winter and hang my classroom mascot bag (Flippy the Dolphin) and the lost tooth bag that they get to take home. (Sorry about the messy picture but this was towards the beginning of the year and we were working on putting things neatly in baskets)

This was my calendar area and where my group rug is.

This was my word wall and my math wall. We didn't have any words up when this was taken since it was the beginning of the year but now I put all of the students names and the first 5 words on our spelling list. The table is our writing center.

This was my classroom library. I had my wonderful husband hang my tiki roof from my ceiling. I had him move it twice because it was way too high and then after looking at this picture I had him move it again because it was too low. When this picture was taken it was still missing the cute mat and the chairs.

The last picture I have is my Birthday wall. I got this from Miss Kindergarten. It is a BIRTHDAY BEACH. The months are on sandcastles and you write the students names on red pennants. It was just too cute so I had to do it in my classroom.

This is the view of my room from the door. All the rooms in our school are the same size so I have a pretty good size room with lots of windows so I am truly blessed.

After a long walk through memory lane here are some freebies just click on the pic to head on over to my TPT store, while you are there you can follow my store:

The first item was for my VIP student or as we called them 

The Surfer of the Week

Beach Themed Reading Log



Beach Themed Story Map Poster


There are other Beach Themed items in my TPT if you want to check out.
I have a B.E.A.C. H. Book to help with communication at home

Beach Themed Calendar Kit

Beach Themed Alphabet Line

Ok I have to go take a nap after this long post.   Wish I could say I have to go to the Beach but living in Las Vegas makes that very difficult.  

~ALOHA~

Cindy