Turkey Time!

I just finished up my latest literacy and math unit for my students.  They always love these activities in centers, and they make great quick activities for last minute planning or even for a substitute.  I hope you will enjoy them too.  I am going to give away a free copy.  Just leave a comment telling me something that you are thankful for this time of year.

That's a Fact Jack!

What do you do with a class full of 15 boys that love hunting, camouflage, and creatures of any kind?  I also have 6 girls that love the outdoors too.  But my boys can tell you when opening day for squirrel hunting is and let's not forget coon season.

I came across some great items on TpT that are Duck Dynasty.  Without a doubt, I knew what to do.  I waited until the kiddos had learned some about facts and opinions and place value before we had a Duck Dynasty kind of day.

 

And wouldn't you know it, on the candy aisle at Wal-Mart, I found some special treats!  Yummy!!!  That's a Fact Jack!

Eating Our Way through Math

Carb Day in Second Grade, you ask?  By the looks of this, it may seem like it!  

We put up the plastic base ten blocks, and grabbed some food to help us with place value this week. What a yummy way to learn about place value!  We used saltine crackers to represent hundreds, pretzels sticks to show tens, and Cheerios for the ones place.  Each student made their own placemat for place value.  Then we started the fun.  One did a variety of problems. I called out a number, and the students had to show me a way to represent that number using the fewest pieces of food.  Then they had to show me a different way using more pieces.  Students also had to read word form to show some number  and expanded form.  I just wrote a bunch of different problems on the smart board.  Students also partnered up, and I gave them one number to show me two different ways.  Of course, every now and then I would tell them to eat five Cheerios or a cracker.  One of my students even told me that this was a great way to teach math!  Melt my heart!  

Making Words Fun

I love fun apps that are free!  Don't you!  This is one my students, and I love a ton.  Chicktionary is a make words activity.  You make as many words as possible and try to figure out what the mystery word.  The students love the clucking noise.  This is one of the apps we use during Daily 5, and it is a hit!

Fun Finger Pointers

Finger pointers are so much fun.  I always tell my students to get their fingers not their pickers ready when we read.  They love this, and if you teach little ones you know they love to pick their noses!  Yuck! Gross!  I know you are picturing that one student right now, hiding behind a book or their hand as they dig for gold!  Anywho, let's get back on topic...finger pointers.  The fall is the best time to pick up these fun things.  I have bat rings, witch fingers, star wands, and skeletons.   So go get you some pointers and try to stop some of those pickers!!!

Throwback Thursday Fall Freebies

This time of is year is always fun and exciting for us...pumpkins, bats, ghosts, candy corn, treats, tricks, owls, scarecrows, and so much more.  Check out this old post and go grab and an adorable witch writing freebie.  

Who does not love a treat this time of year (anytime of year)?  The other Throwback Fall Freebie I have is sweet to say the least.  It is a fun way to review adjectives and snack on some candy corn too.  Enjoy this tasty treat.

Happy Fall!

Throwback How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

Today was a busy day at my school.  Grandparent's Day Luncheon.  Do I need to say more?  I teach at a small community school in a rural area and let me tell you grandparents show up.  So do moms, dads, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the next door neighbor.  The kids love it!  It always worries me.  So many people, and I have no idea where all my students are eating.  Some go outside to the picnic tables, others stay in the cafeteria with their loved ones, while some head to the media center.  The students that don't have grandparents to come eat with them (bless their hearts...it makes me sad) head back to the room to eat with me and watch a movie.  We really are blessed to have such a wonderful turn out and the kiddos love it!!!! 

I tried to have a fun activity planned after lunch so the students were not upset that their loved ones had to go home, and we had to get back to work.  Since we have been studying the continents and Johnny's birthday is coming this week.  I decided to read

I love this book!  We also used Google Earth on our journey around the world.  (I have blogged about this before.  Check out this post for lessons and freebies.)  We did not get to actually make an apple pie, but we did eat some Apple Delights! Yummy!

 

Do you smell that?

Do you smell that?  I think I know what it is....Fall is in the air.  Today has been in the 70s with a nice breeze in NC.  A pleasant change from the last few days.  Unfortunately, allergy/cold season decided to come knocking on my door yesterday.  Hopefully, the 'crud' will go away quickly. 

Since I didn't feel like doing much, I decided to finish up my Fall Fun Literacy and Math Activities.  I created seven Make Words Activities, How to Make a Pumpkin Pie Writing Activity, Fall Fun-Math Around the Room Review Activity, Descriptive Words page, two bump games (Fall Fun and Halloween), and two ABC Order Activities (Fall and Halloween).  I can't wait to use this with my students.  I will utilize most of the activities during Daily 5 and the math activities will be supplemental and just fun for the kiddos.  The first two people that tell me what they love about Fall will get the unit for FREE. 

 

 

SLANT Box

 

I was so lucky to get to participate in the August SLANT Box hosted by Lessons with Coffee. 

 

My gifter was the sweet Stephanie at

 

 

She sent me the cutest things that she made.  I just love each one of them and know my kiddos are going to love the game she created.  The monsters match my room theme perfectly.  She even sent my extra pages to change out my frames.  Stephanie was so sweet! 

 



 

Work Days, Open House

I think we need to change the term work day to meeting day.  This week I went back and the first day was optional with no meetings.  It was great catching up with others and chatting, having lunch, and doing a few things in my room.  Then Tuesday came, meetings all day.  And next Wednesday...just repeat Tuesday... meetings all day.  The meetings are due to various changes.  Meetings about the school year, trainings for new programs, PLCs, etc.  You understand.  Meetings are a most, I just want to be able to accomplish all the other stuff I need to do in my room.  I want to get ready for 21 smiling faces!  Hopefully, I am closer to that now.  I cant wait to meet my kiddos and their families tonight at Open House.  Here is a quick look at some things in my room.

 

Happy New Year!