What Works! Teacher Appreciation Linky and Giveaway!

Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs. No matter how many years you have been teaching, you are always facing new and challenging obstacles. This linky is our way of showing our appreciation to all of you. The teachers participating in this linky are sharing "secrets" from their classrooms. These are ideas/activities that work for us. We are hoping you will find them helpful in your classroom too.

Pen Pals

     Last year I had a student transfer into my homeroom from another state. His previous teacher sent him a letter a few weeks later. In the letter she asked him if our class would be interested in becoming pen pals with his "old" class. How could I refuse? 

     Well, his teacher and I had such a great time (as did the students) that we decided to continue this  year with our new classes. 

My students are beside themselves on the days that the letters arrive. They can barely contain themselves. All my students, even my reluctant writers can't wait to write back to their pen pal. 

This has been such I wonderful experience. I wish I had started this years ago. 

Just Add Dice

Anytime you can incorporate dice into a lesson, students sit up and take notice.

Pictured above is my fraction comparing game. The students use dice to create two fraction. Then they compare them.

Another way I use dice is for review. The students pair up and roll the dice. The number rolled corresponds to the question on the review sheet that they need to answer. Using dice takes "quizzing your partner" to a whole new level. 

Now for your chance to win! Below you will find not one but TWO rafflecopter giveaways. Both prize bundles are worth over $475.  The more entries you have on the rafflecopter the more chances you have to win. So enter now!

Just take a look at everything you could win...One lucky reader will win this entire prize package!!!

Prize Bundle #1 Includes

Mountain Math/Language Resource of your Choice (up to $99.95)

$100 Gift Card to Teachers Pay Teachers

$50 Amazon Gift Card

Smart Class Website Designed by Flapjack Educational Resources

Pencil Sharpener by Classroom Friendly Supplies

Year-Long Writing Prompts by Mrs. D's Corner

Mentor Sentences Unit by Jivey

Dealing with Math Homework by Teacher's Clubhouse

Your Choice of Melonheadz Graphics (up to $7.00)

Growing Bundle Purposeful Problem Solving by Pawsitively Teaching

Pop Art Coloring Page for Seasons and Holidays by Art by Jenny K

Game Pack from Flap Jack Educational Resources

PLUS....$140 Gift Box of Fabulous Teacher Supplies sent to you from Amazon

We aren't finished yet....take a look at everything a second lucky winner will win!!!

Prize Bundle #2 Includes

Mountain Math/Language Resource of your Choice (up to $99.95)

$100 Gift Card to Teachers Pay Teachers

$50 Amazon Gift Card

Smart Class Website Designed by Flapjack Educational Resources

Pencil Sharpener by Classroom Friendly Supplies

Year-Long Writing Prompts by Mrs. D's Corner

Mentor Sentences Unit by Jivey

Dealing with Math Homework by Teacher's Clubhouse

Your Choice of Melonheadz Graphics (up to $7.00)

Growing Bundle Purposeful Problem Solving by Pawsitively Teaching

Pop Art InteractiveColoring Page for Seasons and Holidays by Art by Jenny K

Mega Task Card Bundle from Flap Jack Educational Resources

PLUS....$140 Gift Box of Fabulous Teacher Supplies sent to you from Amazon

Be sure to enter both rafflecopters for a better chance at winning one of these amazing prize bundles!

Enter to Win Prize Bundle #1 Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter to Win Prize Bundle #2 Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You won't want to miss out on all the other great secrets being shared by successful teachers!  Be sure to check out all the other great posts below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Stop, Swap and Roll: A Product Swap

I am so excited to be joining Melissa from Jungle Learners for her Stop, Swap and Roll product swap.

I had the pleasure of teaming up with Kathleen at A+ Kids Bloggin. Kathleen is a retired Special Education teacher who loves to use materials beyond paper and pencil. Kathleen believes that when kids are handed manipulatives their enthusiasm, engagement and attention increase. Kids become active participants and that is always what teachers want to happen in their classrooms. 

 I was thrilled to choose one of Kathleen's many wonderful products. It was not any easy decision. I finally decided on her Homophones and Trivia product. 

This product has many components. After teaching the three sets of homophones included in this product I used the trivia cards as an informal assessment.  I projected the trivia cards using my document camera and had the students write down their answer choice on a piece of paper. This was a great way to gauge how well the students understood the homophones.

My students loved the trivia cards. Several mentioned how they were doing "double learning", first with reviewing homophones and second with the trivia facts.

Next we played the Homophone and Trivia Game together as a whole class. I wanted to model the game so the students would know what to do when they later used the game in small groups.

When the students play this in small groups they use the cards to cover their spots. With the entire class I had the students use bingo chips.  The students loved being able to choose the words for their game board.

The students also enjoyed playing Sort the Homophones. This was a great center activity.

We finished our homophone unit by using the included printables for homework.

I loved how many different activities where included in this product. Kathleen includes anchor charts for the three sets of homophones. These were great to hang in my classroom for a quick reference for students. There are also answer keys included so students can correct their own work when playing Sort the Homophones and Homophones and Trivia.  Kathleen definitely knows how to get students excited about learning. Her Homophones and Trivia packet is a fun way to teach homophones.

Kathleen is sharing a copy of her homophones and trivia activity with one lucky winner. Be sure to enter below for your chance to win. 
In honor of the product swap Kathleen has placed her entire store on sale and is offering this featured resource, Homophones and Trivia at the very special price of only $2.  So if you just have to have it now, head on over to her store and pick it up.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to head over to Molly and Amy's blog Two Nutty Teachers to see my Fraction Game Bundle in action. Then enter for a chance to win your own copy of my Fraction Bundle.  My TpT store will also be on sale during the swap. Everything is on sale for 20% off, even my bundles.

Don't forget to check out all the other blogs participating in the Stop, Swap and Roll. There are lots of great products to be won.

Keeping It Fun!

My students have just completed their first round of testing. We have lots more to cover before the math testing begins next month. I need to continue to move through the curriculum but at the same time these guys need a break.

We are just about finished with our fraction unit. We have added, subtracted, and multiplied fractions. All that is left is division. As a way to help the students understand that a fraction is also a division problem I used Fun Flaps from Scholastic. This particular book covers fraction and decimal concepts.

These Fun Flaps were created to reinforce changing improper fractions to mixed/whole numbers. I used them to help the students connect that a fraction is a division problem.

After all the testing, the students appreciated a more laid back math class. I enjoyed being able to continue with the curriculum while the students had fun learning.

Spring in Our Step Linky, A Giveaway and A Freebie!

I am linking up with Marissa from The Inspired Owl's Corner for her Spring in Our Step linky and giveaway.

After 4 major snowstorms, 2 that were blizzards, and a record 11 snow days, I am ready for spring.

And just like that, the picnic table, swings and grass have magically appeared. It's the most amazing sight. Spring is the best!

It's been a long time since I have added a product to my TpT store. I have created several games/activities for my classroom but still need to made them TpT ready. Below is my new multiplying fractions KABOOM! game. When I came across the cute frogs from Mel at Graphics from the Pond I knew I had  to use them for my spring themed KABOOM! game.

Interested in learning more about my KABOOM! game? Check it out HERE

I did this activity a few weeks ago with my students. It was a fun way to access their basic understanding of fractions. It made for a colorful spring display.

Click HERE to get a free copy of my fraction flower. 

Check out the giveaway below and enter to win. Then head over to the other blogs below to see how they are celebrating spring.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Teacher's Pets - A Pet Linky

I am linking up with Julie from A First for Everything, Lisa from Pawsitively Teaching,  Amy from Learning Lessons with Mrs. Labrasciano, Marissa from Inspired Owl's Corner, and Jennifer from Stories and Songs in Second for their pet themed linky.

  

 This is Brownie. We adopted her from Tennessee last May. She has been a great addition to the family. She loves the beach.

She also loves to play fetch. Going to the field behind our house is her favorite activity. Just give her a wide open space and a ball and she is a happy pup.

Check out this fabulous dog themed classroom from Schoolgirl Style. I am just amazed at the attention to detail. I wish I was this creative. 

This is my favorite pet item. 

The Chuck-It Launcher is the best. Brownie will chase a ball ALL-DAY-LONG. She runs until she drops and then she runs some more. The Chuck-It has saved us from sore muscles and helps to tired our puppy out. If you have a dog that loves to play fetch, I can't recommend this enough.

Another item we can not live without is Nylabones. 

Brownie is still a puppy with those sharp puppy teeth. She needs and wants to chew. Nylabones are her favorite. She will chew on them for hours.  They come in a variety of flavors and hardness. A perfect bone for dogs that love to chew.

Does your pet have a favorite item that they can't live with out? Let us know by leaving a comment below. 

And don't forget to enter to win one of four gift cards. Also be sure to hop over to the other blogs to see what pet themed ideas they are sharing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Pick 3 - March Pinterest Linky!

It's that time again. I am linking up with PAWSitively Teaching  and Inspired Owl's Corner for their Pick 3 Linky.

My first pick is this cute Lucky Charms activity.

Click HERE to see original pin.

This actual activity is on the young side for my 5th graders but I plan to modify the idea and use the Lucky Charms to create line plots. It will be a perfect way to reinforce that line plots are number lines and that only one thing is being measured per plot. We will pick one shape to graph on each class line plot and create class line plots to display the collected data. 

My children are currently at the dining room table making Cheerio bird feeders. We have been hit with record amounts of snow this winter with more coming tonight. The birds definitely need some help. Here are several ideas of simple bird feeders kids can make.

Click HERE to link to original pin.

My final pin is a site that is loaded with St. Patrick's Day activities. 

Click HERE to link to original pin.

My favorite activity has to be the scavenger hunt. It will take some work to set up but I am sure it would be worth it. The kids would love it!

If you like these ideas, follow my Pinterest Boards HERE.

Don't forget to check out all the other great Pinterest ideas. 

An InLinkz Link-up