February What Are You Reading? Linky

My students are loving Dear Mr. Henshaw. For many it is the first novel they have read in letter/journal form. It's a great peek into a 6th grade boy's mind. Leigh has a lot going on. His parents are divorce, his dad is never around, someone is stealing his lunch, and his dad has a new family. Leigh attempts to work it all out by writing to his favorite author. 

What are you reading?

Don't forget to check out what other 5th grade teachers are reading over at Focused on Fifth.

January Show and Tell Tuesday Linky

I am so happy to be participating in the first Show and Tell Tuesday hosted by Stephanie from Forever in 5th Grade. I think I am more excited to see what everyone else has to share. I love finding out what everyone else has been up to.

I have to admit I am a real slacker with my bulletin boards. When I put up a display, it stays up for a while. That's why I love displays that are not seasonal. (It's a little embarrassing when you still have turkeys hanging in mid December). 

For this display I had each student draw a picture of themselves in the middle of the page. They then came up with eight numbers that related to them. They could use their age, number of siblings, number of pets, month of their birthday, etc. The possibilities are endless. Using a sticky note, they covered the answer. On the sticky note, they wrote an expression that equaled the answer. This way anyone looking at the poster had to do math to figure out the answer. Hence the title "Figure Us Out!" They could check their answer by looking under the sticky note.

I did this at the beginning of the year as a get to know you/open house display. I think next year I am going to wait and do it after I teach order of operation. That way the students will be challenged to create more complex expressions

Speaking of Open House, I used this adorable idea from Crayons in the City. Each family that stopped by left with this cute treat. The thing is a had a bunch left over. So now when I am out for the day, I leave one in my sub folder. I figure it's a nice little thank you for taking care of my class while I am away. They would also be great to give to parent volunteers. You can get the labels for free here.

Be sure to head over to Forever in Fifth and check out what everyone else has to show and tell.

January What Are You Reading? Linky

The Snow Globe Family by Jane O'Connor is what we will be reading this week.

One of my favorite things to do after reading this book is to have the students write about what it would be like to be trapped in a snow globe. They always have so much fun with this assignment, even my reluctant writers.

Here is the templates that I created for my students.

 The first one has the writing prompt at the top.

 The second page is for any student that needs more line to complete their story.

The final page is modified to accommodate those students that need more assistance to complete the assignment. 

We then combine the writing with this popular Pinterest idea.

click image to see original pin

These writings always make the best hallway display!

Would you like a copy of my writing template? Click here to get the freebie.

I would love to hear about what you are reading this month.

Don't forget to head over the Focused on Fifth and see what the other 5th grade teachers are reading.

December What Are You Reading? Linky!

My 5th graders love when I read to them. I think they love picture books even more. I started incorporating more picture books into the curriculum a few years ago when I started using mentor sentences by Ideas by Jivey. Once I started using them, I was hooked. Not to mention my kids love it. I love that she includes holiday/seasonal picture books into her units. This week we will be reading The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. It is such a magical book. Even if the students have read it before, they do not mind hearing it again.

Head on over to Focused on Fifth to see what the other teachers are reading.

Unwrapping the Holidays: Seasonal Stories

There are so many wonderful holiday stories and so little time.  One of my favorite holiday novels is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. 

This is such a great story and my students always find it hysterical. I also love using this freebie from Nicole Shelby.

She has a great form for the students to keep track of the characters. I use it for the students to document character traits of the characters and site evidence to back it up. There is also a great Sticky Note Summary sheet. The students summarize each chapter on a Post-It note. It's a great way to help them keep the summary short.

Just before we head out on vacation, I pass out candy canes and we watch the movie version of the novel.

This version is a super cute made-for-tv movie starring Loretta Swift as the mom. It follows the book pretty closely and is just under an hour long. It's a great way to end the last day before the holiday break. You can get a copy of the movie here. I use the movie every December. It was definitely worth purchasing.

Now hop on over and check out what the other bloggers have to share.

An InLinkz Link-up

Unwrapping the Holidays: Teacher's Little Helper

One of my first holiday products that I created is this cute little elf. I use it every year with my students. It's a great way to review order of operations. 

 I also created a page so your students can show their work.

If you are interested in purchasing this product (It's only $1) you can click any of the pictures above or here and it will bring you to the product.

Now go check out all the other holiday products these other bloggers are sharing.

An InLinkz Link-up

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

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