Sundae Math and a DJ party!

Well, here I am a month later! I am so disappointed in myself for not keeping up with my blog!! I could sit and make a thousand excuses but I won't do it! :) Let me tell just tell you how much has been going on in my life lately. Not to mention how extremely blessed I am!!

Student teaching has been AH-MAZING! I have had the greatest experience and I am so fortunate to have made such wonderful connections and relationships with my cooperating teacher and my little kiddos! This past week was my solo week and it went fantastic! I thought I would be glad to say, "I'm glad that's over!" but I'm ready to keep going. I DON'T want it to be over. I'm proud to say I fought through my struggle in teaching fractions. (Math is not my favorite subject). But, by the end of the week I was dreaming about fractions and it became much more comfortable! That was the best feeling! I taught Reading for my Teacher Work Sample this past week and it went fabulous. The kids did wonderful in centers that I planned and did a fantastic job on the post-assessment! They truly are a FABULOUS group of kids! I can't believe I only have one week left with them. I am going to be so sad to leave. Good thing I'll still be in the same school, just down the other hallway!

This Friday we had Sharpen the Saw (7 habits) which is every other Friday at our school where students can sign up for different activities. Some include: volleyball in the gym, crafts, cooking, computers, library, etc. For a little time out of the day, this serves as an incentive for students who don't make two behavior marks within the two weeks before the Friday we celebrate. The school planned a secret DJ party instead of Sharpen the Saw on Friday for the principal's birthday and going away party, as she has excepted a job at the new school opening in the fall. We all wore red,white, and blue (her new school's colors) and danced in the gym while eating popcorn. Afterwards, I'm not sure where there was more popcorn, in their bellies or on the gym floor! It was a blast! The kids were so surprised to see me dancing along and singing all the words to "Party in the USA" and "Party Rock Anthem"! I guess they didn't know Ms. Shell had it in her! :) So much fun!

On Friday we also had Sundae Math. Since I came to third grade, the students have been taking timed multiplication quizzes. Each time they pass one of the quizzes they get a sticker. Each sticker represents a part of a Sundae. For example, if the students complete their 1's they get a bowl, 2's get a scoop of ice cream, 3's get another scoop of ice cream, 4's get whipped cream and so on.. This was such a great way to get the kids to practice their multiplication facts! We watched school house rock and celebrated with an ice cream party! Again, so much fun!!! This is certainly something I will use in my classroom.

Between my assignments for my student teaching class, an online class (Kentucky History) I have put off, planning, and all the other fun parts of student teaching I catch myself coming home daily in this routine:
-sit down for a minute, cook dinner/grab dinner, grade papers/plan/homework, sometimes catch up on one show, and by 9:00 I'm in bed asleep. Hence why I haven't blogged in FOREVER. I'm so exhausted most days I just get the things done that are "top priority" and forget the rest. Maybe this is why my social life is slacking? I need to find a balance! This is the first weekend I have deep cleaned my house, caught up on laundry, worked on homework that is not due for quite sometime, and laid on my couch to watch sappy love movies! I LOVE IT!

Speaking of love...I have also fallen for Brain Pop videos! They have one for almost anything and the kids love them! The content is great too! I know most teachers probably use them but if you don't, I highly recommend you do so!! :)

I have so many worksheets to share but I'm still trying to figure out the best way to post them on here! If anyone can help, please let me know! I have a teachers-pay-teachers account, but they would all be freebies that I post. Maybe I'll just make them downloadable from there?!

Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend and I'll be back to post more hopefully sooner than later! :) Have a super great week !!!

Till' next time!!! :)