Dr. Seuss

I almost forgot my Seussy Quote of the day!!

Wednesday Quote #3:

 Isn't this quote perfect! All of the things you can THINK if you only TRY... this is also going to go on my organization board or somewhere in my class. It is amazing how positive thinking and the willingness to try something can change a persons outcome.

My Wednesday Adventure

I was a little excited for my teaching call this morning and this is why...

It was home economics

and wait for it.....

I got to teach QUILTING! haha

This is one of the PERKS of being a substitute teacher... I get to teach so many different things.

Some of you may know this already, but in my spare time I enjoy putting away on my sewing machine. Although when I took home economics we were never given the option of quilts.... we had to make a standard pair of boxers (I was a keener and got to make a pair of jeans as well.... I think it was more of a make work project for me now that I come to think of it) which is kinda boring.

This class had some ammmmmazing quilts that they were working on and I loved their creative ideas.

The Quilter Geek

 This is similar to the design one kiddo was working on (should I still call them kiddos if they are bigger than me?).  This tetris quilt is too funny.  She made hers with a white background instead of black, but pretty much is the same concept. 

The other quilt was a super mario design.

Sprite Stitch

I don't know where these big older mature kiddos get these ideas, but I have to give them creativity credit.

Overall it was a great day.  Classroom management was a piece of cake.  Most of the noise I heard came from the sewing machines... it was wonderful.

Raz Kids

I am not sure how many of you have heard about this site, but I fell in love with it last year.  Raz kids is an online site that you can create a class roster, assign reading levels to each student, and you can track their progress.  Students can access their books online (at school or home) and complete each level.  They are also rewarded with points that go towards their spaceship (they absolutely love that part).  You can also see how much time the students spend on their spaceship and on their reading (this is very entertaining).  They can record their reading (which you can listen to and make notes using the program.... this part is super cute) and take a comprehension quiz when they are done.  This was a great tool to see if students really understood what they were reading, or if they were rushing.  One of my favorite features is that you can assign a specific reading to one student and award an individual student any amount of points. 

The only negative with this site is that you have to pay for it... the school I was at last year paid for each teacher to set it up as a trial run (you can sample the books and look at the comprehension questions on their website for free).  Depending upon their reviews they were considering keeping it as a school reading program.  The only thing I have left to figure out is if the teachers are able to transfer a student to a new teacher so that the new teacher can listen to their reading before the new school year starts (and not have to set up a new reading level for that student). 

Have any of you used this yet? If so what is your opinion?  Do you use a different system for encouraging students to read?

Tuesday Quote #2:
I want to add this quote to my organization board that will be above my teaching desk.  I love being weird different UNIQUE! It is what makes me ME.  This also reminds me of another quote that I pinned on my inspiration board. A friend may laugh at your silliness.. but a true friend will get up and join you.  Have a great TUESDAY!

Yummy Apple Recipe

Unfortunately I am home sick today... this darn cold has caught up with me.   I guess my hand sanitizer can only do so much when it comes to germs.  I hope this post still makes sense.... I apologize if the cold has taken over the few functioning neurons I have left.  I wanted to share with you one of my new favorite snacks! It is super easy and healthy :)

Directions:
1.  Core the apple
2. Score the outside of the apple (important step you don't want to forget)
3. Add cereal to the middle of the apple (I used cranberry almond crunch, but any kind of oatmeal/granola cereal will work)  I also added extra crasins to mine.
4. Add a couple teaspoons of maple syrup to the middle of the apple.
5.  Microwave the apple for 2 minutes.
6.  Enjoy!   

Ingredients you will need:

- fresh apple

- cereal

- crasins or raisins if desired

- maple syrup

 I was also able to FINALLY upload "My Experiment Book" to TPT and TN. It took me a little while to realize that my PDF file was too big and I had to find a way to shrink my file...oh technology I love you.  This is one of my favorite creations because it is an easy template for any experiment.  It has a title page, materials, prediction (what I think is going to happen), variables (independent, dependent and controlled), observations (what I smell, see, hear), conclusion (what actually happened), what did I learn, and questions I still have.

I am also very excited to see all of the very creative and cute Dr. Suess creations on TPT and TN.  If I had my own class right now I would be tempted to redecorate it in a Suess theme for the week.  But because I don't and I want to celebrate his birthday on Friday I am going to share one of my favorite Suess quotes each day this week.  

Monday Quote #1:  I absolutely love this quote! My nephew has this quote in "wall talk" above his bed and I think it is the sweetest thing. 

TPT LeAp YeAr SALE!

I am sure most of you have already heard about TPT leap year sale.  At Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons is having a linky party to promote this sale.  If you want to join HOP on over to her super cute blog. 

Right now it is snowing like CRAZY here! I think we have gotten about 2 feet of snow so far.  We still do not have a snow blower.... the man of the house is REALLY regretting that decision (he is outside pleasantly shoveling for the second time today).  I have been staying warm inside and I managed to finish putting my wonderland quilt together.  I can't wait to have it long arm quilted.  I am hoping to have a busy week in the schools, fingers crossed the snow slows down so I can drive tomorrow.  Have a great Sunday night!

kids say the DARNDEST things!

This is a super fun linky party with Kindergarten Lifestyle.  I had sooo many things I could say for this one, but I am sticking with this story.  This didn't personally happen to me, but at the last school I was teaching at, the teacher told me this story in tears the entire time.

I hope everyone had a good Friday and Saturday! I am still unpacking from our road trip but we had a great time in the U.S.A.  I even managed to find a leak proof coffee mug.

If I Could I Would...

I am linking up with Shawna this week for "If I could I would".  I really like this linky party because it made me think about all of the things I really want... but I am going to share the FIRST thing that came to mind.

I am having a major case of travelers itch! I feel like I am at the perfect age to see some of the places on my bucket list.... if I won the lottery of course.  My family recently visited Kaui and it looked soo beautiful that it made its way to my number one spot.  I would also like to visit Africa, Scotland, Ireland, Paris.....my list wont stop.

I am very excited for Friday because we are going on a road trip! This may temporarily cure my travel ailment.   We are heading south into Montana for a weekend shopping trip.  Lets face it, the town I currently live in has 2 grocery stores, one bargain shop, and a few local clothing stores.  So we are going to stock up on groceries and maybe purchase some things to decorate our house.  I hope I can find some sweet deals and not spend too much of my travel fund.  Wish me luck!