Lilly Of the Beech...

Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is such a day of surprises...

My daughter is so excited that her wonderful boyfriend sent her flowers today. He had them delivered to her dorm. Now the exciting thing is that they go to different schools. So I must say that I was impressed too.

I was so excited for her...THEN I come home and my wonderful husband had these waiting for me.

My daughter and I are very blessed to have two such great men in our life. It is a Happy Valentine's Day indeed.

I hope everyone has a day filled with love. No matter how you celebrate, just remember that you are loved. God loves you.
Janice

IN THE CLASSROOM....

2012-02-08T15:34:00.000-08:00

This week in math I needed to teach coordinate graphs! I am not that kind of teacher to stand in front of the classroom and teach. I like for my students to explore and discover...AND discover they did.

What a fun week we have had with the following stations:

Station 1~ Grab the Candy Game : students toss two dice (one regular and one A-F) in this fun game that introduces students to coordinate graphing in the spaces. Students form a coordinate pair based on the dice toss and place a marker on that space, if possible. If the space holds a candy, they grab the candy for a quick five points

Station 2~ High Five Game which takes the Gridlock Game to new heights as students create coordinate grid buildings. Students continue to place markers on the coordinates created by tossing two dice but in this game, they can pile markers (small cubes) on top of each other to create buildings. The first player to place a marker that creates a four-story building wins the game. Add the data collection exercise so that students analyze the probability of this 3-D experience.

Station 3~

These activities encourage students to color coordinate pairs to create pictures.

Download Jack-o-Lantern
Download Mad Monster?
Download Gingerbread House
Download Boots

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Station 4~
6x6 game mat. Students use 2 regular dice to graph traditional coordinate pairs at intersections.

NOTE: Penguins pictured to the right were created by painting wooden clothespins and doll stands, both readily available at craft stores.

IN THE CLASSROOM....

2012-02-04T04:41:00.000-08:00

A Perfect Unit on Inferring...

Students alwas seem to want to blame each other for "things" in the classroom. So I took this as the chance to turn it into a lesson on Inference. You can assume many things. I show them pictures and let them try to figure out what is going on in each picture. I get many, many different opinions. Students must back up their inference! They then try to presuade others to their side. It is a fun lesson and then I do not have chidren accusing each other so much in the end.

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Inference: Why is this man on the floor? What makes you think so?

Inference: What are three things you can tell about the person who these feet belong to?

(This is my favorite!)

Inference: How is this girl feeling? What makes you think so?

(Student's favorite)

Inference: What is this man going to say to this girl? Why do you think so?

I have many more pictures we have fun with...

Happy Pinning...(From Pinterest)

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IN THE CLASSROOM....

2012-01-31T14:45:00.000-08:00

This week, my students are taking our state MAP test. We are reviewing and taking break from our curriculum so I do not overload their brains this week. I have been sharing some Math activities we have been doing, so I thought I would share some Science activities...

"A boy left his bike chained to a tree when he want away to war in 1914. He never returned, leaving the tree no choice but to grow around the bike."

Students worked together at this station to discuss how this happened. They brainstormed their ideas and made a circle map. As they rotate each group adds to the map.

Students loved this station. We had previouse studied environments. They wrote a R.A.F.T from the turtles point of view about his environment and what he is thinking about! This is in their AJ's and we shared them at the end of the day. Several students illustrated their RAFTS.

This was the absolute favorite picture of the day! I used this as a creative writing station to review for PASS in the spring. Can you imagine the stories I got about being a "clear frog". AND yes this is a real frog.

Finally they practiced their observation skills!

Love this for practicing observations, inferences and predictions.

Hope this inspires you in your classroom with your students!
Happy Learning...

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In the Classroom...

2012-01-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

While searching for activities this week in Math, I can across the perfect game for my students to play to help review for MAP testing next week...

I ran across a game that teaches area and perimeter. It was described by G. Sims "Husker" in her review of Dice in Dice on Amazon. She calls it the Real Estate Game. You will need Graph Paper and Colored Pencils. 1. Roll one dice in dice and use those numbers as the sides of the area of your land plot. 2. Draw the fence line around your plot. The fence line forms the perimeter of your plot. 3. Write the multiplication problem in your plot. 4. Color in your plot with a colored pencil. You will be coloring in the area of the plot. This game is played in pairs. When there is no more room to place your next plot of land, the game is over. The player with the most land area is the winner. You might also consider laminating a few grids and using dry erase markers instead of colored pencils and graph paper." Great idea.

We have been playing this for two days, and they are still not finished! They have strategized, plotted, and planned what is the best way to lay out the area on their grid. Then get excited if they roll a 1 x 4 on the dice. I have to roll for them on occasion since I have the "magic touch". It has been a great review lesson.
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In the Classroom...

2012-01-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

Today I realized that something I had posted had drawn a lot of attention...

I have this posted outside on my bullentin board. My students and even teacher come down the hall and read the various announcements on it. Slowly these little "compliments" have dissapeared. One young man stuck his head in the door and ask me if I had any more compliments. I looked at him and then remembered. I had forgot I put this up. I went outside and just the top was there. All the compliments were gone. I pulled another out of the folder and put it up for him. He just smiled and said thanks. He told me it was nice to know someone cared enough to put this up for the kids...

We all need compliments. Post this and see what happens in your "work" place.
(Another idea from Pinterest)
Happy Learning...this time I learn from my students!

In the Classroom...

2012-01-26T14:24:00.000-08:00

In the world of Science, my students this I rule. So in the effort to be top dog in their eyes, I am always on the look out for really cool science. On Pinterest this week I found it. We are studying the Ocean, and I surprised them today by telling them I was giving each of them a pet to take care of during this unit.
They each got their very own Jelly Fish! Now let me tell you I had some very excited 5th graders.

We went to the science lab and "made" jelly fish. If I was not their favorite science teacher, I am now.
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Things you need to make your own jellyfish (Hope you can find all these in your kitchen) :
1. A transparent plastic grocery bag
2. A plastic water bottles.
3. Thread
4. Food coloring
5. Scissors

Instruction:
• Flatten the bag and cut off the handle and the bottom part (see picture 1)
• Cut along both sides (see picture 2) to split into 2 plastic sheets – by the way, we only use just one of them.
• From the center of the plastic sheet, fold it like a tiny balloon to make the head part and tie it with the thread – not too tight (see picture 3). You must leave a little hole in order to pour some water in the head part(see picture 7-8).
• Now you’ll get the head balloon part and the remaining will be its tentacles. Cut from the edge up to the head part roughly. You’ll get for about 8-10 tentacles (see picture 4).
• For each of them, cut again into 3-4 small strings (see picture 5) – and just cut off the remaining part.
• Trim to make random long and short tentacles (see picture 6)

When finished, you’ll get something like this (the left pile is all the pieces we cut off)• Put some water into the head part to make it be able to sink (see picture 7). You must leave some air inside to make be able to float up (see picture 8).
• Fill up your water bottle (see picture 9).
• Put your jellyfish in the bottle with a few drops of blue food coloring. Screw in the cap and that’s all. : )

A tip is to make the head of the jelly fish really fat and the tenacles not as long or full. It took us a lot of trial and error. BUT so much fun.

Happy Learning!

Has it been that long....

2012-01-25T14:53:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it has been that long since I have made a post. I have been so busy with school, grad classes and home that my blog has just not been on my mind. I read so many good blogs, it is hard to imagine that anyone would read mine.

Just incase there is anyone that does, I have some great ideas to share...

http://classroommagic.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentine-goodies.html is a great new blog that I am following.

Check out this idea for a Valentine activity for your class. Stock up on converstaional hearts. My kids are going to love this. This site is full of activity matts for your class.

My newest hobby is Pinterest. I get so many ideas for my classroom from there.

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This is the newest thing that I give my kids...They think it is a cool way to get their thought out. They like to save them in their AJ's and go back and add to it.

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I just found this...Cannot wait to share it tomorrow.

Happy pinning...

The Time to Give...

2011-12-02T20:40:00.001-08:00

I saw this list on Pinterest and thought it would be nice to take on the challenge. 25 acts of kindness before Christmas. Most of them are very easy and things I do all the time anyway...do we really need to be told to hold the door? Unfortunately yes, so let's see if this will spread.

I will post my progress on a weekly basis and would love for you to join me!
If I learn how to to a bloghop I will link us all up!

1. Work at a soup kitchen
2. Deliver gifts or goodies to your neighbours
3. Pay for the person in line behind you in the coffee shop
4. Host or participate in a food drive
5. Work at the food bank for a day
6. Tip your mail carrier and delivery person
7. Donate used books and magazines to a library or doctor's office
8. Offer babysitting services to a friend
9. Deliver care packages to the homeless
10. Visit a nursing home
11. Deliver goodies to your local fire and police stations
12. Smile at strangers and say hello
13. Hold the door for everyone you see going into a building and ask them to do the same
14. Write snail mail to 5 people
15. Deliver old towels and blankets to the animal shelter
16. Give your spare change (or more) to someone in need
17. Over tip your waiter/waitress
18. Send letters or care packages to soldiers
19. Forgive someone
20. Take a meal or coffee to an elderly person
21. Leave a wake up surprise for your spouse or children next to their bed
22. Start a conversation with a new person, welcome them to your community
23. Write a letter to a parent you admire letting them know what a great job they are doing with their kids
24. Compliment 10 people
25. Send a text/email to someone you haven't spoken to for a while and let them know you are thinking about them

Please join my blog hop and let everyone know how you do with the list!

Have a fabulous day!

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Summer Vacation to the Cape

2011-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

We decided to take our vacation of 2011 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This was our charming cottage that we stayed in for the week. Of course we instantly fell in love with the town. We walked down to the boardwalk each evening and watch the boats come into the harbor.

As we walked each evening, we enjoyed the charming cape town. The town was very kind and extremely helpful.

The houses were just amazing... We loved the homes that were tucked back in the alleys and hidden from view. They had the right amount of privacy, but still had a yard and water view.

All the homes had fences. I would love to have a paint store. haha They were all maintained so well...

The light houses were beautiful. We drove to several of them and enjoyed each of the views. Traffic was bad, so we did not get to see all that we wanted, but the ones that we did see were very unique.

More to come in the next blog... Martha Vineyard was a treat. We really enjoyed touring the island and seeing all the beaches!

Lilly Pulitzer Days are Everyday...

2011-07-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

I saw this sign on FB and had to copy it...It came from a Lilly store. I am going to get my daughter to paint it for me and put it in my classroom. Notice the KEEP CALM...this is what I will focus on with them. For me the Lilly on will put the smile on my face and provide a private humor for teachers.

I am known for wearing Lilly Pulitzer everyday. This is also the reason for the name of my blog: Lilly of the Beech. Our school has Beech in its name. As you can see in my previous blog I try to decorate with Lilly. The kids don't understand the brand but LOVE the colors.

This sign will be my motto this year for my class. Thanks to the Colorful Gator in Florida for posting the image! (and Re-lilly for the re post)