How to Beat the Summer Heat :)

I hope everyone is having a great summer break!  It has been in the 100's the last couple of weeks here in NW Georgia, with record breaking temperatures.  One evening around 8:00 p.m. I passed 2 marquees in a row which posted the temperature at 103 degrees.  Really?  103 degrees right before nightfall.  WOW!  I found the perfect way to have fun and stay cool yesterday in this sweltering heat.  It's not a very flattering picture at all, but the water felt wonderful and looking good was not part of my plan. :)  Everyone stay safe and stay cool!

Back to School Packet

Sorry I have been away soooo long.  I have been vacationing and taking a break from all things school.  But, I'm back and ready to go!  I am so excited.  I just finished a back to school packet and listed it on TPT last night.  Be sure to take a look at it!  
Use this link to take a peek at my new unit.

Tangrams

Last week my students got a chance to work with a 7 piece Chinese puzzle - the tangram.  Day 1, I began by reading the book, The Warlord's Puzzle.

Next, I challenged my kids to make their own square with a 7 piece set of puzzle pieces.  Most students were saying they would have the puzzle completed in 2-3 minutes.  It didn't take long, however, before everyone realized the puzzle was going to be a challenge.

  Eventually, some of the kids began to put the puzzle together correctly.  Then, after a couple of hints, everyone began to get the hang of it :)

After the "square" challenge, I handed out folders of tangram puzzles I had collected over the years.  I had laminated each set of puzzles and had a folder and set of tangrams for each student.  The kids spent time building tangram puzzles within an outline.

Finally, on Day 1, my students practiced making tangram puzzles without the outlines.  They looked at a smaller version of the completed version of the puzzle and put it together on their desk.

It was a fun activity and the kids really enjoyed the puzzles.

Happy Mother's Day!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day!  It is rainy here in N.W. GA but, it has still been a good day.  I have celebrated by having all of my children clean, clean, and clean their rooms :)  I wanted to share an activity my students had fun with last Friday.  Since CRCT is over, (Yee Haw!), my students are reviewing and practicing their multiplication facts again.  Since my students love Fortune Tellers, (or Cootie Catchers), I created one last winter with random multiplication facts on it.  However, we were so busy trying to finish the standards, we never got to try it out.  Even though the pictures are winter themed my students loved the activity anyway.  (I don't even think they noticed the pictures were wintery).  I have included the link to my TPT store in case you want to check it out.  There are directions for folding the Fortune Teller, directions for the activity and a picture code included with the activity. Click here to view:  Multiplication Fortune Teller

My kiddos had a blast with these Multiplication Fortune Tellers!  They forgot they were reviewing and learning.

I'm finished!

I just had to post that I have finished all my assignments 2 weeks early for my EdS educational specialist degree!  I am so grateful to be finished.  I don't think it has completed soaked in yet that I won't have to work on assignments in the evenings and all week-ends.  I am so ready to get my life back and spend time with my family. My twins' Junior prom is in 2 weeks and I am so excited that I am going to have time to do all the "memory stuff" with them with no nagging feelings about needing to study.  Well, good-night everyone and have a great week!

Fraction Pictures

When I began my unit on fractions I put some of my fraction magnets to good use.  Each day for a week, I made a picture using fractions on the white board.  The kids loved coming in and seeing the new picture each day.  I plan on having the kids make their own fraction pictures :)

My students can't

wait to make their

own designs.  The 

book, Picture Pie, was my inspiration.

FREEBIE - Geometry Vocabulary Word Wall

Hey everyone!  Hope you are having a great week!  I happen to be on Spring Break and am relaxing and marking off items on my "to do" list.  I thought some of you might like a freebie item this week.  These Geometry Vocabulary Word Wall cards contain 56 vocabulary words, including the title cards.  Click on the link below and enjoy!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/GEOMETRY-WORD-WALL-vocabulary-bulletin-board-FREE