This is a quick look at my schedule, it has changed a few times and is apt to change again, but for now this is what I'm going with.

Week #1

Week #1 

Done and boy am I whipped!

 

This is an activity that I found on Eberopolis' blog--the kids loved working on it and I think it took a lot of perseverance for the beginning of the year when brains are still a little mushy.

 

I had to front-load the students with 4! (4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 24) and we had to discuss the square root of 4, but after that they were off and running.  It was a good opportunity for me to walk around and see who was contributing to the conversation and who was struggling with basic equations.

Rules:

Using some arithmetic combination of four 4's, can you write an equation for each of the numbers from 1-100? Here are the rules:

• You may use any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and/or division
• You may combine numbers, e.g., use 2 of the fours to make the number 44
• You may insert decimal points
• You may use a four as an exponent
• You may use square roots
• You may use factorials, e.g., 4! is equivalent to 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 24
• You may use overbars to make a decimal repeat
• You may NOT use any digit other than a four
• You MUST use all four 4's in each solution 

 

Classroom

A quick look at the beginnings of a classroom. 

My school rents our space during the summer to different summer camps and I just happen to be one of the lucky gals that "gets" to pack up EVERYTHING.  The summer camp really is a good thing and I know that they appreciate the space, but let me tell ya----it's a lot of work to pack everything up and then unpack and organize during pre-week school. (Along with all of the meetings)

But I'm almost done~insert happy face~

Tired Teacher

That alarm clock went off very early this morning and while I am not usually a "hit snooze" kind of person, this morning I hit it twice!

We have this week to set things up in the classroom and attend meetings, then on Friday we have Meet-and-Greet. 

Monday is when our little learners walk in the door full of energy and stories to tell. I am super excited to be back and see how all the new Common Core will work in the classroom, BUT.... I really need somebody to wind me up after a summer of sleeping in and reading blogs in my P.J's until noon every day.

Weekly Reflections for Students

Free Download

 



Last year I had the student write goals and a small reflection of what had happened during the week in a Composition Book, as the year came to a close I heard some of the students say that they were going to save that book and it dawned on me......

Weekly reflection--save throughout the year--create an end-of-the-year-book, so this is what I have created thus far.  Some of the questions deal with school, some with specific subjects, some with what the kids are liking at the present time and some just for fun questions.  My plan is to have the students fill out a Weekly Reflection every Friday and hold on to them throughout the year.  I will then bind them and give them back during the last week of school--wow, a GREAT memory book.  I mapped out my year and I have 38 weeks, so I will be making more as the year progresses.  Below is a sample of what they look like.  Click any picture to get a copy for yourself.

Go Rays

No school stuff today....

It's all about the Rays

 

Off to the game.

 

This is my very first CURRENTLY---Let's Parrrty

 

I have been a spectator--yep, sitting on the side lines and NOW that is changing, I'm linking up with Farley the

of Currently

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~And here it is~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.  Listening to music--wow that does a spirit and soul some good

 

2.  Love the chair covers that I made and posted about--hoping that I can be a blessing to my friend with her set.

 

3.  Thinking about how jealous I am of teachers that can get into their rooms and work before the mandated return date.  My room is used by a summer camp, so I literally pack up EVERYTHING every year and move 100% out of my classroom, this includes, desks, bookcases, library, manuals, games, file cabinets---EVERYTHING!  When teachers return the week before school, I am busy putting everything back together.  Now.....the good part = I can't become a hoarder and everything is  organized again as I put it away.  Always look for the positive.

 4.  I am wanting to get an IPad (oops I see that I wrote IPOD above) or a tablet.  I'm looking at the Surface RT, any comments you have or recommendations would be great.  I would like to run Doceri, which only works with Apple right now, but it says on their website that they will soon have a windows version.

5.  I need to write lesson plans, but still feel confused with all of the new CCSS stuff.

6.  Must have Skittles.  These little itty bitty pieces of candy work like magic for behavior and as an incentive to get things done.  I give one--yes 1--Skittle at a time and the students love it.  I am a huge coffee drinker, so I need my coffee supply full and of course, every teacher needs flair Pens.


Lovin blogin, but wow it takes time

Chair Covers

Wee-bit Late Wednesday

but

Today I'm linking up with Tara at

 

Every year I make chair covers for my classroom.  I tried washing them once, to reuse, but after 180 days of use they just need to be retired.  So, I watch for the 50% off coupon from Joanne Fabrics and spend a day sewing.

 

Materials



Cut and ready to sew



Adding the binding



Almost done



Final product


 

I have the students put their homework folder, planner, and chapter book in the pocket.  Everything else goes in their desk.





Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye,
My oh my what a wonderful day

Deb at Crafting Connections nominated me for the

 

What is a Liebster Award?

It is an award given to "up and coming" bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

What does Liebster stand for?

Liebster is a German word that means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.  Wow---I feel special !!

 

          To accept Deb's nomination, I have to do the following:

1.  Link back to the blog that nominated me.

2.  Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

3.  Answer the questions posed by my nominator.

4.  Share 11 random facts about myself.

5.  Create 11 questions for my nominees.

6.  Contact my nominees to let them know I nominated them.

 

Deb's questions with my answers

 

Random Facts:

     1.  I owned a restaurant. (10-12 years ago)

     2.  I sold everything I owned, packed up my clothing and moved to Florida 5 years ago.

     3.  I was all situated in a 2nd grade classroom and BOOM--10 day count--I was forced to pack up, move schools and start teaching a third grade class.  All in 1 week.

     4.  I love to craft and try to do fun things in the classroom.

     5.  I love tools.  There is nothing like cleaning and organizing my toolbox.

     6.  I'm beginning to "flip" my Math class.

     7.  I don't like sweets.

     8.  I sit in the exact same spot every Sunday at church.

     9.  I ♥ the Bachelor and Bachelorette show.

    10.  I have a 22 year old son.

    11.  I use Skittles as a reward in the classroom and am always amazed at what a student will do for one teeny tiny Skittle.

 

My Questions:

     1.  Are you teaching in the state that you grew up in?

     2.  If you were to change occupations, what would your next choice be?

     3.  How many states have you visited?

     4.  Are you a healthy eater or do you lean toward the junk food side?

     5.  How long have you been teaching?

     6.  What will you miss most about summer ending?
     7.  What piece of technology is your favorite?
     8.  How long have you been blogging?
     9.  How many hours a week do you commit to school work? (Above the normal 40)
    10.  Do you have a favorite quote?
    11.  What is your favorite read-aloud book?



~~~Now for the Nominees~~~

The Science Life by Emily
Lipstick, Lattes, and Lesson Plans by Elizabeth
Dots and Decimals by Candace
First in Fourth by Ellen

While looking through blogs, I tried to find blogs that I personally hadn't looked at before and that hadn't previously received a Liebster Award---I think it is great to spread the word.



 

Draggo--A Place to Store

This is a really easy site to join, and it's free!! It allows you to save all of the awesome websites that you find.  We all know that as we surf the web or bloghop stalk we find pages or links to places that we want to check out at a later date, but then forget where it was. This site allows you to "save to Draggo" and look at it later (similar to a bookmark)  I decided to create a Math page and use it as a resource for my students to have learning games all in one place.  They can access the page from home or school.

 

I saw this website on another person's blog, but can't for the life of me remember who (so if you read this and have already featured this website, email me and I will gladly give credit where credit is due)



 

Here is a screen shot of the Math page I am just beginning to form



 

If you use this the link below to look at the website and join, I get "bonus" points that help unlock new features--check it out for yourself.   http://draggo.com/referral/squier

 

 

 

A New Look

A BIG SHOUT-OUT

to

                                                                   for the new blog look

I have had a blog up and running for quite some time, but really struggled with keeping it current.  Part of the lackadaisy attitude was because I didn't like the design and I couldn't come up with an eye-catching, heart-pounding name or theme.  Well..........I finally did it!!!!!
        

                                                 Flip Flop & Hop
Now...of course every part of the title has meaning to me.

              Flip---I started last year "flipping" my math class (more on that in another post)
              Flop---Some of what happens in a 5th grade classroom and in everyday life is nothing, but a flop, I smile and keep going.
              Hop---Frogs are the theme in my classroom and this blog may just hop all over the place.

I'm excited to start sharing my 5th grade adventures with you.

The Pendulum and Galileo

This is a youtube video that I found very helpful in our Force and Motion Unit.  I had the students experiment the day before watching it with their own pendulums.  I gave them all the same length of string to hang from their desks and 10 washers from the hardware store.  They started with 5 washers, then 10 washers.  When they were done with that part I asked them to try it again, however this time I asked them to change the distance they were pulling back and dropping from.  I read the Science Mystery Grandfather's Clock and then gave them a shorter string to use with the washers.  It worked great and they were able to see with their own eyes the change.





I hope everyone had a great Monday----------I'm a very tired teacher this evening.  Waking up at 5:00 A.M. is hard after sleeping in during the break.

Well it's time----I'm heading back to school tomorrow and have a New Years Resolution to be more organized.  (Along with many others which includes blogging more)  I tend to put everything off until Sunday evenings and then wonder why I have anxiety.


One of the things that I won't change is my magnetic paper pocket folders--- I love them!!  I currently have one set and am in need of another set.  I place them on our white board next to the assignments for the day with daily homework in them.  The students know to come in in the morning, write their assignments down, and the get their homework out of the pocket and place in their planner.  At the end of the day if there are still papers in the magnetic folder I know that someone forgot theirs or it goes on the desk of an absent student.

I also use them to collect their homework.  I keep the collection folders across the room on another board (keeps the traffic flow smoother.)The students slip their homework into the folder in numerical order, which saves time for me when checking off daily homework.


                                                                         Happy New Year

                                                      


                                                                                

                                    Remembering the reason.....

*****************************************
I'm ready for a change and I need your help
*****************************************

I'm ready for a new blog look--but, before I do that I need to find a new name, one that will stick forever.

I'm moving to 5th grade so it could have the word fifth in it, or my last name is Squier so it have that in it.  ANY IDEAS?

I usually decorate my room in blue and green and have many frogs sitting around.

So many of you have such cute blogs and ideas that I thought maybe you help me out.

Debbie

Yertle the Turtle

Making the shell

More creativity

Stacking....

Almost done

What a great day the kids had, reading the story and then stacking the turtles.  I figured that the kiddos would fight over who got to be on top, but to my surprise everybody wanted to be on the bottom as "Mack"