Happy Valentine's Day Mom!

This picture is from 1969, with myself, my baby sister Cristina, and my Betty Draper mom, Irene.  It wasn't taken on Valentine's Day, but as I was looking at it a flood of childhood memories came rushing back.  Two things stand out from the golden, hazy years of my youth.  First, is that I felt so truly loved by my mother.  Hers was an all consuming love for her children. Second, is that she made our childhood so much fun.  Every holiday and special occasion was celebrated, crafted, baked for, and thoroughly 

enjoyed. Skits were made and performed, posters drawn, pots and pans banged, decorations were hung.  We partied hard!  The look on her face says it all.  She lived for her children and wanted to make everything wondrous for us. And she did (does).

When I started teaching I realized that many of the arts and crafty things that I would do with the class were some version of something she did with us.  I've done some rendition of this Valentine's Day Compliment Envelope in every grade I have taught.  I even did it with my ESL students when I was teaching abroad.

Winter Holiday Alternative/Class Recipe Book

Holiday Parties...

You know you are expected to do something.  

This year I have absolutely no parent helpers.  Every time I put an "all call" out 

for any type of help or support 

I feel like I am at the Grand Canyon 

shouting into the abyss.

HELLO....................

But that's OK.  

Last year I had to beat them off with a stick.  

If there is anything that I have learned in education it is that no two years are ever alike.  

That's what makes teaching 

such an adventure, right?

So back to that Holiday(winter) Party.  

Why not do what I am doing?  

Tie your winter celebration into 

an actual assignment.  

Students have to participate because it is graded! 

Brilliant!

I have it all put together in my 

Class Recipe Book on TPT.  

Here is is in a nutshell.  

1. Students discuss a family recipe at home and come up with something they want to share with the class.  It's usually a baked item, but it could be anything. (I always indicate that we leave nuts out of all dishes just to be on the safe side.)


2. Students complete a recipe card page that I turn into a class recipe book.


3.  We do some brainstorming on "How-To" essays.  We read and analyze the elements.  Students write their own essay explaining how the dish is made. (Writing Grade!)


4.  On the last day before winter break kiddos bring in samples of their goodies and present a short power point presentation in front of the class, showing sequentially how the dish was made. (Super fun use of Technology here and an Oral Language Grade)


5.  So there you are on the last day before break.  Treats and goodies have been brought in.  Half the day is taken up with presentations.  Kids are having a great time.  You have a "clean up" game the last 15 minutes where you play fun music and the kids clean like crazy and you are out the door to begin your own FESTIVUS with your loved ones.

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I think I have a class of budding vegetarians.  They really got serious about their writing assignment to save the life of a turkey. 

So much to be thankful for.

Wishing a peaceful holiday to all!

Novel Unit Sale of the Century!

Novel Unit Blow-Out Sale!

I'm throwing a sale 

on all of my Novel Units.  

If you want to stock up 

you can choose from 

Wonder, 

Esperanza Rising, 

Holes, 

or Because of Winn Dixie.  

They are already a great value 

at $2.50 a piece, 

but for the next 3 days 

they are 20% off.

Print and GO! and have fun reading!

Candy Science & Mr. R

I spoke in a prior post about a partner that was influential to me early in my career.  

Now I find myself mid career and in a new grade level.  

Again I am lucky enough to have another excellent partner.  

We are still on a Year Round Schedule at my school and Mr. R had always flown solo.  

Another 5th grade was added, so we became an instant team.  

He was forced into a partnership whether he liked it or not.  

I could not have lucked out more.  

He shared his vast knowledge of the grade level with me, 

opened his plan book, took me under his wing, 

and literally walked me through particular math lessons step by step.  

Mr. R is everything I am not:

Young

A Man

Tech Genius/Math Savvy

Calm

Fearless with Common Core Implementation

He also comes up with great science experiments that are so fun 

that the kids have no idea that they are learning anything.  

In the name of Halloween and all things CANDY, 

our classes got together for a boisterous afternoon of Candy Science.

Did you know that....

Gobbstobbers added to vinegar creates a beautiful chemical reaction?

or that...

the M&M logo is actually a sticker of some kind that comes off the candy 

and floats to the top when submerged in baking soda?

Thanks Mr. R!

                                      

  

Pain, Tears, Anxiety, and Selling My Home

After 3 weeks of painting and primping, contractors and handymen, my home is finally ready to be listed.  The signs are up in the front yard, flyers are done, it's official.  

I've done the For Sale By Owner thing 

twice before, that's where the anxiety comes in.  

It's really tough-even with a 

retired realtor mom coaching me.

The pain?  Well that is purely physical.  I'd turn around to say hello to you, but I can't move my neck after painting the bathroom ceiling.   Why does my 47 year old self think that she can do the things that she could 20 or even 10 years ago?

Ouch! Another 800 ibuprofen please.

The tears come in from the overall frustration 

of wanting something so much 

(the new dream home that is probably 

just a tad out of my reach) 

and the reality of trying to sell a home 

for top dollar in a market that is 

still trying to recover.

So here is my darling family/dining area.  

I am going to relax in my recliner and 

spend the day binge watching MadMen 

and alternating heat and ice.  

Here's to a buyer with a lot of cash 

and a speedy escrow.

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