tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19814145751669599532024-03-14T06:12:59.104-04:00 Strive To SparkleAthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-66501533801899736162014-04-30T11:00:00.000-04:002014-04-30T11:33:35.670-04:00Take Home Math Kits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About a month ago I was on social media and saw Casey from <a href="http://www.secondgrademathmaniac.com/" target="_blank">Second Grade Math Maniac</a> asking for people to review her new take home math kits. I responded and was chosen! I was so excited because I have been less than happy with our Envision math program. Many of my kids need practice on skills already learned, but some are ready for some challenge. This product was just perfect for that!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/mathkittitle_zps4515cbad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/mathkittitle_zps4515cbad.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was designed to be sent home for the parents to do with the students, but I used it in math stations since we are almost finished with school. My parents might have mutinied with more at this point! Haha! I will certainly use it both ways (for home and math stations) next year. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Casey thought of everything in the organization of this pack. The table of contents lists the CCSS as well as what supplies you will need! There are also already-made-up Sign Out Sheets and Parent Letters. Love it!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/kitexplain_zpsc65c9746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/kitexplain_zpsc65c9746.jpg" height="153" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are 257 pages to this product so I chose a few for extra practice and a few for challenge. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We have already covered measurement so I printed Measuring Down on the Farm which practices inches and Measuring in Outer Space which practices centimeters. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/11a5a7c05a294b2acbbc3061125df65f_zpsc3d952e4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/11a5a7c05a294b2acbbc3061125df65f_zpsc3d952e4.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Measuring inches Down on the Farm</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/a871c93842a478e20b8f06c0f898d36c_zps80d02d0c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/a871c93842a478e20b8f06c0f898d36c_zps80d02d0c.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Measuring centimeters In Outer Space</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are forever working on estimation so we tried the Estimation Sweet Shop. I flashed the candy jars at them so they didn't count them. Are mine the only ones who try to cheat? :-)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/c960c63d82c8cac1c9f0aede7bdc16cc_zps31e1bb5f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/c960c63d82c8cac1c9f0aede7bdc16cc_zps31e1bb5f.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then we counted the candy. We quickly discovered the easiest way to do this was mark through the candy as we counted it, otherwise we lost our place (even I did)! I had laminated the pages so this was very easy to do. Journey did pretty well here except for the smaller candies/jar. Which tells me I need to talk about this much more!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I printed the 3 digit Aliens vs Astronauts even/odd practice and really sold it to them that they were doing SECOND grade work in this station. You should have heard them! They were so excited when they could do it (and had to go brag to their friends that the SECOND grade station was so easy). Love them!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/11ee8d6e77e1bffc5cc86877a3c98b8e_zpsfd681b1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/11ee8d6e77e1bffc5cc86877a3c98b8e_zpsfd681b1c.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Emojis are covering my mess I didn't see until I saw the pictures! Ack!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Time to the half hour has been a thorn in my side! I still have a few sweeties who are off an hour no matter how much we have practiced. So that means....more practice! This is Tick Tock Time the Half Hour. I modified it even more for these two who are REALLY struggling. I limited the number of cards/matches so they would feel successful. Our next step was to add all of the cards.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/9f96b0033c6dc2f13e45a6485450537e_zps6e5f23b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/9f96b0033c6dc2f13e45a6485450537e_zps6e5f23b9.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is just so much quality material in these math kits! It is perfect for 1st graders as well as 2nd. I can't wait to use it all year next year to kick my differentiation up a notch!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Thanks so much to Casey for letting me review this! You MUST check it out!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXxSdUwttBI/Uypysvd1AfI/AAAAAAAArd0/N5oXLijIHEg/s1600/CrystalSig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXxSdUwttBI/Uypysvd1AfI/AAAAAAAArd0/N5oXLijIHEg/s1600/CrystalSig.png" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<center>
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/5717343" title="Follow Strive to Sparkle on Bloglovin"><img alt="Follow on Bloglovin" border="0" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=5717343" /></a></center>
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-61113490889520504622014-03-27T06:30:00.000-04:002014-03-27T06:30:11.524-04:00Class Dojo Messaging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am so excited to announce that the wonderful people at Class Dojo are unveiling a new feature today. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Messaging for iOS and Android!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/PsaFCBZMnHeb7iBeOI9O5_Ol76amTr9lCq-hZypiVjaQIFWCxEuOAxL1hZMZuAhIIA=w1254-h506" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/PsaFCBZMnHeb7iBeOI9O5_Ol76amTr9lCq-hZypiVjaQIFWCxEuOAxL1hZMZuAhIIA=w1254-h506" height="640" width="348" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know from conversations I have had with other teachers on Facebook and at conferences that many of you are hesitant to give out your cell phone number to your class parents. I completely understand your reasons! I have been lucky enough (knock on wood) to have no negative experiences with giving mine out yet. But this feature will allow us to message with parents as easy as a text!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But better than a text! We will be able to send out mass messages via Messaging just like in Remind 101.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/ZUz5wZY5soTNqNDTSml5iSQcmDXM8ZwXDWdUG3hBpH79jD8SgDEEapTF5bdSVV7TQQ=w1254-h506" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/ZUz5wZY5soTNqNDTSml5iSQcmDXM8ZwXDWdUG3hBpH79jD8SgDEEapTF5bdSVV7TQQ=w1254-h506" height="640" width="350" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you can see from the picture above, we will also be able to privately message with individual parents as well. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't wait to use this feature! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It goes live this morning!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To learn more about Class Dojo Messaging:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.classdojo.com/messaging" target="_blank">Click Here</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXxSdUwttBI/Uypysvd1AfI/AAAAAAAArd0/N5oXLijIHEg/s1600/CrystalSig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXxSdUwttBI/Uypysvd1AfI/AAAAAAAArd0/N5oXLijIHEg/s1600/CrystalSig.png" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<center>
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/5717343" title="Follow Strive to Sparkle on Bloglovin"><img alt="Follow on Bloglovin" border="0" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/widget.gif?id=5717343" /></a></center>
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-7067265052462780762014-02-23T21:53:00.000-05:002014-03-20T00:47:12.168-04:00Sunday Funday Linky<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good evening, friends! I should really be in bed since I have 3 alarm clocks set for 4:30 in the morning but instead I am blogging and Facebook Freeforall Hopping. So fun! I am really trying to be a better blogger (because it makes me a better teacher). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am linking up with <a href="http://www.luckytobeinfirst.com/" target="_blank">Lucky to Be in First</a> and <a href="http://aburstoffirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Burst of First</a> for their new linky:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://aburstoffirst.blogspot.com/2014/02/sunday-funday-223.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RLEqldjaIE/UweE5yTqCEI/AAAAAAAADIQ/el2B2LYETQ8/s1600/Slide1.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So fun! I am actually going to share something that happened a few weeks ago. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a first grade team, we are always saying that we need to fun fellowship more. We decided to go to dinner and take a painting class together. A few things you need to know about me:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. I am not an artist.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. I am not an artist.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. I am not an artist. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">LOL, get it? I went into the experience fully expecting to have a Jackson Pollack-ish painting at the end of the night. And I was okay with that! I was just there to have a good time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We went to a place called Painting with a Twist. I knew I was going to have a good time when I saw the rules on the wall.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_180426_zpskelf2p5i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_180426_zpskelf2p5i.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in doubt, have another glass of wine! Yes, please!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is an artist who walks you step-by-step through the entire painting process. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My process: The pictures are a little blurry because the lighting was odd in the studio.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_184142_zpsmoklvmjx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_184142_zpsmoklvmjx.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_190821_zpsr7vr28ok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_190821_zpsr7vr28ok.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_192934_zpskvirr0v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_192934_zpskvirr0v2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Final Product:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_195137_zpsyfz2monm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/20140204_195137_zpsyfz2monm.jpg" height="305" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not bad for a non-artist, huh? I was SHOCKED at how pretty it turned out! We took them to school and had a 1st Grade Art Gallery in our school foyer. We had such a good time with this that we are now registered to do it again on March 16th. A beach scene this time! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are my girls (minus one who got cut out of photo somehow):</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140204_200911_zpsnhhoy3fn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140204_200911_zpsnhhoy3fn.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Does your grade level team do fun things together? Give us some new ideas!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful week,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXxSdUwttBI/Uypysvd1AfI/AAAAAAAArdw/qF0ptbbamrk/s1600/CrystalSig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXxSdUwttBI/Uypysvd1AfI/AAAAAAAArdw/qF0ptbbamrk/s1600/CrystalSig.png" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-88036590884472958172014-02-17T20:46:00.000-05:002014-02-17T20:46:12.026-05:00Show What You Know<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">She's alive! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I swear I think Blogger did a "Say Whaaa?" when I just logged on to the site. It's been a very long while. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Friends, I have been in a rut. Do you ever have those times as a teacher blogger where you feel like you don't have anything to share? Nothing worth sharing? Who cares what I think, do? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That has been me. <insert sad face></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I do have something cute today! This is my Show What You Know board. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/IMG_20140217_073120_zpsf3fa9494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/IMG_20140217_073120_zpsf3fa9494.jpg" height="443" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phone picture--BAH!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids have Post-It notes at their seats. Periodically I will ask a question related to our current topic/lesson and they will write an answer on a Post It. They place their answer on THEIR number. I can very quickly look and see who has it/doesn't and whether I need to reteach or just pull a few sweeties to work individually. It is a handy little tool! Owls are from Carson Dellosa (I think) and the alphabet is from Lettering Delights. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the owls are large enough that a regular size Post-It fits on their sweet little bellies. :-) </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have a great week!</div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-41012742566745634762013-08-07T20:56:00.001-04:002013-08-07T20:56:54.866-04:00Ten Frame TableJust a quickie today! This was my last day of summer vacation. I am soooo sad! I spent ALL day in my classroom and am dragging tail. But I had to show you what I did to my table yesterday.<br />
<br />
I turned it into a giant ten frame!! It is so cute!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_165610_zps310ccf58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_165610_zps310ccf58.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_165842_zpsf1c83b4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_165842_zpsf1c83b4a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_165813_zps1d0d00f7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_165813_zps1d0d00f7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Walmart had these plastic plates on sale for 50 cents.<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_170004_zps5402da12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_170004_zps5402da12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Look how perfect they are as counters! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_170034_zpscdb8cf85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_170034_zpscdb8cf85.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_170020_zps8ea8372f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130806_170020_zps8ea8372f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't wait for the kids to use this! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am nervous about tomorrow but it will be all good. Channeling Pete the Cat lol.</div>
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
</div>
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-54828792914161040902013-06-30T23:08:00.000-04:002013-06-30T23:12:57.739-04:00Bloglovin and InstaAddicts Anonymous!Long time, no blog.<br />
<br />
So I’m <strike>ridiculously</strike> slightly addicted to Instagram. I don't know why it took me so long to join! I joined in on #teachertalktuesday and this girl was HOOKED. It’s so much fun to see my favorite bloggers in a more personal light. If you haven’t joined up yet, what are you waiting for?! You know you need something else that you constantly check like FB and email. Haha!<br />
<br />
You can follow me here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://instagram.com/strivetosparkle" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/SC20130630-221208_zpsd923995f.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of my pics:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/SC20130630-222937_zps69cace31.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/SC20130630-222937_zps69cace31.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Haha! Proof that I love my dog, the beach, hot men, drinks, and my Daddy..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also, the end of Google Reader is just an hour away. I will be honest and tell you that I used GR probably once, but all you bloggers have me a little freaked out! So I joined in on the Bloglovin. I mean, really, blogs and love. Why not?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5717343" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqx7pOyoSCU/UdDxSLEfB6I/AAAAAAAAAZU/ZnjHO6RqaSI/s320/bloglovin.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have a fabulous day!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0;" />AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-82668151640898669462013-05-15T20:48:00.001-04:002013-05-15T20:48:10.456-04:00What did they say??I'm so tired, y'all.. Mentally tired! I couldn't remember how to spell there earlier!<br />
<br />
6 days and 2 hours left. I think I can, I think I can....<br />
<br />
I am linking up with Jessica at <a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-did-they-say-wednesday.html" target="_blank">A Turn to Learn</a> for her What Did They Say? <br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/" title="What Did They Say!?"><img alt="What Did They Say!?" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIhmtxluCS0/ULwEfazkl1I/AAAAAAAADpM/MMMzxm23B0Y/s320/What+Did+They+Say+Wednesday.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />
My kids are such a hoot that I have 2 for you.<br />
<br />
I was on recess duty a few weeks ago and noticed a group of kids crowded in one area. All of a sudden they all scattered in every direction and were screaming! I went to investigate and saw one girl, normally very shy, walking behind them dragging her leg. As I got closer I could hear her saying....<br />
"I'm not a zombie!!! I just hurt my leg." <br />
<br />
Haha!<br />
<br />
We have some bees that hang around during recess some days. These bees are really HUGE. We had a new student on the playground experiencing the bees for the first time. <br />
<br />
The girls were sitting on the bench with me. The new child was a bit freaked out by the bee and my student said, "Oh, he's just looking for snack. But don't worry..he's fat. Fat bees don't have stingers.." <br />
<br />
I said, "Oh really?" She said, "Oh, yeah! Their bodies are so fat there is no room for a stinger. My kindergarten teacher taught me that." <br />
<br />
It was news to the K teacher when I talked to her later. Haha!<br />
Thank God for my sweet funnies!<br />
<br />
Go link up!<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-74019663689805860772013-05-06T22:19:00.000-04:002013-05-06T22:19:30.196-04:00Class Dojo-rific! By now I'm sure most of you have heard of Class Dojo. This is my second year using the program and I have nothing but great things to say! <br />
<br />
If you don't know about Class Dojo, it's a real-time, internet based behavior program. I love this program so much that I created a short video to show you all about it! I'm talking very fast because there is so much to show and tell! <br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="396" src="http://www.screenr.com/embed/NcV7" width="650"></iframe>
<br />
Have I mentioned that I really lurve Class Dojo? Haha!<br />
<br />
What I didn't tell you in the video is that I keep this up on my Promethean board all day. It helps keep the kids on task just having it up. <br />
<br />
My classroom parents rave about this program. They can log in and check their child's behavior at any time. And believe me they do! <br />
<br />
Here is the take home form that I created to send home on Fridays. <br />
<br />
Many of my students do not have internet at home so they do not get the emailed reports. And I can't afford to print and send the color reports each week! Plus I like getting the signed reports back so I know a parent is aware of behaviors.<br />
<br />
As I said in the video, these are the negative behaviors that I have set up. I know many of you like to focus on the positive. But on this form I just try to be as explicit with my parents as possible. This also serves as behavior documentation for me. <br />
<br />
Please feel free to snag and customize this form to suit your needs. I saved it as a Powerpoint with an embedded Excel spreadsheeet. If you need help let me know!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6FMgp7Y94LAZDIwbVcxWFZabTA/edit?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxZoa-VHZA8/UYhgNrEyM3I/AAAAAAAAAYk/PNyM4YfQOFY/s320/djcap.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All graphics from Class Dojo.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hope this helps! If you have any questions or comments, please let me know!<br />
<br />
How many more days?<br />
Off to TPT shop! Woohoo!<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" />AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-60564643559386653542013-04-12T06:24:00.000-04:002013-04-12T06:25:05.801-04:00The Hug Bandit<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No one but me may have this problem but I had to blog about a success! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a student this year who is extremely, severely, powerfully, intensely, excessively, and VERY ADHD. He's honestly the Energizer bunny and like he's had 10 cups of coffee and a six pack of energy drinks...ALL...DAY...LONG.. He wears me out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course he doesn't have any meds which is a whole other long and makes-me-want-to-bang-my-head-against-the-wall story. Which I won't get into...{smiles}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He's mine for this year, and he needs my love most of all my kids in my class. He seems to think he can get out of his seat as many times as he wants (even during spelling tests) as long as he is coming to HUG me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I call him the Hug Bandit. It makes me feel like an ogre when I'm fussing at him for hugging me. I know he needs it. But I just can't allow him to constantly be up out of his seat. Monday he tried to hugged me 37 times. I counted. Seriously..37.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I came up with this little management plan. He has a Hug Bank. I put 5 magnet shapes right by his seat and told him that he can give me 5 hugs today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJFRgXxdWqc/UWffp1SVOaI/AAAAAAAAAYM/UVQFTawLrkE/s1600/hugbandit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJFRgXxdWqc/UWffp1SVOaI/AAAAAAAAAYM/UVQFTawLrkE/s400/hugbandit.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We talked about how he needs to space them out and plan them so he doesn't run out. He used up 2 in the first hour of school. When I showed him that he only had 3 left to last the rest of the DAY, it finally started to register. He used the others after lunch and tried to give me 2 more later. I just said "Oops, sorry! Your hug bank is empty." He laughed and sat down quickly and never got up again!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh my stars, y'all!! It WORKED! I wanted to dance and sing when the day was over! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He was so excited when he found out this morning that he gets 5 more today. He used one right away and then another 30 minutes later. I reminded him that he only has 3 more for the whole day. He looked up at me with these big brown eyes as he hugged me and said, "That's okay..I just really need one right now. I love you." Melt.my.heart! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if you have a hug bandit like I do, give this a try! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-30603622613698174862013-04-06T08:02:00.001-04:002013-04-06T08:02:04.192-04:00Pass the Torch Linky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqVul3GTIrY/UVnOza-SbGI/AAAAAAAANTg/PUVLPdm7ZzE/s1600/3am_PTT_linky_button.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqVul3GTIrY/UVnOza-SbGI/AAAAAAAANTg/PUVLPdm7ZzE/s320/3am_PTT_linky_button.png" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Get Ready for Bloggy Olympics!!!</b></span></div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://readingolympian.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="180" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/Custom%20Blog%20Design/Reading%20Olympians/blogbutton_2.png" width="180" /></a>
<a href="http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="180" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/The%203AM%20Teacher/myblogbutton2.png" width="180" /></a>
</center>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Join The 3AM Teacher, the Reading Olympians, and over 80 SUPREME education bloggers as we take you through a tour of the Reading Olympians Root Study Program!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> ********************************************</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi everyone! I'm so happy that you are here visiting me on my blog! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, what a week! It was so hard to come back after spring break.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so thrilled to be joining lots of fabulous bloggers in the Pass the Torch Linky. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get everything done in time to actually show you anything! As I said, we were on break last week and this week was CRAZY. The bad part about living in Tennessee is that on an early spring day, the temperature might start out at 32 but end up at 70. It makes us all a little bonkers! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so excited to see this program and how it would relate to my firsties. Krista and Julie (the Reading Olympians) have done such a wonderful job creating this study. I'm very impressed with how it is broken down for the teacher. It is completely teacher-friendly! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First I showed my kids the book from the Reading Olympians program to introduce the concepts. I gave them a little history about Greece and told them some of the names of the god and goddesses to go along with the book. I couldn't help it! Michelle's graphics are so great! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have always been interested in Greek mythology (that's the inspiration for the Athena in my email and Blogger id). I actually went to Greece in 2005 and it was a-maz-ing! I shared some legends about the gods and goddesses but honestly wish I hadn't. Because as we went through the book on the screen, they wanted to know who each character was! And to tell me which one THEY were. It got </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">us waaaay off track. Ack! Live and learn! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130405_110937_zps948a8a85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130405_110937_zps948a8a85.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweeties were fascinated with the clip art from the 3am Teacher!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, back on track...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to focus on just suffixes -s, -er, and -ed for now. I will definitely use the entire program over time (and beginning earlier next year). In the program there are great visuals that really allowed us to not only talk about what suffixes do but also what they MEAN. They caught on right away and were coming up with words of their own. Makes a teacher's heart sing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to tie any concepts that I teach to kid literature when possible so I used the book <i>Happy Endings</i>. I bought the book from Scholastic for a reasonable price. It's over 18 dollars on Amazon! It is a great book to really help the kids take note of the suffixes and how important they are in words.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130404_082751_zps66385990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130404_082751_zps66385990.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did a quick visual to show how the word changes with the new suffix. I took pictures...I know I did! But somehow they didn't end up in my Photobucket. Technology..grr!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyhooo, I chose the words jump and play and made large cards with them. Then I made cards with s, er, and ed. We had jump stay in one place and the kids with s, er, and ed took turns moving in behind jump so they could make the connection that only the ending changed! We repeated with the word play. I heard some ahhs by the time we were finished. Yay!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also threw together a quick practice activity for -s, -er, and -ed. I had these printed intending small groups to do them, but time was not on our side today. We did them whole group instead with me showing the words and the kids telling me in which category to put the word. They completed the recording sheet as we went along. I will change the words this weekend and let them practice in small groups with new words.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130405_114739_zps7652b73a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130405_114739_zps7652b73a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The words in front of me.. I really need to clean that board!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130405_113636_zpsf5cc843c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130405_113636_zpsf5cc843c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Words on the screen. Can you tell I LOVE my Promethean board?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Click on the picture to snag it.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6FMgp7Y94LAajVWWk9uQlJCN3c/edit?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-O0a88ZQ1M/UV48Q6ucrYI/AAAAAAAAAX8/ZlxWS9Nj0lQ/s320/previewsuffix.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graphics by Creative Clips (Krista Wallden)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just love first graders! We had free AR time after these lessons and they drove me crazy showing me the suffixes in their books! Haha! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I am so excited by this honestly because I can really see the power of being suffix detectives! I can't wait to see the impact in their writing!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you got a little something while you were here and come back and visit me sometime. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy the rest of the linky!</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img align="left" border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Discover the program IN ACTION in more K-6th grade classrooms as you Pass the Torch!! Get ideas, discover the progression of the program, and enter the Raffle for a chance to win ONE of the three prizes listed below!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">First Place Winner : Gold Medal</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Prizes: Complete Reading Olympians Program</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> $50.00 Amazon Gift Card</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> 50% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Second Place Winner: Silver Medal</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Prizes: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> 40% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Third Place Winner: Bronze Medal</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Prizes: 30% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pass the Torch!!!</b></span><br />
<i>Click the image below to visit the next blog</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mrshsresourceroom.blogspot.com/2013/04/pass-torch-linky.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0U8yVNjoeSI/UVnQBapksSI/AAAAAAAANTo/AlaupnAgT8M/s320/3am_passthetorch_c2.png" width="89" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Kindergarten:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=258482&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script --><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>
Grade 1 & 2
</b></span><br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=258484&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Grade 3 & 4</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=258485&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Grade 5 & 6</b></span><br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=258486&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/52c19c6/" id="rc-52c19c6" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<br />AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-62689024310775115472013-03-27T05:00:00.000-04:002013-03-27T05:00:07.556-04:00Stop! Disco Time!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So picture this if you will...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am hard at work with a small group then suddenly.....I am interrupted...for someone to show me their broken pencil, or to tattle, or to ask to go the bathroom. Despite the fact that we have had procedures in place since DAY ONE about what to do in such an instance. Not mention that I have reached the point where I have told my sweeties that unless someone is:</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bleeding</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dying</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dead</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Throwing Up </b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> or </b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>On Fire </b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>then</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Do NOT interrupt a reading group!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Haha, can you sense my frustration? Please tell me I'm not the only one experiencing this right now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to try something different. I was at Lowe's one day plotting my next home improvement and saw this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121210_141118.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was on sale for 10 bucks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121210_141118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A disco ball! My kids this year LOVE to dance so I knew this would catch their attention. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now when it is time for reading groups, I turn on the disco ball.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121210_140944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121210_140944.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must take some photography classes! <br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now they start to approach the table, see the disco ball, FREEZE, smile, and take care of the "problem" on their own. So far, so good!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm loving it!</span><div>
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
</div>
</div>
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-16422129380641815482013-03-26T20:23:00.001-04:002013-03-26T20:23:35.565-04:00Techy Tuesday-Mentor Mob<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with Katie's Techy Teacher Tuesday for the first time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://queenofthefirstgradejungle.blogspot.com/2013/03/techy-tueday.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSbfcyXyI3A/UVIGrGgdZkI/AAAAAAAAFyA/z2ozmbmolAw/s320/Techy+Teacher+Tuesday.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have always wished that I could use You Tube videos in my classroom. There are such great teaching videos out there. But unfortunately You Tube is cyber-blocked at my school. {{sad face}} I tried saving videos to Dropbox and to a flashdrive but just never could get it to work correctly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good news! I may have a solution for you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you heard about <a href="http://www.mentormob.com/" target="_blank">Mentor Mob</a>? I first heard about it on <a href="http://www.technologytailgate.com/" target="_blank">Technology Tailgate</a> and then <a href="http://edukateandinspire.blogspot.com/2012/11/10-reasons-why-i-love-mentormob.html" target="_blank">EduKate and Inspire</a>. I tried it out and to my surprise and extreme joy, IT WORKED AT MY SCHOOL despite the You Tube block!! I'm so glad Kate blogged about it because it is the best thing EVAH!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mentor Mob is a site that allows you to save You Tube videos (and other media) in category playlists that YOU create. <span style="font-size: 16px;">On my page I have playlists for Science, Social Studies, Math, Lang Arts, Brain Breaks, Holidays, Favorite Stories and Character. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Here is my link: </span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1363220814038_1975" style="font-size: 16px;">
<a href="http://www.mentormob.com/people/savedPlaylists/crystal-ingram-13587" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1363220814038_1974" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1363220812_0" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.mentormob.com/people/savedPlaylists/crystal-ingram-13587</span></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1363220814038_1976" style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1363220814038_1977" style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please feel free to just bookmark my page and use it. That is the great thing! You can view other people's playlists. My librarian started her own but then just started sending me links to load to mine. <span style="font-size: 16px;">Someone is definitely using my Brain Break list because it has over 1000 views! </span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16px;">I cannot tell you how wonderful this site is to have. It has allowed me to spice up my teaching and to have lessons that POP! Not to mention the wonderful Brain Break videos for when my sweeties have the wiggles. Their favorite ones are If You're a Kid and Ants in Your Pants. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a short video from their site:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3YwrGoWIZnk?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1363220814038_1977" style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1363220814038_1978" style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, please feel free to use my lists but if you want to create your own, it is super easy to do! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I created a short video to show you just how easy it is to add videos. This is my first tutorial, and I hate my Minnie Mouse voice! Can you tell where I'm from? Haha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="396" src="http://www.screenr.com/embed/DNv7" width="650"></iframe>
</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm on Spring Break and have been cleaning like a fiend! Next on the to do list is to schedule some blog posts! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a good night!</span></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-61787508528444095962013-03-13T19:59:00.000-04:002013-03-13T19:59:02.421-04:00My Advice to You Linky Party<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you there friends? It's me, Crystal! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have seriously decided that I have SAD. I have been in the dumps and barely hanging on all winter. But now that the sun is shining and I can walk the dog at 7 pm and it's still sunny, I'm GREAT! Terrible sentence but I'm so happy! Haha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gotten more accomplished in the past 3 days than I have in months! I have blogged three times today but before I published one of them, I saw this linky from Ms. Fultz's Corner</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://msfultz.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-advice-to-you-linky-party.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/advicelinky_zpsc45c8bba.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click graphic to join linky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How perfect! I have a dear friend who is looking for a job and we just talked about much of this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My advice to you:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Communication</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep the lines of communication between you and parents WIDE OPEN. I give out my cell number to my parents. This allows them to tell me dismissal changes, why folder is missing, little Johnny had a tummy ache in the morning, etc.. I have been able to nip many problems in the bud very quickly that would have otherwise resulted in a furious parent yelling at me or the principal the next morning. For those of you hesitant to give out your number, check into getting a Google Voice account for your school. We got one set up at our school last month. It allows parents to email or leave you a voicemail at your Google Voice number. It looks great but I honestly haven't used it much yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Make Allies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a great idea to get on the good side of the secretary and the custodian. They can be so helpful to you and are more likely to help you in a timely manner if you have been friendly and respectful. Just saying...lol.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Be Open to Change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If one thing is true in education, it's that this too shall pass. Trends come and go. If you don't like something, be as positive about it as you can and hang on! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't get complacent. Always be learning and striving to be the best YOU can be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Love, Humor, and Fun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Play games when you can instead of "paper" work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laugh with them often and much. My favorite books to read are funny ones. Those are the ones that stick with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOVE...your hugs and love might be the only ones that they get on a daily basis. You might be the only constant in their life. And the one that is making you want to pull out every hair in your head is the one that needs it the MOST. I'm living this one every minute of every school day this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Sisterhood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those of us in the trenches need to stick together and support each other. Our first grade team is now trying to go out as a group once a month at least. We are going tomorrow night and I CAN'T WAIT! I know I will get an ab workout just from laughing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Thank God and PRAY</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have the best and most important job in the world. Pray for patience, love, and to see the sparkle in each one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go join the linky!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much love and cyber hugs,</span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-44097895753921972752013-02-28T20:07:00.002-05:002013-02-28T20:07:43.463-05:00Just bummed..Just got home from parent conferences. I had my first experience with a hostile parent tonight. I guess since I've been teaching for 13 years this is way overdue, but it doesn't diminish the feeling. I have cried all over my teammates and now my keyboard. I know you all understand. I do what I do because I love children...love seeing them learn, explore, read, write, grow! To have it insinuated that I don't have the child's best interest at heart just hurts me. <br />
<br />
It's been a tough year.. I have a page full of blog ideas and pics to go with them, But by the time I get home, I just crash. I was absent last week to take my mother to the doctor and this was the note the sub left me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130207_081445_zpsf4d3c148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20130207_081445_zpsf4d3c148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you can't read it, it says "OMG! How do you still have hair in your head?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That sums it up nicely I guess..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow is Pajama day and Read the Most from Coast to Coast for AR. We are trying to break the most AR tests taken in one day. Should be fun! This week was Robot Week also. I can't wait to show you some of the great work we did!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Friday!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-82240284290398125332013-01-27T22:05:00.001-05:002013-01-27T22:07:48.154-05:00Puppy Cam ScienceHello all! So much for my blog more resolution! I wish there were about 4 more hours in the day. I could get SO much done! I did a little blog element switcheroo.. I think I like the 2 columns much better. You just don't know what you want when you first start out, do you? <br />
<br />
We have been super busy in our class and I have even been taking pics! Yay me! I will share more of that this week, but today is all about the Puppy Cam!<br />
<br />
You know I'm CRAZY about dogs! I talk about my sweet golden girl all the time. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121125_161327-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121125_161327-1.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella says Hello! LET ME IN!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have "liked" a lot of dog groups on Facebook but one of my favorite pages is the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WarriorCanineConnection" target="_blank">WarriorCanineConnection</a>. This is a group that trains puppies to be service dogs for veterans. My uncle was a Marine until the last breath left his body...he's probably still telling his war stories in Heaven. He was such a wonderful person in my life so this group just has a special place in my heart. <br />
<br />
I was so excited way back in 2012 when they announced that they were breeding a yellow lab named Misty to provide the next group of trainees. We got to go through the whole pregnancy and have kept up with the progress of the puppies. This is the latest pic of the babies. {{{LOVE}}} Their names are due to the fact that they were conceived during Superstorm Sandy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/549793_420933694650900_2033801307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/549793_420933694650900_2033801307_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But the most exciting element is the PUPPY CAM! <br />
Haha! I'm not sharing the cam until the end of this post because you'll just want to watch it forever!<br />
<br />
I was watching this cam during Christmas break for my own fun, but it occured to me that my kids would LOVE this! I showed it to them as soon as we got back to school and they fell just as much in love as I did. They beg to check the puppies all day. They have been snoozing and nursing and being fairly boring (ha!) up until the last week. They have started to really move around and even play. We are so excited!<br />
<br />
I read this book to my class on <a href="http://wegivebooks.org/" target="_blank">WeGiveBooks.org</a> about the development of puppies. We keep going back to this book as a reference for what the puppies SHOULD be doing. So far they are right on schedule. :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wegivebooks.org/books/see-how-they-grow---puppy" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://files.wegivebooks.org/uploads/book/book_cover/218/large_see-how-they-grow---puppy_001.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This week I am introducing our Puppy Science journal to my class. We are going to note any changes and write about what they are doing. This is a VERY simple item (just the facts ma'am) but will suit our needs nicely. Feel free to snag by clicking the pic below if you'd like. It's really simple..no frills.. I don't want you to be disappointed. Haha! I had plans for a more cutified one but my to-do list is so long that I went easy. This exercise hits the Common Core standard <a href="http://www.readtennessee.org/teachers/common_core_standards/1st_grade/writing/w18.aspx" target="_blank">W.1.8</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6FMgp7Y94LAX1d1Z2xZWUlUTzQ/edit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UpXIQrhoeOk/UQXnTarVD5I/AAAAAAAAAXM/wwMUx47h494/s320/puppycamsnip.JPG" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And without further ado I give you THE PUPPY CAM! This site has lots of other webcams to explore as well. Have fun! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/service-puppy-cam" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://explore.org/images/4126/230/130/y/.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click Misty to see her babies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-64771974945638887652012-12-30T17:49:00.000-05:002012-12-30T17:49:09.393-05:00New Year's Linky and planning my attack!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, look at me! Two posts in one month! Woohoo! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm hoping you caught my sarcasm..snort.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with Jen at <a href="http://theteacherscauldron.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Teachers' Cauldron</a> for a New Year's Resolution linky par-tay! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVs9M2LlKmc/UN9Js9IPXCI/AAAAAAAAH6A/cW5cy-lAZLw/s400/newyearlinky.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cVs9M2LlKmc/UN9Js9IPXCI/AAAAAAAAH6A/cW5cy-lAZLw/s320/newyearlinky.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love linky parties! It's always so fun to meet new bloggers and learn new stuff about my faves. And that it's during break when I actually have time to read and respond--even better!</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Personal Goal</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was writing this post in my head while showering this morning and realized that I have had the same resolution since I was in the fifth grade. I can remember doing a writing assignment on it and the sweet comment that my teacher wrote on my paper. I have been resolving to lose weight for that long in my life. She wrote on my paper that I was one of God's beloved children and that she knew someone as smart, sweet, and amazing as I was could do ANYTHING (in all caps!!). I still cry (am as I write this) as I think about her. I think I decided in that moment to be a teacher. But still all these years later, I have not managed to accomplish this goal. And I feel anything but amazing. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I'm going to try a new approach this year. I call it the plan of attack. I know that in my teaching career before I do anything I plan, plan, plan and what do we do for each child's progress?? Track, track, track, document, document, document... I went back to SparkPeople today. I hadn't blogged there since 2009!! If you aren't familiar, it is a website (and now app) that is completely FREE and allows you to set goals, track your food and fitness, and has a very supportive community of teams, bloggers, and message boards. I reset all my goals, blogged, and am going to start a SparkTeam for primary teachers with a friend of mine. I'll post the link as soon as we come up with a name. We bloggers know how hard coming up with a name is! Any ideas?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's their link if you want to check them out:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://assets3.sparkpeople.com/assets/newprofile/la8_logo3.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know I'm all about the **spark**le haha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
Here's my page there:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=ATHENAPHOENIX" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/7/0/l705861122.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blogging Goal</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is simple. Blog more! I actually do have some good ideas, I swear! I feel like a frogger. Fraud Blogger. Haha! Just kidding, mostly. I'm missing out on some great things here. You all talk of the amazing friendships that you've made from your blog and I'm jealous. I haven't experienced that yet but it's my fault. You have to be a friend to get a friend and to post and put yourself out there to make those relationships. My goal for tonight is to visit, comment, and follow everyone in this linky. :-) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plus I want to learn about creating. I made my own media buttons yesterday and put them over there on the sidebar ----> I was so proud of myself but was shaking in my shoes when it came time to move my design around and hit apply to blog. I was afraid I'd mess something up. Life's too short to be afraid of change or taking chances! Attack! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go link up!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much love and cyberhugs,</span></div>
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-86563685406072994212012-12-02T20:50:00.001-05:002012-12-02T20:50:39.366-05:00Currently and Christmas gift idea<span style="font-size: large;">Oh my...how on Earth did it get to be December? New month, new attitude! I'm not, not, not, not...do you hear me, NOT going to gain any weight in December! Even if I have to sew my mouth shut! I finally finished my stash of Reese pumpkins (and off with their head for anyone who brings me a Reese tree)! Those things are like crack! Haha! And I got my need (want) for Hardees out of my system this morning. It's time to wipe the dust off of those Zumba dvds!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's also time for Farley's Currently... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VlzGiw1Ub4/ULv-YbGRJ9I/AAAAAAAAAVc/0Ns0hKL0vZ4/s1600/Deccur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VlzGiw1Ub4/ULv-YbGRJ9I/AAAAAAAAAVc/0Ns0hKL0vZ4/s640/Deccur.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I promised myself I'd be a better blogger in November, but I have this Common Core project that is taking me just forever to finish. I came up with this great idea to align EVERYTHING I've ever bought on TPT and all the games/activities/centers/etc I own to the Common Core with labels and a spreadsheet and color coded. Miss Organization, you know? I had NO IDEA I had this much good stuff but it is taking me forstinkingever. I'm getting there! At least it's not still spread out all over my living room floor. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Moving on..</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you bought your students a Christmas gift yet? If not, check these out!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121202_195724.jpg?t=1354497236" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p561/StrivetoSparkle/20121202_195724.jpg?t=1354497236" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My dear teaching partner and I have been buying these 100 piece art kits for our kids for several years. They (((LOVE))) them! You are the best teacher ever kind of love. ;-) They are on sale at Michaels for 2.79 plus your 15% off teacher discount. Someone on Facebook said yesterday that her Michaels has them for 1.89!! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful week and go link up with Farley!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2012/12/currently-december.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzgLuhx3Voo/ULqBkVtYdqI/AAAAAAAAGN4/3UM_b7BS5Fk/s320/currentlyall.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Much loves,</span></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-10079016615514574142012-11-06T06:32:00.001-05:002012-11-06T15:14:23.220-05:00Free BrainPOPjr! <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello all! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just a quickie this morning! <strike>I just wanted to tell everyone that BrainPOPjr is FREE this week! If you've never used any of their fun videos and games, check it out! We viewed the <a href="http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/government/president/" target="_blank">President</a> video yesterday and played the games (don't forget the Pop a Joke--they LOVE). </strike></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">So<span style="font-size: large;">rry<span style="font-size: large;">, <span style="font-size: large;">friends! They <span style="font-size: large;">chan<span style="font-size: large;">ged<span style="font-size: large;"> it during the day tod<span style="font-size: large;">ay. :-( It is a great pro<span style="font-size: large;">gram if you've never checked it out. They do a<span style="font-size: large;">lways have<span style="font-size: large;"> at leas<span style="font-size: large;">t one freebie each week.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click Moby to visit the site!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.brainpopjr.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4666079033164637&pid=15.1" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And don't forget to ROCK the VOTE!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have a great day!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px none;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-69382962370606403032012-10-30T22:08:00.001-04:002012-10-31T05:55:04.765-04:00Classroom Freebies Too, Monsters, and Adding One!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Annoying Kettle'; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Halloween!</span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope your little monsters are sweet to you today. We are going on a field trip to a corn maze…and it’s freezing cold! It was 80 a few days ago and now…brrr! Pray for us! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I’m so excited that this will be my first post writing for Classroom Freebies Too! Thanks so much, Charity, for the opportunity!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For all you CF fans I am sharing a game that I made tonight to help some of my sweeties master the math strategy of Adding One. Most all caught on quickly, but some still need more practice. Click the pic to go grab it at my TPT “store”. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fact-Practice-Adding-One-Freebie" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1232740585"></span><img alt="Add1" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gdKxukkoGk8/UJCH2zaRdLI/AAAAAAAAAUw/C-ZK7HfygSg/Add1%25255B4%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="Add1" width="400" /></a><span id="goog_1232740586"></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
We had Monster Day on Friday and read some of our favorite monster books such as <i>I Need My Monster </i><em>and Monster Manners </em>.<img align="left" height="240" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Y9OI09K4L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left;" width="240" /><img height="259" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61QA07jAIWL._SL500_.jpg" width="204" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We created our own monsters after this. I wanted to tie into our geometry Envision topic so we talked about how we could create monsters by cutting the shapes that we know. There are some c.u.t.e monster patterns out there for the snagging lately, but this time I wanted my kids to be able to completely make the monster how they wanted it. We don’t have an art special anymore so I worry about hindering creativity.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I put out every color construction paper I own and let them have at it. They turned out soooo cute! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are a few:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iFxBVODyQTU/UJCH866ulDI/AAAAAAAAAU4/5myQmM5QpLI/s1600-h/monsters%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="monsters" border="0" height="280" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TX1iRjBONDw/UJCIBjv-y0I/AAAAAAAAAVA/OeRknaFvKk4/monsters_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="monsters" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One fella made one with wings (I forgot pic of it) and it is the only one that keeps falling off the wall. Too funny! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They completed a My Monster description page after that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is Maddy’s (hers is the green monster above). If you’d like a blank copy of this sheet, just click Maddy’s page and it will take you to Google docs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6FMgp7Y94LAM1I3VHFxRkZJeEE"><img alt="20121025_164031" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bNfkbjiF1Bo/UJCIEssPXWI/AAAAAAAAAVI/lEE2eEFCFYY/20121025_164031%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20121025_164031" width="325" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you know about Dogzilla? I’ll have to post about him soon! They LOVE! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I hope you can use some of these! Have a great rest of October!<br />
<img src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" />AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-72249705228880721302012-10-18T22:33:00.000-04:002012-10-18T22:33:38.311-04:00I like big BOOKS and I cannot lie...<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh dear friends...thank you sweet baby Jesus that tomorrow is Friday! My sweet first graders have forgotten all our procedures in just a week! I actually had a girl tell me today that she'd come to join her reading group when she finished her puzzle. Really!! Oh, and did you know that when we come back from the bathroom with the pass, we stand in the door and yell at the top of our lungs.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Okay, who needs to go the bathroom??!! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**bang my head on table**</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We did manage to get some work done this week, however. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am TERRIBLE at using my big books. I have so many of them but seem to only use them to teach to my themes. I forget about them the rest of the time. I've noticed that during free choice centers on Fridays (after our morning of testing), lots of my firsties were getting into the big books. As I sat on the beach last week (ah...was it just a week ago?), I came up with a way to let them use those big books and start on the concept of research. I came up with this form:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Big-Book-Research-Form" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSgcPRiFOA8/UIC5eVN6TDI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Am4NM7xlrV8/s320/bigbookform1.png" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Big-Book-Research-Form" target="_blank">Click on pic to snag the form!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I introduced the form on Monday during literacy stations. We practiced the form using <u>No, David!</u> You'll be amazed at how many exclamation points are in this book! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are LOVING this station! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhuKflMReig/UIC7Bdz2QcI/AAAAAAAAAUY/YH4FjLxbn7U/s1600/bigbook1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhuKflMReig/UIC7Bdz2QcI/AAAAAAAAAUY/YH4FjLxbn7U/s320/bigbook1.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've "prettied" up the form since I took this pic! Haha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope your kids enjoy this as much as mine! Have a wonderful Friday!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-13594288370836270792012-10-10T09:59:00.000-04:002012-10-10T09:59:02.989-04:00Make them beg!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Greeting from the Beach! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm on Fall Break! It feels so incredible to de-stress and do nothing but read for pleasure and listen to the waves. I've read one trashy romance novel a day so far. Haha! The weather here in Florida is GLORIOUS! When I left Tennessee it was 40-something and raining! Yuck! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was sooo mean to my sweeties last week. They returned from library on Tuesday and found this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kM_YRpaIP8A/UHV2buVVl-I/AAAAAAAAATk/DPXCQ8TgqZM/s1600/bookshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kM_YRpaIP8A/UHV2buVVl-I/AAAAAAAAATk/DPXCQ8TgqZM/s400/bookshelf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had pulled out all of my Halloween and Fall books and put them on the shelf at our carpet area. And wrapped them in caution tape! They were so excited and immediately wanted me to start reading them. Nope. Not yet. Not happening. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made them wait for 2 days. They were dying! They BEGGED me to start reading these books. It's amazing when they are begging for books instead of games or movies. Before I took the tape off or read even one book, they had to complete this page:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6FMgp7Y94LAb2J1T1czLTJBN3c" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNq_XCdU0UM/UHV4nbL0NDI/AAAAAAAAATw/KiKZFD4WIAU/s400/bookanticipation.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frame from Jen Jones at Hello Literacy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can snag the file by clicking picture above. I starred the word predict because we are working hard to add it to our vocabulary. I hope you can use it!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Off to sunscreen up and pick out my book for today. Blessing to you!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-41123010326211313262012-09-30T15:56:00.000-04:002012-09-30T15:56:20.531-04:00First Grade Common Core<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hands-on Common Core activities!</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Common Core ideas for First Grade! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do I have your attention yet? I've been hearing such wonderful reviews about the K version of this book so I was excited when they released the 1st version. I was even more thrilled after I downloaded the <a href="http://corecommonstandards.com/core-standards/first-grade-common-core-workbook-sample.pdf" target="_blank">free sample</a>. I was expecting a typical workbook feel but that's not what this is! It looks just like our favorite units that we download from TPT (even with graphics by Scrappin Doodles)! Activities, posters, worksheets! I'm so excited to get my hands on the <a href="http://corecommonstandards.com/core-curriculum/first-grade-common-core-workbook/" target="_blank">First Grade Common Core</a> workbook!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go check it out!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://corecommonstandards.com/core-curriculum/first-grade-common-core-workbook/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2C9JPEAI5E/UGifDzWUJSI/AAAAAAAAATM/uD0EppN3GTc/s320/first-grade-common-core-standards-workbook.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-72900396701748919662012-09-07T03:00:00.000-04:002012-09-07T10:07:36.509-04:00Oh, those fairies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Have you visited Ms. Jessica for technology tips over at <a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Turn to Learn</a>? If you haven't then get yourself over there as soon as you read this! She rocks!<br />
<br />
Back in April she had <a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-create-free-talking-avatar.html" target="_blank">this post</a> about creating a talking avatar. I missed that one but saw <a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/search/label/Handwriting%20Fairy" target="_blank">this post</a> about the talking Handwriting Fairy. Oh...my...gosh! I showed this to my kids and they lost their minds for a minute! Every time we write they want to see if the Handwriting Fairy has a new message for them. Jessica has been creating new messages, but I realized that I wanted to create my own HF (Handwriting Fairy) so I could personalize the messages. <br />
So here she is..<br />
<br />
<div>
<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzNDcwMjY3NTYwNzAmcHQ9MTM*NzAyNjc2MTI1NyZwPTk3NTA3MiZkPTAwMCUyMC*lMjBWb2tpJTIwV2lkZ2V*Jmc9/MSZvPWI2OGFkMzhiOGUwNjQ5MzViODA*NmM*NThjN2U1ZDJjJm9mPTA=.gif" /><object height="267" width="200" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" id="widget_name"><param name="movie" value="http://vhss-d.oddcast.com/vhss_editors/voki_player.swf?doc=http://vhss-d.oddcast.com/php/vhss_editors/getvoki/chsm=81e5c82a8c438c0c4d9dd3774dd2bdf9%26sc=6552302" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="width" value="200" /><param name="height" value="267" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed height="267" width="200" src="http://vhss-d.oddcast.com/vhss_editors/voki_player.swf?doc=http%3A%2F%2Fvhss-d.oddcast.com%2Fphp%2Fvhss_editors%2Fgetvoki%2Fchsm=81e5c82a8c438c0c4d9dd3774dd2bdf9%26sc=6552302" quality="high" allowScriptAccess="always" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" allowFullScreen="true" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="widget_name"></object>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
So on Friday I began training my kids on how to keep their desks neat and organized. Then I told them that sometimes the Desk Fairy visits and leaves little treats for neat desks. There were audible gasps all over the room. They wanted to know if she knew the Handwriting Fairy and if she will talk to us. Haha! So you know what immediately went on my weekend to-do list. I told them that she's the Handwriting Fairy's sister.<br />
Here she is! She's a little goth, haha!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzNDY2Mjk4NzYxOTcmcHQ9MTM*NjYyOTg3ODYzNCZwPTk3NTA3MiZkPTAwMCUyMC*lMjBWb2tpJTIwV2lkZ2V*Jmc9/MSZvPWZlNmI5YzEwMzk3MDQ*MGFhMzM4NTJhNzkzZTVmYzNhJm9mPTA=.gif" style="height: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" height="400" id="widget_name" width="300"><param name="movie" value="http://vhss-d.oddcast.com/vhss_editors/voki_player.swf?doc=http://vhss-d.oddcast.com/php/vhss_editors/getvoki/chsm=49a5850810cfca22761e4cbc838ee9fb%26sc=6552201" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="width" value="300" /><param name="height" value="400" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed height="400" width="300" src="http://vhss-d.oddcast.com/vhss_editors/voki_player.swf?doc=http%3A%2F%2Fvhss-d.oddcast.com%2Fphp%2Fvhss_editors%2Fgetvoki%2Fchsm=49a5850810cfca22761e4cbc838ee9fb%26sc=6552201" quality="high" allowScriptAccess="always" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" allowFullScreen="true" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="widget_name"></object>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This was so much fun! Thank you to Jessica for the ideas!<br />
<br />
You can create your own free account at www.voki.com. They have created a Voki Classroom feature but it is 30 dollars per year. I used the free items to create the Fairies above. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0;" />AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-30357539273274251142012-09-05T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-05T06:00:15.919-04:00A Birthday Hit!<div style="text-align: center;">
I saw some really cute ideas for birthday celebrations this summer on Pinterest and blogs. There were the pixie stick or curly straw balloons that I loved. I just couldn't find straws that I liked so I wanted something else. While shopping at Dollar Tree I saw these coloring books..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DuUwzZAVuN0/UEOZvvykEHI/AAAAAAAAASI/fUiIVx87Gik/s1600/birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DuUwzZAVuN0/UEOZvvykEHI/AAAAAAAAASI/fUiIVx87Gik/s400/birthday.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is my friend, Rita, modeling it for you, haha! They are HUGE! DT had all different kinds...pirates, princesses, dinosaurs, fairies. The first page is a whole page of stickers. I chose this one for the boys because the stickers were boyish. The one for the girls is similar but with girly stickers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I gave out my first one on Friday and wow, was it was a hit! Serious oohhhs and aahhs and kids reminding me of when their birthday is. I love it when a plan comes together! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check these out if you haven't figured out your birthdays yet. The best part is that they are just a dollar!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Take care,<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1981414575166959953.post-71625191989537711872012-09-03T03:00:00.000-04:002012-09-03T18:46:23.508-04:00Yes, David...it's Open House!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello everyone! I know some of you are lucky enough to have Open House BEFORE school starts but not us. Our Open House took place 11 days into the school year. I had to have something cute for the hallway. I pinterested (that is a verb now, right?). I looked in my files, searched blogs, pulled old Mailbox magazines out...nothing grabbed me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/ylva51/smileys/scratch-head02-idea-animated-animation-smiley-emoticon-000415-large.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/ylva51/smileys/scratch-head02-idea-animated-animation-smiley-emoticon-000415-large.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My firsties always love David Shannon books like crazy at </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the beginning of the year. I saw a David pattern online, remembered a poster I had in a drawer and ding ding ding! Idea!! I have searched the world over and can't find where I got this pattern. If it's yours or you know where I got it, PLEASE let me know. I hate that I'm not going to be giving someone credit for this. I've got to do better about writing down where I get things. <br />
UPDATE: Yay! I found it! The pattern is from Angie Neal's TPT store. Here's the link:<br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/David-Learns-the-School-Rules-Craftivity-and-Writing" target="_blank">David Learns the Rules</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The pattern said to have blue stripes for the shirt, but I just passed out their markers and let them have at it. They were so excited to use those markers! I let them put as much or as little hair as they wanted. I'm pretty sure I have a few vampire and zombie Davids here. Love them! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I cut a piece of copy paper in half and let them design a book for David to be reading. Some of them copied books from our classroom library and some designed their own. They turned out so stinking cute!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWuhc9I9qX8/UEOqJtgyEmI/AAAAAAAAASc/m_IRDPxTx0o/s1600/20120827_143418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWuhc9I9qX8/UEOqJtgyEmI/AAAAAAAAASc/m_IRDPxTx0o/s400/20120827_143418.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A few closer..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NF9O5ILoQwc/UEOrESkVxkI/AAAAAAAAASk/7DrgxxpNVqs/s1600/20120827_143512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NF9O5ILoQwc/UEOrESkVxkI/AAAAAAAAASk/7DrgxxpNVqs/s320/20120827_143512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LnpiuDK2zo/UEOsVjg9fAI/AAAAAAAAASs/NeCqoFDZrlU/s1600/20120822_152528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LnpiuDK2zo/UEOsVjg9fAI/AAAAAAAAASs/NeCqoFDZrlU/s320/20120822_152528.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Take care,<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/ellenleyne/Crystal.jpg" style="border: 0;" />
AthenaPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11659579692661778157noreply@blogger.com6