Focus On: End of the School Year

Don't pretend like you don't know exactly how many days of school you have left.  As soon as the weather gets nice, the countdown begins.  And - let's be honest, those last few weeks go p-a-i-n-f-u-l-l-y slow....
 
 
But wait - I have a few tricks to share with you that might help ease the pain.  Fun games and activities perfect for the end of the year are just a click away!
 
First off, students love to share their favorite memories about the school year, so why not give them an opportunity that gets them up and moving?  It's called "Flip-Flop Reflections."  Students each get a card and quickly find a partner.  They share their memories using the prompts on their card and then flip-flop (aka switch) cards and go find a new partner.  {Click below to snag your free copy!}


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1vWc6qR04VuRExhU0FwaW4ybDQ/view
 
 
Next up, a couple years ago I did a guest post for the "Inspire Me ASAP" blog about how you can take the learning outside.  You can find the post here.  Here's a clue:  The games involve a hockey stick, sidewalk chalk, and life-sized scrabble letters...just saying :)
 

Now, if you're really wanting to go out with a bang, why not throw a little carnival for your students, grade level, or school.  Check out this freebie of carnival game ideas that are easy to set up and perfect for end-of-the-year learning!

In this download you'll find 8 carnival games!  Click here to learn more!

And finally, when your ready to say "peace out!" to your students, send them home with some games and activities that they can complete all summer long!

I created these "Take Home Math Games" and "Take Home Science Experiments" that make perfect gifts to give you students at the end of the year.
 
 
Or this packet that includes a variety of activities that keep your students from suffering from the "summer slide!" {PS - If you already purchased this set, re-download it for and updated version!}  Check it out here.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Homework-Activities-For-Your-Students-247243

Hang in there, my friends.  The end is coming :)






https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/POP-WordsA-Syllable-Sorting-Game-1715520

"Spin and Say!" {A Math Game Freebie}


Hi guys!  I've been getting up extra early lately to give myself more time before Clara wakes up and it's been great!  I was able to complete my Because of Winn-Dixie novel unit (posted yesterday) in record time AND I was able to make this fun little math freebie for you!

I call it "Spin and Say!" and there is one game for each math operation. 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6W0uz8zqMNnODlQckItZmhFTHc/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6W0uz8zqMNnODlQckItZmhFTHc/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6W0uz8zqMNnODlQckItZmhFTHc/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6W0uz8zqMNnODlQckItZmhFTHc/view?usp=sharing

HOW TO PLAY:
1.  The game is played in partners.  You will need to provide each partner group with a paper clip and pencil for the spinner as well as several marking chips per player (2 different colors)

2.  The first player spin the number and letter spinner and uses the coordinates to determine which math problem they will solve.  (ex.  in the division board above, a student who spins 3C will answer 9/3)

3.  The player answers the question while their partner checks the answer sheet.  If correct, the player places one of their marking chips over the math problem.  The player with the most chips wins.

VARIATIONS:
1.  Have one player spin both spinners and players race to shout out the answer first.

2.  The first player to make 6 in a row (horizontally, diagonally, or vertically) wins the game.  (you can make it 4 in a row to make it easier if you want)

No colored printer?  I got your back:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6W0uz8zqMNnODlQckItZmhFTHc/view?usp=sharing

And, if you've been with me long, you know I love a good matching recording sheet (plus an answer key).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6W0uz8zqMNnODlQckItZmhFTHc/view?usp=sharing

Have at 'em!  They are all yours!  Just click any of the above pictures to grab your copy.

If you want, you can share the love by pinning or sharing on Facebook!





https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/American-Revolutionary-War-Complete-Unit-1083350

I'm Still Here! {And I have something to show you!}

Hey all!  Blogging has slowed down a bit for me because I've been hard at work finishing up my Because of Winn-Dixie novel unit.  I have such a limited amount of time to work each day (thank you Clara for only taking one nap now!) and sometimes it's hard to squeeze in blogging AND curriculum writing!  Sometimes I'm forced to choose.

But!  I'm happy to report my novel unit is up and running and I'm excited to share with you all the finished product:
I'd love for you to check out all the details (find them here) and let me know what you think!

I promise to be back soon with some more game fun!


Friday Faves :: 4/17


Man oh man!  It's been a busy week!  I fell off the blogging train -big time.

We have some guests coming from out of town today. I got up early to make sure I had time to pop in and say "hi!" and wish you a happy Friday.

I came across a lot of fun things this week to share with you for this week's edition of "Friday Faves!"

You'll get a good laugh at this list of "50 Strange Things Teachers Say" - a list submitted by real teachers.  I'm pretty sure I've said my share of strange things. (I'm guilty of saying #1 and I LOVE #8 and #17)  What have you found yourself saying?

An outdoor twister board?  Don't mind if I do!  There are so many classroom games to play with twister!  Would your school let you do this on their lawn?


Easy math center!  Perfect for little kids to develop fine motor skills!

5 math games every classroom needs to play.  What a great list!

Love this vocabulary game!  Put important vocabulary words in a bag, students pick a word and spin!

This game is great for little ones practicing picture/vowel sound connections (FREEBIE GAME!):





Have a great weekend everyone!




Ten on Ten {April}



Happy "Ten on Ten" day!  Which also happens to be a Friday. Which is happiness :)

Here are ten snap shots of my life as of lately:



{See my Stitch Fix review here}



Hope your weekend is sunny!







Earth Day Digits {Freebie Center}

Hi!  I'm blogging super early this morning.  The hubs and I are trying out a new routine.  He's been getting up early to go to the gym before work, and I've been waking up with him to get in a good work session before Clara wakes up.  So far we are on day 2 :)  I did find that yesterday I got a good chunk of work done on my Because of Winn-Dixie novel unit.
(the coffee is extremely necessary...)

Anywho - In just a couple weeks it will be Earth Day (April 22), so I thought I'd share out a quick freebie center that you can snag and put in your math centers for the weeks to come.

Basically, students manipulate the digits (there are 4 sets) to create different numbers based on the task cards provided.  For example, one task card might ask students to arrange the digits to create the smallest number possible.

A recording sheet is provided for you as well!  Head over to my holiday games archives and find this freebie under the "Earth Day" category.

Happy Thursday! When are you more productive to get work done?