Weekly Game Plan :: 4/6

Hi!  How was your Easter?  It was cold around here, but we still had a great holiday!

Due to the holiday, I'm a day behind on my weekly game plan post and I'm gonna be honest ya'll - I'm not really sure what's on the "game plan" for this week.  I have a LOT to do, (as always), but I also have a lot of extra random things going on this week that will take up a lot of my time.  

Here are some things that I'd like to get to this week:

I started this series last month where I post 10 pictures on the 10th of the month.  I always like seeing a glimpse into the life of some of my favorite bloggers, so I thought it would be fun to share ten pictures that give you a peak into daily life here at the Classroom Game Nook!

I actually did have a couple good work sessions last week for pluggin' away on my Because of Winn-Dixie novel unit.  I'll be continuing again this week (and for several weeks to come!) What skills do you like to cover in a novel unit?  So far I've covered genre, theme, and character description.  Any other topics/skills you'd like to see covered?

I can't say too much about it yet - but there is something SUPER exciting in the works in blog world.  I'll just say that it involves about 50 bloggers and a whole lot of freebies and fun!  I'm giddy with anticipation, but you'll have to wait until May :)  But be prepared for bigger and better things!  I'll be here in top secret in preparation for the big event!

What's in the game plan for you this week?

Friday Fave :: 4/3

Hi!  Another Friday has rolled around again!  With Easter this weekend, we've got a lot going on.  Unfortunately the weather will be less than stellar, but we'll make the most of it!

I've got a couple faves for you today and the one MAJOR fave to share with you that may or may not rock your world :)

Ok - I know I said that I wouldn't do any more posts with games using plastic eggs, but these ideas from Scholastic are pretty great and I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't pass it along:

What will YOU be doing when the bell rings on the last day of school??  These teachers have some good grooves:

Ok, now.  I interrupt out regularly scheduled Friday Faves and I bring you a game changer :)

Have you heard of Stitch Fix?   Let me tell you about my new love.

How would you like a personal stylist?  How about someone who hand-picks styles to fit your body and then delivers them to your door.  No more mall shopping and trying on outfits in changing rooms while your baby cries.  (Yes.  Yes. and Tell me more!)

I always have thought that I have a pretty good sense of style, but I hate shopping and I'm never confident when I try to pick out something that I think is trendy.  So as a result, I am still wearing clothing from freshman year in college.  I kept hearing about this Stitch Fix company from other bloggers I follow and I decided to finally give it a try.

Here's how it works:
1)  You create an account with Stitch Fix (affiliate code) and create a styling profile where they ask you a bunch of styling questions, your measurements and what not to get an idea of who they will be styling.  It's actually kinda fun to fill out.
2)  You are assigned a personal stylist (mine is Nicole) and using your style profile, the stylist chooses 5 items (tops, bottoms, and accessories) that she thinks you will like based on your profile. 
3)  You anxiously wait for your first fix to come.
4)  You get awkwardly giddy when you come home from teaching a fitness class at the Y and see the Stitch Fix box on your doorstep.

(ok, those last two steps may be me-specific)

5) After you receive your items, you try everything on, keep what you want, send back what you don't.  Easy!

I am really pleased with what they sent me for my first fix!  Here's my review

This blouse it reeeeallly pretty in person (I take terrible pictures, which is why my face is cut off in all the pics..hehe, you'll have to take my word for it).  It's light and flow-y with a nice texture. Perfect for spring.  I would have never picked this to try on if I saw it in the store, which is why love stitch fix.  They encourage you to try new things!

I decided to keep the blouse.

They also sent me the fabulous necklace.  Here's a closer look:

I love how I'll be able to wear it with so many things!  It's a keeper as well!

Next up are these distressed skinny jeans.  They are so soft with a nice stretch.  I don't even have to hem them (which is rare on my 5'1 height).  I paired the jeans with this new button down top I just bought at Old Navy and a pair of nude flats.

I kept the jeans as well as they will be great for spring!

The next top is so lovely that I'm sad it was too big on me:

The arms are awkwardly floppy on me and the body was a bit big. It looked so nice with the new mint flowered necklace that I recently purchased.  I'm really sad to send it back

Finally, I had requested that my stylist send me a blazer.  The color is gorgeous and the cut was really nice on my short torso:

Unfortunately, it was a little snug across the back, compliments of my broad shoulders.  It was also a little long on my arms.  I loved the way it looked with the cream polka-dot blouse.  I paired it with some pearls and it really made a polished look.  I may choose to request another blazer on my next fix (scheduled May 27 - and I'm already anxious to get it!)

In all, I kept 3 of the 5 items - not bad for my first fix.  Once you decide what you're going to keep, you go on their website to provide feedback so that they can make your next fix even better.

My first experience was awesome.  I'm sold!  If you've been thinking about joining, I highly recommend it.  I would also love it if you used this link as my referral code. 

Any other stitch fix users out there?  I've been loving reading other bloggers reviews of their fixes!

Throw Back Thursday {Test Prep Scoot!}

Hi!  Guess what?  It's going to be 66 today and I am super happy. The sunshine cures every bad mood, doesn't it?  I love it.  And - did you solve this secret code (and grab the freebie that went with it) from yesterday's post?

Secret Code:  "Tomorrow is my birthday" - which means TODAY is my birthday.  Yay!  I am 31 today.  Last year, Clara was 3 weeks old on my 30th birthday and I was so sleep deprived that I barely remember it.  I feel like I should get a do-over.  {sigh}

Wow- I look tired.  No make-up mama.

Look how little!  (said in a high squeeky voice) Wow!

Anyways - I will be enjoying a nice lunch with a friend today and maybe take the pup for a walk since the weather is gorgeous.  Other than that, it's business as usual.

Now onto today's business.  Throw back Thursday.  Are you test prepping in your classroom?  I hated test prep, as I'm sure you do. But here at the Classroom Game Nook, we try to make even the most dreaded tasks fun.  

I blogged about this a couple years ago - but since then we all know about the train wreck that is common core, so I had to update this idea a bit.  

Here's the scoop:  Instead of boring test prep, why not throw in a game of SCOOT to spice things up a bit.

First off, you will need some sample common core test question.  I was able to get mine from Engage NY, and I am sure other states have similar CCSS resources.

First, I copied and printed off the sample CCSS questions:

I only did 3 questions.  Clara's not quite ready for test prep (hehe) so I didn't want to waste my printer ink.  You get the idea.  You will need as many questions as you have student.

Then, I cut apart each question and numbered them.

You now have your scoot cards.  Provide your kiddos with a recording sheet and one scoot card to start.  Give them about 1-3 minutes to solve the problem and record the answer on their recording sheet.  So if a student starts with card 3, they will record their answer next to #3 on their recording sheet.  After time is up, students quickly pass their card to the next student and receive a new card to answer.  Continue until students have answered all scoot card questions.

Go over and review and see how your students did!  Easy enough, right?

How do you test prep in your classroom?

Crack the Code! {FREEBIE!}

Happy April!  Tomorrow is even going to be in the 60s!  Yay!

So, yesterday I shared with you a fun review game that I played with the kids in my Sunday school class called "Grab-an-Egg." They loved it and the game can be adapted for the classroom in so many ways, so make sure you go check out that post if you haven't already.

Our Sunday school kids are known as the "S.P.Y. {Spirit Powered Youth) Kids" so I often like to play the secret code game with them as a fun way to introduce them to the topic of the day.  And in addition to the egg game we played, I started our lesson with this secret code activity:

Students had to use the secret code alphabet in order to "crack" the secret Bible verse: "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest heaven."  I had students race to see who could crack the code first.  

I thought I'd create a blank template that you could use to create your own secret code to use for any topic:

The file is in PowerPoint so that you can add text boxes and type right into the document and edit as needed.  Make as many codes as you want :)  You will be able to copy and paste each little letter picture and arrange them into a secret code:

Simple and fun!  Just an easy way to switch things up in your classroom.  Perfect for introducing a new topic!

Find the editable file freebie here.  Hope you can use it!

Now just for fun:  Can you crack THIS code: