5 for Friday (... or Whatever Day It Is...)

Happy Weekend!  I am late (as usual!) but I am not going to let that stop me :).  I am linking up with Doodlebugs Teaching to recap my week.  Here we go!

Scoot!

So, my sweet intern planned a "Scoot" game for my class this week.  (You know "scoot" right?  The "get up and move in an organized fashion while you complete academic tasks" game.)  It was the perfect game for the math standard we have been working on.  She planned the perfect lesson.  It incorporated movement and differentiation... it provided practice for a skill that students should be becoming independent with... She accounted for learning styles, assessment, and the individual needs of ESE and ESL students.  Let me say again... She planned the perfect lesson.

And look!  It looks good right?  The students look engaged and like they are working hard.

BUT... O.M.G....  It was crazy.  Like, so, so, so crazy.  So crazy that it deserves its own post... and we both deserved wine that night... a lot of wine.

(A "When SCOOT Goes Wrong" post will be coming tomorrow... if you have "that class" this year it will make you feel better ;) and if you don't have "that class" this year it will make you feel grateful... ha!)

On a more successful note, the students built a worm habitat this week.  (We are building up our background knowledge and working toward a science project that will focus on composting.)

F.Y.I Those are not my hands in the above photo.  (I told you my intern was awesome.  She planned and executed this whole thing!)  I wish I could say that because the kids love learning about worms so much I "get over myself" and get into "science teacher mode"... but I don't.  I absolutely can not bring myself to touch the worms.  CAN NOT DO IT.  I am not super squeamish around insects.  (In fact my own children know to call Mommy and not Daddy if they see a spider!)

However, if it weren't for my intern this wonderful worm experience would not be happening... or at lease would not be "hands on" learning!

The kids are totally fascinated.  They are so intrigued with the worms and have been learning SO much!

 HERE is a blog post that I wrote about the way that I teach about living and nonliving animals.  If I am able to talk someone into helping me handle worms ;)  we do a really fun earthworm vs. gummy worm living/nonliving science experiment.  It is always a crowd pleaser :)

This week was Read Across America Week, as I am sure you know!  Here is a quick photo of my sweet little "Daisy-Head Mayzies".  Aren't they cute?  This might have been the easiest project EVER... and it was cute!  Which means it is my new favorite.  The fact that I love reading Daisy- Head Mayzie and that it is something the kids haven't done before makes it even better!

March is Women's History Month!  Do you do anything to teach your students about Women's History?  I have really been enjoying studying biographies with my students this year.  

This is the same bulletin board in the front office that I put together last month for Black History Month.    This month it is featuring the poster set that I put together for Women's History.  This set features 25 different women throughout history (so far... I am still adding to it!)

I am going to try to write a Women's History Month post later this week that includes all of my favorite books, videos & activities... stay tuned!

My baby thinks she is turning five tomorrow.  Isn't that ridiculous?  She was just born YESTERDAY.  There is no way she could possibly be turning five.  I really can't process this information...

Besides the fact that four is my favorite, favorite, favorite age and I can't bear the thought of not having a four year old anymore... She is my baby!  My last baby!

I am still problem-solving this out... but it can't really be happening.  So, we celebrated "All things Ella" yesterday... and the celebration will continue throughout the week (because my baby is just like her Mama... she is a happy little soul that loves life and loves to celebrate!)... but I am not accepting that the celebration means she is actually getting older... because that is more than my sentimental heart can handle right now.

I have ONE MORE WEEK until Spring Break!!  "I think I can... I think I can... I think I can..."  How about you?  Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?  Hope you are having a great weekend!!