what's winter without a penguin theme??

Well, some of our penguin theme lesson plans have been pushed back for later because of all of these snow days... but here's one craft I just couldn't wait for! Water bottles stuffed with leftover white crafty materials (tissue paper, cotton balls, pipe cleaners - anything to work those little fingers), then decorated to look like penguins! I love pinterest!!

 

Aren't they just so cute!??

SNOWFLAKES!

We haven't been back to school much this month it seems, but on one of those fun days we made these super cute handprint snowflakes! I found a book at the library called "No Two Alike" that fit in just perfectly with our little poem and handprints - because just like snowflakes, we're all unique :)

 

Sorry the pics are sideways... don't know why I'm having trouble with these today :/

snow day? blogging? what do you think??

My facebook newsfeed is full of guesses about tomorrow morning - snow day or no snow day? I am going to have to say I think we'll have our winter vacation extended a day due to these crazy low temps expected, but nonetheless, parents rest assured, if my Pinterest newsfeed is any indication, your students will be experiencing some pretty awesome lessons once we do get back to school! haha! Yes, I do consider pinning ideas "planning" and my fellow teachers are hard at work on this long break! I just added some pins of my own to my "Stuff for School" pin-board (mostly they are links to other blog posts on here for my non-followers).  I think I'd really like to expand my use of this blog and try to get a bigger following of teachers out there... so I'm thinking about writing - really writing - not just posting pics of our craft projects. What do you all think? If you are reading this, PLEASE comment, like, or pass along to others so I can know if this would be something to consider ;)

Thanks so much!
Amanda

I had forgotten how fun watercolor painting can be! Here's a picture of what I think has been my little girl's favorite winter break activity!

Happy New Year!

That's really it, just wanted to say best of luck to all of you in 2014!
:)Amanda

as promised :)

Beginning December projects:

For these first two, we reviewed shapes and talked about "December" theme items that might come in the shape of a triangle. Then, we dyed popcorn by putting already popped popcorn in a baggy with a little bit of paint and shaking them up good! Once the pieces were glued down, we made our triangles into real pictures! Love this art project!

 

Next up: The Shape Snowman dancing in the falling snowflakes. A classic, but I love it every time!

 

 Today's quick afternoon reading lesson: There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Bell!

Coloring, cutting, sequencing, gluing, and labeling - whew!

 

Check back for more to come! 

:)Amanda

Happy Holidays!

I didn't get a chance to take pictures before our snow day on Friday, but here's one to hold you over until next week... I'm not really sure this picture should be forever available on the internet, but here goes! My kiddos have such a silly teacher :)

Photos to be taken/posted as soon as possible: Shape snowmen, Popcorn art, Free painting, Labeling work, and Snowy day Ten-Frames

Happy December everybody!
:)Amanda

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks to all of you for following/reading my blog posts this year! I am really trying to update more often and add photos! I need to figure out that anonymity piece though (putting smiley faces on like stickers or blurring out faces - most of the time it ruins my pictures, so I'll work on finding a happy medium here). But anyway... you are appreciated just for reading my updates, my venting, my excitedness, my ramblings - so I am celebrating YOU this Thanksgiving! Thanks for having an interest in my classroom and my students!

I have had a really fun time celebrating Thanksgiving with my class this year - I am hoping I started a "Something I'm thankful for..." Show-and-Tell day because that was REALLY fun! Our students and paraeducators all participated and we saw some very cool things! I loved hearing some guesses after our initial "clues" were given - and a lot of times they were right! Thanks to everyone who participated for bringing in your cool items and sharing your stories of who gave it to you, who you share it with, and why you were thankful for it! The quote of the day, was from one student that said: "But the season is about giving, not getting. I'm thankful for my family and friends! Well, plus my snow globe!"

Happy Holidays, everybody!
:)Amanda