Wisdom for Wednesday - Life Is Too Short

Hi there!

Thanks for stopping by for today's: 

On Friday, my family and I were returning home from a day of celebrating my son's birthday on the Kansas turnpike. We drive the turnpike a lot because of where we live. 

This time, however, we came upon an accident. Traffic was backed up both ways. We were stopped for quite some time, unable to see what was going on. I began praying for those involved and their families, knowing the outcome of a wreck that bad was not going to leave everyone "alright." 

As I sat there, I also began to feel sick to my stomach…thinking of the loss, pain, and suffering of those involved. I considered that just the day before, these people may have sat around a Thanksgiving table with family and friends. Perhaps they had just said their good-byes and were headed home from the holiday celebration. Their loved ones watched them leave, not knowing it was their final goodbye.

I began to think about how many times I say goodbye to my friends and family, fully expecting to see them again. It made me consider my rushed "goodbyes." And the words that often go unspoken as to how much those loved ones mean to me. I've been pondering this the last several days, so the following quote seemed fitting:

So may I just encourage you to tell your friends and family you love them, to hug them a little closer---today and always.

More Sight Word Fun!

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving!  We started back in school today after our break.  I introduced the kids to Match Mine (Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategy) with our sight words this week.  The kids loved it!  

In match mine you have the students pair up and each student gets a paper with drawings or symbols on it. They put up a folder between them so they can't see each others paper. One student starts and they gave the other student directions on where to put a sight word.  For example:  I had 2 rows of circles and one would say put the word people (sight word) on the first circle on the first row.  Once they had placed all the words on their paper, then they removed the folder and checked to see if their papers matched and looked the same.  This not only helped with practicing our sight words but it also worked on following directions and giving directions.  They got really excited when their papers matched.  Here they are:

I'm excited that TPT is getting in on the Cyber Sale fun! I need to get my shopping done there before it ends!

Only 29 hours and 57 minutes left for their Cyber Sale!

Happy Shopping!

Bathroom Remodel, Double Digit Addition, and Turkey Hunt!

How's that for a random title?

I think you'll understand since it is technically still my Thanksgiving break. ;-)

First up...the bathroom remodel!

We live in an old house that was built in the early 1900s. The house was moved to its current location and has been added on to over the years. It is about 2,400 square feet, but only had one (large--thankfully) bathroom. 

A couple of years ago, we started the process of converting one of the extra bedrooms into a laundry room and bathroom. Both have been functioning for some time, but we just completed the finishing touches and decorating of the bathroom. 

What can I say? I'm indecisive when it comes to decorating.

 

Crate shelves idea inspired by Pinterest (of course).

 

Found this neat idea for the ceiling on Pinterest (where else?).

 

Next up...double digit addition (w/o regrouping).

We start regrouping on Monday so I was looking for a fun little review of double digit addition w/o regrouping for the day before Thanksgiving break. 

This is THE best activity I have found in awhile and it is a freebie. You MUST go grab it!

It is QR Task Cards Double Digit Addition Without Regrouping from Teaching with Technology and Fun. 

The kids had a blast completing the activity. They were on the move and working hard. We use QRafter to scan codes in my room (in case you're curious).

The best part for me (the day before break) was that once they were finished, I did a quick scan of their papers to make sure they had completed the problems. Then they scanned the QR code for the answer key and checked their own work. Whoop! Whoop! 

 

Staff Turkey Hunt!

We dismissed kids at 1:00 on Tuesday and then had inservice. Our new school counselor (who happens to be our new superintendent's wife) came up with a staff turkey hunt for us. 

They hid paper turkeys with prizes written on the back all around the school, and then released us to hunt. Fun, fun!

There was LOTS of prizes! 

So no thinking I was unfair with my stash...ha! 

And finally, I was excited to see TPT is getting in on the Cyber Sale fun! Happy shopping!

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving break! Be safe!

 

Wisdom for Wednesday-Being Thankful

Welcome to this week's:

I love this quote especially this time of the year.  The best thing about it is that it is so true.  You may be going through difficult times and having a hard time, but if you take a moment to think about all the things that you have to be thankful for, you will see that there are many.  What are some things you are thankful for this year?

Have a great Thanksgiving!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Being Kind Lesson

My co-teacher and I found this neat activity about being kind at Creating Readers and Writers.  To start, my co-teacher and I acted out a little skit where we were not being very kind to one another.  All the kids were saying we needed to say kind words to each other and quit being mean.  After our acting, we discussed with the kids that sometimes we say things that we don't mean and it hurts someone else.  

The kids were broken up into teams and they started the activity by emptying their tube of toothpaste onto the paper plate.  We talked about how these were all the words that had come out of our mouths. Then we gave them the directions to take the spoon and work together to put all the toothpaste back into the tube.  They worked hard and tried hard.  Some wanted to use their fingers while others even said, "we could eat it."  Which we quickly responded that we would not be eating the toothpaste.  LOL!  At the end, no team could put all the toothpaste back into the tube.  

We ended the activity with the discussion that once something comes out of our mouth, we can't take it back.  There can always be apologies said to try and make things better, but we can't take it all back.  The kids had fun with this and we loved the lesson behind it.  Check them out:

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Have a great week!

Fall Art Projects

Hey there! 

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. 

I started off bright and early at basketball practice, and then I stopped by the school to try to tidy up my room after a rushed exit on Friday afternoon. It is crazy to me how quickly my neat and tidy room gets messy again!

I shouldn't be surprised though. 

This class of mine...they are very "rough" on things. Things are always breaking, misplaced, and ruined. It is not necessarily on purpose. More from a lack of carefulness that I can't even explain in writing. You would really just have to see it to believe it!

Funny story about that from this week...

I left early on Tuesday to go to the doctor.

When I came back Wednesday morning, one of my students' chairs was missing. Turns out it had been broken the day before--from leaning back to far. 

Really.

Sigh.

That day as we are doing math rotations, I'm watching as a student's desk suddenly collapses.

Seriously.

Once I knew everyone was okay, I just had to giggle...only this class!

Despite breaking things, this class has come up with some great looking fall art to decorate our hallways.

Check them out. 

I've included links if you're interested in giving them a try!

Scarecrows

 

 

 Pumpkins

 

Turkeys

I've got a full day on Monday. Half day Tuesday followed by inservice. I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

 

Wisdom for Wednesday - Quietness and Confidence

Good morning!

I'm glad you popped in for a little Wisdom today.

Take a look:

Charles Spurgeon says in Beside Still Waters, "This is a truth concerning all the trials and troubles of this life."

Our trials may be work related. They may be our health or the health of a loved one. Maybe financial. The trials we face could be any number of things, but Spurgeon calls these "secondary matters." Secondary because no matter what trials and troubles we are going through, our focus should remain on our relationship with the Lord.

Spurgeon goes on to say, "Fussing, worrying, and hurrying will do no good." 

I love that statement! 

Why? 

Because of my tendency to do just that! 

I know fussing, worrying, and hurrying will do me absolutely no good during a difficult time. Instead I must put my trust in the Lord and wait. I must be quiet (calm) and confident in the Lord to see me through in whatever way will be best for me. That is where I will find strength to endure the troubles and trials I face!

Have a blessed day!