With the hustle of report cards, student-leds, Kagan professional development, and St. Patrick's Day behind me, I finally had a moment today where I felt "caught up".  It sure doesn't happen very often.

I took a few photos from around my classroom.  Enjoy!

My Grade 4 students finished these adorable oil pastel pieces a couple weeks ago.  I was planning to take them down today and what should happen?  SNOW!!  Yep, a beautiful "Christmas Eve" type of snow hit right at lunch hour.

Grade 5/6 Art Inspired by Rene Magritte

My Grade 4 math class finished up a mini-unit on telling time.  I found this flower idea on Pinterest last year, but only got around to getting it up this year.  Above the clock is my reminder wall of some of the many Kagan structures that I am learning about.  I think I'll make a few adjustments to this list.

What Time Is It?

I didn't plan it, but Thursday turned into a day of clock activities. First, my Grade 4 students made a clock in math class.  This will be a good reference as we continue through our Time unit.

I apologize for the upside-down picture.

Then I got these little guys prepped for next week.  We'll do a little mingling around the classroom and read each others' watches.  Not only will the students record the time on the watch, but they'll also record what the time will be in 10 minutes.

Then later in the day my Grade 5/6 class started a Salvador Dali project - Melting Clocks.  I melted old records ahead of time, then the students did a first coat of white acrylic paint.  Next class we'll do another coat of white, then finish up with a trim and clock face.

Who Doesn't Love A Sale!

TeachersPayTeachers.com is having a site-wide sale on Thursday, February 27th and Friday, February 28th. Enter promo code TPT3 to get 10% everything!

Now the cherry on the top ... ALL of my products are another 20% off.  Yep, you read it right.  Check out my store and see for yourself.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Top-Priority-Teaching

February Catch Up

I am spending most of my week off glued to the iPad or tv watching the Olympics. Canada's win against the U.S. in women's hockey just about did me in today at lunch! Thursday and Friday are convention days, which I love IF I walk away with lots of neat ideas to use in my lessons.

Before the break I was able to squeeze in a little Valentine's Day writing activity.  My students used a website called Festisite to turn their paragraphs into heart shapes.  The site was really easy to use, and the kids were excited to see their finished hearts.  I asked students to write about someone in their life that they were grateful for.  Here's what the finished pieces looked like:

www.festisite.com

Another big thing in my class before the break was getting ready for the Olympics.  My students spent time researching Canadian athletes.  It'll be cool on Monday to check the bulletin board and see how many athletes won medals.  Here's what one of the bulletin boards looks like:

SURPRISE!

This is what my students were greeted with when they got to the classroom on Thursday morning.

I couldn't find my warning tape in the Halloween tub, so I had to quickly make up my own.  The message on the door told students to wait until everyone in the class was there and to leave their backpacks and jackets in the hall.  I left an envelope with the first clue and off they went.

Luckily, I had an EA who was able to wander around the school with the students to keep them together. 

After 9 clues (our school is small), they found me hiding in a little storage room in the basement.  It was such a neat way to start the school day.  We ended up doing our read-aloud and journal in the music room.

Pic Collage

My latest find is an app called Pic Collage.  It has probably been around forever, but to me it's the newest and greatest little addition to my lessons.  The other day I had my students create a pic collage to show me their understanding of forces.  Here's an example:

What's your "go-to" app in the classroom?

The Sochi Winter Games Are Almost Here!

I love watching the Winter Olympics.  I love hearing the athletes' stories.  I love watching CBC's coverage of the games.  I love watching reruns of events.  I love seeing the Canadian flag get raised.  I love the excitement.  I love hearing O Canada play.

Here are a few of my favourite Olympic moments:

~ Sidney Crosby scoring the gold medal goal for Canada's men's hockey team

~ Jamie Sale & David Pelletier winning silver at Salt Lake & then later getting their well-deserved gold 

~ the loonie under centre ice at the Salt Lake games

~ Catriona Lemay Doan skating with the Saskatchewan flag after winning her speed skating event

~ Scott Moir & Tessa Virtue winning a gold medal in ice dance

What are your memories?

I've put together a few Olympic goodies on my TpT store.  Here's a sneak peak:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Canadian-Athletes-Sochi-Winter-Games-1057399

I printed this poster set last week and got them laminated.  I plan to use them on my hall bulletin board with the research activity above.  Aren't the penguins adorable?

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Olympic-Poster-Set-Canadian-Version-1057413

Thanks to these wonderful artists for helping me out with these products:

Font courtesy of JF Keep It Simple designed by Jackie Golden @

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Jackie-Golden

Background graphics by Lovin’ Lit @

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lovin-Lit

Penguin graphics courtesy of Poppydreamz Digital Art @ http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/PoppydreamzDigitialArt