WEEKLY REWIND + EARTH DAY UPDATE & FREEBIE

I am later than late to Doodle’s party this week, but I am barging in just the same.  I have a good excuse . . . I swear!!  You see, I promised the Mr. that I would back away from the computer and help him do work around the house. True to my word, I stopped working on the computer yesterday around noon and we enjoyed working in the backyard together.  It was a gorgeous day and things are starting to look pretty dang good out our back windows . . . just in time for RODEO WEEK {boy howdy}, but I digress 🙂  

So, that’s my story . . . not that you really cared to hear it, but you know how I get from time to time.  Now, I really must get on with this shebang as I am no longer “fashionably late.”

ONE – NO FOOLIN’
I think Monday and Tuesday were two of my favorite days in the classroom this year.  My thought process here was simple.  I knew I was not going to stop the, “There’s a spider on your back!” or the “You dropped your pockets!” comments on the first of April.  The week before, it suddenly occurred to me – if you can’t beat ’em . . . join ’em!  Who knew that April Fools’ Day could be so powerful?  I had those babes eating out of the palm of my hand.  Here’s a little picture walk of some of the highlights.

TWO – THOSE 400 METER HURDLES
Boy oh boy . . . are my kids ever into GoNoOdle.  I know I keep talking about it, but I keep finding more and more things that the kids absolutely LOVE.  We unlocked additional track fun this week and we tried out the 400 meter hurdles. The kids rushed the screen . . . and ran/jumped their hearts out.  It was awesome – even my babe who is “too cool” to do silly stuff joined in the fun. Yeah, buddy!!  The best part is that my sweeties were super focused after their run.  If you haven’t checked out this amazing and FREE brain break resource, you really must.  It will blow your mind 🙂  

THREE – FABULOUS FLUENCY
We tried out A Teacher to the Core’s “tweet” fluency passage this week and the kids were in heaven.  They loved the birdy story and they grew so much throughout the week.  It even has a killer cute craft to go with it that’s . . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . standards based.  I highly recommend this set!!!  It’s available in her Comprehension and Fluency 101 Packet and it has everything you need to do fluency up right in the classroom.  I can’t wait to try it again and use even more of her ideas with my crew.  

FOUR – HABITATS
We rolled into our Open House theme this week.  I started having heart palpitations when I realized how soon after our spring break this will come (only 2.5 weeks).  BLARG . . . who planned that??!!!  On that whiney note, I will be offering up some habitat goods in the next couple of weeks.  Be sure to check back in with me!!!  I tossed one in down below.  I love doing a little questionnaire to see what the kids know before we really get going into the theme.  It always goes their Habitat folder so the parents can see just how much they learned.  Click on the image to snag your free copy of this sheet 🙂

FIVE – EARTH DAY UPDATE
My wrist is absolutely on fire {Houston, I think we have a problem} . . . but, I managed to knock out an update on my Earth Day Pack.  As one of my TOP 5 sellers, it needed a face lift.  The content was on point, but let’s just say that I have come a VERY long way in the design department.  With this said, I added new clipart, borders, and a few more ideas into the mix.  I am really happy with this packet now.