The Presidential Inauguration

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States..."

I couldn't help but think how important, how vital, how incredibly important it was for my third grade kiddos to know a little bit about the upcoming Presidential Inauguration.  I wrote some simple, easy to read mini-posters for my classroom.  Please take a peek at them at my TpT store.  The link is below.  I would also like to know what you are doing to help your children prepare for this very historic day.  Let's talk!!  Happy today my friends.
Love and peace,
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Presidential-Inauguration-The-Who-What-Where-When-and-Why 

I'm a Snow-ologist!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful; The experiments so delightful.  Hypothesizing is such bliss!  I'm a Snow I'm a Snow-ologist!"

I'm truly proud of the fun, hands on snow experiment packet I put together for my kiddos.  Please check it out at my store and please, please, please, give me some feedback.  I love learning!  Thanks, my bloggy friends.
Peace and love,
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Im-a-Snow-ologist

Good Morning My Friends!

"Good Morning...Good Morning...Good Morning one and all Good Morning, Good Morning, to you!"

I remember singing this to my little children to get them up for school in the morning.  Oh how I wish I could rewind today and wake up to hear my 3 beauties; to see them with their little bodies snuggled up under a big ol' blanket reading with their mama...miss my babies but certainly celebrate all 3 of them and their achievements.  I guess that's one of the many reasons why I love teaching so much.  It makes me so happy to see my littles each day and listen to their words of wisdom and insight.  Most of the time I'm glad I'm the age I am (54 last week!) because it helps me realize what's important and what's not such a big deal.  Living through it with my own children has helped to realize much and I use that in my classroom each day.  Speaking of insight I decided to do a lil' ol' experiment with my third graders.  I was so inspired by the OLW idea:  One Little Word, that I put those three letters up on my whiteboard the other day in my classroom and explained what it meant.  I wanted to know what word they would choose, those insightful, thoughtful kiddos.  I left it up all day and told them that anytime they had a word they didn't need my permission; they could just go up and write it.  I took a picture of it because the words they chose were so impressive.  The one word that really amazed me was the word OPEN.  Open your heart to love, open your mouth to speak the truth, open your brain to learn, open your eyes to see all the wonders of our big world, open your ears to listen...WOW!!  Let me know your thoughts.  Happy, safe, joyful today my bloggies!
Love and Peace,

Sweet Gift for Any Occasion

"The best gifts are free!  Love one another!"

I wanted to start out the new year with a great idea that I do every year for Christmas.  It doesn't have to be just for Christmas, though.  I've thought about doing this gift for Valentine's Day as well.  What says love more than a sentimental message from an unknown person.  Such a sweet treat!

I have my students put their names on the top of a piece of paper.  I do the same.  (I have come to realize that the sweetest gift my students give me are their thoughts!)  Then collect.  Tell your students that they will be writing a sentence or two about the person whose name they are given.  It must be a positive sentence or two telling about the kind of person he/she is or something that they do well.  Remind them that this is a secret; no one is to tell each other that they got their paper.  When the rules are understood redistribute the papers.  Each student should have a classmates name, ne3ver their own.  The students have a few minutes to write a sentence or two.  Do NOT have them write their name.  When they have all completed this task pick up the papers and redistribute.  I do this about 5 times.  Then I collect the papers.  I create a bookmark for them with just the quotes from their peers and I hang them on the Christmas tree.  I give each student a special book and their bookmark for their Christmas present.  It is a magical moment when they come into the room and see their bookmark with so many wonderful sentences about them.  It almost makes me cry...such pure thoughts.  I have attached some samples.  As for the bookmarks I just make a text box on word, print, add stickers and laminate...done!  Hope you like this project as much as I do.  Have a wonderful start to the new year everyone.
Love and peace,