Long Time No See!

I haven't blogged in so long! I have been a total slacker these days in the blogging world.

A couple of these have popped up during my absence from the blogging world...

In case you have been hiding underneath a rock like I have, most of your probably already know about the greatness that is the Teacher Appreciation Jackpot!  If you want grades 3-6, you just need to hop over to Corkboard Connections and see all the fabulous bloggers that are giving away soo many freebies.
It is almost noon and I am ashamed to say that I am still wearing my pajamas because I have been downloading non-stop all morning.

OK, next bit of news...
I got a new job!  I am going to be teaching Language Arts and Social Studies in 6th grade at a different school.  Talk about a total change! I am super nervous about departing from my beloved 5th grade Math, but completely excited about the new change.  This blog is going to need a makeover! I still might create things for math though because let's face it, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Farley has made a May Currently so I am linking up! Love me a Currently!  It's kind of hard to read, oopsies!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Sunday and be sure to check out the Teacher Appreciation Jackpot!

Tag!

I am way behind on my blogging!

I have been tagged by two wonderful bloggers, Summyr at The Teachaholic and Marcia at Learning in Bliss. I am going to do my best to answer both of their great questions!

Summyr's Questions:

1. What's the last book you read aloud to your class?
The last book I read to my 5th graders was Sir Cumference and the Knight of Angleland. I love to read as much literature as I can to support what we are doing in math.
2. Which field trip have you enjoyed most and why?
My favorite field trip by far was going to the AZ Science Center. It is such a cool place and I loved seeing the kids discover all the things we have learned in class in a whole new way.
3. Which subject do you enjoy teaching most?
Well I am slightly partial to math (haha!) definitely my favorite. 
4. What computer program(s) do you think is most effective for student achievement?
I LOVE Study Jams and Sum Dog. My students are completely obsessed with Sum Dog and it is free! You have to check it out.
5. What could you NOT teach without?
My smart board! If I could marry it, I would.
6. What is the most memorable gift a student has given you?
I love handmade gifts and any kind of a letter that a student has written me. It means so much more than a billionth bottle of lotion from Bath and Body Works.
7. Which do you prefer, having students write down their homework or posting the homework on a website?
Oooo, I am not sure! I just copy their homework, but I like the idea of posting it on a website. 
8. How often do you email/call parents?
I feel like I am emailing/calling all the time! But I need to more positive phone calls/emails.
9. How do you run literacy centers?
Mmmmmmmm, well I do math centers during guided math. I put them in tubs and then have the tubs circulate from table to table when the timer is up.
10. Why did you begin blogging?
I am so inspired by all the talented teachers who blog. I feel like I have grown as a teacher so much as a result of discovering teaching blogs. I felt like if I had a blog I could share some things I was doing and get more involved in the community. 

Marcia's Questions:

1. What is your favorite holiday project for your classroom?

I don't do a whole lot of holiday projects, the district kind of frowns upon that. I did make these mini pinatas for Cinco de Mayo one year. It was a total disaster, but I loved it!
2. Which do you prefer reading/writing or math/science?
Definitely math/science. I feel my brain is more oriented that way.
3. What is your favorite piece of technology for your classroom?
My smart board!
4. What was the last thing that happened in class that made you cry?
I tried to do a fun activity with my students to review for their last benchmark by hiding math questions in plastic eggs and having the students find them and solve the questions. It was totally terrible! I had kids crushing eggs (both accidentally and on purpose) and eggs were missing. While I was in the middle of the cruelest Easter Egg hunt ever, I found out my prep was cancelled. I was holding back the tears! It's amazing how one ruined activity can totally get to you!
5. Who is your favorite children's author?
Shel Silverstein
6. What is last song you listened to on your iPod or radio?
Ahhh! I don't remember! I am pretty sure Adele was on when I pulled into my garage.
7. If you could go any where on a trip, where would you go?
Europe ~ mostly France... ah... If I close my eyes it's almost like I'm there, well actually no, I think France would not have barking chihuahuas like I do now.
8. Which do you prefer winter or summer?
I love winter! Summers get so hot here in Arizona so the winters feel so nice.
9. What is your most memorable teaching experience?
I remember teaching a lesson when I taught second grade about natural and capital resources. I read a book about making tortillas, they did a sort with pictures of both resources, and then we ate tortillas! I loved that lesson.
10. Why did you decide to start your blog?
 See above! Otherwise I'll just gush about all the bloggers that I love again. :)

OK so I know I am supposed to tag 10 new people, but it seems like a lot of bloggers have already been tagged! I will go a cruisin' online to gather my new crew and then continue the game. 
I have testing next week, UGH! What is it about testing that is so exhausting??? I hope everyone else is either done or almost done.  TOMORROW'S FRIDAY! Have a great weekend!

Currently and a Fan

Farley has put out her linky party for the newest Currently! I am going to be around #150 on the list, oops, a little behind the times!

Here's a little ditty if you will, a little short story...

Yesterday, we were in the middle of math and I was having some serious issues. I was out sick the day before and apparently I still had some lingering affects because I was having some major hot flashes. I should not be getting those as a side note, a little early to be pushing through menopause (well, hopefully!). One of my sweet sweet students just shyly gave me this little folded up paper that he made as I was cruising the room. I asked him what it was and he said that he made me a fan because I thought it was hot in the room. AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!  That totally touched my heart. Things like that completely remind me why I am a teacher and I just melt every time I think about that.

Have you had a student do something to melt your heart recently?

No Bones About It!

Over the past week we started our science unit on the Human Body.  I decided to start on the skeletal system and then we are going to move on to muscles this week.  I had my students memorize some of the key bones and they were given a test on Friday. Most of them did really well, but some you can definitely tell that there was no additional studying going on at home. Here's a couple of freebies in case you go over the skeletal system in your classroom! 

Here's the paper I gave out on Monday as the study guide.

 Another that day that week, I had my students do this match-up activity with partners.

And then finally, the big test-ola!

I hope you can use these in your classroom! Have a great week!

Survey Says Linky Party

5th Grade ROCKS, 5TH Grade Rules is having a linky party! I totally remember these from middle/high school and filling out the surveys for my friends. I am pretty positive I used to lie on them though to make my friends think I was cooler than I actually was, but I promise to be 100% truthful with you all of course! ;)

1.  Are you married, do you have a bf, or are you flying free as a single lady/man?
I have been with my boyfriend for 4 years.

2.  Where did you grow up?

I was born in Texas, but spent most of my childhood in Charlottesville, VA.

3.  Do you have any pets?  If so, what kind and what is his/her name?

Yes, two wee little chihuahuas. Milo and Olive are their names, peeing and barking are their games.

4. What is a favorite tv show you are embarrassed to admit to watching?
Pretty much any Bravo reality show. I am such a sucker for drama that I am not immediately connected to!  The Housewives are my favorite. :)

5.  Are you a saver or a spender?
I'm a a total spender, but I have great intentions to be a saver... I really do... well not at Target, it all goes out the window there!

6.  What is your favorite children's book?
I loved any Greek mythology stories. I was completely obsessed with them. They were like my childhood soap operas.

7.  Were you the class clown, teacher's pet, or neither?
I want to say I was the teacher's pet. If I ever got in trouble, I was absolutely devastated.

8.  Who is your favorite athletic team?
Hmmm, I don't really have one... I know that sounds terrible. I just don't really watch sports, like EVER.

9.  Where did you go on your last REALLY fun vacation?
I think any time I go home or see family I have fun! But I have to say, I think when my sister and I went to Vegas that was probably one of my favorite recent-ish vacations.

10.  Who is your favorite actor?  Actress?
My favorite actor is Stanley Tucci! Don't ask me why, I have no idea, I just love the man. I don't think I have a favorite actress.

11.  Tell about the last time you cried because you were happy.
A couple of months ago, my students gained 12% on their benchmarks from fall to winter and while I told them how proud I was of them, it definitely brought some tears to my eyes! We all work so hard so it's nice to see the rewards once in a while.

12.  What is your favorite season?
Fall! I love pumpkin bread, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, the leaves (oh wait, we don't have fall leaves in Phoenix), the clothes... I love everything about fall.

13.  What is your biggest regret?

That I didn't go abroad to do my student teaching. That will always be something that I will always regret not doing.

14.  What food do you just NOT like at all?
Ewwww, meatloaf!!!!!! Yuck! I love beef, but there is just something about a loaf of meat. Blech, it makes me shudder just thinking about it.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST FOR MY TEACHER BLOG....

15. Who was your most memorable teacher, and why?
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Burchette in 2nd grade. I remember she let me stay after school to give me extra help on how to read a clock and I will never forget that. I still remember the masking tape on the floor and her having me stand on the hours.  Teachers that put in that extra time for their students are invaluable and wonderful.

Review Test Prep Game

I haven't blogged in so long! I have missed you all so!

I was trying to think of a new way to review in my classroom when a light bulb hit me!  I have completely been drawn into the mustache craze and so have my students. The fake mustaches are always the first to go in my treasure box.

I decided to devise a game that would separate the class into teams and as they answered the questions correctly, their mustache grows! Here's a little snapshot.

First page

Each number has a link to another page with a question on it (see below). After the team gets their question right, the mustache gets "shaved" off into the trashcan and the bushier, more robust mustache is applied.  I put the X on each page after we were done because I kept forgetting what question we had already done!

You click the wee little friend in the corner to send you back to the main mustache page.

The kids loved it and so did I! I got into the spirit as well and sported a fake mustache as well. Didn't get a picture, but you can tell it went a little something like this...

I have no idea where to even begin to embed a smart notebook file so if you want the game, leave a comment with your email and I will send it to you!   All you need is a smart board and some mustache needs!
You change the game to anything that suits your needs. All you have to do is change the questions on the slides.
I know a lot of you have started testing already and I hope everything is going smoothly for you all ~ good luck to all the testers this week!

Sunny Day Review Game

I'm linking up with Cara's Standardized Testing Linky Party over at Teaching My Calling.

I was introduced to this fantastic review game at my latest professional development. I played this with my math students right before our last math benchmark and they got so into it! I have known a lot of teachers that have played this game and they have ALL had success with it.

Here's how you play:

Cut about 20-30 die cuts of snowmen and write a variety of points on the back. (I made some 15, 50, 100, 200, double your score, triple your score, etc).  On a handful of snowmen, write on the back "Sunny Day".
What's a snowman's worst enemy? A sunny day! If that card is pulled, it wipes out your team's score.

Separate the class in to two separate teams.

Show a review question and have all the students solve the problem on their white boards. Show their white boards (that way you can also see who understands it, while playing the game).

Select a student at random from one of the teams.

If they get the question correct (or in my case could go up to the smart board and solve for the correct answer), they get to choose a snow man for points.  If they get the question wrong, it goes to the other team for a student to have a chance to solve.

Be sure to keep track of the score on the white board so the students can see.  When the question is done and the snowman has been pulled, continue to the next question and swap teams for a chance to answer the questions.

I hope you will have a chance to play Sunny Day in your classroom! Let me know if you have any questions, I'm not sure how great I did at explaining the game.