Almost on time!

It has been forever since I've linked up with Doodle Bugs and I was almost on time!  I'm always so exhausted on Friday's and ready for the weekend to start that I never get around to getting anything accomplished after 3:15.  

So here's my five on this chilly Saturday morning!

Anyone else out there slightly obsessed with anything that Kim Adsit creates?  Well, I am.  That woman is one incredible lady with some incredible ideas/creations.  I recently bought her Interactive Post It Notes Anchor Charts for Reading Comprehension pack and spent two days creating them.  I am so glad that I did!  These babies are amazing!  I am really excited to use them during my formal observation in a couple weeks.  My kiddos do such a great job with them.  The bright colors keep them engaged and focused and they of course all want to have a chance to put a sticky note on the chart! :)

 

This week we started using our dry-erase boards (cut out from a large dry-erase board sheet, thanks Dad).  I love this idea.  I think I found it on Pinterest but I can't remember.  The kiddos wear a sock on their non-writing hand and when it's time to erase, they just use the sock!  Talk about genius!

I also love using the dry-erase boards because it really keeps all the kiddos engaged and focused on our lesson.  I have a lot of sweeties this year who are struggling and these little tricks are working wonders!

In these pictures we were working on finding ways to make nine.

Yesterday, our school held its second annual Science Carnival.  I love this new little tradition our school is doing. We got to meet up with our 'big' (second grade) reading buddies and walk around to different exhibits that were set up by community members (many are parents of the kiddos at our school).  It's really a great time!

We have been learning all about nocturnal animals this week.  I, of course, completely forgot to take pictures of all the super cute and fun things we did throughout the week but I am going to tell you about it! :)  Above is a picture of one of my favorite little activities we do.  I love anything that involves their tiny handprints!!!  For this we just make our handprint spiders, add hole protectors (can't remember their "real" name) for eyes, and then I work with the kids on typing their fact about spiders.  This takes all week long (if you are alone in your classroom with no volunteers or extra help).  Then, I the kiddos cut out their sentence and glue it in order on their page.  

We also read the story, Little Owl's Night along with other nocturnal animal nonfiction books, and created adorable nocturnal animal books.  I used Cheryl's Little Owl's Night Book Companion. 

We've also been working hard on sentence structure and plural and singular nouns.  Deedee's Super Sentence packet is perfect for reviewing both and provides great opportunity for both small group and independent work. 

Have I mentioned that I love this time of year!

I've been pondering how to tell you guys, or if to at all.  I thought this picture would help.  On October 8th, my hubby and I lost our baby at 16 weeks.  It was a very difficult time, however, my hubby and I are super positive and are ready to move forward.  We are already talking about trying again very soon.

The note from one of my sweeties says "Dear Mrs. McHaffie, I am so happy that you did not put me on any of the colors on the snowflake. For you. Love, Alexandria" ... She is referring to our behavior chart and the fact that she did not like having a substitute for 6 days.  I must agree with her.  Being gone for 6 days with no sub plans prepared (my water broke in the middle of a parent-teacher conference) my anxiety and stress level was sky-high!  

My return last Thursday was an amazing one! So much love from all my little kiddos and their parents.  Great reminder of why I love teaching so much! :)

For those of you who do not know, I live in Tallahassee.  Home to the Florida State Seminoles.  I am a huge college football fan and am stoked that we are now ranked number TWO!  I will be attending the game today and am excited to enjoy some tailgating with my dear friends!  

If you have ever had the chance to live in a college town, then you know what I'm talking about when I say that they excitement in the air is contagious! 

LOVE IT! 

Happy Saturday, sweet friends!