FCAT TOMORROW...AHHHH!!

I'm feeling so anxious... it's a good anxious though. I'm just ready for the FCAT to be here and I know my kiddos are too. We have been preparing for this test since the first day of the school and they are totally ready. We had a "Good Luck" celebration on Friday with a huge ice cream party. My darling parents brought in fabulous toppings to make incredible sundaes. I wish I had taken pictures but I was "toppings" server and my parent volunteer was "ice cream" server. Our hands were too sticky to use a camera. :) My parents are so considerate and giving. I'm so blessed. :)


Last week we did a last minute lesson on perimeter. Perimeter on grid paper and counting units is always tricky for 3rd graders. I found this idea on Pinterest and it was a TOTAL hit!

Using Cheez Its for perimeter? HOW COME I NEVER THOUGHT OF THIS? It worked so perfectly! My kids LOVED it! One little darling said, "I will totally rock perimeter on the FCAT now!" Too cute. :)

Off to go watch TV and R.E.L.A.X. To any Florida bloggers who teach intermediate grades, good luck tomorrow!  

Testing and a freebie

We are 5 school days away from the FCAT (a standardized test we must take in Florida and our 3rd graders HAVE to pass in order to be promoted). As I'm sure you can imagine, tension is high right now. I haven't slept a full night's sleep in about a week, but I am determined to keep the spirits high in my classroom.


Last year I decorated my room in a football theme before our big test. The kids really enjoyed it. We called ourselves "Team V" and my kiddos banned together in true team spirit to support and encourage each other for the FCAT. 


This year I continued with tradition. We decorated team jerseys and hung them from our ceiling. Go Team V!

We also created football players to match our theme. These came out A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. I got the template from "A Cupcake for the Teacher" over at TN.

Check her stuff out...her items are fabulous! 

I put the team jersey in my TN shop for FREE. Click on the photo below to access the template. Enjoy! :) 

Back in "Teach Mode"

Well I survived my 2nd day back. Actually, its been quite enjoyable. My students came back mature, quiet, and ready to work. How long will it last? :)

Of course they were full of stories yesterday. Everyone had 56 stories to share from Christmas break, and when I asked them to tell me one story from their break, they merged the 56 stories into one sentence! Gotta love 3rd graders!

As mentioned before, we started back up with fractions this week (a big skill on the FCAT).

I have done 2 read alouds on fractions this week. The first one was called "Whole-y Cow! Fractions Are Fun." Naturally my kids loved the title...the content was perfect for beginner fractions.

We also read Jerry Pallotta's "The Hershey's Fraction book." Relating fractions to food = SUCCESS and UNDERSTANDING! If you are not familiar with Palotta's books, please check them out. He has WONDERFUL math books.

I even managed to fit in math centers today and that seldom happens. You know that you had a productive learning day when your back table is covered with math "stuff." They were rocking it though. I can't ask for anything more.

I always use my Mimio as a center. Have you checked out Lakeshore's interactive learning games? They are AMAZING! They are Lakeshore's board games in an interactive form for the computer. I have every title connected to my curriculum. Pros to these interactive activities: no set up required or having to explain the directions. I love Lakeshore's board games but the first time I have my kids play them, they need help with the directions. This causes major loss on instructional time and that's never good. These are truly grab and go! Plug and play! Insert disc and review! Learning made simple! Click on the 1st picture to check out other titles from Lakeshore's website.

Off to go snuggle with Penny. I'ts freezing! I love it but so not accustomed to this. It's supposed to get down to 26 degrees tonight. YIKES! Everyone has sheets on their bushes and trees out on their lawns to prevent frost. It's a lovely sight.



Best Read Alouds from 2011 #4-6

Ok..here are numbers 4-6. Only took me a week… here we go.

4. Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler – a staple if you teach a grade level that requires standardized testing. In Florida our 3^rd graders have to pass the FCAT, otherwise they are retained. L The kids know what’s at stake and the time from January to April adds extra stress to our daily routines. I strive to make my class as stress free as possible. I’d rather burden the anxiety behind the FCAT than have my little kiddos upset and anxious. I read this story to the kids when we come back from Christmas break. It’s about a school preparing for a standardized test. It’s light and fluffy and pokes fun at how the adults are acting during this crazy time. It always makes my students feel better. Judy Finchler has a whole series on Miss Malarkey, including “Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind.” Finchler’s books are relatable for young readers and can be used for several different classroom occasions.  I read “Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind” during Read Across America week.

5. Butterflies in My Stomach and Other School Hazards by Serge Bloch – If you are an “Idiom Freak,” like myself, this is the book for you. I read this story the first day of school. It’s about this adorable, little boy on his first day of school. He uses idioms to describe his experiences and feelings as the day progresses. My students couldn’t help but giggle throughout the story, and the illustrations are fantastic.  I was down in Fort Myers the first week of break and I found Bloch’s other idiom book, “You Are What You Eat.” Naturally, I bought it because I have no self-control when it comes to books and it’s adorable. Bloch’s books are truly noteworthy.  

6. I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll – The little boy in this book is hilarious! He’s upset because “his monster” is on vacation and he needs someone in his room to keep him in his bed. He starts interviewing all different monsters but none fit the bill. He finds something wrong with each one. After I read this, my kids and I do a writing activity on their perfect monster. Clever, cute, and perfect for the holiday!

7. The Donut Chef by Bob Staake – I found this book on eBay for 50 cents, brand new (and in hardcover J). This was my FIND OF THE YEAR. I just randomly selected this book from my library one day and boy was I surprised! MY KIDS LOVED THIS BOOK. The illustrations are charming and yummy to look at it.  Staake uses modern shapes and BRIGHT COLORS for his illustrations and they work it. The rhythmic text sounds so delightful during a read aloud. A must have for every teacher!!

I hope it doesn't take me another week to get to #10. :)