Teacher Appreciation Day 2

On day 2 of Teacher Appreciation week, we sent some candy goodies to Jaxxon's teachers.

I pinned a great idea from this Season's of Joy site.  I adapted the poem just a little.

For his main teacher, I applied vinyl letters to a glass jar from Hobby Lobby (I caught that 50% off).  We filled it with M&M's.  Top that off with a tulle bow, and one great gift is born.  We attached the M&M poem.
Here is the poem:

My Magnificent and Marvelous Teacher

Green is for the inspiration you give me each day.

Blue is for your patience in showing me the way.

Orange is for your warmth and caring style.

Yellow is for the way you always make me smile.

Red is for my life that you have touched this year.

You're a very special teacher just like this box, that's clear.

You place knowledge in our children's hands
and melt into their hearts and lives forever.
You're a "Magnificent" & "Marvelous" teacher.
Thank you for helping the kids on their learning endeavor!

I had Jaxxon color in the boxes.

For his other teachers (we adapted just a little with the poem for our nurse), we put these items in a baggie:

• two bags of M&M's
• peppermints
• now and laters
• lifesavers
• hershey kisses

I created this poem and we attached it to the back of the M & M poem:

Thank You!

Thank you for all the LOVE you have shown the kids this year.

You are a LIFESAVER to all the children you hold dear.

NOW & LATER the kid’s love for you will continue to reach.

You were MINT to be a teacher, and you were meant to teach!

His regular teacher will get the other items in her big gift on Friday.

I made some for my math teachers at school.  Hopefully, it brought a smile to the faces of all the teachers!

Happy Appreciating day 2!

Teacher Appreciation Day 1

It is the first day of teacher appreciation week!  This is the first year that I have a child in school, so I had a blast making teacher appreciation gifts yesterday.  My son will take a gift each day of the week.  Of course, we couldn't forget about the librarian, computer teacher, coach, music teacher or nurse.

For the first gift, we made a pencil holder from a used can.

Last week, I created a form using Google docs.  I emailed the form link to all of my son's teachers.  I asked for these things:

• favorite Sonic drink
• favorite color
• favorite snack food
• favorite type of candy
• do they prefer cookies or brownies

We painted the cans, using each teacher's favorite color.
Using my cricut, I put each teacher's name on the can with vinyl letters.
I found some cute Dr. Seuss ribbon and glued it on the can.
In the can, we included:

• pencils
• pens
• markers
• favorite candy

My son said the teachers really liked the gift!  I know how hectic this time of year can be, so if we were able to bring a smile, then we did our job!

Here is your chance for a free gift.  Comment to this post with your favorite teacher appreciation gift you have ever received or given.  The deadline is midnight Friday, May 10.  One lucky person will win any item from my teachers pay teachers store!

Happy Appreciating day 1!

The Amazing Math Race

I always have a six weeks project.  Four years ago, I was thinking of what project I could do for the fifth six weeks.  I had shown a few clips for CBS' Amazing Race during the year.  Of course these clips held mathematical content.  The class said it would be fun to do an Amazing Race, so the project was created.

The race has five questions with five events/obstacles.  It even has a detour and a roadblock.    The race features one question from the five categories:

Measurement
Probability/Statistics
Percent
Pythagorean Theorem
Proportions

We go outside during the class and they perform my race (in groups of 3-4).  They have a blast!  They are answering math questions, being outside, and performing tasks.  They don't even look at is as being work.

Only one member can use his/her legs to go to the question.

Blowing bubbles

Measuring diameter

Pythagorean Theorem

I allow each group to have:
dry erase board with a marker
formula chart
calculator

Once they solve the question, they bring me the answer on the board.  I must be able to see the work, and the label (if any) must be correct.  I have flags set up for each question.  They must go to that flag to work or rework the problem.  Once they are correct, they get to complete the event.  It always goes very smoothly, and the competitive nature comes out.

I have each question printed on cardstock and laminated.  I have used the same questions since I started this four years ago!  I have enough questions for each group.  For my race, here are the items you will need in addition to the questions.

dowel rods, string and tape measure

hula hoops and measuring stick

Event flags (laminated and hot glued)

bubbles and bubble gum

After they complete my race, I give them the information sheet they need in order to create their own race.  They may work in groups of 3-4.  They must have five questions and five events.  It takes about two days to make it through all the groups. By the time we are done, the kids have answered 30-42 questions.  It is great, and we get to spend some time outside!

Here is the criteria:

The objectives of this project are to:
(1) help students better understand mathematical concepts and formulas by applying them in a fun and dramatic setting
(2) integrate math with competition and kinesthetics, providing students with the opportunity to utilize both their cognitive and creative abilities
(3) provide a motivational strategy that will encourage an appreciation for mathematics

The obstacle course must:

have 5 events and questions

feature the following mathematical concepts

• Measurement
• Probability/Statistics
• Percent
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Proportions

feature the following obstacles

• Road Block: A task in which only one team member can complete
• Detour: A choice between two tasks, relating to the same concept
• be contained to the “race area” and able to be performed

The questions must:

• Be written one per page (enough pages for each group)
• Have a solution provided to your teacher
• Feature the mathematical concepts listed above

Here are some pictures from student created races.

If you would like the complete race, you can get it at my store.

The kids will enjoy it, and they are learning!

Happy racing!

Teacher Appreciation

Testing is OVER!!!  Well, we have two weeks until some of our 8th graders test again, but for the most part, we are done!!!

I must say that I am very proud of our 8th grade math students.  88% passed the STAAR math on the first try.  We will see in a few weeks how the other grades did.

I always try and do a little something for my math teachers for the test day.  I came up with this.

I got a little bottle of hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works.  I picked out the Apple Blossoms scent.
I used my cricut and cut out an apple.
On the front of the apple I wrote, "SANITYzer".  We all know we need a little bit of sanity, especially during testing time!
I glued the apple to the bottle.

It brought a smile to the teachers, so I was happy!
At the time, Bath and Body Works was having a sale, so each bottle was $1.00.  I already had the paper and the cricut, so the other cost was just a little bit of time.
I made enough for all my math teachers, plus a few extra.

I will be giving one to my son's Kindergarten teacher.  These would make great gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week.  By the way, Teacher Appreciation Week is the week of May 6 - May 10.  As a teacher, I can safely say we love getting little gifts.  Gifts don't need to cost a lot of money, so any thoughtful token is always appreciated!

Happy SANITYzing!

Testing Time oh my!!!

Today was the 8th grade math test for the State of Texas.  I really do not like testing time.  I don't like the kids feeling like one test determines if they have learned or not.  That is just NOT the case.  I have explained to my kids the way I would test them if I were in charge.  The kids liked it, so maybe one day, I can help have a say in how we test our kids.

Our math department always puts together goody bags for our kids.  We are able to pay for these through fundraisers.  The bags include:
peppermint gum
peppermints
smarties
bracelet
motivational pencil
eraser
stickers
little note of encouragement

I love seeing the kids put his/her note on the corner of the desk, so they can look at it throughout the test.  It makes the time spent putting the bags together so worth it!

The kids have 4 hours to take the test, and that means 4 hours for teachers to watch and actively monitor.  Nothing can be more boring!  I would rather take the test 50 times as opposed to staring at the kids.

As I was watching the kids, you could start to see the energy running out.  I made up little inspirational notes on a sticky note.  I walked around and put it on the desks.  Many of the kids lined it up right beside the other one. I did this every 30 minutes.  I would alternate between a note and a sticker.  I have a pile of sticker pads I have picked up at Dollar Tree.  You never know when you might need them, and they are only $1.  (Of course, I never think about putting the stickers on papers).  The kids love the stickers!  This sure helped pass the 4 hour watching period, and it made the kids feel good.

Here are two of the desks after the test was over!

Whenever your testing time comes around, remember to tell the kids that one test does not define them.  Let them know that regardless of what this one test says, they have learned so much throughout the year, and one test could not possibly ever measure how much they have learned.

Happy test taking!

BizWorld

BizWorld is a program that provides entrepreneurship and financial education to students.

BizWorld 4.0 has arrived.  Click here to get started.

Currently, there are three programs teachers can use in his/her classroom:

From Bizworld.org:

Program description
The BizWorld Foundation, in conjunction with the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and Kerpoof, created an integrated business, entrepreneurship, and computer-animated movie production curriculum.

This real-world simulation gives students the opportunity to create animated movies using online “MovieMaker” technology, introducing them to basic programming as they start and run their own movie production companies. Children experience the entire entrepreneurial cycle as they work together to design, produce, market and sell tickets to their animated film.

BizMovie teaches students the value of creative and critical thinking as they gain practical experience in the business world. Participation helps students to see how their unique talents and skills translate from the classroom to the real world.

From Bizworld.org:

Program description
The BizWorld program teaches the basics of entrepreneurship, business and finance by showing children how the entrepreneurial cycle operates in the friendship bracelet industry. Students are divided into companies, with each student taking on a leadership role to support the team in designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling their products in the BizWorld marketplace.

Students can experience the entire entrepreneurial cycle in just ten hours as they create a revenue stream, deduct expenses, experience a profit or loss, create an income statement and value their company.

The impact the program has on children is vast -- from inspiration to creating their own companies, to understanding the relevance of being successful in life and academics.

From BizWorld.org:

Program description
The BizWiz program teaches children the basics of money management and investing. During the course of this project-based program, students are divided into “Investment Teams” that set a financial goal, develop an investment strategy and trading plan, create a diversified portfolio, and track their investments. Together, teams participate in simulated trading sessions to work toward meeting their financial goals.

By participating in the BizWiz program, students learn how to think critically about investing and understand the factors that contribute to a smart financial strategy.

Use with the BizWiz EL Guide and teach financial concepts visually!

Last year, I began using BizMovie.  I started it with my advanced class, and they loved it.  We held a box office, and "sold" tickets to other students.  The students had to create and present their marketing campaign, show their commercial, and then present the movie.  This goes along with financial documents they are keeping up with in the classroom.

Here is a link to the commercial and video one group created.

commercial:  http://www.kerpoof.com/#/view?s=2gs11buIrgo5cjs45M00-d-429ce4-x2

movie:  http://www.kerpoof.com/#/view?s=2gs11buIrgo5cjo44w00-d-b625ef-x2

Both the commercial and movie were created using kerpoof.

I have started it with my current class, and they are anxious to get started.  As an extension this year, my class is also going to create a "live" movie to go with the animated version.

I hope you are able to find these programs beneficial in your classroom.  They are able to take the kids out of the "classroom" and into the "business world".

Happy Business making!

Minute to Win It Battle Ball

I am always trying to find creative ways to assess my students.  With benchmarking, the kids become overwhelmed with all the tests.  I have done partner tests, tests where the kids rotate around the room, group tests, etc.  Measurement is a difficult concept, so on my big measurement test this year, I let them work in their houses.

I created:  Minute to Win It Battle Ball:  A game of Brains and Skill

The kids LOVED it!  I had kids so excited about coming up and answering the questions.  At first I used a random number generator found with the SMARTboard.  The numbers 2 and 4 were not coming up very often, so the kids asked me to use something else.  I started using an interactive number cube, and it was much better.


Objective:
Work in your house to answer the questions.
You want to add as many points to your house while taking away points from another house.

• Each person in the house needs to have a number 1-5 (6 th period will have 1-4) in the
top right hand corner of your paper. Do not use the same number. If you don’t have
enough house members, someone will need to be the other number(s).
• Work together in your house to solve the questions.
• Everyone must be working the problems on his/her own paper.
• Periodically, time will be called and all papers need to be put in the air.
• A number will be randomly selected.
• The person with that number must IMMEDIATELY go to the front of the room with
his/her own paper.
• I will look at a problem. If the answer is correct, 5 points are added to the house. If
the answer is wrong, 5 points are deducted from the house. If there is not any work,
five points are immediately lost and the player is disqualified from the round.
• The players will then get to try to make a basket.
• If the basket is made, an additional 5 points are added to the house, and the player
can take away 5 points from another house or combination of houses.
• Play continues until questions have been graded.
• Questions should be graded by all students as we go through the game.
• 5 points will be deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct (including telling other groups to
shut up)

Minute to Win it Round:
• Periodically, a random person will come forward to complete a skill.
• If the skill is completed within one minute, 50 points are added to the house.
• The first person to complete the task will win an additional 50 points, and he/she can
deduct 25 points from any house or combination of houses.

+5: correct answer
-5: incorrect answer
+5: make basket (can take away 5 points from another house or combination of houses)
-5: unsportsmanlike conduct
+50: complete skill within one minute
+50: first person to complete the skill (can take away 25 points off any house or combination
of houses)
+100:  House with the highest mean test score

Some examples of games we did with the minute to Win It round:

Marshmallow Stacking

Cheerios on a noodle

Cookie slide

Cookie slide

Marshmallow stacking

The competitive nature of the kids came out!  Overall, it went GREAT!  The kids have already asked me when we will play it again!

Happy Battle Ball!