The Ancient One and End of the Year Gifts

My students and I were so lucky to receive a copy of T.A. Barron's fantasy adventure, "The Ancient One." A couple of my students were excited to get their hands on a copy and begin reading.

We normally have independent reading time during our Daily 5 and they decided to write a short review on what they thought so far:

The students are enjoying the fact that this book is an adventure about helping the environment.  My one student Kate who is reading was excited to see the main character's name - Kate!

My fourth graders enjoy adventure, suspense, and visuals - the maps that can be found on T.A. Barron's site go right along with the stories.  How cool is that? My children are so impressionable right now and some have developed a dislike for reading :( However, when they can relate to a story and follow a character that they love, they feel like they are a part of it.  

You can find "The Ancient One" at Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, and Amazon! :) T.A. Barron has many other great books that you can check out.  I personally want to check out "The Wisdom of Merlin" myself.


Sooooo it's the end of the year.  My fourth graders have accomplished so much and they were wonderful to work with.  I knew that they deserved wonderful things sooo of course I went to Oriental Trading for my party needs.  I am also getting married this Saturday (4 days, no big deal) and they also are amazing with wedding supplies!

These tote bags were adorable to put lots of goodies in for my kids.  They were bigger than I had expected, but they definitely hold their weight.  These are perfect for lighter objects however, because I know with lbs and lbs of weight, these would break.  I told the kiddos that they would be able to put their beach stuff in these (towel, sunglasses, sunscreen) or put a light book and personal belongings in them as well. 

My kids (at all ages) love oriental trading prizes.  I got the sticky hands (they LOVE anything like this!) and some fun mini neon bouncy balls!  These are mini though and I don't recommend for younger children. 

 I wrapped their goodies in treat bags from the dollar tree to stay organized with the smaller items.  

My fourth graders faces light up with these ADORABLE FOXES.  I can't... they are just too cute.  My 9 and 10 year old boys and girls loved them :) They come in blue, pink, orange, and red.  

I am always a happy customer with Oriental Trading!

Disclaimer: Oriental Trading sent me products in exchange for a blog post, but all opinions in this post are mine.

June Currently 2015

 

One of my favorite months.. June.  It is difficult for me to say goodbye to my beautiful children every year at the end of this month, but I sure have a lot of fun enjoying the last few weeks of school -
We do a fun 10 day countdown as a school (as a little family) and pop a balloon each day.  Some of the activities can include an ice cream party, sidewalk chalk and bubbles, and even a fun camping day!
We don't use a specific product on TPT, but I did find a few GREAT freebies that you may be interested in for your end of the year!

 I love these countdown ideas from Always First!

Balloon pop fun with Briana Beverly!

From my dear friend, Deb Thomas, I love her 10 day countdown!

I am excited to be linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade - Miss Farley! Love her.. she's so awesome, isn't she? And to do these awesome linkys every month.. whoohoo to you, Farley! I missed last month's (insert sad face here!) but I am definitely not missing this one :) 

School ends at the end of this month - and I would actually love more time with my kiddies! All of my non-teacher friends, think that I get a major break over the summer.. but little do they know that I work double hard to save a little money, just to spend it on bills, bills, bills and other such things! I have lots of personal goals that I hope to meet before/during summer.  :)

Please go help Wimberley :)

End of the Year Gifts

Sooo I haven't blogged in a whole week since my last Monday Made It with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics! Ahh I have to get better at blogging more ;) But I sure do love my girl Tara! She is so creative so you will have to go check out what she made this week... so cute (and I love organization and anything crafty!)

So how are all of my friends?? Enjoying summer vacay? Did you have a good weekend? I did, but it sure went by fast... I am in the middle of reorganizing my apartment.. it's pretty small, but perfect!

This is my last "full" week with my kids.. we have a half day Friday, but it's full enough to be Mon-Fri! These are my end of the year gifts to my children... if any of you are looking at my blog now, do not read any further because I don't want your surprise ruined! XOXO

I thought and thought about what I could get my children.... and I came up with a trophy idea.  They are all my little rockstars, some of them I have had for 2 years... and I have to admit, I am not ready for the year to end.  I love each and every one of them.. I have 7 cuties, and I know everyone probably thinks my job is so easy with 7 kids, but my parents and the kids probably know how much work I put into them and the school. 

It's been a wonderfully smooth year though and I feel like my 3rd and 4th graders have grown and made so much progress.  I am pretty sure we are parting ways next year, but I do have to say, that there is something wonderfully special about looping up with kids.  I had 3 of them for 2 years and let me tell you... an incredible difference since the day I had met them.  They have blossomed from scared and quiet caterpillars to social, happy butterflies.  I am a very blessed teacher to have taught 7 amazing individuals!

 Besides the trophies, I also have some candy treats, sidewalk chalk, and a few other summer fun things to give to them.  Below is another treat that I am giving my kids, and also the 2nd teacher (Miss Mound)'s kids at the end of the year.. I bought some swirly straws at Michaels Craft Store, and got some packets of Kool-aid! Aren't the tags so cute? Guess what... They are FREE from "I Love My Classroom!" I hope you can check them out by clicking HERE :)

Are you already thinking about Back to School like I am? If so, check out my Apple Themed Word Wall Letters and Words!! I have made a Kindergarten one and a 3rd grade one :] If you would like another grade level or theme, I definitely take requests!! Clipart is from the adorable Ashley Hughes.  

 

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Piano Recital, End of the Year Balloons, Summer Math

I was very happy to have had my second annual piano recital last night.  I currently teach 10 students at my school, and I have one lovely 8th grader and one beautiful 3rd/4th grader that I teach outside of school.  Piano was a lot of work this year, but it was well worth it.  Ever since my own second grade teacher taught me piano, I always knew I wanted to do that "on the side."

It was a packed room with probably 60ish people there, so it was wonderful for my kiddies and their families to see their musical talents.  Below is a picture of me after the recital was over with. It was a hot day in New York yesterday!!

 

These adorable End of the Year Balloons are a freebie that comes from the wonderful, talented Panicked Teacher.  Click HERE for this amazing free product!!

Check out the lottery ticket "plants" that I gave my boyfriend's mom and stepsister for their birthdays.  A cute and fun gift that you can give on any occasion.  All of the materials (the flower pot, tissue paper, marbles, and stirrers) were all from the dollar store! The lottery tickets I of course got at our local gas station ;) but I hope you this enjoy!

I finally got my Summer Math Pack up on TPT and TN! I am very excited since I will be using this during tutoring over the summer : ) Summer Math Pack Grades 3-4 covers topics from 3rd grade as well as introducing 4th grade material.  This 35 page activity unit includes the math topics of rounding, decimals, multiplication, word problems, a little division, regrouping, adding by 3's, area, place value, and more.  The total number of pages is 67 because of the answer keys and reference pages : ) Check it out; you won't be disappointed!

 First 3 to comment with their e-mail addresses will get this product for free ;) Ready, set, go!
Thank you so much for being a follower and for all of your support XOXO

Science winner and teacher appreciation

The winner of my science giveaway is..... Charlene!!! :) Check your e-mail late tonight or early tomorrow for your prizes :) Thank you so much to all of you who entered... it really means a lot to me!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Science has been a major subject in the 4th grade so I am happy I can make some resources to help you all.  This was one of my very first freebies I think, Work and Machines Matching Cards :] I hope some of you can put them to great use!!

I cannot believe I haven't posted about Teacher Appreciation Day yet! Myself and the teachers I work with were so blessed to have our amazing parents come together and provide us with a breakfast, lunch, yummy treats, a teacher survival kit, and other amazing gifts.

Here is a picture of some of the greatness!

 I am full of pictures today since I never showed you what my lovely tutoring student (and former student from last year) completed... a setting map! I was so excited to help her with it and it came out GREAT.  I love this idea because it helps students understand what a map key is and how it can help you read a map and understand how important the setting of a book is.  The book we discussed and she read was Frindly by Andrew Clements.

End of the year is coming up... how many days do you have left? We have I believe 23 or so! I cannot believe I will have to say goodbye to my kiddies so soon!

Pick up this adorable freebie from Middle Grades Maven!! Absolutely love it :) Click HERE for this freebie on Teachers Pay Teachers!

Have a great rest of your day!!