Thursday Throwdown: Clock Partners

Happy New Year!

It's time for....

One of my very favorite things for choosing partners is doing Clock Partners.

Clock partners is something I heard about waaaaaaaay back in undergrad as a lowly educamation student. :)

So you take a paper copy of a clock (you can google it and get links (or TPT it!)).

Have the kids walk around and find people to fill it in.  They can trade papers to put their name on their partner's clock in the 'time slot' they agreed on.

They can choose their partner, but they must have the same 'time' available in order to be partners. And I tell my class that they can only have each person once (makes them work with people they normally wouldn't!)

For example, Johnny has 2 o'clock available, but Susie has only 4 o'clock available. Johnny and Susie can't be partners. :(

But if Johnny also has 4 o'clock available, then he and Susie can be partners!

We did have to do this twice in my class (we got a little screwed up the first time!), but the kids are always asking if they can do clock partners!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Workshop Wednesday: Holiday Writing

Happy Wednesday! Only 3 (2 if you're not counting today!) days until break!

Time for one of my favorite link-ups, Workshop Wednesday!

This week we are talking about our favorite holiday writing.

One of my very favorite things do write with kids is poetry. It's quick(er), easy for most kids and they can be so creative!

I bought this last year during Cyber Monday-as a last minute addition to my cart, and boy am I glad that I did!

My kids have loved it, and I have loved seeing the writing that has come out of them.

One of my very favorite holiday products...Nicole Shelby's Holiday Sensory Detail Poems!

My kids get so creative with this!

We start out by brainstorming different things about the holiday season using our 5 senses.

Then, we revise our poem, adding in details, adjectives, figurative language, etc.

After that, I should them how to be 'conference buddies' by reading a friends poem and asking about the parts that confused me and maybe adding in some extra details.

They did great!

 After a friend conference, I checked them over and then they could publish-having a choice of some of the many papers that are included in this pack! (It's a bargain for the amount of things and enjoyment!)

Look at all that revising!

This one is my favorite...it's so descriptive and vivid!

This is another fun one!

Another one of my very favorite holiday/seasonal writings is Snowmen Shouldn't!
This was one of my very first purchases from Lesson Plan SOS (who is now split into two...Simply Sweet Lessons has this one)

It's a creative writing story about the things that snowmen shouldn't do...and the things that happen when they do!

I have the kids brainstorm  5 things snowmen shouldn't do and plan out their favorite one.

They always come up with the cutest things!

This one is one of my favorites that is done...

It has a ton of voice! (and minor errors...but look at that voice!)

These are some very fun, creative ways to keep the kids attention during these crazy days-and have their creativity bloom!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Workshop Wednesday: Holiday Reading

Do you know what day it is?


It's Workshop Wednesday! (Totally thought I would say something else...didn't you? ;)

One of my very favorite books is How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

I love to read this to the kids...it's such a wonderful book and there is sooooo much you can do with it. (Jivey has some great ideas here!)

One thing I like to do is to read the book-and then show them the movie!

(The original, not the newer kind of icky one!)

I just so happen to have a copy...my holiday season never starts without me watching it!

Oh look! Here's a Youtube one for those of you not as geeky as me (who needed to all of the orignial claymation holiday movies that she grew up with! ;)



How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) by Francisiii After we watch the movie, we compare and contrast it to the book version (look at that common core sneaking in there!)

Of course, you could do this with any book/movie combo (i.e. Polar Express comes to mind!) or  different versions of the same story (two different versions of The Mitten...)

Oh look! Some freebie organizers appeared! ;)

Just click on each of the pictures to grab!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Monday Made It

Only one Monday left until break!

Time for Monday Made It!

I have done LOTS of crocheting this month!

First off, I finally finished my super secret Christmas present...but you'll see that in January!


I decided to make my mom some potholders/trivets for Christmas... I hope she likes them! I'm not quite done, I have to sew two sets together first.

I've also been busy making a couch blanket for myself!

This one will be slightly smaller (I hoping for 40 x 60 in), so it will be the perfect size to cuddle with on the couch.

I love the colors, especially the gray and blue! I'm thinking of adding gray and blue/teal accents to my decor-so this will fit right in!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Workshop Wednesday: Holiday Math

Happy Wednesday!

Time for...

Last year, (and probably the last few days this year), I had some fun holiday task card centers that we did.

Of course, they were mostly free-Thanks to the TPT Holiday Guide!  (2013 is here!). (2012, 2011)

When I do these, I set them up so each one has an 'area'.

Then I divide the kids into groups, and have them rotate around the room!

It's fun for the last few days before break-when you know they aren't paying attention anymore! (and the first few days back from break...which is what happened last year! whoops! ;)

Even though this is 'new math pilot' approved (which is going....well, ugh!) I'm going to take out some time to do it-I think the kids will really enjoy it!

What are some fun holiday math things you celebrate?

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Currently

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five For Friday

Happy Friday!

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for her Five for Friday!

Due to a fuel leak at school-no school for me today! I was only about halfway to school when I found out, so I turned right back around!

Happy 3 day weekend! :)

(Only now I have to go in earlier on Monday before Conferences start to neaten up a little!)


Last week we worked on some figurative language...the kids really enjoy it! Today we were going to do some poetry to go along with it...but it will have to wait for after break!

Because of Conferences on Monday, the teachers get together for a pot luck. I'm in charge of some desserts....so Fudge! (made right after I got home...putting that time to use!) Recipe here

And.... Chocolate Cheesecake! (Soon to be made!) Recipe here (I'm cutting it in half to fit the pie crust)

Outfits!

I've decided to show only outfits I really like-you've seen most of them now!

Wedding:

Dress: Kohls
Tank: Target
Shoes: DSW








Fun Jean Friday:

Top/Jeans: JCP
Shoes: TJ Maxx









Today's Aborted (You seriously didn't think I would stay in clothes....went back to PJ bottoms and a sweatshirt!- I'll wear this next week during our PD Day :)

Shirt/Tank: Target

Jeans: JCP
Shoes: Payless


Have a great weekend!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn