Hello! Randomness to catch up on...

Hi again dear blogland friends...


Yup, it's been a busy few weeks, starting to work on end of the year stuff (OMG I've got 3 weeks left!!!) and have been year end testing, professional developing, and creating fun things for my kiddos.  


My class's Flat Stanley projects have been rolling in.  This year I've had a great turnout, mainly due to the fact that I told my kids NO CELEBRITIES.  Sorry, but in the 5 years I've taught in 2nd grade, I've had 2 come back from the White House (thanks Obama's staff) and 1 from the Atlanta Braves.  Projects have come in from Georgia, New Jersey, Missouri, and Tennessee.  We haven't gotten them all back, but I'm really pleased with the effort the family members and friends have put into these projects :)  Yay for friends and family!  I'll try to remember to take some pictures of what comes back...my mind is pretty slippery lately!


Our testing season begins in full force next week for grades 3 and up.  Say a little prayer to the AYP spirits that be that we'll get out of school improvement...if we make it in math again we'll just be in SI for reading...please please PLEASE!


Last week, my school had the PLEASURE of having John Antonetti come visit our school.  I can't say enough about this dude...other than he is freaking AMAZING!  If you are familiar with Ron White (the Blue Collar Comedy comedian...) imagine an educator's version of him and you've got John.  

If you can get him to come to your school, I tell you, you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!  He is everything that is missing from education, starting with COMMON SENSE all the way to REALISTIC!  I learned a lot, especially from his cubing lesson planning.  I cannot say enough...I'm so excited to work on putting these techniques to use for next year.  

And my last little bit of randomness and shameless plug for tonight :)

I just finished my latest unit for TPT called Number Sentences:  Equal or Not Equal.  I was very surprised at how little there was out there for kids to practice basic equations using the equal and not equal signs.  So, little me created a whole unit.  It has 22 pages (including answer keys) with facts to 20 (addition and subtraction), 2 digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping, and create your own equation practices.  I can't wait to use it in my class next week.  We've been practicing these all this past week but haven't had any materials to use...until now!  The first 3 people to comment with their email will get it free for being totally awesome and patient reading this boring, random rambling.  Let me know what you think about it.  I'm really excited about it!


I've also discovered the wonder that is Jing.  Anyone use it?  I love it because I can take a screenshot on not have to buy OneNote!  LOVE!

Enjoy your weekend!  Happy Mother's Day to all Moms, biological or not!