Whitney's Weekly Planner- FREEBIE

I decided to try and create my own planner template this year since none I have found fit my needs.  I like it to be simple and to the point...no fluff.  Because I only teach Reading/Language Arts, these are the only things I included to plan for.  However, everyone may be interested in the opening page for each 9-weeks that has places for dates that are important when planning.  I am not sure if it will be successful, I just wanted to try it out.  I used PowerPoint to create it, and I am not very savvy on the "how-to's", so I had to make every page sideways.  My neck hurt for hours after I finished, lol.  My dog Millie kept staring at me with her head sideways,too.

Just to explain a few things-  My small group assignments are on the bottom of page 1.  I saw a list on Pinterest (Insert heavenly angel chorus) that gave the students a "Must Do" and "May Do" list every week while I met with groups.  I loved this idea, and am going to try and use it this year.

We only assign homework on Mon., Tues., and Thurs.  Because of this, the next page has only those days listed under Homework.  Just in case you were wondering.  This is Brenda's idea that I took on and it works really well to only have those nights.  Students, and parents, know to expect an assignment then which makes managing homework so much simpler.

Finally, I have a section labeled ClassWorks. I DO NOT LIKE THIS PROGRAM.   This is a computer program we have to attend 30 minutes a day, and it has taken some getting used to.  I finally got into making my own assignments on it, so I made a box for planning it as well.

Okay, I'm a little nervous, hence the ramblings, to put it on here.  I hope you can use it, or at least get some ideas from it.  Any comments or questions, as always, are welcome!
Weekly Planner- FREEBIE

Let's Get Acquainted Linky - Tic-Tac-Toe Style

Boy this summer is flying by!  I can't believe that in 25 days, we have to be back at school.  So much to do, and so little time! 

Latoya is hosting another great linky party: Let's Get Acquainted Tic-Tac-Toe.

To participate: Answer 3 in a row on the tic tac toe board.  Then go link up with Latoya!

I am doing the middle horizontal row.

My first year teaching: 
My first year teaching was not a good experience.   I was hired to teach at the school system where I went to school.  This was a difficult system to get a job with when you were a "straight-out-of-college" teacher.  I was beyond excited.  I was hired to teach Kindergarten.  I was at the same school with my mother (she taught  2nd grade), so I knew a lot of the people.  I had a great teaching partner and aide.  I was ready to begin.  As with most Kindergartens, we had a week of testing where the kids come in one at a time.  During this week, my principal came to me and told me that is was a possibility that I would have to move to either 2nd grade or 5th grade due to numbers.  But then he also said, "I'm supposed to tell you that, but it probably won't happen.  I wouldn't worry about it."  So I didn't even think twice about it.  I finished getting my room fixed up and decorated.  I was ready for those sweet kids.  I got all of them tested and ready for their first half day of school. 

My first day with a small group of kids, my principal comes to me on the playground during morning recess.  He tells the other teacher to watch my students, and he takes me into a meeting.  I was officially moving to 5th grade (in another building).  I was to be out of my classroom by noon and report to my new school. 

School had been in session for almost 2 weeks at this point, and they were forming a new class for me in 5th grade.  So, the teachers got to meet with me, and pick 2 kids to put in the new class.  Now, we are all teachers and they have an opportunity to give 2 kids that they have had for 2 weeks to a new teacher.  I'll leave it to your imagination as to the types of students that I got! 

I made it through survived that first year.  Thank goodness, I was moved to 4th grade...and I have loved it there ever since!

My favorite School Memory as a kid:  
I have several favorite school memories.  I was a very quiet kid in school, and I didn't "come out of my shell" until about 7th or 8th grade.  High School seemed like a daunting place, but I was ready for it.  I knew in high school that I would be able to participate in FFA just like my 2 older brothers.  Imagine my excitement when on the first day of high school, my ag teacher asked me to participate in some of the teams for our chapter!  That set off my high school experience right!

Books I'm Reading: 
Hi, my name is Brenda...and I have a problem!  I start too many books at once!  These are the ones going right now:

• The One and Only Ivan
• Second Honeymoon by James Patterson
• Wonder
•  The Know-It-All by AJ Jacobs
• Love You More by Lisa Gardner
• Other People's Children by Lisa Delpit

Don't forget to go link up with Latoya so that we can learn more about each other!

---Brenda

Class Dojo for Management- Thoughts?

The past year we did stamps as rewards in our homeroom classes.  This works really well to do our own homerooms, but then again, we never really know if they earned possible rewards in the other class and aren't getting credit for it.  Also, the opposite could be occurring.... We know, we know- misbehaving rarely occurs :).  Anyway, we are thinking of using the website/app Class Dojo next year. We can download the app on a class iPod, and pass it back and forth using our class clipboards that hold behavior information already.  This way, we can give accolades and reprimands at the time they happen, then total up at the end of the week for stamps.  We need to mention, they buy prizes with the stamps- the more stamps, the better options for good prizes.  

Has anyone used this program or something similar?  Any thoughts on how we could make this work? Any advice or questions welcome!  We know it's summer and we should be relaxing, but might as well get to planning.  Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Class Dojo Website

Whitney's Currently

Well, we have been on a tour of Tennessee this week, and part of last week.  We have been to Memphis for a zoo trip for Cohen, our 16 month old.  Then, we decided to head to Oak Ridge to visit my husband's older brother while he had time off.  Basically, we have had lots of time in a car and were ready to be HOME.  I have fallen behind on my currently due to the travel, so here are my June ramblings.

I did find out that we are going to have a girl this October!!  Exciting News!  I just hope and pray she is nicer than I was between ages 9- 18 haha.  We have really battled over names, but I think we finally decided to stick with our Irish theme we started and go with Darby.  I knew a Darby in college who was nice, intelligent, and president of everything.  It's always nice to have a positive connection.  Anyway, enough about that, check out the currently and don't forget to link up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade! and follow the Rule of 3!

Currently June

Woohoo!!!  It is June!!!  That means the best time of the year is here...SUMMER!!!

Brenda's Currently:

My mind is totally on Summer for right now!  Looking back to a couple of weeks ago, I didn't realize how tired of school I was!  But now my stress level has returned to normal and I am back to my normal, laid-back person!

*Listening: I'm ready for this rain to stop!  I know that we are a lot luckier than some folks, and I should be glad that it is only rain and not the damaging tornadoes.

*Loving: Sometimes you just need those days where you can sit and do nothing!  I got caught up on my backlog of 4 episodes of Glee and I completed a few levels of Candy Crush!  Well, on second thought...maybe I was pretty productive today!!!

*Thinking: I brought home all of my files to organize and put into new binders.  I did buy the binders at Sam's last week...but the stack of files is still in the middle of my living room floor where I dropped them on the last day of school! 

*Wanting: I would love to go to the beach, but we are going on a family vacation to the mountains!  Next year...I will be at the beach, even if I have to go by myself!!!

*Needing: MOTIVATION...in several areas.  Obviously, I need motivation to start my summer projects.  I have also signed up (and paid for) my first 5K in October...The Color Run.  I am excited, but I am definitely not a runner!  My thought was (since I'm a tightwad!) that if I pay for it, I will not back out!  I have got to get started preparing for it, or I'll be the last one crawling to the finish line!

*Vacay Essentials: Flip-flops are a must wherever I am...more specifically Yellow Box flip-flops!  Books are always a necessity.  I have about 3 or 4 going now (The One and Only Ivan, Safe Haven, and the new Duck Dynasty book that I can't remember the exact name!)  I'm sure I have another one on my Kindle that I have started but need to finish.  Comfy Clothes is my third...I love this time of year where you throw on a pair of capris and a T-shirt...put on a scarf and you are immediately "dressed-up"! 

Now, don't forget to link up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade!  and follow the "Rule of 3"!

Next School Year, I will definitely...

SCHOOL IS OFFICIALLY OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

Friday was our first day out, but Memorial Day always seems to be the first official day of summer to me!  This is the first year since I have been teaching that we have been out before the end of May!  In the winter, I hate that we don't have enough snow to get out, but then in May, I'm so glad that we didn't have to use our snow days!!!

As a teacher, I guess you never really quit working.  And Pinterest doesn't help solve this problem!  It seems that everytime I log on, then I have more on my "to-do" list.  

I was thinking this morning about the things that I wanted to be at the top of my priority list for school. Then, I see this wonderful linky party from Finding Joy in 6th Grade this afternoon!  

 I just had to link-up.  Maybe if I put it in writing, then it will hold me to do things that MUST get done!!!

I brought home all of my files (that are currently in file folders that have that curled up bottom edge that let's them slip into oblivion when they are in the cabinet).  I have HUGE plans to put them in binders with cutesy covers and spine labels.  Not sure how I want to do it though...BIG binders vs. little binders...arranged by standards vs. one binder per subject vs. arranged by weeks of the year...and my mind keeps going.  Those of you who have made the transition...any thoughts or advice?

I have to say that this item has been in the planning since the beginning of January when TPT had a big New Year's sale and I bought these two items:

 My biggest fear of beginning notebooks was where to come up with meaningful resources.  These two items solved that fear for two subjects...now if there is one of these for Social Studies (especially for Tennessee Social Studies!) please let me know!  I have been pinning and gathering to add my own things to these and make them even more meaningful for my classes.  

I kept seeing people using these Brag Tag necklaces.  I like them, but our school is not paying for those tags...and they would get expensive if I tried to do it on my own.  Until Diane at Fifth in the Middle popped up with this wonderful product:

Now I can make my own and I think I will add beads or charms for things like Accelerated Math Objectives, behavior, etc.

I know this is not directly school related...but I hope to definitely complete more blog posts!

That's it for now.  Next summer, I will have to see how I kept to these goals and how they worked!  Don't forget to go link up over at Finding Joy in 6th Grade!

--Brenda

Brenda's "What's in My Cart?"

To say that "I LOVE SHOPPING" is quite the understatement.  And to say that "I LOVE SHOPPING ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A SALE" is even better. 

I always feel like I'm solving a common core word problem when I see "I'm giving you 20% and then TPT is giving you 10%, so that adds up to 28%."  I am the Math teacher, so I get it...but it still blows my mind at first.  But hey...I'll take whatever I can get. 

I have put items on my wishlist...moved them to my cart...added more to the cart...moved items to the wishlist...moved back to the cart...ok you get the idea.  But I finally clicked that button to checkout, then guess what I did......


I was typing in my payment info and realized I did not put in that little "TAD13" code!  So here I go back and start over...but boy was it worth it. 

Whitney and I also used this sale as an excuse to find out where exactly we would be next year.  Our principal is retiring, so our whole admin team is all shuffled up.  Now, our school may be the exception...but rumors ALWAYS fly this time of year....and let me tell you....they really fly with new admin!  So, today, we are sitting in a meeting with our new principal.  I was paying complete attention to her was showing Whitney all my finds on TPT.  And Whitney says, "Don't buy that...what if you aren't teaching that!" 

Well, we bring it up to new principal...and GUESS WHAT!!!! 


WE BOTH GET TO STAY RIGHT WHERE WE ARE...TOGETHER...IN 4TH GRADE...WHIT TEACHING LANGUAGE...AND ME TEACHING MATH/SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES.

That was sure a burden lifted from our shoulders.  No more worrying...no more sleepless nights...no more paying attention to every single rumor flying around!!!

Ok, now on to the linky......Here were the items in my cart!

I'm planning to use brag tags next year, so I got a head start with these two purchases from "Fifth in the Middle."  I also got a pack for the Colonial American time period.

I have been eyeing all those cute memory books and candy awards.  Well I found them packaged together at "The Pinspired Teacher."

Then I find this all day lesson plan from Lovin' Lit.  I'm planning to use it for my sub in a couple of days...then next year it will stay in my sub plans for those emergencies.

Next up are my Science items.  I just love my items from The Science Penguin!

I could not pass up this cute Smoothie Fraction pack from Jennifer Findley!

Had to have a Mother's Day and Father's Day craft!  This combo pack from Loreen Leedy was perfect!

And what cart could be complete with some fun clip art from Ashley Hughes!  I saw this and just had to have it.  Can't wait to do something with it for fractions next year! 

Did I spend more than I should have?  Well we won't answer that because it doesn't matter...IT WAS ON SALE!!!!

So, that was my cart...what's in yours?

Go link up over at Fifth in the Middle for the "What's in Your Cart?" linky party!

May Currently

Boy the first of month sure rolls around fast these days!  April was packed with lots of stuff.  I'm glad that one is behind us.  May always seems to bring out the best in people...I'm sure it's not the fact that summer is right around the corner!!!

Well, here is our link-up with Farley for her May Currently.

Brenda:

 OK...Survivor...who watches it?  I was totally bummed last week when Malcolm went home.  I knew Reynold would be off soon, but did he have to go next?  But then the look on Andrea's face was priceless when she was gone!  I'm not sure exactly who I want to win now.

I made another summer countdown flower for my door at school.  Each day we remove a petal. One student told me, "We are killing that flower, but I can't wait for it to be dead!" 

Summer is on the brain...can you tell?!?!?!

As for my Summer bucket list...I need to admit that I am a book hoarder...there I said it.  I have an insane amount of books just waiting to be read.  5 is a number that I know is attainable, but I hope to read many more than that.  Any good suggestions that I can add to my stash?

I also love the time outdoors in the summer...grilling, reading outside, pooltime, etc.

And my final item...NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK.  I can honestly say that I have wanted to go to an NKOTB concert since I was in 3rd grade (and my mom wouldn't let me because it was on a school night!).  I did see Joe one time at a Dancing with the Stars Tour, but that was not the same.  Now, I finally get to go see them along with Boyz II Men (another fave!).  I CANNOT WAIT!!!


Whitney:

Normally, rain is not something to be happy about, but after a long day I need help taking care of the garden.  Plus, the sound is like an instant tranquilizer (aaaahhhhh)

I had to get a pedicure to make flip-flops fun for me AND for others who may see my, AHEM, untidied toes.  Something about flip-flops says, " Hey, you have been kept in a cage too long, run, be free!"   Flip-flop philosophy... only crazy passionate people understand.

I can't believe the end is near, but OMG!  Can we contain these hoodlums?  That word is too strong- restless children?

We will find out if it is boy or girl soon, and of course a girl would be nice since we already have our precious boy, but as long as the baby is healthy, I am ok!  Plus, a girl means I will be receiving payback for my raising in T- 14 years, so nooo hurry for that!

I started the New Year by reading a devotional based bible series, and man have I been bad about keeping up.  I don't feel as good when I fall behind.  It's almost like I need my "pick-me-up" now more than ever.

Finally, my bucket-list.  I am determined to go somewhere with my husband for a getaway sometime this summer.  That time away os difficult with little ones, but much needed!  I also have made a promise to myself to put the technology down and enjoy....what is that again....oh yeah, NATURE!  Pure, no apps involved, real tweets heard NATURE!  Good for the soul.... if you remember sunscreen.   In order to do that, I am hoping to create a paradise in my backyard complete with a hammock.  I am ready to wine wind down.  

I hope you all have a blessed, relaxing summer!  Stay tuned for baby news :)

Don't forget Farley's rule of 3 and link-up so we can see more of what everybody is up to!

Fourth Grade Common Core Resources

I know that we as teachers are always looking for new resources...especially since we are switching to Common Core Standards.  What better thing to have than a new resource book filled with Common Core Resources for Math and English.

The "Fourth Grade Common Core Resources" is filled with over 850 pages of worksheets, activities and posters to cover all of the 4th grade Language and Math common core standards.  This will be a great addition to any teachers resources!

Skittles Game Linky Party

This week's linky with Latoya at Flying into First Grade is a Skittles Game!

Go link up with her so that we can get to know each other a little bit better!

TOPIC - Skittles Game

Here is the code:

Red- Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

Orange- Favorite Memory from College

Yellow- Favorite Sports Team

Green- Favorite Fast Food Place

Purple- Wild Card(Tell anything about yourself)

Brenda:

Red- That one depends on where I am...Dairy Queen Vanilla, Baskin Robbins Very Berry Strawberry, Maggie Moo's Better Batter, TCBY Vanilla with cookie dough...Pralines and Cream is another favorite...just no Mint Chocolate Chip or Rainbow Sherbert

Orange- The year that my Intramural sports team was thought to be the underdog but was 2nd in Soccer, 1st in Volleyball, 1st in Flag Football...and we won't talk about softball...but 3 out of 4 ain't that bad!

Yellow- Tennessee Vols Football or St. Louis Cardinals Baseball

Green- Five Guys Burger & Fries or Chik-Fil-A

Purple- I absolutely love to go shopping...but only with either a sale or coupons!  I love finding a good deal!

 Whitney:

Red- Mint Chocolate Chip- store bought
Vanilla- homemade....mmmmm homemade ice cream!!

Orange- My first year at college they put a Starbucks into the student lounge area, and I discovered caramel machiatos (SP?).   It was so cool!  It made me feel more at ease about being away from home..... and also turned the freshman 15 into the freshman "I hate scales!"

Yellow-  Tennessee Vols, WV Mountaineers, and Notre Dame...I have a thing for college football

Green- Taco Bell- bean burrito, please!

Purple- Gardening is something that I love and continually work at getting better at.  I also take out my aggression from school on the weeds! Great therapy :)

April Currently

Whitney's Currently:

     My currently is not very school-related this month.  I am cold when it should be warm,  I have morning sickness that has taken my love of cheese, and I have BABY BRAIN.  I am just not in school mode 100% right now, but I am getting there.  I am happy for morning sickness....I just miss cheese :(  I have a feeling April will turn everything around, though!  GOOOO April!! Haha!  

Brenda's Currently:
TCAP mode is in full swing!  We are trying to review but still make it interesting.  I found a Bazinga game on Pinterest and made my own version.  The kiddos are asking to play constantly!

Don't forget Farley's Rule of Three and go link up with Oh Boy! 4th Grade.

SCOOT!

   I have recently become obsessed with SCOOT!  If you haven't seen it, it is a card game that requires students to rotate around the room in order to answer questions from each card.  I did one as a "Welcome Back" from winter break, and now...... I do them quite often if available.   My students like it, too.  I think it is because it takes some time in class, and they don't get bored just sitting there.   Just in case you needed some thing to help review AND get your students out of their seats, you may want to check these out.  Just search wherever you can purchase handmade classroom materials.



Whitney

March Currently

Well it is that time again...the first of the month...and time for Currently!

Brenda: 

 

Whitney: 

March = SPRING BREAK!!!  Hope everyone enjoys their's!!

Don't forget to go to Farley's page to link-up and follow the "rule of 3!"

Blogs by States

Oh my word...I can't believe that it has been almost a month since our last post.  We have been busy...testing, dealing with sickness, going to a conference, preparing for the 4th grade overnight field trip...I guess we have just been overwhelmed with all that is going on!  But...we are BACK!   

Fifth in the Middle is having a linky party that is a genius idea!  You can link to her blog by state to see all your fellow state blogs!  

Look for us under Tennessee and be sure to link up with her on your own state!

Leave us a comment letting us know which state you belong to!

February Currently

Well, it's that time again...the month of the groundhog, time to celebrate our President's, a time to spend time (and money) with the ones we love...all this crammed into one short month.  

It's also time for Farley's Currently...so here goes!

Brenda:

 

Whitney:

 Now head on over to Farley's blog to join this linky party.

 

The Best (or Worst) of 4th Grade

Hello wonderful readers!  The flu has hit Whitney's house, so Brenda has been at school without her other half of the team.  The students have been little angels while they wait for their teacher to return have acted like most students do with a sub...try to get away with anything they can!  Luckily, this sub was used to our classes last year and this one is like heaven compared to those!

Anyway, the real reason for this post is to join the Best (or Worst) linky party with 3AM Creations.  

Brenda:

1. Grade Level I Currently teach: 4th grade...this is my 7th year (5 years all subjects, 2 years of Math, Science, and Social Studies only)

2. This grade has its ups and downs.  The kids are at a level that they are starting to understand sarcastic comments and jokes, but they are still kids.  They soak up anything new and still think school can be fun.  The downfall seems to be that there is a lot of brand new material that kids have not been exposed to.  Also, parents can be a help or a hindrance at this age as well!

3. Two years ago, I had "that class" that everybody knew about...in a good way though.  Kids were great...parents were great.  Well, our National Honor Society hosted a Pull Tab Drive for the Ronald McDonald House.  One teacher made a comment that she was going to beat our class and there was no way we could keep up with her.  Now I am by no means competitive one of the most competitive when it comes to competition of classes.  This teacher had not learned her lesson when she made the same comment about the canned food drive at Christmas (which we won by having about 400 cans to her about 100).  Well, we started out a little slow on the pull tabs.  A few came in here and there, but then my class parents got wind of the heated competition.  We suddenly had pull tabs coming in from everywhere and we had to count each one.  We ended up having 5 paper boxes filled with pull tabs (over 100,000).  Let's just say that that teacher left our class alone after that.  

I shared this story because I think it is important to build a sense of community with your students...especially at this level.  They can help you by helping each other, or they can make your life miserable when everyone is on their own.  Sometimes we get bogged down with the curriculum, testing, etc, and we forget those life lessons that they need too.

Whitney(Finally, over this Flu mess)

1. Grade I currently teach: 4th Grade Reading/Language Arts (3rd year(total) in 4th, 2nd departmentalized)

2. THE BEST!  When I first started in the Teacher Ed Program, I wanted the little babies, but then I student taught in fourth grade... and that all changed!  I love 4th graders for many reasons, but mainly because they are young enough to still want their teacher to help them and to learn from them, but they are old enough to be independent on many things.  I have been blessed with classes that have a great sense of humor!

3. Memories!  Last year, I had my son around this time and had to take my maternity leave until spring break.  The students knew I would be back when they got back.  That morning, the librarian came up to me and told me that everyone looked so down to be back at school, except for my students. She had to slow them down as they were running down the hall at the sound of the morning bell.   Talk about feeling like a rockstar! Plus, that was a hard day for me leaving my little bundle, and I needed that reassurance that they still liked me.  Now, just need that feeling to last 27 more years LOL!

Now it is your turn, go link up with the 3AM Creations and tell us about your grade!

Wednesday's Weekly Wisdom: I Just can't.....

We are always talking about school related subjects items and things we absolutely love, and can't live without.  Soooo, we decided to create a board for you to post your own items (classroom related or not).  We are proud endorsers of begging, borrowing, and stealing ideas....let's face it, Pinterest is everyone's life now.... so, post all the goodies you can't:
live without, leave without, or lose without!

Whitney's

Brenda's

Your Turn...this is so exciting!!!  We feel like true bloggers :)

 

January's Something Good

We wanted to link up with Rowdy in First Grade and her linky party by telling OUR something good.

Brenda:
Something Good at Home:  I was able to fix the pressure on my bathroom sink BY MYSELF...without a plumber!  Now I can go shopping with that $100 that I saved!

Something Good at School: My students have discovered that they enjoy "Liberty's Kids" cartoons.  They don't realize that they are supporting our study of the American Revolution during their indoor recess!!!  Always good to sneak that curriculum in!

Whitney:
Something Good at Home: I have an 11 month old at home growing by leaps and bounds.  He is approaching his 1st birthday, and I am busy planning it all out.  His nursery is The Very Hungry Caterpillar, so that is our birthday theme. Exciting, yet unbelievable!

Something Good at School:  I have started giving my students their news magazines with a handout that requires them to write: 3 Facts, 2 Questions, and 1 Opinion.  It keeps them reading, and helps pull in my reading strategies!

Visit this blog to link up as well by clicking on the photo below!

Wednesday Weekly Wisdom: The Dreaded Indoor Recess

It's that time of year that we all love and look forward to dread to see come...time that you have to have indoor recess.  We are lucky enough to have a few days during the winter to go out, but they are few and far between!  We wanted to discuss today some of the ways that we have found to entertain the kiddos when you just can't make it outside to the playground.

iPods:  Now don't get jealous, but our school has furnished each teacher with a cart of 25 iPods.  These are intended for educational use only, but, being the geniuses that we are, we have found ways around that.  Some how, Temple Run ended up installed (wonder how that got there!), and our kids were hooked.  We were too, but that's another story.  So, we thought about ways to use this app for education.  One problem we were having was that the kids could not tell who was winning when they compared school.

LIGHT BULB MOMENT FOR US!!! Let's turn this into a Place Value Lesson/Game.

So, we have "tournaments" for Temple Run.  This would work for any game that gives a final score.  The students are given a time limit (usually 10-15 minutes).  They can play as many games as they want on that app.  Each time they get a score, they take a screen shot of the score.  When the timer goes off, they find their highest score.  Then all students must line up in order from lowest to highest.  If time allows, we take the top kids, and they compete in another round.  The kids love it, and they are SILENT for at least the 10 minutes!  

Wurdle is another good app to do the same thing, but with Language Arts.

Adventure to Fitness:  Brenda stumbled on this site through Pinterest.  You have to create a user account, but it is free.  Students are led to follow a guy through a physical activity episode.  They last 30 minutes and also contain educational lessons.  You can download activities to accompany each episode.  They only change the new episodes once a week, but you can access the archives.  WARNING:  Some of the movements (running in place, jumping, etc.) may get a little loud!

Wii: As a reward, Whitney has brought her Wii to school.  Just Dance is available in the $1 renting boxes that are red!  We allow 2-4 students to use the remotes to get a high score, but the whole class can follow along.  Some of the videos for these are also on You Tube, if you can access that at your school.

What are your ideas for indoor recess?  What has worked in your classroom?

January Currently

Well we are a little behind on joining this linky party.  We had good intentions...just got a little sidetracked.  I know that is a shock that a teacher would get sidetracked. Be sure and join up with Farley @ ohboythirdgrade.blogspot.com! Anyway, here ya go!

Whitney:

Brenda: