Valentine Aftermath

This is not a timely post. I really wanted to post the day before Valentine's Day but I was too busy making  my Valentine cards. Then I was going to post the day after but needed a nap after our party! 26 sugared-up firsties really know how to have fun at ear-piercing volumes. We sure did have fun. 

Here are the Valentines I made for my students. I found the idea on Pinterest and the templates and tags at Blond-Girl Designs. Click here for the templates. I love spending time on their site. They are amazing!

I found this idea for cereal box card holders here at Plaid online. I had a wonderful volunteer help the students wrap them and then help glitter them! Of course some had more glitter than others! 

 The day of the party we played some really cute games. We played a relay race where the students had to unwrap chocolate while wearing mittens. They loved this game!

 We, of course, passed out cards and candy! 

We also made some spectacular party shades! What is a party without party glasses? 

From the looks of the Valentine cards, parents have also fully embraced Pinterest! 

Here are some really cute ideas. 

My reading student gave this to me. His mother saw one in the local grocery store and made it herself. 

This was a flower pot cupcake, complete with green grass icing. What a fun day! 

My husband surprised me by putting roses on my desk after I left on Monday. When I went to work {at 6:30am} they were there waiting for me. What a sweet surprise! 

Have a wonderful Presidents' Day weekend! I'm enjoying my Pączki and coffee. Happy Almost Lent! 

Another Meeting

I am on WAY too many committees. After planning for meetings THREE days this month already! {It's only the 6th of February!} I've decided that next time my substitute should sub for me in the meetings. They can get paid to take notes and ask questions I compiled from my colleagues. That way I can be in my classroom doing what I love to do...TEACH!

Right now I am meeting with the administrators and teachers from our district to write our teacher evaluation rubric. So I am torn. I believe what we are doing has value and merit, but why do I have to miss school to participate?

I really miss my students. :(

 At least I have Ryan to help me get through. I will be all professionally developed. I also will become a Master at substitute lesson planning. *sigh*

Thanks Ryan, thanks! 

I pulled these amazing pictures from here. 

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Well, I live in Indianapolis so we have been hearing about the Super Bowl for MONTHS! Indy is a fantastic city and it is wonderful to hear the positive comments from visitors. It is 58 degrees here today so I know a lot of people are taking in the happenings at the Super Bowl Village. Our family went last weekend. I, of course, had my camera at school.

In school we can't help but talk about the upcoming game. {This Sunday for those who are far removed from the hype!} Today, we made our "super" players and added our prediction to our Super Bowl t-chart. It was a great way to collect, organize, and analyze data. As you can tell, most of my firsties are going with Peyton's little brother Eli and the Giants to win the Super Bowl. Myself and only ONE other firstie chose the seasoned Patriots to win. We had a great lesson about possible and impossible. I had to admit that my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles are an impossible choice since they failed to win their division. One little guy pointed out that the Colts are in impossible choice to which I immediately felt better about the Eagles.

I freehanded the footballs and they are free if you click on my TPT store HERE. One less thing to do, right?

Tomorrow we are going to write personal narratives about our Super Bowl experiences. So many of our students have been to the Super Bowl Experience or downtown to see the village. We are SUPER excited about our city being in the spotlight.

I found some really great writing paper from the Littlest Learners. Click HERE to download. It is adorable and even better, it's free!