5 for Friday and Elf Linky!

It's finally here! The last day of school in 2013!!! Yahoo! This week has been C-R-A-Z-Y...and fun...but mostly crazy! I've been snapping photos, but haven't had a chance to share what sort of fun things we've been doing in December......so, here it goes!

  

This month we've been working on multiplication and division this month, my students made these adorable little gifts to hang in our classroom. :) 

 

On Thursday our staff had a potluck luncheon and I volunteered to bring the decor to help put us into the holiday spirit! I loved how the 'country Christmas' theme turned out!  My favorite part of the table were the oranges with cloves...mmmmm!

In reading this week, our grade level took a break from our new reading series Wonders...which meant that I could spend the week having fun with an author study unit on Jan Brett!  I adore her stories and illustrations, exploring the lessons that can be learned with the students, her word choice, and of course the hidden Hedgie in each picture book.  I focused on three literary/ figurative language elements with my students that Jan Brett uses often: alliteration, personification, & foreshadowing.  Here is a sticky note poster filled with examples from Jan's texts my students found during partner reading! 

Deck the Halls with Division!  We've started our chapter on understanding division and have been having a blast! On Thursday, I surprised my students with these holiday themed division stations.  They had a blast using candy canes, mini presents, & ornaments to solve the word problems...and didn't even realize our math class lasted 15 minutes longer than usual! WINNING!!!!!!

Last, but certainly not least is our little elf friend Frost.  He's been busy flying around our room...I can only imagine the things he's reported to Santa- yeesh! 

First, our poor little elf friend was sick with a cold.  We had to be EXTRA quiet that day so he could catch up on his sleep.  Do you see that little sticky-note computer that was made my one of my students? He said Frost could play some computer games while he was stuck in bed being sick. 

How presh!

The next day we found Frost had made his own little fort and was reading a Llama Llama book...do you notice what page he's on!?

Frost was spotted by our clip chart again, but this time he had a pointer pointing to a brand new mini clip! The clip was covered in frosty white glitter! My students insisted that he be awarded Super Student status immediately! 

Finally, here is our little guy munching on some mini gingerbread cookies, that look surprisingly like buttons! 

Before I go, I do want to share one more thing inspired by a Pinterest find...check out our adorable Mooseletoe pictures!

Thank you for reading and I hope you have an amazing Friday!!!!!

Elf in the Classroom Linky

I'm so excited to follow Mel D. from Seusstastic & Michelle from Apples & ABC's for their 3 week link series on Elf in the Classroom! This year I finally bit the bullet and purchased an elf for my classroom and my students ADORE him!

On Tuesday our elf was delivered to our classroom...because, well...mail was a little slow and Santa forgot to express him by Monday.  When he DID arrive, he came wrapped up in glittery red paper and a personal note from Santa! Now, did Ms. K remember to take a picture of this adorable package?? Uh...no. Oops! However, the ideas came from Maria at Kinder-Craze, she's a complete doll and is amazingly creative, I wish I could live inside of her brain just for one day!

Here is Frost our elf hiding in our decorative garland...I was praying they didn't spot him until our package arrived.  As it turns out, Frost did too good of a job hiding that day! 

One of the new favorite activities for my kiddies to do during their free time is write in their "Elf Journal" using Notes on our iPads. 

 They astound me with how much they're willing to write when they are truly motivated and excited!!!

My students love searching for Frost each morning! Some of them have even spotted him from the outside the classroom when they've gotten off the school bus! I thought Frost was so clever to hang out in our paper lanterns...and then I saw Teri's elf did this too! They must be besties! 

Here's Frost hanging out with the super student on my behavior chart...wouldn't you know I saw Teri's elf do that too???

I can't wait to see what other kinds of adventures Frost will get into within the next week! 

Currently December

Hard to believe it's already December and time for another Currently! I've been enjoying my extended weekend off and am ready to settle down for another nap.  I know....what a life of luxury I lead. ;)

Listening: Rock of Ages is playing the background- LOVE IT! As much as I love the movie, the live show is even more spectacular.

Loving: Cozy pajamas and my fuzzy Ugg slippers help make it the most wonderful time of the year! Give me a cup of hot chocolate and one of those terrible Lifetime Christmas movies or ABC Family and I'm one happy camper.

Thinking: One more day off...just one more, would be amazing! I'm thankful for time I had, but am slightly dreading the next 3 chaotic weeks to Winter Break.

Wanting: Holiday preparations to be done and over with.  I don't know how those of you who are moms do it. ...I'm just going to leave it at that and bow my head in respect. 

Needing: A holiday movie...maybe I'll have to turn on Lifetime soon. My yearly must watch movies are White Christmas, Elf, The Family Stone, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.  What are your favorites?

Favorite Tradition: Christmas Eve dinner with my family is a big deal.  My dad is a bit of a foodie and starts planning his menu a month in advance...it's always amazing and I always eat WAY too much. Afterwards we all walk waddle into church for the 11pm service where the service ends with the congregation singing Silent Night by candlelight at midnight.  It's beautiful and always reminds me of the magic of Christmas.  

I can't wait to check out all of the other Currentlys over at Farley's! 

Happy Holidays!