January 2016

Thinking about adding technology into your classroom but aren't sure where to start? Boogie Board Tablets are the best gadgets for kids to practice writing and drawing while saving supplies, time, and paper at the same time!

Exciting things have been going on in our classroom the last few weeks and I can't wait to tell you all about them! So... right before Christmas break, we were minding our own business...working hard as usual in class...when this happened...

SURPRISE!!!!! I had seen a commercial on television advertising this Creative Classroom Contest, and I decided why not apply? I had been wanting Boogie Boards for my classroom for awhile, and $500.00 could actually make that happen...AND IT DID!

Have you heard about boogie boards? Boogie boards are these AWESOME eWriters that eliminate the need for paper and pencil. The durable, ultra-lightweight LCD writing screen is engineered to feel just like writing with a pen on paper. The image stays as long as you need it to and can be erased with the touch of a button. There is no need for a charger or a plug. Each one comes with its own stylus and the built in stylus dock turns into a convenient stand so that students can display their work. The back of the boards are magnetic and the replaceable coin-cell batteries last up to 50,000 erases. There is even an app you can download onto your smartphone or tablet so that you can save the student responses.
Remember the old Magic Slates from when we were kids? Well Boogie Boards are the Magic Slates of today!

You can learn more about Boogie Boards by clicking here.

So When And How Would You Use Them In Your Classroom?

EVERY CHANCE YOU GET...FOR EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING!

Seriously...These are the best things ever! We use them for any situation where we are practicing skills...word study, math, grammar practice, active engagement during minilessons, or where we are providing short evidence of our learning...science, social studies, health, exit tickets, reading jottings, etc.

In just a few weeks we have saved a huge amount of paper, pencils, dry erase markers, erasers, mess, time, space, and energy by using Boogie Boards during our lessons!

Are you looking for unique ideas and projects for the 100th day of school? This post is full of all my favorite 100th day classroom activities, crafts, ideas, projects, books, songs and lessons.

Hi Friends! The 100th Day is right around the corner and I wanted to share with you some of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE 100th day activities that I have accumulated over the years!

First of all, an ABSOLUTE MUST is to get your entire hallway involved in the fun! We created this "grand entranceway" a couple years ago and the students went CrAzY for it! ( We just used a bed sheet, tempera paint, and some masking tape to hold it up!)

My second MUST is to decorate your classroom door! Yes, of course there are going to be quadruple the number of bathroom and water fountain breaks as usual so that the kids can duck under the streamers...but so what...you knew this day wasn't going to be a normal day anyhow!

Ok, this MUST will keep you laughing for days...YOU MUST DOWNLOAD AN AGING APP on your IPad or phone and age all your students darling faces...and yourself of course! (I used Aging Booth) I turn it into a Power Point presentation for the kids to watch. SO...MUCH...FUN!

I know there are lots of "new" 100th day books out there, but I still adore these two oldies! (A serving of chocolate chip cookies is not required, but HIGHLY APPRECIATED when reading The Wolf's Chicken Stew, and I'll Teach My Dog 100 Words is the perfect intro for a "We Can Write 100 Words" class activity.

This MUST is our favorite 100th day song. You can a copy of it FREE by clicking here.

WARNING...This MUST is another GIGGLE producer!!! You need to make copies of a map of your school, ( I use the first floor of my building since that is where my classroom is located), and then have the students predict...using your classroom door as a starting point, where you will end up if 100 students lie down end to end. Then let the measuring begin!!! (Some years we have included other classes to make it equal 100, and some years we just keep getting up and repositioning ourselves.)

Another MUST is to have your students use the number 100 and their imaginations to make a 100 Picture Masterpiece!

My favorite math MUST for the day is Race For A Flat (sometimes called Race or Roll for 100) In this game the students roll two dice and gather that many base ten blocks. They can make trades for tens whenever possible. The goal is to continue to gather and trade blocks until someone reaches 100.

The rest of my MUSTS include some fun writing activities, 100th day crowns, and certificates, many of which you can find in a great resource on TPT by Kerri B. from teacherbitsandbobs.blogspot.com

I hope this post gave you some new ideas for this years 100th Day Celebration! Happy 100th Day from our class to yours!

If you would like some more SPECTACULAR 100th Day of School ideas, visit the blogs of these very talented and creative ladies to see what goes on in their classrooms on this very special occasion!