Cookie Decorating

Well, this post has absolutely nothing to do with school. Last week was Winter Break for our school and I really enjoyed having the time off from school. We were supposed to go back to school on Monday, but instead we had a snow (which really means ice) day. Today (Tuesday) we had another ice day. After looking at the radar for Wednesday, more snow is expected. Maybe we will get back to school tomorrow.

Okay so I blabbed on about the ice days. Now let's get to the cookies. I have been really interested in decorating cookies lately. I have pinned tons of ideas on Pinterest. Since we had the snow days I had time to bake and decorate. 

I used royal icing, which was difficult for me at first. I had to play around with it to get it just right...and even then it wasn't perfect. I learned quite a bit in my first attempt. I did get frustrated a few times too! 

The cookies I decorated this time around were very basic cookies...nothing fancy yet!! 

Here are a few of the cookies I decorated!!

I would one day like to bake cookies for people, but I think I need more practice!! 

First Day Back

Before I begin my post about today's activities I just have to say how much I enjoyed my Christmas break. I was able to relax and enjoy time with my family. I did work on a few things for school, but not too much!!

I was excited to get back to my students today. Lots of fun things happened in my classroom today, like my students getting to write on their desks (they think that is the most awesome thing to do). 

I let my students write on their desks when they are solving math problems. Today, I began teaching 3 digit subtraction. 

Above are examples of the problems they worked individually. I had them show each place value today to help them keep the numbers lined up. As I continue teaching subtraction they will not need to label each place value. 

This week I am discussing weather with my students. To start this unit I had the kids get with a partner (which they love to do) to come up with weather words.

After they worked with their partners for a few minutes they came to the carpet so I could discuss with them the different weather words they had written. As I wrote the words on chart paper each student would think of another word. It was great to see them working so hard to come up with words.

Finally this afternoon I told my students they were going to become doctors. They were excited about that. I reviewed contractions. I started with group work going on the contractions. They laughed and learned all at the same time. But when I asked them to calm down a little they did immediately. 

I gave them the My Contraction Surgery Book from First Grade Fever By Christie's Contraction Surgery Center to work on independently. I allowed them to get comfortable on the floor and work. 

So that is a wrap for the day I had with my students. I am so blessed to have such a great group that enjoy learning! 

I hope everyone had a great day back!!

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year! I love everything about this holiday! I have just finished decorating the Christmas tree at our house. The snowmen figures are out on the hearth and the stockings are hung. Tomorrow the garland will go around our front door!

I have seen on Pinterest (my favorite place to browse for ideas) the idea of wrapping Christmas books and opening a new one each day. Well, I decided to do this activity for my students at school. I didn't realize how many Christmas books I had in my classroom library until I began going through them.

I spend one even deciding which books I would read on each day. This took a lot of planning and thinking about. But once I decided which books I was reading on each day the wrapping part was very simple.

I took the basket of books to school the Friday before Thanksgiving. My students were very curious about "the gifts." I was asked several times what the gifts were for. I decided not to tell my students until we get back. I do not think they liked that answer very well, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise!!

Below is not the best picture of the basket of books. I will take more pictures and blog about the activities that will go along with the stories.

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving break! I have sure enjoyed my break away from school!! I needed time to relax and re-energize myself!

New Theme for 2014-2015

I have been trying for a couple months to blog and I can never find any time. Today, I decided to make time to blog about the changes I would like to make to my classroom.

I have had the frog theme in my classroom for two years now. I think it is time for a change. I have done some research on Pinterest (love love love Pinterest) and thought I wanted have a sports theme. So I started searching for ideas. This weekend I was researching ideas again and stumbled across a theme I think would be perfect! 

The new theme for my classroom will be: chevron/polka dots/bright colors!!! 

As I begin working this summer and making changes I will post pictures of my classroom!!

Happy Teaching Everyone!!

Raegan