FIVE FOR FRIDAY + STATE TESTING FREEBIE

Word y'all . . . it's FRIDAY.  I don't know about you, but I find that my smile is just a little bit bigger by the time this day rolls around each week.  I know a little of this goofy grin is linked to gettin' to participate in my favorite Linky . . . Doodle Bugs' Five For Friday.  So, here you be (big 'ol smile and all).

RANDOM MOMENT #1

We finished up our money unit this week and one math center in particular proved to be an AMAZING hit with my babes.  Jennifer Tice from Rowdy in First Grade delighted my money makin' fools with her Who Has the Most Allowance Game.  Uh . . . we loved it soooooo much that we played it TWICE this week. Thanks bunches Jennifer :)

RANDOM MOMENT #2

I stumbled across the best common core math worksheets a few weeks back and I finally put them to the test this week.  I knew I liked what I saw when I got my hands on the pack, but I had no idea that I would love 'em as much as I do.  They are perfectly aligned with first grade standards and they make for the best independent math station, quick transition paper, or homework option. These are the brain-child of sweet Dana over at Polka Dots, Checks, & Stripes!

RANDOM MOMENT #3

State testing (BLARG!!!) kicks off at our school next Tuesday.  In California, testing doesn't start until 2nd grade . . . phew.  But, my first year teaching I was lucky enough to experience the dreaded test.  That next year I transferred to first grade and when testing rolled around and I didn't have to "deal" with the nightmare, I decided to start Adopt-A-Class.  All of the classes in non-testing grades adopt 1-2 classes in a testing grade.  We do all sorts of sweet things for them leading up to the test.  With all this said, we wrote letters to our second grade friends this week.  They did such a wonderful job and they took such pride in their work.  It made my heart happy.  

Oh yeah . . . and if you are intersted in various Adopt-A-Class ideas to implement at your school during testing week, I put together this freebie pack last year :)  Feel free to help yo-self!

RANDOM MOMENT #4

The firefighters dropped by for their annual fire safety presentation this week. The kids (and teachers) were delighted that they spent some quality time with us. My babes didn't make a sound throughout the demonstrations . . . well . . . other than to burst into applause when they did something "cool."  The kiddlets also got to shoot the fire hose and they all scored a sweet little goodie bag!  

RANDOM MOMENT #5

After putting our money unit to bed, we launched right into our 3D Shape unit. We have been having a blast with oodles of interactive common core activities. The crowning moment of our week was surely the Sphere Races that were held on Friday.  The kids had an absolute "sphere" with this one . . . and I managed to slip in additional standards without them even noticing (measurement, weight, and comparing/ordering numbers).  Who knew solid figures could be so much fun??

The kids rolled their own sphere out of clay while we rocked out!

Everyone got little race flags and took turns launching their sphere down a ramp.
The kids even named 'em . . . "Fast" was the big winner (go figure).

They recorded the inches rolled and marked their end spot.
We ended the activity with a big old graph of the results.  

This activity along with tons of other common core aligned solid figure ditties are available in my 3D Shape Packet (I just uploaded it tonight).  A full review of this unit and a freebie will come your way on Sunday, but if you want to check it out now, click the image below.  It's 20% off through the weekend :)

Alright . . . I have to go RIGHT NOW.  I am supposed to be out at the fairgrounds to work the Rotary Beer Booth in about 15 minutes.  Boy Howdy, folks . . . it's Red Bluff Rodeo time!!!