WEEKLY REWIND + EARTH DAY UPDATE & FREEBIE

I am later than late to Doodle's party this week, but I am barging in just the same.  I have a good excuse . . . I swear!!  You see, I promised the Mr. that I would back away from the computer and help him do work around the house. True to my word, I stopped working on the computer yesterday around noon and we enjoyed working in the backyard together.  It was a gorgeous day and things are starting to look pretty dang good out our back windows . . . just in time for RODEO WEEK {boy howdy}, but I digress :)  

So, that's my story . . . not that you really cared to hear it, but you know how I get from time to time.  Now, I really must get on with this shebang as I am no longer "fashionably late."

ONE - NO FOOLIN'
I think Monday and Tuesday were two of my favorite days in the classroom this year.  My thought process here was simple.  I knew I was not going to stop the, "There's a spider on your back!" or the "You dropped your pockets!" comments on the first of April.  The week before, it suddenly occurred to me - if you can't beat 'em . . . join 'em!  Who knew that April Fools' Day could be so powerful?  I had those babes eating out of the palm of my hand.  Here's a little picture walk of some of the highlights.

We wrote animal jokes and presented them Author's Chair style.  

The one on the right had a spitting dog! 

We donned Groucho glasses during groups.
Now that's what I call a wacky classroom word find.

Our homework was to find a knock knock joke to share with the class.

We presented to the Kinders bacross the hall.  

Uh . . . hysterical!!!!

We picked a new knock knock joke and made the cutest craft to "house" 'em!

And you can be that we took the time to share these.  CLASSIC!!!!

If you are interested in pinning these activities for next year, be sure check out my No Foolin' packet {everything above is included}.  Oh, and I made it pretty generic so that you could just roll with a joke theme whenever - it's not just for April Fools' Day.  I think this would be great at the end of the year :)

TWO - THOSE 400 METER HURDLES
Boy oh boy . . . are my kids ever into GoNoOdle.  I know I keep talking about it, but I keep finding more and more things that the kids absolutely LOVE.  We unlocked additional track fun this week and we tried out the 400 meter hurdles. The kids rushed the screen . . . and ran/jumped their hearts out.  It was awesome - even my babe who is "too cool" to do silly stuff joined in the fun. Yeah, buddy!!  The best part is that my sweeties were super focused after their run.  If you haven't checked out this amazing and FREE brain break resource, you really must.  It will blow your mind :)  

THREE - FABULOUS FLUENCY
We tried out A Teacher to the Core's "tweet" fluency passage this week and the kids were in heaven.  They loved the birdy story and they grew so much throughout the week.  It even has a killer cute craft to go with it that's . . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . standards based.  I highly recommend this set!!!  It's available in her Comprehension and Fluency 101 Packet and it has everything you need to do fluency up right in the classroom.  I can't wait to try it again and use even more of her ideas with my crew.  

There is the fluency passage.  It has a comprehension piece too.

But, wait!!  This pack also has a follow up noun craft!  

Sigh . . . a little piece of teacher heaven.  

FOUR - HABITATS
We rolled into our Open House theme this week.  I started having heart palpitations when I realized how soon after our spring break this will come (only 2.5 weeks).  BLARG . . . who planned that??!!!  On that whiney note, I will be offering up some habitat goods in the next couple of weeks.  Be sure to check back in with me!!!  I tossed one in down below.  I love doing a little questionnaire to see what the kids know before we really get going into the theme.  It always goes their Habitat folder so the parents can see just how much they learned.  Click on the image to snag your free copy of this sheet :)

FIVE - EARTH DAY UPDATE
My wrist is absolutely on fire {Houston, I think we have a problem} . . . but, I managed to knock out an update on my Earth Day Pack.  As one of my TOP 5 sellers, it needed a face lift.  The content was on point, but let's just say that I have come a VERY long way in the design department.  With this said, I added new clipart, borders, and a few more ideas into the mix.  I am really happy with this packet now.  

This collection has everything from a Get Well Soon Card {for Mother Earth} and a related vocabulary introduction to easy standards-based centers and activities.  Oh, it also comes with a very special Earth Day Song from Ron Brown's Intelli-Tunes.  Yup, it's free - you get an MP3 and the lyrics!  

My favorite part of the packet has to be the I Heart My Earth Craftivity.  I updated it a bit, but the sweet flavor is still the same.  The kids always love a craft that includes real photos.  These always make the BEST bulletin board :)

Want a math game to go with your Earth Day studies?  How about a FREE standards-based game?  Oh yeah, buddy!  I updated my Recycle It Place Value game as well.  The kids always get a kick out of this one.  I tossed in a few different versions in an effort to make it perfect for kiddos in 1st or 2nd grade (as well as your solid Kinders). It could possibly even work for some 3rd graders.

Alright, folks.  That's that.  Thanks so much for visiting me.  I am off to CVS to get myself one of those wrist braces.  I'm gonna be oh so stylin' in my velcro ditty . . . sigh . . . the things we do in the name of teaching.  {Hehehehe . . . but ya know, I wouldn't have it any other way.}  Check back soon for those habitat goods.  Have a wonderful start of your week!