Have an Olympics Party!

How many of you have been glued to the TV watching the Olympic games? Have you been reading all about the athletes and watching the specials about the ground preparations? Well, my family and I have been having a ball getting into the Olympic spirit! Today we celebrated the summer games by having an Olympic party with our neighborhood friends.

We made water bottles and name tags for all of the athletes:

And what Olympic party would be complete without a {tiki} torch?!?!

We played a bunch of "international" themed games inspired by our school's field day! Some games included the Carribean Water Balloon Toss, the Switzerland Boulder Throw, the USA Torch Relay, the Mexican Sponge Relay, the Australian Kangaroo Hop, and the Middle Eastern Camel Watering Hole shown here:

 

  The Bahama’s Limbo came complete with a preliminary obstacle course!

   

And, of course, there were the closing ceremonies!  The kids loved their medals!

   

After all of the fun and games we came inside for a sampling of international food that was purchased at World Market.

   

   

       

Are you interested in throwing an Olympics party for your family, friends, or neighbors?  If so, check out this freebie!  All of the items needed can be found around the house or purchased at the Dollar Tree and World Market (if you want to serve light snacks).  The file includes an invitation, game ideas with directions and photos, materials list, and snack signs. 
Click on the image below for the download. 
Have fun going for the gold!

What Happens in Vegas…Gets Posted on Your Blog!

Thank you, Kelley from Teacher Idea Factory, for an awesome title to this blog post!!!

I had such a fun time at the blogger meet up this week! After “talking” with so many of these ladies through emails, it was so nice to finally meet them all in person!

Front Row: Fran Kramer (Kindergarten Crayons), Me!, Michelle Oakes (Fabulous in First), Hope King (Second Grade Shenanigans), Kim Adsit (KinderGals), Cheryl Saoud (Primary Graffiti), Kathleen Pedersen (Growing Kinders), Anna Brantley (Crazy for First Grade), Crystal Radke (Creative in Kinder)

Back Row: Deedee Wills (Mrs. Wills Kindergarten) Deanna Jump (Mrs. Jump's Class), Natalie and Rachelle Smith (What the Teacher Wants)

THANKS for the picture, Cheryl!!!

Here we are right before our dinner, standing in 115 degree heat and humidity. Can you tell that we were sweating?!?!

Kim and Megan (KinderGals), Me!, Michelle (Fabulous in First), Rachelle (What the Teacher Wants), Anna (Crazy for First Grade), Hope (Second Grade Shenanigans), Cheryl (Primary Graffiti), Deedee (Mrs. Wills Kindergarten), Shari (Shari Sloane from KidsCount1234.com), Deanna (Mrs. Jump's Class), and Kathleen (Growing Kinders). 

**Note to Michelle…do you notice that we are next to each other in all the group photos??**

It was much cooler in the air conditioning!!

I already met Kim at the math counts conference back in February. Everyone else I was meeting for the first time!

 

Me, Anna, Kathleen, and Rachelle

Deedee and Michelle

The Vegas meet up was a blast and we had a great turn out! Hope and I elected ourselves to be official greeters- everyone was going crazy for those kinder teachers inside! Forget about seeing celebrities on the strip- Deanna and Rachelle were inside!

Rachelle did an AWESOME job with presenting the goodies from all of the sponsors! She definitely has a “presenter” career somewhere in the near future. She was holding that microphone and talking to the 100+ crowd like it was nothing! Hope was a rock star with making over 150 name tags- Vegas themed of course! (How dorky is it that I kept one for a souvenir??)

I forgive you, Rachelle, for not letting any of the bloggers enter their name for the giveaway.

Michelle posted the Smilebox video of all the winners- go check out her blog!

Rachelle and I and Hope and I!

Michelle, me, Hope, Kim, and Rachelle.

We also met a lot of new friends. In the middle of this picture are Kelley (Teacher Idea Factory), Stephanie (Falling Into First), and Susan (T.G.I.F.).

I will admit…my favorite part about this trip was spending pool time in our cabana and talking NON-STOP with these girls! It is amazing how much we had in common after just meeting each other (aside from blogging that is!)

I know you may be wondering…how did we get all of these awesome pictures??? Cheryl’s husband was an AWESOME photographer and more patient than you can imagine! Every time a picture was taken, there were about 5 more after that! Did you expect anything less from a group of bloggers?

Thank you, ladies, for making my trip to Vegas AWESOME!!

Fidgets, Brain Breaks, and Therapy Balls…Oh My!

After sitting through a GREAT in-service on brain breaks in the classroom I quickly rummaged through all of my trinkets and gadgets in order to create a fidget bin for my students.  I also hit the Dollar Tree for anything that could be used to fidget.

I looked for items that were inexpensive, durable, and easy to clean.  There came a point where I could justify any purchase as a fidget!  The bin is kept at the back table and the students are able to go there to fidget as needed.  Explicit instruction and modeling is needed prior to opening the fidget area.  We spent time talking about how we all (even adults) have the urge to fidget sometimes.  I then show all of the different fidgets and how to use and not use them.  The children do not have to ask me to fidget, however, they are not allowed to go to the back table while I am teaching a lesson and there can only be 2 kids using them at a time.  I also have a 3 minute sand timer back there for students to use (if needed). 

I know what you’re thinking…don’t the students abuse this? 

Not at all!!  My students mainly go there after they have completed an activity and spend only a few minutes fidgeting. 

This got me thinking about other things I could add to our day that would give my students the best learning environment.  I love using therapy balls in the classroom because so many of my kiddos benefit from the slight, gentle rocking and bouncing they can get when sitting on them.  The ones I use were purchased online through a yoga store, however, Walmart has them at a price that can’t be beat ($8.77 for the 55 cm ball).  I have 5 in my classroom that are rotated each day.  I have also seen some teachers who use them at their guided reading table.

Next up was a way to better organize the brain breaks I do with my students (which are currently listed on a typed up sheet of paper).  I decided to put all of the brain breaks I do on popsicle sticks so I can easily grab them when we need one.  Wow!  This will be much easier than checking my crinkled up sheet of paper!!

Brain breaks are a fun and easy way to quickly recharge my student’s batteries!  Not to mention, they are quick and beneficial.  I teach my students the importance of brain breaks and show them each action.  I also have them complete a reflection sheet that tells their family about brain breaks and I encourage the students to share their favorites with their parents and think about ways that brain breaks can be added to things at home like homework time.

 

Are you looking to add some brain breaks to your day?  If so, click here for the 16-page Brain Breaks and Fidgets file shown below:

If you're looking for more ideas, check out Colette O'Connor's book:
Success in School: How to Help Children Pay Attention and Concentrate in the Classroom and Improve Kids’ Focus on Homework- A Guide for Parents and Teachers

Keep calm and carry on!

There is only one word to describe how Chicago has been lately:

The heat and I are not the best of friends.

You know all of those “Keep Calm” signs that are all over Pintrest?

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I found that they very accurately describe my thoughts and whereabouts in this HOT weather.
Let me explain:

Why, yes, we have been cooling off! Pets included!

Some cute little BIG Golden Retriever has been spending way too much time frolicking about in a kiddie sized pool. ((((BEST $10 ever spent!!!))))

This next one has been rough…

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Training for a marathon in this weather just seems plain wrong. I don’t know what is worse- running day after day on the treadmill or sweating buckets at 5 AM outdoors???? Needless to say….I’m still running!

In fact we recently had our Grills Gone Wild pancake breakfast!! Of course, we had to RUN before treating ourselves

Here is a picture of me with my awesome coaches on a steamy, humid, yucky, 100+ degree day- AFTER our run! I know I have said this before…but these are some of the best people that you will ever meet!


Just yesterday we ran 12 miles!! Almost a half-marathon! (We have some LONG runs coming up-well wishes are very much welcomed and appreciated!)
I also have been….

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My nephew turned two and I made some Elmo cupcakes for his birthday party.

This is the SECOND batch. (The first batch did NOT look this good!)

Lots of cupcake eating has been going on around here. I love experimenting with cooking gluten free and vegan treats…MOST of the time, you would never know!



I know that some of you are with me on this one…

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Target. All I need to say is that one word.
I know the picture is not the best…but the pencil says “Target has it all.” And I could not agree more.

I am finding myself spending way too much time spending money. It starts with an iced coffee every morning from McDonald’s and then progresses to shopping trips to Target and as of last Friday, Ann Taylor Loft. I mean, who can resist 50% of EVERTHING for seven hours only at the Loft???? And Target, well I do not need any sales to shop there. In fact, I finally broke down and opened up my own Red card.
Last but not least:

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So I haven’t been teaching…but I have been creating lots of teacher resources!! Which brings me to the whole point of this post.
I can be very dramatic in this hot weather, but really, I can’t complain about anything. I feel just horrible for the people who have no choice but have to work outdoors during this heat wave. UPS, FED EX, the garbage collector, mail carrier, construction workers….the list goes on!!! These guys (and gals!) have no choice but to go to work in a sauna everyday.
So….I finally made my own “Keep Calm” sign, with these workers in mind!!!

***Click on images to print from Google Docs!!!****

I went to Target (where else?) to buy a TON of Gatorade. I printed up the labels and attached them to the Gatorade containers with a little ribbon.

I put them in the fridge overnight and waited.

Waited until I heard the garbage truck, recycling truck, and mail man come down the street. I then ran out the door to give them a cool drink and thank them for their hard work.

I also put a Dunkin’ gift card on two of the Gatorade containers. Just to REALLY show my appreciation!
Do you have kids??? This would be a great little “random acts of kindness” for them to get excited about! Have them run out there with the Gatorade bottle when they hear the garbage truck coming!
You could also attach it to a different bottle:

How is your summer going? How would YOU fill in the blank?
Keep calm and ________________________.
We would love to hear them!