Moose on the Loose - Week 2

I am so excited for this second installment of our Moose on the Loose antics.  Spike (our moose) has been very busy this past week.  He has been keeping the students engaged and behaving!  What more could I ask for?!?!
Here are a few highlights from this past week...

A little CandyLand fun with some classroom friends.

Spike stayed here all day.  Each time the kids came back to the room his creation changed a bit.

My kiddos freaked out when they saw Spike fishing for their Goldfish crackers.

It got a little loud one afternoon, so Spike hung out in the animal cracker container.
It was much quieter in there!

We are gearing up for our last week with Spike.  Part of me wants him to stick around in January to help refocus the kids; we'll see.

Check out what other elves and moose have been up to this week...

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win this gorgeous cowl from ShearComfort!

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Interactive Anchor Chart - Take 2

Ever since Leigh (The Applicious Teacher) blogged about Interactive Anchor Chart, my whole group lessons and resource building have taken a turn for the best.  Apparently, my students love these tools so much they ask to create their own during Pickle Time.

It could just be that they get to use chart paper, sticky notes, and smelly markers, but I love how they work together and enjoy showcasing their learning!  I am one proud teacher!

Have you ever used Interactive Anchor Charts in your classroom?

Don't forget to enter my ShearComfort Giveaway!

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GIVEaway

It is COLD here!  The Pacific Northwest has been in a deep freeze the last week and goodness I am happy to have my ShearComfort Cowl to keep me warm.

I am so thankful to each of you for all of your support, and want to give one of these gorgeous scarves away.  Megan from ShearComfort knitted up this incredible red cowl for this giveaway.

Be sure to check out her other incredible creations!  She makes these kick-butt elbow patches and other needle-felted delights!

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What has the weather been like in your neck of the woods?

Moose on the Loose - Week 1

The buzz around my classroom is at full speed!  Our moose is partially to thank for this (check out my initial post about him).
Take a look at Spike's first week in the classroom...

Spike had way too much fun sticking these stickers on
the kiddos' folders when they went to lunch.

He got in to the gingerbread cookies
after the kids did their taste test.

Staying warm on top of the heater.  

Spike enjoyed monitoring the behavior chart.

 Each day, my students document Spike's morning location.  I noticed that they were really struggling with precise language, which caused the ESL teacher in me to stop everything.  I did an impromptu language lesson on prepositions.

I have been trying ridiculously hard to catch the learning attention of my boys.  These Ninja Turtle stickers were one of my little ways of doing so.  They loved them!  I love the fact that they are now referencing this anchor chart in their Moose on the Loose Journals.

Check out all of the other Elf/Moose fun going on in schools around the country

Moose on the Loose

I don't know who was more excited, my students or me!  Today, a NEW moose arrived in our classroom to keep an eye on our learning.
I have been wanting to participate in the Elf on the Shelf tradition, but with no kids of my own, and a very diverse classroom, I knew it wasn't the right fit.  But, I can add another moose to my classroom!
Kelli, from Tales from a Teacher, created this perfect activity pack that I scooped up in the TPT sale.

We had a morning meeting and read the letter that Spike (that is what my kiddos named him) wrote us.

Students then found him hiding behind the writing paper.  They inferred that was due to the letter he wrote us.  After that, we voted on a name.

We also discussed the rules:
1) Do NOT touch Spike, or he will not come back.
2) Do NOT spoil his location for classmates.
3) Once you find him, have a silent celebration, and wait till all classmates have located him, before chatting about Spike's location.

Each kiddo then received their Moose on the Loose journal.  They will be documenting Spike's daily antics and inferring about what he was up to each night.

His location changed three times today.  I don't know if there will be three location changes everyday, but today was a hoot!

Do you have an elf or festive animal spreading joy in your classroom?

Check out what other teachers are doing to spread Holiday Cheer:

Show Me What You Bought

I had way too much fun putting things in my shopping cart during the latest TPT sale.  I don't think my bank account had as much fun, but check out what I grabbed..

I am so excited for each and every one of these products!

Check out what other teachers snagged during the sale.

Sending Love Across the Nation to Teachers

I feel so blessed to be a part of this teacher-blogger community.  The amazing Jameson, from Lessons with Coffee, got the SLANT boxes going several months ago, and man does it just make me HAPPY!

Over the course of a month, you get to know a fellow teacher blogger, from a different part of the country or world.  I was paired up with Kristi, from Keep Calm and Teach On.

I had a blast getting to know Kristi and am so grateful for the amazing SLANT box that she sent me!  Check out my goodies...

I have been wanting to create a cool clipboard for my weekly checklists, but there is no way I could have dreamed up one this awesome.  Plus, check out the quote on the back!

I am in love with the coffee mug!  It even matches my blog colors.  

Thank you so much Kristi!  

December Currently

I am so excited December is here!  Between the holiday smells, yummy treats, and Christmas music I am as happy as a clam.
Here is what I am Currently up to...

Be sure to swing over the Oh' Boy 4th Grade to see what everyone else is Currently in the middle of.