Inspired By Yoga

I have bogged about my love of yoga before, but my love is on fire again.  For some reason, I let the stress of life take over and I stopped doing things for me.  We all know what that does to us...I unfortunately let things get bad before I remembered what A) makes me happy and B) what my mind and body needs.  Thankfully, it dawned on me...I needed to get back to yoga.
I have been practicing for the last month and finally feeling better.  I love going to the yoga studio by my house because it is a great change of scenery and the yoga community there is AMAZING (like this community)!
There are definitely days when practicing from my home sounds perfect and YouTube makes that possible.  Erin Motz has this incredible channel packed with video tutorials and challenges.  Her 30 day challenge is wonderful.


I highly recommend giving yoga a try.  Whether you need to rest your mind, build some strength, or just do something for you YOGA is the perfect choice.

A Recipe and a Read Aloud - Summer is on my Mind

I can't believe how this year has flown by!  We may not be done until mid-June, but it feels so close.
In light of the warmer weather and SUNSHINE (oh how I miss sunshine during Oregon winters) I whipped up an easy treat and dusted off my favorite end-of-the-year read aloud.

The Recipe:
Fruity Coconut Pops
All you need is fruit, coconut water, and a Popsicle mold.

Cut up your fruit choice(s) and place it in the mold.  Be sure to fill each slot about 3/4 full.

Once the mold is filled with your fruit pour coconut water over the fruit, filling each compartment.

Don't forget to place a Popsicle stick in each slot before placing them in the freezer.

Enjoy!


The Read Aloud:

For the last nine years, I have read Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney to my students.  I have used this book with kinders all the way through fifth graders.  I love that it can reach such a variety of students! I always wait to read it during a plant unit or at the end of the year.  The author's message is one that I want my students to carry with them forever...which is why I send them home with flower seeds.

What is your go-to end of the year read aloud?  What is your favorite quick warm weather treat?

****I am looking for someone to design A Recipe and a Read Aloud banner/sign.  If you are interested please send me an email.****

Coin you help?

**I would love to have first and second grade teachers weigh in on this topic.**

So there has been a lot of talk throughout my school and district about 1st grade CCSS in math.  Specifically, the conversations have been around money targets or lack there of.  Oregon standards always had 1-3 math standards that focused around coin values, as well as operations with coins; the CCSS do not.   Now that Oregon, and the district I work for, have completely adopted the CCSS, second grade teachers are concerned that students will be coming to them with drastic math holes.

So I ask you...what do you do as a kinder or first grade teacher to introduce or teach coins? Second grade teachers, what do you want students to know about coins before they enter your classrooms?

I have been adding coin activities to my centers throughout the year, but I have done very little direct and guided instruction around the concept.  I decided that needs to change.  I want to start incorporating more money concepts into my math messages.  The amazing Janaye, from Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes found some great videos and songs that review coins and their values.  (Be sure to check out the link).  I also purchased this amazing mini unit from Second Grade Stories:

I can't wait for my students to use these puzzles and games to continue to solidify such an important concept.
What do you do as a primary teacher to introduce such an important concept, while making time to teach EVERYTHING else?

Be sure to check out other magical mathematical conversations over at I Heart Recess.

Don't forget to swing over to my TPT store for my birthday sale.  My entire store is 20% off.

It's My BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Five for Friday - Little Things

It's the little things in life that keep me going.  Here are my 5 little things, brought to you by Doodle Bugs, that are keeping me smiling...

1.  My moose pouch from my mother-in-law.

2. Scentos gel pens and notepad.

I can't find Scentos at any local stores recently and it it making me so sad.

3. The poster my students made for the volunteer breakfast next week.

It is amazing how Melonheadz make everything better.

4. My SLANT box.

The amazing Sarah Beth sent me the greatest package!

5. My classroom moose...

Can you tell I love moose?

What is a little thing that makes you smile?

Time

The topic of conversation has been time lately...time to assess, time to plan, time to prep, time to relax, time to reflect, time to sleep, time to...well...time to live.
I don't know what it is with this time of year.  There is energy in the air, yet I am lacking so much of it; hence my lack of blogging.
We are at that point in the year where students are making incredible growth and absorbing learning as we wish they could have been doing all year.  It is also testing season filling the air with stress and hope.
On that random note, the time has come for my to go to bed.

Until next time,

Currently - April

Yes!  Two days of blogging in a row!  Plus, I posted a new bundle of math centers tonight!!!!

This week is going to be bananas with conferences, and it being our first week back since Spring Break, but it is all good.
Currently I am...

Check out what other wonderful teachers are up to with Farley's Currently.

What are you currently up to?

Why I Teach Art

I have made it a point to teach one art skill/project each week to my students.  I wish that I would have done this years ago, but with all of the stress on getting it all in, I didn't.  This year, I decided to dedicate time, on Fridays, for students to let their inner artist ROCK!  I have seen fine motor skills develop and students' creativity take off.  I am so grateful to also have a parent volunteer (hard to come by at my school) come in and help each week.
Their creativity has supported the connections they make during reading as well as their writing.  I can't ask for anything more!

As a way to share ideas, the following ladies and I have started a collaborative Pinterest board filled with project ideas you could try with your students.

Please let me know if you are interested in contributing to this board.

How do you teach art to your students?

Hitting the Reset Button

This past week during yoga class, we were invited to set a mental intention to hit the reset button.  With the Spring Equinox it is the perfect time to cleanse the body and start over.
The timing of this couldn't be better.  I have been swirling in a pool of stress struggling to get out.  Therefore, I am hitting reset, and I encourage each of you to do the same.
I have begun working on making time for me, and in my constant search for balance that means...well I am not sure I know what that means right now, but I intend to figure it out.

What do you do in times of stress?

Currently - March

Happy March!!!  I am so excited for all of the amazing teaching to come this month!  March is filled with nonfiction reading and writing in my classroom.  What is your central literacy theme this month?
I am linking up with Farley for her fabulous Currently.

Let's play a little game...What do you think the question is to my last box?  Leave your guess in a comment below.  Winner will receive my St. Patrick's Day pack.

Check out what other's are currently up to!