Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Measuring Candy Bars

I'm always looking for fun ways for my students to practice their math skills.
I found the idea here whattheteacherwants 
and made a few changes to update it for my grade level.
 I also sent home a note with my students 
asking them to bring in their favorite candy bar to use for math.  
They had a week to bring in their candy bar.

We did one together using my document camera to show them
exactly how I expected their paper to be filled out.
We reviewed measuring correctly with a ruler and adding labels.

They started with their own candy bar and then traded around
so they had all six sections filled out on their form.
We wrote names on candy bars with Sharpies so that there wasn't any confusion.
 I asked them to do each candy bar tracing in a different colored pencil.
This helped them to keep everything straight.
 Everyone is on task and engaged in our activity!
It's the end of the school year so that is a big accomplishment.
 Yay for making math fun for your students!!

What I Wore Wednesday

I'm linking up with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy for
I tried to include a lot of pattern and color this week!
1. Teacher Work Day
White t - Banana Republic
Jeans - GAP
*Note to self: These jeans are comfy but not very flattering :/
Scarf - Loft
Boat shoes - Sperry
Navy button earrings - Polka-Dotty Place etsy store
 2. Night out with Friends
Cardigan - Banana Republic
Tank & Skinnies - Target
Flats - Marshalls
Flower pin - JC Penneys
Gold button earrings - Polka-Dotty Place etsy store

 3. Happy Memorial Day!
Dress & Bass sandals - Thrifted
Belt - gifted
Brooch & poly wog earrings - vintage
 4. Take Me Out to the First Ball Game of the Season...
 printed top - Lerner
Skinny jeans - Target
Ivory mum earrings - Claire's
Sparkly belt - Jessica Simpson
Bronze flats - Marshalls
Animal print bag - Banana Republic
*hubby sneakily bought this for me because it was "too cute to pass up"! :)
I would agree!!
Thanks for stopping by! :) Whitney

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Graduation Cookies

My friend's daughter (my kittysitter) is graduating high school this week!
They had a graduation open house for her
and I volunteered to make her some graduation cookies.

Her school colors are green and silver.
I purchased green & silver sprinkles
and used my graduation cap, 1 and 2 cookie cutters.

Since it is 2012, I thought it would be cute to do '12 cookies
along with graduation caps.
I'd never overlapped cookies before so I was a little nervous.
I placed the ones first and then added the twos.
I baked them slightly longer to ensure they were done.
 Fresh out of the oven - cute!
They turned out just like I'd hoped.
 The tassel on the graduation cap was f.r.a.g.i.l.e.
 I iced and sprinkled them
giving them 8 hours to dry out on my counter.
 They were ready to be plated.
I think any graduate would love these cookies!!

End of Year Portfolio Party

My students do a TON of writing, art and other projects
throughout the entire year.
I save the majority of our work in a large bin
and then we have a Portfolio Party at the end of the year.
I learned of this idea from the lady I was student teaching with 8 years ago
and have been doing it ever since.

We have a 2 inch three ring binder with plastic sleeves to put small projects in.
Then I have them make a portfolio out of poster board.
We add handles and decorate it.

We "invade" the cafeteria tables and invite
parents, family and friends to come.
It quite a walk down memory lane to see all the work from this year.
The parents LOVE to see all the work
and are very appreciative of this event.
 This event means that school is officially wrapping up.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Indy 500

Did you know that the Indy 500 happens every Memorial Day weekend?
It's over 90 degrees in Indianapolis today;
I'm thankful that Utah hasn't seen temps like that yet!
We always look forward to watching the 500 race coverage.
We don't have the time or interest :) to devote hours to it
but like to catch the start, the re-cap/highlights throughout 
and the final laps of the 500 mile race 
which is really the most exciting part according to me!

I've never been to the race 
but my dad and brother got to see some time trials last week.
Maybe one day I'll make it there!
In honor of the Indy 500, I made some festive sugar cookies today.

Here are some fun, Indy 500 facts for you:
Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, the Roman Colosseum
 and Vatican City can all fit inside the IMS oval, which covers 253 acres.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest spectator sporting facility, 
with more than 250,000 permanent seats. 
The first event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a helium gas-filled balloon 
competition on Saturday, June 5, 1909, 
more than two months before the oval was completed.

OWL Baby Shower

Let me show you the adorable owl baby shower.
The local library in Indiana has rooms to rent out for such occasions.
 My mom found this cute owl at Gordmans
so these two cuties were there to greet people as they came in for the shower.
Pink table cloths, fresh flowers and polka-dotted balloons on each table.
My mom put together a collage of Tyler and Tabitha's baby pictures
for everyone to see.
 A great buffet of treats for the guests:
My sister is a great baker.
She has done wedding cakes and cakes for any type of event.
She ordered these a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. owl cupcake toppers on etsy
then she dipped pretzels in chocolate so they'd have a twig to stand on.
Too cute!!
 She made pink icing and chocolate/strawberry/yellow cupcakes.
 There was a great turn out.
 The winners of the games went home with a lovely potted pink flower.
 They played Price is Right for Babies and draw the baby.
 The guests had to put a paper plate on their head and draw baby Eleanor.
Tabitha got to pick the winner (whoever drew the best baby).

This was the big sister-to-be's place setting :)
 My mom ordered an owl cookie cutter on-line and made these
sweet pink owl favors.
They were sitting at each place setting.
The bought a tag punch at Micheals and punched coordinating tags for each cookie.
She hand wrote THANK YOU on the back of each tag.
Note to self: borrow that tag punch!

Little Miss Addison looking adorable with the treats.
After many weeks of planning via phone & e-mail, this shower came together really well.
My mom and my sis are excellent party planners
so a big THANK YOU to them for making the magic happen.
Little Eleanor is scheduled to arrive mid-July so it won't be too much longer.
Congratulations Tyler, Tabitha and Addison!!