Short and Sweet!

Tonight is a short and sweet post! I just HAD to take a moment to share a hilarious story. =)

Today at school we were reviewing vocabulary words for our test tomorrow. One of our words for the week is "Concentration". I always have a student define the word and then we talk about it. I always like to relate the word to my students' lives. So I asked the question, "When is a time you might need concentration?" I got answers from reading, to taking a test, and even when playing video games. Can anyone guess where one brave student said you might need concentration?... the bathroom! I almost DIED. Kids say the most hilarious stuff. That is one reason I love my job. =)

Did you have any funny student moments at your school today?

I would LOVE to hear them! =)

On another note, I am SUPER excited about the rock unit we are doing this week in my classroom. We are talking about the rock phases and our lessons include making EDIBLE rocks. This is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to share it with you guys and I will make sure to take some pictures.

Do any of you teach your students about rocks? 

What types of activities do you do?

My Week AND Two Questions

I always love Thursdays because that means Friday is super close. =) Yay weekend!

We have had a great week in my sweet little 3rd grade classroom for many reasons... 

1) My kids have had a great week. I am not sure what has happened to them but they have been working incredibly hard AND they have been quiet. We have a talking problem in my class and they have done a great job this week keeping the chatting to a minimum.

2) We got a NEW student. I love new faces. The kiddos were also extremely excited and did a great job making our new addition feel welcomed. My favorite was at the end of the new student's first day another child came up to me and informed me that they were now best friends. =)

3) We got a NEW pencil sharpener. We haven't had a decent working one since I took the job and I finally purchased a new one. It makes my life SO much easier. (It's the small things in life...hahah)

On another note, I have TWO questions for you! 

1) Do you guys post free documents with any type of clip art? Or do you only post stuff with the clip art you have purchased? For example, do you use the Word/Powerpoint clipart in your documents? I am super scared to post anything that is not all mine. I am new to this and don't want to get in trouble!

2) Where/How can I get a button for my blog. All of you have such CUTE ones & now I need one too. 

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday. Thanks for reading AND for (hopefully)
answering my questions. =)

We All Need A Little Motivation...

Motivation... 

Some students just don't seem to have it all of the time. 

This tears me up because if students have no motivation in elementary school, 

where does that put them in middle school, high school, and even beyond. 

          During my internship I was placed in a 4th grade classroom. Two of the boys in my class had a low reading level and despised reading. I made it my goal to get them to like reading. I would read with them every free moment we'd have and I would make myself available before school and during PE in case they wanted to read with me.  I made sure to get SUPER excited when something happened in the story and we would discuss each book they read. I would praise them when they read and tell them what a good job they were doing.

          At my school we have a big emphasis on A.R. and whenever they would make a 100 on a test I would break out into the "hundred's dance". I became known for this dance and students would tell me that they made a 100 at the worst times... in the middle of the lunchroom, walking down the hall, and in front of parents and teachers. No matter where I was... I would do a little jig and sing a little tune about how awesome it was that they had made a 100. I truly think they worked hard just so they could watch me a make a fool of myself, but hey, whatever works! I will seriously do anything to get a student excited about school, reading, and working hard! =)

I need some new ideas. 

What do you do to encourage your struggling or unmotivated students?

I would love some new/creative ideas!

Thanks and have a wonderful MLK Monday! =)

-Ms. Smith

Currently...

Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade is having a fun linky party AND giveaway. 

Of course I have to link up!

I am Currently,

Listening...

to the train outside chug by outside.

Loving...

that Alabama just won their 14th National Championship. =)

Thinking...

about what I am going to do with my extra day this weekend. Yay for MLK day. 

Wanting...

a Cafe Mocha from Starbucks!

Needing...

SLEEP! 

OLW...

Finish (Strong!)

Am I allowed to have two little words? =)

Check back later this week for an actual school related post. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Three more days until the weekend. =)