Five for Fraturday and Spark Motivation {Kids, Ouch, Pen Pals}

It's been awhile since I have linked up Five For Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching.

Here are some random happenings from my week!

We have had book clubs all week in my three ELA blocks. The theme is "Animals are Characters Too". Here are the choice slips we used to make the groups. I will blog more about it in my Tried It Tuesday this week since this is the first time I have tried it since without ability grouping for ELA.

On Sunday, my oldest celebrated her 7th birthday with friends! We had a party at her dance studio and her amazing dance instructor kept the girls busy with all kinds of games! Works for me. :)

Here is the parachute game and two moms (me in the green pants) helping to play the headless horseman. I felt like I was in elementary school again! :)

Most of you know that I do kickboxing and karate. We had a karate tournament last Saturday and I did this little number to my pinky. I was sparring and looked down to see my pinky bent in two directions. The head referee straightened it, taped it, and I finished the match. I took first out of five women so it was almost worth it. :) It is fractured at the pip joint so I have to see the orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday. :(

My little guy had his first tball game this week! It's more like a babysitting job! Lol. He's four and doesn't listen to directions to save his life but we are enjoying watching him grow! :)

We received our last set of pen pal letters this week from my friends Jivey and Gary!! It has been such a rewarding experience for the students. Jivey and Gary sent pen pal permission forms from parents with addresses for students who had permission to give out their home address and continue writing to their pen pals! Isn't that a great idea?

 Pen pals are a great way to motivate even the most reluctant writers. Many of you are starting summer vacation or will be soon and this is the time to set up pen pals for next year! Give it a try! I am linking up this idea with my super sweet BBB, Joanne for Spark Student Motivation. :)

Have a great weekend everyone!!