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Saturday, May 24, 2014

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!! 

7 comments:

  1. Ouch! Hope your finger is feeling better! Your little ones are so cute! Love the t-ball pics!!

    Katie :)
    KTP: Keep Teaching and Planning!

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  2. Oh golly, Holly! That pic of your pinky sent shivers down my spine. Oops! There goes another shiver! I can't even think about it w/o getting' the heebs. I've broken 3 metatarsals in my hand before, so seeing or hearing about any kind of hand injury sends me weak in the knees. I hope it's not too serious and that you heal fast. Not a good way to start out your summer; but at the same time, you are a bada$$!! Check you out, comin' in 1st place after all that! You GO, lady!!

    Ali
    Teaching Powered by Caffeine

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  3. You are my hero for being so active with two little ones. My 4 & 2 year old keep me out of the gym more than I'd like. Hope your finger feels better! I am looking forward to getting pen pals next year for my THREE classes! :)

    Theresa
    Pinkadots Elementary

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  4. Ouch is right! Yikes! I hope your appointment goes well on Tuesday! I had a pen pal when I was in elementary school and we kept up with each other for several years-very motivating! Even if only one set of students keep in touch, it's a friendship that would never have formed without you teachers! Very special! Thanks for sharing and linking up!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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  5. Ouch! Sorry about your pinky - hopefully they can get things straightened out...literally :)

    I am sold on the pen pal idea - and definitely want to start that next year. I love that your kiddos want to keep up the friendships they've created. Very motivating indeed! :)

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

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  6. Fun times with your kids! I'm not quite to that stage but I'm looking forward to it.

    I love the pen pal thought! I had one when I was elementary with kids from another local school. At the end of the year, we had a field trip to a park and got to actually meet each other. It was kind of fun because we all would end up going to the one middle school in town. How did you get yours set up with other bloggers? I am new and don't have too many connections yet.

    Steph
    Simple Insights

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  7. I love the pen pal permission slips! When you think about it...we are all grown-up pen pals! Happy birthday to Lilly! I want to have a party like hers for MY birthday!!! XOXO
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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