2 More to Go

As I write this Kelly and I have two days let with our kids.  Tuesday will be our last day of school with our kids and then we have two teacher days of PD.

Here's a glimpse of what has been going on in our classrooms...

That's me on a surf board of a first graders poster

Our Fun Day theme was "Jersey Strong" 

One of the SWEETEST yearbook signings from one of my LOVES.

Fun Day Beach Relay

Moving through Fun Day

 As one of my end of the year gifts I make my students personalized Wordles using wordle.net.  The Wordles contain classroom themes, memories, events, and then I add in some personalized words or phrases for each kid.  I put them in a frame and wrap them with cellophane, tissue paper, and ribbon.  

Take a look!

Putting my wordles together

Final Product: Wrapped in my classroom colors

  We also held a Reading Buddy Scavenger Hunt outside.  It was such a stressful event because we haven't done it before and we had no idea how we were going to set it up or how it was going to go.  IT WAS A BLAST and the kids had a great time!

Setting up that morning!

Station Number 3: Shoot five basketball hopes!

Station 9: Add a picture to our chalk mural

2 more days to go for these Buddies!
-Damien and Kelly

And we are Moving...Down? Grade level change for 1 buddy!

Hello Buddies-

If I recall accurately, it was around this time last year that Kelly announced that she was going to be moving up from First Grade to Second Grade.  

Well the changes just keep coming!

Next year, after 7 years teaching Fifth Grade, I will be moving down to Fourth Grade.  

This year's fifth grade is a bubble year (we have four sections of the grade level instead of our usual four).  When this year began we knew someone from Fifth Grade was "getting the boot" for lack of a better phrase only to have someone added to Fifth Grade next year as this year's third grade is another bubble year (ya follow me?).  

I have always been interested in looping so I went to my principal and the discussion began.  Next year I will be a fourth grade looping teacher.  I'm not sure if the term is universal but for us, looping means I will have the same set of students for both their Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade year. 

Me and them 360 days!

To say I'm a little nervous is downplaying things a bit. The letters notifying my future students, and most importantly their parents, of my grade level change went home TODAY!  I am concerned about not liking the recommended books for the grade level (already eliminated two), finding new books and the time to properly prepare them to be taught, new Science and Social Studies standards, and most importantly having the same kids for two years.  We've all been there, the year we can't wait for it to end and those special years where we would happily teach that group for YEARS (through college even!)

So I am asking my blog buddies for some help.

-Have you ever looped?
                  -What were the pros?
                                             -What were the cons?
                                                                         -Any surprises?

Thanks friends and if you are still in school remember, we are in the home stretch so hang in there, make some memories, and HAVE FUN!

-Damien 

Official start of summer and end of the year stuff

Well I know it's summer when my dog is swimming in the pool!

I also know that the year is almost over once my field trip is over.  We went to Sandy Hook, NJ and went seining.  See pictures below seining is fishing with a net.  The weather was freezing and windy on May 24!!  However, it didn't rain and the kids had a blast.

                                                      LOOK at those storm clouds!!




We have 20 days and counting so here are a few products I will be using to get me through the end of the year.

                                                        

Father's Day will be here before you know it and this product is a perfect lesson and gift all in one.  You can find it HERE.

I will also be creating these adorable floating friends to end the year.  You can find this product at teachers pay teachers HERE.

                                                 

Lastly my class will be creating oceans as a culmunating activity after our ocean trip.  Each day we create  a different ocean organism.

You can find my ocean mural product HERE.

 

                                                            

 

Enjoy those last hectic days of school and the lazy days of summer!

Taking over Instagram

Hello friends-

If you haven't heard, every Tuesday Teachers are taking over Instagram!

Check out our posts today...

If your not on Instagram...You're missing out!

Teacher Appreciation Sale

We know how important it is to feel appreciated and are thrilled to announce that we are helping to spread the appreciation by joining the TPT Teacher Appreciation Sale.

Our entire TPT store is on sale from May 7th to May 8th.  Please feel free to check out our products and shop away.

WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Damien and Kelly

Apps in our Novel

Hello buddies-

For the past five years I have been reading the first two Harry Potter books as my whole group novel.  As much as I LOVE the Harry Potter Series and I LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEE IT!

See proof here: England Update
Here: London
Here: Magic Wands
And Here: Welcome to Hogwarts

I needed to do something a little different this year, call it the 7 year itch. As part of our Harry Potter character unit we took the theme of: What if Hogwarts had technology?

                What if Hermione could Google Nicholas Flamel?

                What would Harry Tweet after a Quidditch Match?

                          What Apps would be on Ron's I-Pad?

This new twist really allowed my students to really connect with the characters.  Most recently we spent some time designing our own Apps for Hogwarts students.  My kids created games, studying Apps, and a digital Maruader's Map for their I-pads. 

Take a glance below: 

Students had to write a description of their App
like one that would be found on I-Tunes

They had to draw a icon image for their I-pad

My kids ABSOLUTELY loved this activity and the Apps they created were AWESOME!  Look below for the final product

Class iPad with our voted Apps

App description

Each kid gets to make a mini-iPad with their apps. 

Our hallway display

My App activity is available on my TPT store: Apps in our Novel

Enjoy!
Damien

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Our Tuesday...in Instagram Pictures