Go Jump in the Lake

When I'm not teaching...I'm usually planning for teaching! Not tonight. I took the 2014 Cold Water Challenge. When you have been challenged you can either pay $100 to your favorite charity OR go jump in a lake. When you live next to Lake Michigan, that was covered with ice just a few weeks ago, you jump in the lake AND make a donation to charity. I usually spend most of my time on the beach reading when I go to the lake. I'm quite content sticking a toe or two in on really hot days.

My charity of choice? Heifer International. Heifer International has been helping people help themselves out of poverty, hunger and despair for almost 70 years. In my classroom we are reading and feeding. With each AR quiz taken students count out change that matches the number of points earned from reading. We are trying to earn enough money to buy a flock of chickens...Of course.  That is one of the cool things about Heifer. Their catalog is filled with amazing farm animals, and projects that you can choose from to help people help themselves and to share with their community. Their Read to Feed program is a great way to get students to read to make a difference in another person's life. 

So, go jump in a lake, find a charity you are passionate about and make a difference!

Five for Friday

What a fun week it has been. I can say that even though I spent an "extra" day at school this week. The Snow Days finally caught up with me and I had to put in some time. I should have been able to sleep in and spend the day with my Cranky Bear and chickens. I was happy to spend Good Friday making it meaningful and full of meaning! 

My students loved making "Resurrection Gardens" I hope the grass grows for them before Sunday. One of my Lego maniacs snuck some pieces in to decorate their garden. It cracked me up when I checked and watered the gardens after school and found the Lego angel, soldier and bones scattered around the garden. 

I went to THIS web-site for help on making this project!

Number 2 is my new found love for chickens! I had to bring two chicks home until they are big enough to live without a light. They are just about ready to go  to their permanent home. Until they do I will enjoy every possible moment with them. My cat is totally fascinated with them. Can you think of a caption for this picture?

Click HERE to see them as babies!

Number 3...Did I mention I love chick(en)s? Here are the ones I made to use in the classroom. We toss them back and forth to each other and skip count. They are great tools to use for brain breaks and I'm sure glad I saw Red Ted's tutorial to make these cute chicks!

Number 4! Did you know it was Palindrome week? Each day this week the date was the same forward as backwards. Yikes...How fun is that? Not quite as much fun as this book! It is full of palindromes and just a  lot of fun!
Number 5....This is my favorite! We made these beautiful stain glass windows to celebrate Good Friday. I had a hard time sending these home. They are beautiful. 

Contact paper and a silhouette make for a beautiful project!

Happy or hoppy Easter! This year I have only one third of my children to celebrate with. For the first time ever we are going out for brunch instead of cooking our own fancy dinner. I can't wait to link up with Doodle Bugs for the first time in a  loooong time to share my five for Friday!