Estimate to Find the Product

With Halloween Approaching it happens to be a great time to teach or review the skill of Estimating to find a Product. My students are a little bit restless now that the weather is starting to change and with Halloween getting closer...We needed a chance to get moving.  To introduce the concept I created a PowerPoint. It helped introduce students to the steps needed to solve these type of problems. It also gave us a few chances to practice the skill on our whiteboard before I turned them loose.  Click to grab a FREE copy of the PowerPoint

I also created a  poster to print and post for my students to see and reference throughout the lesson. I had my students copy the posters into their math journals. If you wanted you could print 4-6 on a page and have your students glue the steps into their journal. 

We ended our lesson and practice with a Estimate the Product SCOOT. Click HERE for your own copy of the poster, SCOOT cards and worksheet. 

Teacher Week 2015

I am thrilled to link up with Blog Hoppin' today and be a part of Teacher Week 2015. Each and every day there will be a different theme and topic so make sure to check back every day this week. If you would like to join in the fun click HERE.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Heather. I am a 4th grade teacher at Maple Ridge Elementary. This is my 9th year teaching - it would have been my 12th but I took 3 years off while my husband was attending law school. (Let's be honest, one of us in school was plenty.) I love being a teacher - in fact I can't often get my brain to be quiet. The following isn't everything about me. It's just 5 fun facts. ENJOY!

Most kids go through phases where they want to be different things: astronaut, policeman, bobsledders, pilots, or princess to name a few. Those future plans often change with their different moods. I was the unusual one. I started talking about becoming a teacher at the age of 4. That is all I have ever wanted to do.

On March 11th my Dad received the best birthday present ever...ME! I love sharing my birthday with my dad. Most years one of us would pick what we would eat for birthday dinner and the other would pick the type of cake. My favorite was the year we had two cakes and 75 candles between the two of us. Mom was more than a little worried we were going to set the kitchen on fire. We didn't! I know I gave my dad plenty of gray hairs as a teenager but I always knew he loved me.

In 2012 I was the reigning Ohio's Outstanding Mom. I didn't grow up competing - in fact this was the very first time. I feel blessed with the opportunities and experiences I had while wearing my crown. One of my most favorites was the St. Patrick's Day parade with my darling boy.

 While living in Ohio I took a few years off from teaching while my husband went to school. I started going crazy. I needed a creative outlet. While watching tv on day I saw someone decorate sugar cookies. I thought, "I could do that!" I started making cookies and before I knew it - Jellybean's Bakery was born.

My final fact is about these three...

My favorite job in all the world is being the mother to three of the greatest kids in the world. They make me smile and want to be a better person. They are quick to love, laugh and hold me tight if I ever get sad. Though time flies by, this picture was a year ago, and I wish I could make time slow - I love watching them grow and learn and see the world as a magical place to discover!

The most incredible 4 words...

Today I was given the best four words that I have heard in a long time. "We can MOVE in!!!!" Finally, the new school is finished, it has passed all the walk throughs and we have been given a chance to move in - make it ours and make it a wonderful place to learn! I can't wait.

I am going to pretend you are as excited as I am. Take a picture walk with me and see my new room. 

From my door...to the left

 From my door to the right...

There you have it! My new oasis...well at least it will be :)

Happy Summer everyone. 

End of the Year Celebration

The last week of school can be a struggle. It can be a struggle with management and keeping 36 students actively engaged. Luckily our principal knows this and sets aside one day the last week of every year for us to play...

Let the celebrating begin...

 ...Hamster Balls...

 ...Parachute...

Got glasses?

 ...Water Duck Duck Goose...

 ...Relays...

Pioneer Day

One of the best parts of my 4th grade social studies core is the study of those who settled this area. After months of learning about their struggles and challenges and how their life was drastically different than ours. The end of the year was fast approaching and I realized I hadn't planned Pioneer Day yet. My teammates hadn't done it before so I gladly took over. I am happy to report that the students had a great time. And I (with a pinched nerve and all) was rather pleased with the way it turned out. 

Students learned to sew on a button...

Students had to sort seeds and guess to see if they could tell what food each seed would grow...

Students made marshmallow taffy...(This is the really sticky stage - it gets less sticky, shiny and oh so yummy)

Students made butter that they then tested on a roll from their lunch...

Stick Pull...

Students participated in a nail pounding contest...

Students made scrap fabric dolls...

Hoops and Graces anyone...(I love this game...and so did they)

There was even a milk the cow station, using rubber gloves and water but I didn't get any pictures of that one. At the end of the day we had a stick pull finals, a pound off, and a milk off with the fastest in the 4th grade. At the end of the day I was exhausted. It had been hours of stress and worry getting everything ready and set up. In the end it was completely worth it. 

May Currently

I am linking up with Farley for the May Currently. Look out for my button under her Looky Lou!

LISTENING: I am currently listening and half watching Fixer Upper on HGTV. I absolutely love to watch houses become beautiful. And then I am wishing I could run into one of those guys that stalk the Home Depot and they could come finish my basement for me. Oh well a girl can dream. 

LOVING: I love being home on Sundays. I love trying to keep things simple and not too busy so I can focus on my favorite things - snuggles. My little V is 9 months now and cuddling with her is the best. As soon as V is in bed, G is the next one wanting some Mommy time. I can't say I really mind. :)

THINKING: I really should go to bed early. We have had a houseful of sickies this week which has meant lots of sleepless nights. I don't mind helping on of my sweet angels but really I should go to bed early since tomorrow is Monday. 

WANTING: I recently found out I would be transferring to a new school for the 2015-2016 year. I can't wait to get into my new room and start making it home. Hoping to be in by mid-June. Fingers crossed. 

NEEDING: I would really love an ice cream cone...almost 9 sooooo I should avoid the freezer. Making my mouth water just thinking about it.

SUMMER, YES, HOPE, DREAM: My kids and I will be working at This Is the Place Heritage Park this summer. A few hours of unplugged, piece of history, fun. My siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, and my family will be spending a week at Lake Powell - sun, water and lots of fun. I can't wait. I am hoping to read a few books that are my choice this summer - by my choice I mean a book or two that have nothing to do with school. Not sure if it will happen but here is hoping. Finally, I am hoping to get lots of lesson planning done this summer. I can't wait to get things organized and put into binders. 

Well that is me - currently. Have a great week!

Don't forget to check out other Currently posts at Farley's.