Book Binder, My New Best Friend...

I have spent the last few days binding countless books to wrap up the year.....

I have to admit that I kind of actually like binding books!

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward

Fun at Como Zoo!

Our K-5 classes took a field trip to Como Zoo and Como Town in St. Paul today!

We spent a little while looking at the animals in Como Zoo, and then headed over to Como Town, which is a small amusement park.

We totally lucked out with the weather!  It was forecasted to rain all day, but we didn't get a drop!

I had a special chaperone, too.... my step-mom, Ms. Teresa, came with us!

She had quite a bit of fun with her group...

After a long day, the kids were exhausted....

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward

An extra recess never hurt anyone!

On Friday, I took the kids outside for an extra recess time at the end of the day.  Everyone could use a little extra play time, right?

One student had brought a hand-made jump rope!  A popular thing to do for the families at our school is to make jump ropes out of woven rubber bands.

It was so cute to see all of them organizing a jump rope game together.

Only THREE more days left of school!  I can't believe it!

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward

Summer Math

I am excited to show you a big project we've been working on in math!  

We didn't want our students to lose all of the valuable learning they acquired this year.  The problem is that they have very limited access to materials and assistance at home.  We wanted them to create something that reviewed important concepts, that they would be able to use at home this summer.

Introducing.... the Summer Math Book!

For a whole week, we had multiple stations set up around the room.  The kids had to visit all of the stations, but could travel at their own leisure.  If they finished the stations and filled their book, they got to keep doing the activities for fun.

So, what was everyone doing for the entire math block?  Well.....

Some kids were finishing making their multiplication flash cards...

Some kids were finding and cutting out shapes from magazines...

Some were using magnets to write and solve word problems...

Some were writing and guessing number sentences on each other's backs...

Some were making clocks to solve elapsed time problems...

And some were making rubbings of coins and then counting the total amount.

At each station, the kids had to complete the activity (and show evidence of it in their booklets).  They also had to glue in a "How can I do this at home?" sheet, to remind them of ways they can complete the activity over the summer.

There was a lot going on in the room, but after a day or so of doing the stations, the kids knew what to do and where to go, so the classroom was a focused and calm environment.

When they leave school for the summer, they will have a neat little math book that will remind them of easy ways to do math at home.

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward

Talent Show

This past week, our school's middle-schoolers performed in a talent show.  A lot of my students have older brothers and sisters, so it was fun for them to see kids they know perform.

There were lots of singers, but there were also some break-dancers...

And even one of the staff performed!

It was quite a fun afternoon!

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward

Gettin' Crafty: Decorated Clipboards

I had a very productive weekend!  I was busy making thank-you gifts for the teachers I work most closely with.

It has been a tough year for everyone at the school, and I have had many hard days growing accustomed to being a full-time teacher.  I wanted to thank everyone on my team that has given me support this year.  I had seen a picture of cute decorated clipboards online somewhere, so I decided to make some for my colleagues.

Decorated Clipboards DIY

You will need:

• a clipboard (any size, I prefer the wooden ones over plastic)
• foam brushes
• scrapbook paper (try and find two-sided, so you automatically have two coordinating patterns)
• Mod Podge Matte adhesive (found at craft stores)
• pencil
• plain paper
• scissors
• cable ties (optional)
• rounded corner punch (optional)

1.  First, I used a cable tie to secure the clip open, so it was easier to work around the hardware.  Otherwise, you'll have to hold the clip open every time you glue or adjust the paper around the hardware.

2.  Next, used white paper and a pencil to make a template of where the scrapbook paper should fit around the clip hardware.  I'll admit it took a lot of playing around, but I finally got a template that worked (thanks, Dad!).

3.  Use your template to trace the cutout shape onto your scrapbook paper.

4.  Cut out the paper and make sure it fits around the clip hardware.  Trim your paper to the width of your clipboard.  I did not make my paper the whole length of the clipboard... I used a coordinating paper for the bottom.  Cut your coordinating paper to the correct width and length.

5.  To be extra fancy, you can use a rounded corner punch to make the corners match that of the clipboard.  You can also do this by hand if you do not have a corner punch.

After cutting your papers, lay them onto the clipboard exactly the way you want them to look.  Now is the time to do any trimming (before you glue).

6.  Now it is time to glue.  Using the foam brush, apply some Mod Podge to the clipboard.  I started with the bottom coordinating paper, before moving around the clip hardware.  I used an old credit card to smooth out any air bubbles.

(Do not worry about being super neat with the gluing.  The Mod Podge dries clear, and you will end up putting a top coat on.  So if you get a little messy, it's okay!)

7.  Work slowly and carefully.  For around the clip, I first put glue directly on the clipboard, and then laid my paper on top.  I glued small areas at a time, and smoothed out air bubbles as I went.

Occasionally, my paper would not lay nicely against the hardware, so I used a craft knife to trim the paper closer to the clip.

8.  Once you have glued and smoothed your paper, apply a generous layer of Mod Podge to seal the clipboard.  Make sure to get the edges and corners well-glued!

Once your clipboard is completely dry, cut the cable tie (watch your fingers!) and enjoy your new fancy-shmancy clipboard!  You will be the envy of your office place!

What are you doing to say "Thank you" to the people you work with?

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward

Sidewalk Perimeter

We did such a fun perimeter activity yesterday!

We drew different shapes on the sidewalk.

Students had to work with a partner to find the missing side.

They loved being outside and learning at the same time!

What learning activities have you done outside?

Until next time,

-Miss Woodward