Wrapping Up Another Great Year!

Today is my last Sunday before summertime! I can't believe how quickly this year has gone and, as usual, I am so sad to see this class go. The year we have together is always such an adventure, it's like saying goodbye to family by the time May hits :(

Truth!

Since we're out on Thursday for the year, I wanted to share a wonderful activity I have done in the past and a new one I will be doing this year.

Smile File

I guest blogged about this last year, but wanted to revisit it this year as well as give you an updated cover for the 2012-2013 school year.

Each student uses the freebie sheet to make their own folder by folding it back and stapling it down the sides. They fill their name in on the line and then grab 1/4 sheets of paper (I use many different colors to make it fun), grabbing as many sheets as there are kids in class.

Depending on the age of your students (I have done this in 3rd and in 5th), you will need to allot a nice chunk of time and may need to break this down into smaller chunks, depending on their stamina. I usually do this with some nice, relaxing music in the background and encourage them to take the time they need so that each student gets a great note.

Everyone will then write a sentence or two (a compliment, a memory, why it was nice having them in class) to each person in the class and sign their name. They will then slip the paper into the student’s Smile File and repeat the process around the room.

Helpful Teacher Tips: Before we begin, I make a chart about some nice notes we could write and leave that posted for those students who may have trouble thinking of specifics for each student. I will also write my Smile Files for each student in advance and put them in the envelopes lickety-split so I can hang out near my kiddos who need a bit more support with writing.

After the students are all done, you can choose to have them read them in class, or to save them for when they get home-- it's such a special and simple way to celebrate your classroom community and end the year in a bucket filling way :)

To get this year's updated freebie, head over to Google Docs HERE and enjoy!

Flip-Flap Keepsake Books

One new activity I can't wait to try out this year is Anna's (from Simply Skilled in Second) Flip-Flap Keepsake Books:

I stocked up on several of her Flip-Flap Books during the Teacher Appreciation Sale and can't wait to try this one out (this set also comes with a First Day of Third Grade version-- woo hoo!!)! It is such a fun way to reflect on the year and the finished product looks incredible! Be sure to check my Instagram for how these come along this week :)

What are you doing to wrap up the end of the year? Can you believe it's almost done?!

Teacher Appreciation *Giveaway*

I hope that you have felt very appreciated this week! I am teaming up with some of my friends to show some more love!

Teacher Appreciation Sales @ TpT & TN!

Don't you just LOVE Teacher Appreciation Week? I especially love that it comes near the end of the year, when the to-do lists are out of control! If you're feeling the crunch and need a pick-me-up, I have good news.....

Graphic courtesy of Zip-a-dee-doo-dah Designs

Wordle Alternative: Tagxedo

Have you all seen the word clouds that you can use for at least 10,000 different crafts, projects, and more? Most of them come from Wordle, which is a super-easy site that produces great results.

Recently, I have discovered an alternative that I {love}! Tagxedo!

Currently: May

Last month of school! Woot woot!

I'm linking up with Farley for her fabulous Currently for this month:

Today's Quote + Stephen Covey Quote Freebies

I am a *BIG* fan of quotes- I think that is one of my most favorite Pinterest topics right after Education & Fashion. Anytime during the day when I am feeling stressed, I hop on the Quotes page and read through a few to get re-centered.... they are wonderful :)

I began noticing a few weeks back that my lovely thirdsters were starting to get early summer fever. We subsequently got over a foot of snow (blah!), but I introduced my most favorite quote to them at that time and they seemed to love it almost as much as I did. It's from Stephen Covey, of 7 Habits fame, and is just sosososo powerful:

Updated Animal Research Reports + Wilderness Walk

We study Colorado Animals every year and it is so much fun for kids to delve deeper into the animals we see in our area.

Five for Friday: April 26th

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching again to share highlights (and lo-lights) from my week :)

A Peek at My Week: April 22-26th

I'm linking up again with Deedee at Mrs. Wills Kindergarten to share my visual plans for this week!

Revising: Writing Stronger Introductions & Conclusions + Freebies

I wanted to share some of the revising strategies we worked on earlier as a class to make writing pieces even stronger.

Students have used our ARMS Anchor Chart to work on the middles of their stories-- changing old, dead words to more descriptive, sensory words and taking out or moving parts that don't fit-- but now we're on to how we can make our introductions and conclusions the best they can be.