Shadow Puppet.

Have you heard of the app called Shadow Puppet? I started using it in my classroom a few weeks ago and my little ones are going crazy for it. They use it during math and reading centers. Here are a few examples of our some work done by our class.
It is super simple to use. First students take pictures of what ever they are going to report on. Then they go to the Shadow Puppet app. They start a new project. Then they clip the photos they want to use in the order they want to use them. Next they add fonts and music--if they choose to. Then they record their information and save it. Its that simple. People I tell you my kiddos are in love! They find all kinds of ways to use it. Try it and let me know what you think.

Pumpkins

This week our class had a pumpkin invasion. We learned all about the pumpkin life cycle and how to make different pumpkin products.

We started the week with a pumpkin experiment. We poured potting soil inside one of the pumpkins to see if we could get the seeds to grow.  The kiddos were super excited to see this in action. Everyday they come in to check for growth.

Next we decided to turn one of the pumpkins into a book character. When asked which one the whole class said Fly Guy. Are your students obsessed with these books as much as mine are. I love it. 

Last we made pumpkin muffins. We have several different allergies in our classroom so we made two batches. The ones that look like pumpkin pie on top are gluten and nutmeg free. The other is made with mayo (because I forgot the eggs) First we cut the top off the pumpkin and took all the seeds out. We then asked the cafeteria workers to roast it for us. After it was roasted and cooled we pureed it. We then used the puree to make the muffins. They were pretty good. The students loved making such a great snack from scratch.

How was your week?

Fall Opinion Writing

This week we have been learning about fact and opinion. Since my little ones know how much I love fall I thought I would bring it into our writing. I used this cute little activity from  from Wild about Firsties! You can find it here. The students and I brainstormed all the cool things about fall.

Next we took our brainstorm charts back to our desk and started our rough draft.

We then shared our opinion with our friends. Our friends also helped us peer edit our paper. 

Then it was time for our final product. We made these cute little acorns. We had a fun day in Writing. How did your writing go today?

Spider Blends

It's that time a year again when we like all things creepy and crawly. My class is no exception. We had fun today doing a little spider "l" blends. I found this cute product called Word Family Spiders (you can find it here)

First, we broke up into table groups. Each table group was given an "l" blend. They had to brain store together to come up with eight words for their blend.

Next, we checked our spelling and made sure each member of the group had the same words all
spelled correctly.

Last, we made the adorable spiders.

How was your day?

Fall Is In The Air

Fall is my favorite time of year. The time changes and pumpkin coffee is everywhere.  

I live in Floirda so I only get to pretend that its cool enough for the fireplace. (don't judge me...lol)

And The Candy Corn!!! I love the Stuff! Have you seen all the new items with it in it????

So what's a teacher to do???? I know come up with fun activities so we just have to try them in our classroom. Be on the look out for ideas to come to you. Or go to my Facebook page and share your ideas.

And So It Starts

Well I have put it off long enough. I finally had to join the rest of my fellow teachers and head back to my classroom or I should say portable. I finally went there yesterday and started unpacking. I spent the better part of the day there. I am totally overwhelmed. Boxes every where. Here are a few pictures of my day. I went from a regular classroom to a portable this year. I am really nervous about being out there with 18 First Graders. The little people might try to take over....lol I am not ready for summer to end.

Slowly my new room is coming together.  Stay tuned for the finished product. 

Back To School Sale!

Welcome To The Sunshine State Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sunshine State! Enjoy yourself as you take a tour around our wonderful {and large!} state! Grab some freebies along the way, and be sure to enter to win our Bundles of Sunshine!

Hi Yall!

My name is Dana and I am a Florida Blogger. I am so delighted that you have stopped by my blog to get to know me. Grab a glass of sweet tea--the wine of the south, sit back relax and enjoy.



 I am a First Grade teacher, technology geek, blogger, wife and mother. I am one of those strange delightful individuals that gets giddy slightly happy when new teaching supplies come out. I love the smell of lamination and I stock explore the internet for great ideas. So sit back relax and let me tell you about my neck of the woods (sorry its a southern thing).



I live in the delightful little town of Wesley Chapel, Florida. I have lived in the area or around this area my entire life. Wesley Chapel is located in Central Florida. Its about 20 min outside of Tampa.  I love this area because I have all the comforts just minutes away from my home or in some cases just an hour away. I am about an hour from Walt Disney or the Beach!

This weekend, we have freebies for you to enjoy! Stop by each of our blogs for an activity or idea to use in your classroom. To grab my freebie just click the image below!

The Florida teachers below have two fantastic giveaways for you! You can enter once from each one of our pages. All you have to do is follow my blog! Hop around to all the blogs listed below, and be sure to follow them to get more entries. The more entries you have, the more likely you are to win! Each pack also includes a Starbucks gift card (because, well, a teacher's gotta have a coffee!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Come find out more about the beautiful state of Florida by reading about these other sweet teachers!

Ummmmm.....

Okay I admit it. I am not as computer literate as I would like to be. It has been my goal this summer to redo my blog on my own. I am still determined to do it--it just might not happen this summer as I planned. Being by the pool and reading has won out over school related items this summer. Let's just face it sometimes you just need a break from all things school and well this summer was it for me. I have enjoyed not worrying about anything.

Fast forward to now--I have 3 weeks to go of my precious summer and I am determined to enjoy every last millisecond that I can. I have created a few items but not what I had planned. Today I decide that I am okay with it all. Last school year I allowed myself to get stressed out about the job way more then in years before. My mental health really took a beating. Well not any more. This year I have a new attitude to go along with my new grade level. I am going to just go with it.

So my plans for August:
To post one new product each week.
To make one blog post each week.
To not sweat the small stuff.
To NOT WORK ON THE WEEKENDS on anything school related.

I will let you know how it goes.

Monday Made It!

This week I am teaming up with 4th Grade Frolics for her Monday Made It. I have wanted to participate for the last couple of summers but just never found the time. This year however I chose not to teach camp or summer school and that opened up my schedule. So here it is.
I keep seeing this cute little apple containers on Pintrest. I love them and thought they would make cute gifts for my team during per-planning. So I made 7 of them.
I purchased the clay pots at Home Depot and painted them Candy Apple red. I then used air dry clay to make the steam and leaf. I hope my team enjoys them as much as I enjoyed making them.

 

Monday Made It

St. Leo Summer Technology Institute

Over the last week I have enjoyed attending a technology institute at Saint Leo University (which I graduated from--thank you very much). I have learned so much about the iPad and apps my head is ready to explode. The presenters were fabulous (all professors with St. Leo). Dr. Ryan was assigned to facilitate our group. She is a professor in the Gainesville branch of St. Leo. She was awesome. She always had words of encouragement or funny stories to share. If I lived closer to Gainesville I would take one of her classes.
Here is a picture of her explaining QR codes to us. I am so excited about this. I plan to start making them for my TPT units.

Dr. Ryan showing us how to use QR codes in the classroom. 

A QR code I made for my blog.

We also practiced with an app called Coach My Video or CMV. Here Marty (my husband) and Kate (our friend) practice throwing the paper airplane. We had to record at least 2 tries and then mark up the video to tell what was happening. 

We also meet some fabulous people from Apple. They came and told us the ins and outs of the iPad. I also learned about a new product that will not be released until later in the summer. Let me just tell you it is wonderful. I ordered mine before the presentation was over. Head over to my Facebook Page to find out how you can to.

We also have to conduct an action research project. I plan to do mine on digital storytelling. Make sure you check here often to see my progress. 

Here is my plan so far.

Action Research Project

That was my week in a nutshell. Check back next week to find out all the cool stuff I learn about math.

It's Summer Time!

WOW! So excited that summer time is finally here. This school year was difficult for me both professional and personally. I have had to reflect on my teaching and how I handle different situations. I am not proud to say that at times I fell short. I am not perfect and I am human. With that being said--I am as the kids would say "Letting It Go" moving on!

This coming school year I will be moving up to First Grade! I am excited about this move. I will loop with part of my class. This makes me happy because I will continue to see the growth they have made and will make. I had a great group of kids this year!

With that being said--I will be blog stalking browsing many first grade blogs.

On my bucket list this summer:
1. learn to create blog templates, buttons, etc.
2. Read up on how to implement more technology into my classroom.
3. Spend time with my friends.
4. Start my daughters t-shirt quilt
5. Make at least one new TPT product each week.
6. Participate in the Monday Made It Series.