Mall Scavenger Hunt!

     This week my daughter turned 13! I can't believe how fast time flies. It feels like yesterday she was just a little bundle I held in my arms. She wanted to have a mall scavenger hunt for her birthday. I really had no idea what she meant until she started to explain what a photo/video scavenger hunt is--technology! I of course began to look online for a scavenger hunt already prepared--couldn't find one that fit my needs. So we made our own. Many of the ideas I took from peoples answers or other scavenger hunts found on the web and many are our own. I am posting my list and instructions so others can print and use.

     She invited 13 good friends. All the girls were dropped off at our house at 4:00. I had three adults on hand to drive the girls to the mall (me, my sister, and my husband). Once we arrived at the mall my sister and I divided the girls into two groups (my husband left with my son for the movies--will return for pick up). One group had six girls the other had seven. Instructions were read and the hunt began. They were given one hour to complete the hunt and we picked a return spot. They were instructed that if they were 5 minutes late their team would be disqualified. My sister followed one group and I the other. I didn't want them out on their own (wanted to also make sure they were respectful). We just hung around in the background.
      The hunt was so much fun. The girls had a great time. They took it very seriously and completed almost all of the tasks. The videos were hilarious! Both groups made it back on time. One group completed 29 tasks and the other 30. I gave both teams prizes. The team that won a bigger prize. Instead of buying them goodie bags or a favor--I gave them cash! They were so excited!! They could now go buy something in the mall. I gave them an additional hour to shop on their own. My sister and I waited in the food court. An hour later they returned wearing new earrings, rings, bracelets (Claire's), they were thrilled. My husband returned for pick up and we went back to our house for pizza and the pool. 

I would definitely do a mall scavenger hunt again! The girls loved it!

Hi, I just joined this awesome blog hop. Click the link to join too! Have a great day! Christine :)

Currently June

Hi Everyone!

I just joined the Currently Linky Party from the blog Oh Boy 4th Grade.

Listening:  I love Pandora.  I plug my phone into my stereo and blast away.  Right now I am listening to one of my favorites the Carrie Underwood Station.  I have been listening to a lot of  country music lately.  I really like the Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Band Perry, and a whole bunch of other country artists.

Loving:  Only 5 more days of school!!  Our last day is June 21st!

Thinking:  I want to do so many things this summer.  I started making a list and if I can complete the top five, I will be happy.  Number one on my list is to clean out and organize my basement.

Wanting:  I still want the construction upstairs in my house to be completed.  Floors and painting almost done!  Next, bathroom and finishing touches,  We are almost there!

Needing:  I need a hand massage so bad.  Everyday I paint and paint upstairs.  My hand is cramped and I can hardly move it in the morning.  I don't know how painters do it!!

3 Vacation Essentials:  1. Sunblock!  I burn so easily.  2.  A good book!  Still trying to find one--any suggestions?  3.  Nice weather!  I hope all this rain and wind comes to an end real soon.  

If you want to join the party, click on the link below.

Have a fantastic June everyone!!!!

What Will You Do Differently?

Well the year is almost over and after reflecting on this past year, there are definitely some things I would like to do differently next year.

I just started preparing my student's supply list for next year.  I really want each student to have their own supplies stored in our math classroom.  I am going to ask each student to create their own math toolbox.  Each toolbox will hold thin markers, colored pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, ruler, pencils, sharpener, eraser, and a sharpie.

These toolboxes will be stored in our classroom and available for daily use.  Students will grab their box on the way into class and use their tools during interactive notes, graphing, modeling, stations, and any other time we need them.  I am going to ask each student to purchase one of these supply boxes.  Each student will be given their own personalized labels to attach to the sides and top so they can easily spot their toolbox as they walk into class.

I have not changed my bulletin board paper or borders for at least five years.  I know its terrible, but the fade-less paper never fades!  It still looked good all these years, but now there are just too many holes and its time for a new color.  My room will be painted over the summer--needs it bad.  Then I will choose the color.  I also want to replace my borders (they did fade).  I love the way some people have been layering their borders.  I am going to try this!  

Click on picture if you would like to visit the fantastic blog the picture came from.

I love Pinterest!!!!!!  So many amazing creative ideas!  If only I could use them all!!

I want to implement at least three ideas next year.  I think I can handle three.

Here are some I would love to create.  

Click on the pictures if you would like to visit the fantastic blog this idea and picture came from.

Love this idea from the host of this linky party.

No need to buy new student erasers--so clever!

I love the traffic light exit card

Great Birthday Chart

Exit Cards

I would love to be this organized!

What will you do differently next year?  

Click on the link below to link up and share.

Relief Effort for Moore Oklahoma 

My heart goes out to all of the community members of Moore Oklahoma. As a fellow teacher I would like to help with the relief effort.  I have donated some of my products for the special relief bundle being provided by Teachers Notebook.  100% of the money raised from this bundle will go to the relief efforts to aide the victims.  Please consider donating an item or purchasing this bundle. 

Stay strong Oklahoma!

Currently May

Hi Everyone!

I just joined the Currently Linky Party from the blog Oh Boy 4th Grade.

Listening:  The quiet!  

Loving:  My new classroom layout.  I moved my desk from the back of my room to the front, pushed my student's tables together to form groups of 6 and created some extra space.  My students love it too!

Thinking:  About shopping at Kohl's tonight online.  I have only one day left to use my 30% off coupon.  My son needs new sneakers and I could use some new flips.

Wanting:  I want the construction upstairs in my house to be completed.  Drywall and Spackle completed today!!  Next painting, floors, molding, carpet, doors, etc.    Soon!

Needing:  I need a day off badly!  The past few weeks have been crazy busy! 

Bucket List:  1. This summer I plan on spending time at the lake with my kids, my sister and her kids, and my brother.  I love the lake!!  One of my favorite sounds are the loons at night--wish I was listening to them now.  2.  I plan on spending a lot of time at the beach this summer building sand castles and collecting shells.  3.  A long time ago I played golf with my husband a lot, but since children almost impossible.  I want to fit in at least 3 rounds with hubby this summer.  :)

If you want to join the party, click on the link below.

Have a fantastic May everyone!!!!

Scientific Calculators

     This has been a year for the record books!  Common Core, new state assessments, APPR, Professional Binders, Hurricane Sandy, and Scientific Calculators.  I teach 6th grade and for the first time in New York 6th graders will be allowed to use a scientific calculator on the state assessments.  They are only allowed to use them for Book Two and Three.  Until now, my students used just a plain old four function calculator sometimes during class and never on tests or state assessments.  My reaction to this news--not good! I didn't know how I was going to find the time to teach my students how to use this new calculator.
     My school district ordered the same scientific calculators the 7th and 8th graders use, the Texas Instruments TI 30X.  They were delivered to my room mid December and honestly they sat in the box for a few weeks.  When I finally unpacked them and gave them to my students, they were so excited!  I explained to my students, that I was not really sure how to use this specific calculator so we would all learn together.  They loved the fact that I didn't know how to use this calculator and decided they would teach me!
     The very next day students came into class ready to teach me.  They were ready to show me all they learned from the internet, brothers, sisters, and friends.  So one at a time they began to show me all the fabulous things this new calculator could do.  They had so much information it was overwhelming.  We decided to devote a short amount of class time on Tuesdays to learn how to use the calculator slowly.  We named this special time TI Tip Tuesday.

     On TI Tip Tuesday the students are in charge.  Students who have a tip explain to the class how the function works, demonstrate what buttons to press, and then we all practice.  They have so many fantastic tips.  I created a special Ti Tip Tuesday recording worksheet so we can write down the tips for reference.  My students keep their reference sheets in the back of their binder. I also display a large picture of the calculator during this time on the Activboard.  Students use this to point out which buttons to press.  

We all look forward to this special time each week.  I plan on continuing TI Tip Tuesday next year too.

    Scientific Calculators = Motivated Students

If you are using the same calculator and would like a copy of the worksheet click the link below to download.  File is editable so you could change the picture of the calculator to the one you are using.  Also included in the file is a TI Tip Thursday worksheet just in case we choose that day next year.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Scientific-Calculators-TI-Tip-Tuesday