Busy working on next year's topics

Since I found out that I'd be moving into the junior high and teaching science, I've been working on my school website for next year.  I know, crazy.  I figured that I have so much to do before school begins again in 7 weeks.  (Yes, I only get 7 weeks off.  It is the only time all year that I don't like being on a year round schedule.)  I figured that by putting together the science pages, that I would refamiliarizing myself with the science that I haven't seen since...oh, I can't even remember that far back!  So I thought that I would share some really cool things I've found related to space.

Interactive clip I found on Pinterest, that I love!!


Smithsonian also does an amazing job and relates the size to your own surroundings!
Thanks, Science Gal, for this one.  Scale size of small and large!

Teaching all about seasons?  I found this interactive, and a great site that explains common misconceptions.  Score on both of these also.

If you are looking for current event related sites, try Slooh Space Camera or Sky Walk, a blog out of Australia that gives a Southern Hemisphere perspective.

Trying to link it all together?  Try the legends behind the constellations, history of telescopes, or a myth about eclipses in kid friendly language.

If you've got sites that are interactive or kid friendly, let me know so I can add it to my class page!

Holy Dust, Batman!

I've spent the last 2 days going through and cleaning out my classroom.  I don't know how teachers who have been in a room 20 years stand it!  My classroom is normally clean, but I cannot stop sneezing from all the dust I stirred up.  6 years is too long not to go through everything you own and throw stuff away.  One of my helpers (child labor is a right of parenthood I've decided) went through every border and alphabet set I owned and organized them all!  Part way through she said, "Do you think you will need the farm border in junior high?"  Uhhhhhh...no.  Seriously.  I kept that from my days in primary...at least 10 years ago.

I do feel better now.  I lugged home my own personal stuff that I deemed acceptable to keep.  AND found a spot in all the garage cabinets to store all but a couple of tubs. My students are going to come in tomorrow and wonder what the heck happened.  7 days is all we have left, and we have a fun scale project and white wings to build.  Hopefully that will be enough to keep their attention and keep behavior issues to a minimum as I enter a whirlwind summer!

Well, it's official...

The dust is finally settling and the packing has begun.  I just learned this week that I've been hired to teach 7th and 8th grade gifted science next year at the school I wanted!  This is definitely not where I thought I'd be a couple of months ago, but it is something that I've been wanting to do for a couple of years now.  This past fall I became highly qualified in middle school science after having my qualifications for math for the past 5 years.  I've loved being in 6th grade, but really wanted to dedicate my time to one subject (not that 2 subjects is much!)

The interview was nearly an hour, and after I was done I immediately began critiquing myself.  I talk too much, maybe I wasn't serious enough, I've never taught junior high, I've never taught whole class gifted, I've never taught this science curriculum...heck, I'm not sure I would hire me!  Needless to say, I was thrilled to find out that they were willing to take a chance on me.

Now, does anyone know of good gifted blogs??

Appreciation ~Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!

Thanks to all for playing along this teacher appreciation week.  Now it's time for me to appreciate you as a reader and teacher...Random.org picked #7, 9, and 2  as the winners of the gift cards.  Congrats to Sherrie, Shannon and Audrey!!!! Ladies if you will email me (jenalphillips@gmail.com) your gift card preference order 1-3 of if you'd like Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, or Target and your address, I will get those in the mail.  It will be first come first serve! (Now we'll see who really is online late on Mother's Day. :)

Have a great Monday!!

Fun with Flight

Last week, we started to implement a unit to correspond to the ELA Common Core in all subject areas.  Aviation is our theme, so I unearthed a supplemental unit that I used years ago.  I updated it and am in the midst of using it in the classroom.  I've already uploaded it to my stores, but will offer it for free here, in Google docs, until Tuesday afternoon.  It is one of those units that always keeps kids engaged and learning...even in the final weeks of school.  Enjoy!

This link has expired.  If you still would like to get a copy of this fun unit, you can check it out HERE or HERE.

6th Grade CCSS Big Idea Posters for Math

I had taken a break from working on the Math posters since it didn't look like I was teaching math next year, but everything is so up in the air right now that I might still be teaching it.  It's always amazing how other people's movements can effect your own.  I will be glad once the dust actually settles and I know for sure exactly what I will be doing.  I had also put in for a transfer next year to move in to junior high.  I think it's time for a change and I will hopefully know for sure by next Friday.  If I stay, I'm math, if I go I'm science.  Either way I'll be happy. :)

In the meantime, I'll keep working on the 6th grade math common core.  The Big Idea posters are done and FREE to all that might be able to use them.  The other parts (just like I did with the 7th grade) are almost finished.  I'll post those when I'm done as well.  It's been uploaded to both TpT and TN for the taking!

Exhaustion

I think I can, I think I can, I think I need a nap! These last couple of weeks are exhausting.  I'm trying to keep them busy and engaged, but I am fighting an uphill battle and am falling asleep even as I type this...

Hope you all had a marvelous teacher appreciation week.  Two days left to link up...chances right now are pretty good for winning one of my 3 gift card give aways!

This, hands down, was one of the best teacher appreciation weeks I've ever had.  I'm grateful and thankful each and everyday to work with an amazingly supportive community!  The kids started my week off by writing me a song (and performing it!).  I've never had a song written about me before!! , I received summer beach bags, latte gift cards, fruit, an awesome Hawaiian guava cake, a massage, movie tickets, and too many other goodies.

Teacher Appreciation Linky Party!

This weekend has been an awesome kickoff to celebrate teacher appreciation week!  With the sales on TpT and TN and the Jackpot Giveaway and with independent stores providing incentives, I'm not sure it can get much better!

I'm celebrating my 100th post officially with this linky party!  How exciting!  (And, I'm super close to 100 followers.)  I'm also going to provide a little incentive for you to join as well.  Three lucky winners will receive gift cards chosen by random.org!

Here are the rules:

1. Blog about your awesome week.  It could be something that the PTO did for the teachers at your school, businesses in the community, or little Johnny that picked you dandelions on the way to school.

2. Grab a Linky Party button to add to your post.

3. Visit at least the same number of posts as you link.

I can't wait to see how all of you awesome teachers have been appreciated!!

Appreciation Continues...

Tomorrow evening, I will be setting up my first ever linky party, and hope you will join sometime during the week to showcase all the ways you have been appreciated in the classroom.  For those that link up, I will be giving away (my first, yay!!) gift certificates to Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, and Target for you to get a little something for yourself in honor of choosing to dedicate your life to education!!

AND...

Beginning tomorrow, and for the next 2 days, Teachers Pay Teachers are also running appreciation sales!  My store is running a 20% off sale, but using the code TAD12, you can save another 8%!!  What a great deal.  I know I've filled my cart with some interesting items that I know I can use next year, and most sellers will be providing discounts up to 20% off as well!

Teacher Appreciation Week at TN!

Today begins a week long teacher appreciation week over at Teacher's Notebook.  Besides taking 20% of everything at my store, many others are running sales as well!  Pop on over and enter their give away...$100 worth of products every day starting today.  Click HERE or the icon to enter.  Good Luck, happy shopping, and thank you for dedicating your career and life to educating children.