Five for Friday: Great News!

Hi lovely readers!  I am so excited for this Five For Friday post with Doodle Bugs Teaching because I am sharing some very exciting news.  So let's get on with it!

Yes, you read that correctly!  The hubs and I are expecting our first baby in early August!  We are so happy and excited for what the future holds.  It's going to be a little hard seeing as we aren't surrounded by our family and friends, but I am happy knowing that I will be able to be at home for baby's first year.  It actually is perfect timing because we are due to move back to the states in July next year, which means we'll be coming home with an almost 1 year old.  Crazy!  Anyway we are thrilled!

While visiting home for the holidays we announced our great news and videoed their reactions!  Here's the link if you'd like to see how are loved ones reacted. :)

Ok, back to education news.  Do you have a student who constantly needs reminding to stay on task or seems to always be seeking attention in a negative way.  If so, here's a strategy I learned from a special education teacher that has worked for a variety of my students in the past.  The picture above is of a behavior visual card.  Basically all you do is cut out 2 different colors of a 3x5 rectangle.  Then glue these together so that each side is a different color.  For example I used red and green.  To use the card discuss how one color (green) means on task and one means off task (red).  Then place the card on the students desk.  If they are on task the card is green if they are off task simply flip the card to red.  No need to call their name out or interrupt your teaching.  Then if they are back on task turn it back to green.  It's a simple strategy that I found very helpful!

Hopefully you remembered to complete your prediction graphs for Groundhog Day!  Here's a simple student graph I'd have the kiddos complete to accompany a class graph answering the question "Do you think the groundhog will see his shadow?" Now to see what happens on Monday...

This week I did some winter cleaning.  Here are 3 bags of clothes ready to donate.  It always feels good to get rid of extra things that are just taking up space.  I plan to do some more deep cleaning in the next few weeks.  

Well that's it for this week.  Now off to the gym I go.  I'm trying to stay motivated to workout even though my body seems to be oh so tired from this growing baby. :)