Five for Fraturday

I'm a day late... again. I know, I know. Better late than never though, right? 

Here's a little of what I've been up to lately.

I have taken over the role of Cheer Coach for the older students at my school. It's been a lot of fun, but way more work than I was expecting! The girls on my squad have little to no cheer experience, and we were able to get our stunts up the first shot! 

I was so proud of them! 

I play math games in class a lot. It's an easy and fun way to get the kiddos to practice a skill, and takes little to no prep on my part. My class has a favorite game called Danger Cards. Check back on Monday for a post about how I play this game!

We made 3D models representing a story that we read this year. The students had to work together to construct the beginning, middle, end, and depict the characters - all using images! 

Shhh.. Don't tell the cheerleaders. I made bows for them to wear at the games. 

I am officially on Fall Break! This was so me yesterday. This break is much needed. 

Happy weekend!

Click the image to go back to the linky.

Welcome to... The Bat Cave!

This post is a little bit late... as in a year late. Every October I teach a nonfiction research unit about bats, and I decided to really go all out with it last year!


I've been super inspired to keep my students engaged each year. I had been wanting to transform my classroom based on a theme, but was always so nervous to take the plunge! This was the first time I did anything like this, and based on the feedback I got from my students is something I definitely plan to do again. So... welcome to the bat cave!


Prior to entering the classroom I told my students we were going on a research expedition into a cave to study bats. At first they were like um, okay, but once they entered the cave they were super excited! Within about 7 seconds, one student immediately turns back to me and says "This is so fun".

The pictures are pretty unimpressive because well, the lights are off. What really sold it was the sounds.

I had this playing on repeat for most of the time we were in the bat cave. I projected it on the smart board, but put a screen shade up for 2 reasons: 1. It was already really dark and we needed some light to actually get work done, and 2. I didn't want them to see the background. Update for this year: Create a playlist in YouTube so I don't need to run up to the computer to press play again every few minutes. 

The students were required to read leveled books and create a poster about what they learned from the book. This was part of a jigsaw activity and the books were leveled. They gave short presentations to the class, and after each one we recorded interesting facts in our Bat Scientist Research Journal. The note taking part was mostly teacher directed since in October of 2nd grade the most of students aren't really ready to accurately and independently determine main idea and details from presentations. 

The funny part is that this is exactly what they were going to do, but we did it listening to a quiet clip of bat sounds in the background and with the lights off. Some students brought in flashlights and I had a few set up around the classroom, which is something I will make sure I plan for ahead of time. We needed more light, but I didn't expect to get a ton of flashlights since I send out a Remind message the night before when I realized that we wouldn't be able to see. Update for this year: Give them at more notice about the flashlights!

Check out my resources that go along with this:

This would be appropriate for 2nd - 5th grade. The higher the grade level the less teacher support you provide and allow the students to work more independently. This is a research project, so the forms provided would be appropriate for multiple grade levels. 

This is another research project which includes the following: a paper bag craft, research journal, vocabulary pages, friendly letter writing, and informative paragraphs.

I'm still here!

Oh my goodness.

I am still here.. with plenty of great ideas to share! 

This has been the craziest start to the school year.. like ever. In a nutshell.. I had a sick kitty, a new principal, to set up my classroom again since we got new carpet, started my National Board certification, and I started coaching the middle school cheer squad at school. All that in addition to the craziness that is the start of the school year!

Things are starting to level out, so I'm hoping to have time to sit down and write down all of the amazing things that have been going on in my classroom this year. 

In the upcoming weeks, I plan to share about my new favorite game to play with my students - Danger Cards, all things Bat related in 2nd grade, and some ideas you may be able to use with Google Apps for Education. So.. stay tuned! There are great things in the works!

I just need time to write about them. 

So.. in the meantime..

Go have a pumpkin spice latte for me, and check back here again soon!

Teachers pay Teachers Giveaway

I'm still here! I promise!

This has been a rocky start to the school year to say the least. But it seems like things are starting to level out, and I have a super sweet class, so I'll take it! 

I have tons of things to share.. I just need more hours in the day to write about them! You all know that anyway though. 

Anyways, this post is all about a giveaway for a $75 gift card to Teachers Pay Teachers!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Prize: $75 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway organized by: An Apple for the Teacher, A Plus Kids, Katie Roltgen, The Literacy Garden, Heart 2 Heart Teaching, The Corriganite Nation, Kamp Kindergarten, The Education Diva, Paula's Preschool and Kindergarten, The Chocolate Teacher, MM Bilingual, Reading and Writing Redhead, Teach with Hope, Carrie Lutz (My Classroom Callouts), Samson's Shoppe, Peas In A Pod, Lattes and Lunchrooms, Teaching Biilfizzcend, and Carla Hoff.

Co-hosts: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher),  

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter.  Giveaway ends 9/13/16 and is open worldwide.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog?  Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Last Chance to Win & One Day Sale!

I'm stopping by for a quick post to remind you to run - not walk - to your computer to enter my giveaway to win a $10 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

Enter to win on my Instagram @thecorriganitenation!

The lucky winner will be announced at 6 pm tonight PST - just in time to use the gift card at the BONUS One Day Sale at Teachers Pay Teachers!

Bonus Sale

I'm stopping by for a quick post to let you know that Teachers Pay Teachers is throwing a bonus sale to help make this the #BestYearEver!

My little store will be on sale for 28% off with the code OneDay. Click here to check it out!

TpT Gift Card Giveaway

I am so excited to announce that I am having a giveaway!

Enter to win on my Instagram - @thecorriganitenation

The winner will be announced on Monday 8/22 at 5 p.m. PST. 

Good luck!