Mother's Day Book

How did mother's day sneak up on me?  Oy... 

 I am really lucky. My class is full of amazing mothers and they are also incredibly supportive in terms of volunteering or sending things we need for the classroom. This week, each of my students will make a little book to give to their mom. We will also be making a crafty gift to go with the book, but I have not decided what to make yet. I'm kind of bored with the projects I've done in the past.

Here is my little book, in case you want to check it out in my Tpt store. It's quick and easy to accomplish. (I'll be joining the big teacher appreciation sale on May 7 and May 8 ...so all of my products will be on sale then.)

 
Anyone have any good ideas for a crafty gift for moms or perhaps a pinterest board full of mother's day ideas?  I really need to figure that out...

Hope ya'll are having beautiful weather like we are in Michigan!

Bring on Spring Sale!

I love sales! I think you're supposed to clean in the spring...

but I decided to bring on spring in a different way.

I'm having a sale at my Tpt store!  If you've made purchases from my store in the past, please know that I truly appreciate it.  The money I earn in my Tpt store allows my two teacher family to give the college savings accounts for our children a big boost.  The Gillow family is grateful. Thank you!

Here are some of my best sellers...

Animal Research Book (can be used with any animal)

Informational Text Unit

Short Vowel Centers

Sight Word Stories for Beginning Readers

And here are some spring products 

that might be helpful...

A memory book for your students to complete and take home as a keepsake!

A Mother's Day book that your students can give as a gift 

(or you can use the individual pages).

Spring Math Journal Prompts (I have a fall and a winter set as well.)

My most recent additions...

Animal Research and Mother's Day

I know...they don't really go together. But, they are both on my "list". Oh, how I love lists (well actually I just love crossing things off)!

My students are wrapping up their animal research reports. I'll try to post a picture or two of their final reports later this week. They worked so hard on their reports and are super excited to share them with their families at our end of the year celebration. Yep, I keep their reports and a few other special things to display at our celebration.

Last year, I made a special report form for my students to use for their animal research reports. Here are the steps I use for the research project:

1. book shop for an animal to research
(I gather all of my leveled nonfiction books about specific animals. I also clear out the library shelves. I scatter the books (by animal) on the tables in my room and let my students "book shop" to pick an animal to research. I have a somewhat embarrassing number of leveled books, so the students have lots of choices. Allowing them to book shop for their animal helps to guarantee that we actually have books about their animal.)

2. The children spend several days taking "notes" to use for their reports. They take notes about everything from habitat to appearance.

3. When the notes are complete, they spend several days writing about each of the same topics in their reports.

4. My students "report" to the class about their animal.

5. The animal research reports will be on display for our end of the year celebration (parents, grandparents and school staff members are invited).

This is the animal research report form that I use.  You can find it at my Tpt store and at my Teachers Notebook shop.

Next up, I'm gearin' up to work on a Mother's Day book with my students.  Every year, I promise myself that I will start the Mother's Day stuff earlier (so I don't have to rush).  It doesn't usually happen, but this year I'm sure going to try.

This is the Mother's Day packet that I made to use with my students.   We make it into a book for them to give to their mom to celebrate the special day.  You can find it at my Tpt store and my Teachers Notebook shop.

In between these two projects (and operation destress my life), I've been working on a common core math review pack.  I'll be posting that in the next couple days.  My dentist had the bright idea that I need to "destress" my life.  I personally thought I was hiding my stress pretty well until the left side of my darn face turned numb and swelled up on Friday.  Turns out I've been clenching my teeth so hard at night that my muscles became swollen (which pinched a few nerves)...blah, blah, blah.  So, operation destress it is.  More sleep, more wine, extra bubble baths, no more moving and I'm practicing saying "NO" really loud.  So far the plan is working just fine.

Enjoy your week everyone!

After Mother's Day Writing Freebie

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in blogger land. I have 3 reasons to celebrate Mother's Day. The first one is my own amazing mom, who is also an amazing teacher! The other two reasons are my greatest blessings... Marissa (age 8) and Donavon (age 5).  I am truly blessed to be the proud mom of my little ones.

I usually have my students do a little "after Mother's Day writing" for their morning work the day after Mother's Day. There are two different versions.  You can download both by clicking on the picture below.   I hope you can use them.  Did I tell you that I love comments?

I'm also working on a few different freebies for later this week!  Be sure to check out Teaching Blog Addicts for Freebie Fridays!