Monday Made It and a Freebie!

Happy Monday ya'll!  I've linked up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for my first Monday Made It!  I've been so busy creating, throwing away, re-creating, and finessing my latest Pinterest project for the Monday Made It Linky Party.  I pinned a book suggestion tree idea on Pinterest at the beginning of the summer and couldn't figure out how I wanted to put my spin on it for the classroom UNTIL the middle of last week.  You can view the original idea here.  I simply loved the idea, but it wasn't going to fit my Dr. Suess/Technology themed classroom.  I also couldn't find a fake stick to spray paint.  The sticks I found in my yard were just too brittle to use.  I did try and even bought yellow spray paint to spray on the stick.  Mid spray painting, I imagined some of my future kiddos making poor choices and snapping the limbs off the tree!  If this happened I would have to start all over..."Aint NOBODY got time for that!!" (shout out to Sweet Brown...from Oklahoma like I am).  

Extremely frustrated and wanting to use the idea, I stumbled across yet another fabulous pin you can read about here.  I LOVE the QR code twist.  I was also inspired  by this pin you can check out here for the Truffula Tress. So, after several weeks of brainstorming as well as trial and error I bring to the table my latest classroom project!

Book Suggestion Truffula Tree

Close up of what is written on chalk trim

The chalk says, "Take a Look!  We suggest these books!"

QR code Book Trailer Example

I'm loving my book suggestion tree that incorporates both themes so seamlessly!  Thanks so much to the listed bloggers for the inspiration to create something new and fun for my classroom.  If you would like to see how to quickly make voice QR codes for anything, check out this awesome resource here.  I made tons of these signs and taped them to craft sticks.  There will be a basket set up at the table with the extra signs, tape, and wet erase markers for student use.  Students will write with wet erase markers the book title, author, and reviewer.  They will then create a book suggestion voice QR code with our iPads and classroom computers.  If you would like a copy of the sign template you can get yours here

If you're interested in creating something similar for you classroom you will need the following materials:

1.  Large ceramic pot
2.  8 sheets of tissue paper
3.  Floral wire
4.  Easter grass or some other filler
5.  Floral foam block to put trunk of tree in
6.  Acrylic Paint
7.  Chalk Board paint
8.  Paint brush
9.  Scissors
10.  Yellow duct tape
11.  Pipe insulator (98 cents each at Lowes-this is just a small piece of it)
12.  Chalk
13.  Hot glue
14.  Printer if choosing to use the printable and colored cardstock
15.  Lamination (if wanting to laminate)
16.  Craft sticks
17.  Packing Tape (clear)

That's enough for now!  Thanks so much for checking out my newest completed project.    Have a fantastic week!

I'm Back with a QR code Fraction Review Freebie-Common Core NF.6 and NF.7!

Hello Everyone!

I'm back with another freebie.  I took the past week off to enjoy our spring break with friends and family.  We didn't do much...just shop, play, and run a 10K!  The 10K was my first ever 10K race and we had so much fun in Charleston, SC.  I'm now continuing my training to run a half marathon at the beginning of summer.  Running has been a much needed way to take a break from the classroom and mommy/wife duties.  If you don't run, I highly recommend you trying it out...you may surprise yourself!

This is after the race while we enjoyed some Starbucks.  I'm the one on the far left. :)

Anyway, on with the freebie-After our last benchmark testing I was a little frustrated with the areas my children weren't as successful as I thought they could be.  My frustration was the inspiration for these short review practice problems using QR codes.  Like I've mentioned in previous posts, my kids LOVE the QR codes!  It's like they crave them!  You can get the QR code slips here for your children to practice.  The directions are on the slips and it's a super quick way to assess who is understanding what.  If you don't have an "i device" but would still like the practice problems you can grab the actual sheets here:  NF6 Sheet, NF7 Sheet, Combination Sheet  The QR slips will take you to the same document, but it's more interactive for the children if they can write on the picture to solve math problems. 

Screen shot of the QR code slips-Three different versions for differentiation or multiple center use.

Screen shot of the recording practice sheet the QR code will take students to.

I would love any suggestions on other ways you have students review math concepts.  I'm new to the testing grades and appreciate any and all suggestions.  Have a fantastic week! 


~Amanda :)))

Metric Conversion QR Task Cards Freebie-Common Core 5MD.1

Happy Monday!  I've linked up for another Math Monday Linky Party.  Check out the awesome resources that keep getting posted each week.  My creation for the week is task cards with self checking QR codes to review and practice metric conversions.  They were inspired by http://hunterteachingtales.blogspot.com/2013/03/maniac-monday-converting-customary.html.  I was so inspired after reading the post, I woke up super early the following day to create some metric conversion QR codes.  I tried to make them pretty, but ran short on time.  None the less, my kiddos had so much fun practicing measurement.  I look forward to many more QR code adventures. :)  You can grab your freebie here.  Please let me know what you think and consider joining this blog family.  Have a great week! :) 
~Amanda