Five for Friday

Alright guys, I am beat tonight, so this might be the quickest Five for Friday post ever.  Great week, but definitely need to rest up on the weekends.

1. Magnets, Magnets, Magnets
This week, we did several magnet activities.  At the end of next week, I'm going to do an ENTIRE blog post about what we did for two weeks.  I have used our science book a little, but I've mostly done experiments, projects, and crafts.  The kids have had a blast and I have to say, growing up I hated science, but doing it with lots of hands on activities has made it so much fun.  Here is how I introduced magnets.  I dropped little, round magnets in the bottom of two gloves.  Then, I made a wand by taping a huge magnet to a ruler and wrapping it with construction paper. After that, I made a top hat out of my Cinco de Mayo hat and some construction paper.   This is what happens when you decide a nap is more important than shopping on Sunday.  My kiddos came back from lunch and I told them I had two magic tricks to show them.  I had one of my kids dump paper clips in a hat and I told them that I could pick up the paperclips with the tip of my finger.  Then, I told them that I could stick my wand in my hat and pull out a bunny... oops on my part!  I forgot that we didn't have a bunny die cut, so I ended up pulling out snowflakes in September.  After the tricks, I asked them how they thought I did it and I showed them.  It turned out great and the kids were hooked ALL week.

2. Magnets Freebie
Yep, I wasn't kidding when I said I REALLY taught magnets.  I thought since I was teaching magnets, it would be fun to write about them.  How often can you mix writing and science?  Plus, we've had two or three really in-depth writing projects, so I wanted something a little easier for this week.  Click on any of the pictures to go grab my freebie.

3. Two New Tech Things
Have you heard of a Rockstar or Level It Books?  Well, these are both things that I have started using recently that majorly help with reading, specifically with keeping up with Daily 5.  A Rockstar is a little gadget that you can plug into your iPad or a CD player and then up to five kids can plug in so they can listen to a book on CD or listen to a book on Nook Kids.  It is very easy to use.  My kiddos have mastered grabbing it and plugging in.

My second thing is actually an app for your iPhone, iPod, or iPad.  It allows you to scan the bar code on a book and it gives you all the info you need about the book such as the Lexile number and the DRA level.  Oh, and it even has a way to keep up with what your kids are reading.

4. Coolest Pencil Sharpener
Alright, I have been reading blogs for months and seeing where everyone is talking about this amazing pencil sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies.  Well, lucky me got picked to review the pencil sharpener that all the teachers have been raving about.  I have to tell you, I was pretty excited!  Oh, and everything I write is my opinion.

The sharpener came in the mail yesterday.  I got the bright red one so it would match my farm theme.  I took it out of the box and snapped the pieces in place.  There weren't instructions with it, but I didn't have a problem figuring out where to put the handle.  It took me a second to figure out how to sharpen my pencil because I didn't realize you have to pull out the metal piece on the front by gripping the two black pieces and squeezing them together.  Once I figure it out, it was easy as pie.  I think the thing I love the most is if my kids use it, they won't be able to stick other objects into it.  Since the metal front pulls out and it has the teeth that only open when you squeeze the black pieces, it would be almost impossible.

Anyway, I'm in love with it, but I also wanted to see how my kids would handle it.  Guys, it was hilarious!  All I did is sat it on my table and every kid and adult that walked in the room wanted to know about it.  I told the kids that I was going to watch to see who would get to test it first.  I'm not kidding, one of my kids literally was perfect just so he could test the sharpener.  Here are the pictures of how he did with it.  I think he sharpened a dozen pencils.  I showed him how to do it once and then he ran with it.  I asked what he thought and he came up with the last picture :)  He said he would give it two thumbs up!  I have to agree.  It is pretty awesome!  I'm seriously thinking about getting them for my teammates as Christmas gifts or beginning of year gifts next year.  Shh!  We need to keep that on the DL :)

5. Back to School Dance
We had our annual dance today for our third through fifth graders.  I have to say, I know it is a lot of work, but I am so thankful that my principal takes the time to do things like this for our kids.  She is pretty incredible!  Thanks to her listening to our fifth graders a few years ago, we started doing dances twice a year.  They have become a huge hit!  Oh, and to top it off, they do a mini Back to School Dance for the little people (Pre-K through 2).  Their dance is before dismissal.  The little guys love it and I have to say, it is fun to see all of our administrators jump in and lead the dancing.  I'm not sure if your principal and assistant principals do that, but mine do which is part of why my school is AMAZING!

Alright, I am out!  Hope you have an incredible weekend!