Friday, January 29, 2010

100 Days of School

On Thursday, it marked the 100th day of school this year (at least for my kids' school), which got me thinking. I should post about the 100th Day of School. I must say that when I was teaching (3rd grade), I didn't do any activities for the 100th day of school, but the ideas are still out there.
When my daughter was in 1st grade, her teacher assigned the students to make a poster using 100 items. Since Valentine items were in the stores, we decided to use 100 red hot hearts and shape them into the number 100.


Some teachers have their students bring a collection of 100 things to share with the others. The items don't have to be edible, but the ones that are make for a fun snack.
Spelling - Have your students write (20) spelling words 5 times each, to cause them to have 100 words.
Apples 4 the Teacher has a list of some GREAT stories to share with your class on the 100th day of school.
Literacy - Make a class book: If I had $100.00 I would buy___________. Photocopy a $100.00 bill onto the class book page, and have each child write and draw what they would buy.
* See how many times can students write their name in 100 seconds - predict, then actually do it.
* Writing prompt - What happened 100 years ago? What will happen 100 from now?
Math - "Guess which jar has 100 pieces of candy". Have several jars filled with pieces of candy, but only one with 100 pieces. The students get to individually decide which jar has 100 pieces. The student(s) with the right guess, wins the jar (or divides it with the other winners).
* Clip 100 paper clips together. With a partner measure things in the room that are as long, shorter than, and longer than the paper clip chain We use third grade partners to work with the kindergarten students. They measure together. After each measurement the third grader writes the word for the item, the kindergarten student draws a simple picture of it.
* Have the students count to 100 using only tally marks. Have them circle each group of 5 and have them figure out how many groups of 5 it would take to reach 100.
Art - Students draw a picture of how they will look when they are 100 years old. (These are hysterical!) They also write about the picture.
* See the link at the bottom of this post for the printable 100. Have the students either color the number 100 or glue 100 items inside the 100.
Music - *Sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy"

Verse 1:
I can count up to 100,
It's so easy if you try.
I can't believe that since we started school
100 days have gone by.
Now let's all count up to 100
Come on try it once with me
We'll finish up with 99,
And last we'll say 100
Let's start out with 1, 2, 3.
(then count as a group to 100 by 1's)

Verse 2:
I can count up to 100,
It's so easy if you try.
But this time instead of using 1's,
I'll try to count it by 5's.
Counting this way is much faster
So it doesn't take as long.
First say 5 and then say 10,
And end up with 100,
Come on and join in my song.
(count as a group by 5's)

Verse 3:
I can count up to 100,
Now I'll try it once again.
But this time instead of 1's or 5's,
I'll try to count it by 10's.
Counting this way is the fastest,
It is also lots of fun.
First say 10 and then say 20,
End up with 100,
Our song is almost done!
(count to 100 by 10's)

Check out these links for more ideas and printables:
I Can Write 100 Words Form

100 Charts for counting (blank, by 5's, by 10's and filled in)

100 Coloring Page (can glue 100 items inside the 100)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Coloring Pages & Bingo

If you are being hit by the BIG winter storm right now, you might appreciate some of these FREE printable coloring pages. They are all Valentine related, to keep with the upcoming holiday. If would like other coloring pages, google it, and plenty of other options will pop up. I know my kids will enjoy some new indoor activities today!

Coloring Pages from Kaboose. More FREE coloring pages HERE and HERE.

Crayola offers FREE coloring pages and Bingo cards, perfect for any party! Kaboose also offers printable Bingo cards.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Valentine Ideas...FINALLY!

I must say that I wasn't really anticipating taking that long of a break from the blogging world. One of my new year's resolutions is was to not spend as much time on the computer. Yes, I realize how nerdy that sounds, but truly this blogging thing has sucked me in! I am hooked. I find that once I get on the computer to do a post, something else grabs my attention and then the blog hopping begins. Anyone relating here? Anyway, as a result, I feel that I needed to slow it down and focus more on my house, projects on the To-Do list, etc.
Enough about that. On the the good stuff. Now that Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, I will start digging up those files. The cleaning out of my other (aka random) files will have to wait. Here we go...

Valentine's Day Countdown from Things That Eye Love.

Heart shaped cinnamon rolls from Gourmet Mom on the Go

(More great food ideas from Gourmet Mom on the Go found HERE.)

How about this Valentine Chair Backer from Our Scoop? So darling! Visit HERE for the tutorial.


"I Dig You!" from It's All in My Head

also found on Family Fun.


or how about these candy bouquets from One Day When I Have Time.


More ideas to come.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Some Random Ideas

Can you believe it? I have already started to see Valentine ideas floating around the internet and the decorations up in the stores! It seems too soon to be focusing on Valentine's already (especially since my Christmas tree just barely came down), so I will be collecting ideas, but not sharing them for a couple more weeks. For now, I am going to take a break from the holiday posts and share some other ideas I have been hanging on to. My thoughts might be random, but I have to get these things posted...

My kids started back to school today, so the homework is sure to follow! Here is a site with at least 25 ways to practice your spelling words in a fun, new way!

Since it is a new year, this is the time for setting new goals (and hopefully keep them!) If you would like a way to get conversation going around the dinner table, try out these conversation pebbles from I am a craft addict.

I love these pretend checks from 733! These could be used for play time (dress ups, etc.) or as a tool for math homework.

Oh and one more random thought for the day. Check out these weather magnets you could make for your kids (from it's a daisy day). Perfect for preschool/kindergarten age kids who learn about the weather!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

FREE Fonts

I was recently asked a question about the font I used on my blog's header. I know this doesn't pertain to anything school related (other than the fact that your child can now hand in their school papers in a SUPER CUTE FONT!) Anyway...I got my font from kevin and amanda. If you have never been to their site, get ready to spend some serious time there. They have the cutest fonts to choose from and the best part is that they are FREE!! They also explain how to download them to your computer. Happy looking!