Five for Friday & Freebie!!!

I'm linking up with "Doodle Bugs Teaching" this week to share 5 random things about my week! I think October is all teachers' favorite and we've had so many fun things going on...it's going to be difficult to limit this to only 5!!!

We started our week out with this SUPER COOL Science Experiment! I mean really cool! Watch the video and you'll see exactly what I mean! 

I told you!

All you need is a cup full of packing peanuts and Acetone. I would get more than a cup though, because your students will want to do it over and over again!!

We started our pumpkin life cycle project!!!

It's been fun for the kids watching for sprouts each day! This idea and the sign came from "Primary Techie" and you can read all about it on Primary Techie's Blog {here}. You can get her sign {here}. We don't have any sprouts yet, but we just did it on Tuesday. 

Halloween Crafts!!! 

Okay, I'm sneaking two in here!!!

 Cotton Ball Hanging Ghosts!!

 3-Dimensional Pumpkins

These were great for my students' fine motor skills and we discussed and compared the difference between 2-D and 3-D.

We started using my Money Mats this week and my students are amazing me! I have students working on all 3 levels!

Level One

Level Two

Level Three

Check 'em out {here}.

And last....I got my dress for the Educator of the Year Awards tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I love it! It's so me!

I'm super excited AND starting to get VERY nervous!! If you read my Five for Friday post about 3 weeks ago, then you know I was nominated for Educator of the Year and am now in the top 4!!! Tomorrow 1 of the 4 of us will be named!!!! It's been very exhilarating to say the least, and I am so grateful! So wish me luck!!! Maybe next Friday I'll be announcing the news on Five for Friday!!

I'd like to leave you with a popular freebie that you can use next week as you continue your pumpkin studies. You can print it in color or B & W. 

Click on this button for more freebies!

Go to Doodle Bugs Teaching to read more Five for Friday Posts!!!

Thanks for stopping by The Bender Bunch!
Have a great weekend!

FEBRUARY MONDAY MADE IT!

So excited to link up with Tara for Monday Made It again..........especially since it is only once a month now. I am getting so many fabulous ideas and goodies from all of you wonderful bloggers out there! It has truly been very inspiring! I have become obsessed with making things! 

Here are a few of the things I have been making.

First, I made these computer log on cards for my students. With all of our programs, the students log in with their name and their student #. The log on cards I had before were not working so well because the font was too small. They were also very flimsy and printed on regular paper. These are much larger and on laminated card stock. I spaced each number so that the students can follow each number easily when typing it in on the keypad.

1-10 Valentines Count & Match

These are heart die cuts from Carson Dellosa that I just happened to find when going through some of my junk last week. For the dots I used a hole puncher. I had a pic for you of the whole set, but accidentally deleted it........that's typical of me. Me & technology are not the best of friends!




I have one student that cannot seem to master her math facts no matter what I do! So I made these for her nightly homework practice......let's see if this works! Click {here} to grab these!

Magic Money Pictures Center Folders

I love these! What a fun idea from Karla @ "The Connected Teacher." As students count the money in each rectangle, they color in that amount on the mystery sheet to reveal a picture when they're done!
Karla uses them in sheet protectors, but as you can see, I made them into center folders. I used green folders from Office Max and laminated them. Students will color in the mystery picture with a dry erase marker. I have been using these for a couple of weeks and it has really motivated my students to learn money.

Winter Fun Count & Match

This is too cute! And came from Amy @ 3am Creations. She has some wonderful creations! I was able to get it free from Freebie Friday, but it is available at her TpT store for only $2.00. Go {here} to get it. Even though you're getting away from winter themes now, you can get it for next year! Students count the buttons & match to the correct number. Although I did not design these......there was some assembly required. Cut, fold, glue, & laminate to end up with your cute little matching cards. I then put them in coin envelopes like below for my centers. I prefer these over baggies and use them for everything that will fit and they come in many sizes!

A cute Valentine poem to give your students for a "No Homework Day!"

Last, I put together four more math centers!
If you haven't visited www.K-5mathteachingresources.com, you need to! This site is loaded with free hands-on math centers! I just print them on cardstock, laminate them, and place them in a folder with the required manipulatives in a baggie that I staple inside the folder.

Oh, I almost forgot to show you one other thing I made! My "BLOOMIN' BLOGGER SUNDAYS" button.




This is a weekly blog post where every Sunday I post a tip or how-to for new bloggers. Stop by and check it out! 

Well that concludes my Monday Made It. Can't wait to see what everyone else has been making!!