Five for Fri/Saturday :)

I'm linking up (even though it's a day late) with Doodle Bugs Teaching for

I can't believe the week that a lot of us in the south have had!  We were out for three days in a row for the Ice-pocalypse...otherwise known as PAX that swept through our little town.  We even made national news for the destruction that took place.  I'm sitting here on the sofa and for the third day in a row, I can hear chainsaws in the background.  Luckily for me, we have had power for all except one day. Many of my friends still are without power.



This is a before and after picture of the most famous road in my city:

I just drove down there a few hours ago and things are beginning to look a little better.

Then....to top things off....last night we had an EARTHQUAKE!  What?

I'm ready for things to return to "normal" soon.
During some of this extra time off, I've picked up the book Word Nerds by Brenda Overturf, Leslie Montgomery and Margot Smith.
I first heard about this book from my friend, Tara from 4th Grade Frolics.  Check out her post {here} to read all about it.

How can this work for me when I teach math?  It's perfect!  There are so many activities that can be applied to learning content-rich vocabulary.

Don't worry...I've also spent some time watching plenty of movies during these "snow days".

I watched The Butler three times!  It's THAT good.

Finally, I had a chance to finish my next Math Menu: Measurement file!

My students started this menu last week and should finish next week...but it looks like I will have to extend it for a bit due to our three days off last week.


My students have been completing their math menus during their "Math Facts" rotation during Math Workshop.  They also work on these activities when they are finished with tests and need something to do while others are still working.

And, just as I have done in the past, I'm giving you a chance to Pin It to Win It :)
Just leave me a comment with the URL link to your pin below. You may pin to this blog post or directly to Teachers Pay Teachers at the link {here}.  I'll pick 5 winners on Wednesday night!

Have you linked up this week with Doodle Bugs Teaching?

***Update***

Congratulations to the winners!

I've emailed you!  If you didn't receive an email, please email me at funinroom4b@gmail.com.  Thanks for pinning!

If you didn't win and would still like to pick it up for the discount, I'll leave it marked at $2 for the rest of the week.  Thanks again for pinning!

Music in Math

Over the last few years, I've been incorporating music during my math class.  Just this week, we started our measurement unit and I was reminded of why I continue to use music to teach math. 

Why?

Think about it this way...have you ever gotten a song so stuck in your head that I wish you hadn't heard that particular song on the way to school in the morning?  I know that I have.  Usually it is one that drives me a little crazy throughout the day.  And the more I think about it, the harder that song is to shake from my brain.

Why?

Jingles anyone?  Yes, advertisers know that the power of music will sell products.  A lot.  

And the power of music will help concepts stick.

This week, we started customary capacity.  

Last year, I found this song on YouTube.  And it sticks. 


This is from the YouTube channel: TheMathPartyProgram.  I love the name :)

Because math should be a party.

And in my room, some days...it is :)

How do you incorporate music into your day?

100 Days of Fun in Room 4B

And how do we celebrate?
On the fly....
Here's why.  You see, we had a little bit of this:
and a few delays and early releases and then, well.....I forgot that it was sneaking up on the 100th day of school.

So, what do I do?  Google to the rescue of course.  I Google'd (is that how you would spell that?  I'd think there wouldn't be an apostrophe.  So, maybe Googled...but spell check doesn't like that.)  So, I'll stay with I Google'd "100th Day activities for 4th graders" and guess what popped up?

Some funness (yes, another made-up word.  I tend to do that.  You know that by now.) by my good friends over at
Collaboration Cuties

Check it out!
100 Days of School Math Fun with Pattern Blocks
So, I got to work pulling out my pattern blocks.  Look at the cuteness that transpired. 

Since we were heavy into fractions and decimals at the time, we calculated the fraction of each pattern block (each color).

100th Day Fun and completely tied to my standards.

Total Win!

What did you do on the 100th Day of School?

Currently...It's Already February?

How can it be?  Another month has come and gone and we got to experience a little of this:
A snow day!  We haven't had one of those in 4 years.  It was such a fun day since we don't have them very often.  My son was actually quoted in our local paper as saying, "I like that we can have a good time in it (the snow) and enjoy each other."  How cute?

I'm linking up with Farley February's Currently.  I love these posts.

Here goes:


Listening~That's OK...I'm blogging.
Loving~My latest Stitch Fix.  Have you heard of this fun yet?  Check out a few pictures from the reveal last night.  We had some friends over for the Big Game and the girls had fun opening my Stitch Fix box.  I think I'm keeping EVERYTHING this time.  My stylist got it right :)
I look a little over-excited, don't I?
Loved this shirt :)

Still overly excited....Totally wore that one to school today :)  In all, I got 2 dresses, 2 shirts and a cute necklace that I'm giving to my girl.  Keeping everything and only spending $120.  Not bad :)
Thinking~I will be out Wednesday (1/2 a day)- Friday of next week to attend a conference in Myrtle Beach and I need to get all of my little ducks in a row....
Wanting~Like a box full.  Now.
Needing~Well.
Two Truths and a Fib:
The fib is that I traveled to France last summer.  My daughter did.
My brother has been to Hawaii twice for the Ironman competition. And...here's a picture of me and Dave Chapelle:

How about you?  What have you been up to lately?
Have you linked up with Farley yet?