Turkey or Ham - Persuasive Writing, Good News, and Giveaway Reminder

This week, in preparation for Thanksgiving, students practiced writing persuasive pieces from a turkey or pigs point of view.  Students selected one, and then tried to convince their audience to eat the other.  These came out really cute so we displayed them in the hallway!

Sorry for the glare.  I'm hoping to get a better digital camera for Christmas.  Any suggestions?  I'm pretty clueless when it comes to photography but my goal over Christmas break is to learn a little about picture taking.  Blog posts are very visual.  The first thing I notice when I visit someone's blog are their pictures.  I want to improve on my photography skills so that I can provide you with the best blog posts possible. 

Want to snag my Turkey or Ham Persuasive Writing pack for free?  Just be one of the first 3 people to comment and tell me what you are doing next week (in regards to Thanksgiving) with your class!

Now...on to some good news!  Today was a day of celebration!  I found out my scores for National Board Certification and .......

I PASSED!!!!

I am now a National Board Certified Teacher!  I am absolutely elated.  I spent most of last school year ( and the summer before ) teaching, analyzing, writing, video taping, reflecting, and revising in preparation for this.  I worked my little tail off.  Thankfully, my hard work paid off.  Jeff (my husband) bought me some flowers as a congratulations!

 If your considering National Board Certification I can tell you first hand that it was the best professional development that I've ever had.  I truly think the process strengthened my teaching and I am a better teacher because of it.  I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have about the process.

Lastly...don't forget about my giveaway!  Check out my previous post to enter before it's too late!

November Monday Made It

This past weekend I have been running around like a turkey with her head cut off trying to get all my Monday Made It's post ready in time for Monday.

To start off with, I made some more dice shakers to use during the start of our multiplication unit this week.

I found these adorable turkey and scarecrow containers at Michaels on sale in the clearance area.  Funny how Thanksgiving items are on sale right along with the Halloween stuff.  I shouldn't complain.  I swiped them up and got a steal of a deal.

I filled them up with water, plopped two shinny dice in each one, screwed the cover back on and then went around the cover with glue so that they will stay closed tight.

 Students will start using these little dice shakers this week during our math center rotation.  I created a turkey themed multiplication unit to supplement our curriculum.  It includes worksheets, games, and centers for multiplication properties and problems from 0 x 0 all the way to 12 x 12.  Check it out here at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

I also created a book review tree.  The theme?  We are Thankful for Good Books.  I got the idea for a book review tree on pinterest from Lessons with Laughter.

I plan on displaying this in my classroom this week.  Students will take a leaf, write the title and author of their favorite book on one side, and why they are recommending it on the other.  They will then hang the leaves off the tree.

I made the tree with branches from Target.  I would have grabbed a branch from our backyard but it has been raining for a week and  I wanted something dry.  I placed it in a pot I found at Micheals, buried the wires and battery box under some pebbles, and ta da...this is how it came out.

Best part is....it lights up!  Sparkle sparkle!

I also created some Turkey on a Stick writing prompts.  I plan to have my students use these during writing centers or for when they finish their writing early.

 I found the cute little pail in the dollar section at Target.  Target has all their fall stuff on clearance for 70% off right now.  So, the pail only cost $0.30.

I have the templates for my Thankful for Good Books tree and Turkey on a Stick Prompts inside my Thanksgiving Writing Prompts pack.  Also included are letter writing, stationary, and story element dice.  Check it out here at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Want a copy of my Turkey Time Multiplication or Thanksgiving Writing Prompts?  The first 3 people to comment will get a copy of their choice for FREE.  Just tell me which one you want and how you will use it in your classroom!  For everyone else, both products will be 20% off at my Teachers Pay Teachers store until the end of today (Monday, November 5th).  Pop on over now!

 Want to see more Monday Made Its?  What are you waiting for?  Head on over to Tara's blog for Monday Made it!