Freaky Friday Week 4- Winter Flip Books!

Time sure flies when you're having fun....

It's hard to believe tomorrow is the FINAL week of Freaky Friday for 2017!

We're all hoping you found lots of great deals each week and will be ghoulishly happy with what we have to offer this week!

If you are new to 'Freaky Friday' here is how it works!

40+ Teacher Authors have teamed up to bring you a dollar deal each Friday in October.

The deal is good for ONE DAY ONLY, so you'll want to set a reminder not to miss out tomorrow!

To find all the deals simply:

1. Click this image:

It will bring you directly the the list of deals being offered on Teachers Pay Teachers!

2. Use the linky at the bottom of this post to find the participating stores.  You can click the first image in the linky to find ALL THE DEALS for the week or click each individual seller's picture to find what they are discounting for the day!

Some sellers are using the hashtag:

#freakyfridaypegs

on Instagram to link their products, but you won't find them all this way.

So what will you find from me this week?

I polled my Facebook followers to see if they wanted a winter version of the flip books I had posted during Week 1 of Freaky Friday or a Thanksgiving resource....

And the winner is...

Winter Flip Books!

There are 13 flip books in this set for the following winter themes:

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years, winter, winter foods, winter clothes, winter sports, Martin Luther King Jr., polar animals, groundhog's day and Valentine's Day!

(If you need any flip books for President's Day they can be found HERE)

This pack of 13 flip books is normally priced at $4.75, but on Friday October 27th you can grab them for just $1!

These flip books are NO PREP, but have the benefit of a 4-page reader!

They help review sight words and build reading fluency and confidence in our youngest readers!

If you happened to grab the Fall set on Friday October 6th, you know all about these books and how they work, but if you missed it, this video will take you through the process:

But if you don't have time to watch the video, here is a pictorial version you can scroll through:

First decide which of the flip books you want your students to to create and simply print and copy:

Then have your students color the pictures:

Then they cut out the pictures by following the dotted lines:

Students stack the pictures in the order they want them (or the order you specify):

The pages are stapled in the box area (you can teach them how to use mini-staplers for more independence!)

To read the book, they simply flip each image up!

OPTIONAL- they can add another picture and label it in the box:

And/or add another sentence to the back:

***I also have my students use the back to writer their names since there isn't a space on the front to do so.***

Use them in centers, for guided reading/small group instruction, reading buddies, independent reading and more!  When we learn about 'pattern books' in Readers Workshop, we use these a lot and keep them in our reading baggies so we can practice how to identify patterns!

***************BUT WAIT!!!*****************

I feel really bad for all the people that voted for a Thanksgiving resource....so I am selecting my super popular Thankful Mat and discounting it 25% off on Friday too!

Normally $3, you can grab it for $2.25 on Friday!

This is updated each year and makes a great keepsake for families!

We add a turkey hand print to the back and laminate them so the kids can use it as their place mat on Thanksgiving and share all the things they are thankful for with their families on the holiday!

Are you ready to find all the deals for the FINAL week of Freaky Friday?

An InLinkz Link-up

We sure hope you have enjoyed the weekly dollar deals this October!

This group has decided this is an annual event we will host, so please be sure to be on the lookout again next October when Freaky Friday returns for it's 5th year!

Until next post,

Add Some 'Bubbly' To Your Valentine's Day!

Looking to add some 'bubbly' to your Valentine's Day this year?!

Aren't we all!!!

But here is an idea your students are sure to L-O-V-E you for!

It's time to make candy hearts DANCE!!!

In an effort to find some science activities that also fit my 'themes' I stumbled upon some ideas on Pinterest but needed to give them a test run before bringing them into my classroom.

Lucky for me, I have two 'love bugs' who love testing out school things for me!

Dancing Hearts Experiment

You will need:

glass jar/cup/mug/container

1 cup water 

1/2 T. baking soda

2-3 conversation hearts

1/4 c. vinegar

spoon

There is an 'alternate' way we tried too:

glass jar/cup/mug/container

1 cup seltzer water

2-3 conversation hearts

spoon

I also put some red paper up so that we could really see the candy in the mug.

Are you ready to try it out?!

To make it 'academic' I created a recording sheet.

I folded it three ways so that he couldn't 'look ahead!'

First he had to check if he had all his materials.

Then he had to draw/write about what he thought was going to happen.

(This is the PreK/K version of the recording sheet.)

Time to get the experiment ready!

Measure out 1 cup of water (it was straight from the tap- not hot or cold.. 'just right!')

Add the 1/2 T. of baking soda to the water and stir it with the spoon.

Add the water/baking soda mix to the glass jar/cup/mug/container.

Choose 2 conversation heart candies and add them to the water/baking soda mix solution.

Now comes the FUN!!!

Add the 1/4c vinegar to the solution!  

It will bubble up and become 'foggy' but then as the 'fog lifts' you will see a great deal of bubbles...and many that 'hug' the candies!

Watch closely as the bubbles make the candies 'dance!'

Can't picture it?

Check out our videos of it here:

You will notice I use the spoon- if the candies become 'stuck' to the bottom of the cup, just give them a little nudge with either your finger or a spoon.

Here is another trial.

 I chose blue again since it has 'danced' so well in the first one and again the blue danced to its heart's content!

[Please ignore the little voice at the end...he was getting upset that Mommy sent him out of the room to make the video in silence and wanted to get back to playing and experimenting!!]

So now it was time to go to the bottom third of our recording sheet and note our observations!

Here is a close-up of the recording sheet and 'take home' directions:

So what is the 'science' behind the experiment?

The candies are 'lifted' by the bubbles created by the baking soda/vinegar interaction.  Some bubbles pop, causing the candy to 'fall' but then others 'catch' it and push it back up.  If it makes it to the top the bubbles pop once they hit the 'air' and then the candy falls back down until it is 'caught' by more bubbles!

We also tried out the 'easier' version using seltzer water.  It wasn't as 'exciting,' so I would suggest you go with the baking soda/vinegar solution if doing it with your students.

As you can see from this video, they didn't 'dance' much (and I even tried the blue again!):

But our 'experiments' did not end there!
My son was grabbing random things like sugar and salt to see what happened when he poured them in!  You and your students could spend a whole week on all the different possibilities and comparing/contrasting them and the results of each!

I have put the recording sheets, directions, take-home cards, comparison worksheets and more together in this pack:

The recording sheets are differentiated- allowing you to choose what works best for your students and their ability levels!

I hope your Valentine's Day celebrations are LOVE-ly and your day is full of 'bubbly' fun and a LOVE of learning!

Until next post,

Valentine Lip Balm Tag

We love to show our teachers and daycare providers they are appreciated, so each holiday I try to find a little something to brighten their days!

This Valentine's Day my boys will be giving their teachers this:

The front has some fun Burt's Bees lip balm and the back valentine York Peppermint Patties!

These are SUPER SIMPLE to make and not that expensive! 

(the lip balm was $3.29 each and candies on sale 2/$7)

First print and cut the tags:

Then sort-of fold them in half to make a slit for the balm to slip into:

Slide the package of Burt's Bees (or any brand) lip balm into the slit and secure with a piece of tape:

If you happen to find the tubes without the cardboard box, you can just tape it to the card or tie with ribbon like I did with these two years ago:

(I couldn't re-use these tags because the cardboard version didn't fit- if you prefer these tags you can find them on this post!)

On the back I bagged 3 valentine York Peppermint Patties in a snack size baggie:

and stapled the frog topper to it and the lip balm card:

In no time I had all 9 ready:

and then I had the boys sign them:

I had 2 versions:

"I" for them to give to their own teachers and 'We' for our daycare providers!

You can find the tag for the lip balm and candies HERE and if you prefer the other tag, it can be found on THIS POST or by going HERE to download!

Speaking of a SWEET Valentine Surprise....

Consider visiting The Primary Pack to win a $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card!

Visit the blog from February 7th to February 13th to enter to win!

Winner will be announced on February 14th!

And you can find February resources (both FREE and PAID) here

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy crafting and until next post,

Valentine Gift Tag

I know February isn't even here yet, but I found these fun eye pointers (rings) in Michael's right after Christmas (as in RIGHT next to the 70% off Christmas goodies!) and decided they would make the perfect non-candy Valentine treat for my kindergarteners:

 

Seeing that I am STUCK inside today due to the blizzard we are being hit with, it was a perfect time to get them all prepped and ready so that I can cross one thing off my never-ending 'to-do' list!

I love to play on words, so I made up some cute tags.  I wasn't sure which size would work best for the plastic eyes, so I tried out 2 and guess what...they BOTH work!

I did a set with a pink border and one with a blue border because I wasn't so sure the boys would be keen on receiving a pink paper!

I wrote my name on the tags... 

and then attached the pointers/rings! 

I tried both taping them and putting dots of glue.  Both work great but the glue took some time to dry, so if you are in a rush, go with tape!

Here they are! 

We have been using these Scholastic Science Readers in class and they are perfect at each level and for a class of differentiated learners!

So I ordered a set (20 books is $20- you get 5 of each level) and will tape the card with pointer/ring to each book and put it into their Valentine bags! 

I actually bought enough of these pointers so that I can send one home and they can use them in class during Valentine's week!

I will let them choose a pointer... 

and then use it for guided reading, independent reading and Readers Workshop that week! 

If you can't find these 'Valentine-colored' eyes, Michaels also has a generic set you can use!

Grab the tags for FREE HERE!

Last year I made scratch-offs for my kids for Valentine's Day to use for a center in class and for part of their gifts:

You can read all about it HERE and grab the cards for FREE too!

Wishing you a 'love'-ly Valentine's Day...and for those stuck inside battling the blizzard...stay warm!

Until next post,

Let's Get Scratching! Valentine Writing Fun & More!

On a recent Pinterest stroll I came across a fun idea....

making your own scratch off tickets!

The particular pin was for a business, but it got my wheels turning....

Who doesn't LOVE a scratch off?!!!!

Next week, as we prepare for Valentine's Day, I know my students will be filled with excitement...it is also the week before our Mid-Winter Recess break...and it also has 'Friday the 13th' in it!  Not to mention the forecast of another snowstorm PLUS over a month of indoor recess!!!  I am going to need a lot of captivating fun to keep them 'grounded!!!'

I got to thinking how I could use these 'scratch offs' for a writing 'treat' on Friday and got right to work making some 'toad'-ally cute cards and 'recording sheet!'

The only 'ingredients' needed are:

cards with a space for the scratching- check!

packing tape- check!

dish soap- check!

silver metallic paint...nope!

I was thinking it was going to have to wait until the weekend when I could get to the craft store, but decided to try our local 'small town' hardware store!

At first I could not find it on my own, but asked the very kind gentlemen and he directed me right to it!

JACKPOT!!

This particular one was Rustoleum American Accents Craft & Hobby Enamel (Fast Drying Latex)

(the original pin said you could use any metalic paint- acrylic included)

He clearly did not understand my excitement- and when I shared with him what it was for he couldn't believe it!  He even asked me to bring him one when they were done!

So how do you go about making your own scratch-off?!

First print out your cards.  You can have prizes, words, letters, numbers, etc!  The possibilities of how to use these in centers is really endless!

Next is to place a piece of packing tape over the area to be scratched.  

After I got all of my cards covered in just the right spots I realized I could have just laminated them!  It would have been faster AND it would have made the cards re-useable for next year!

Lesson learned!

Next you mix up your 'solution!'

It is 2 parts paint to 1 part dish soap.  

I didn't measure exact- I eyed it!

Mix them together good.  I chose to use a 'big brush' so that it would 'bunch' on the brush and cover it better.

Paint the area you want covered.  Put it on pretty thick- even dab it a bit if it is 'spreading' as you paint.

Let it dry.

If the area is still 'see through' you can do another coat.  I found mine had covered well enough and didn't need the second coat!

Cut the cards apart and they are ready for scratching!

Simply use a coin- scratch it (slide maybe) just like you would a regular Lotto ticket!

And your word, letter, number, message, prize, etc will be revealed!

So how am I using these scratch offs for 'educational' purposes?!

The kids are going to each get a card.   They will scratch to reveal a sight word we have learned, write the word and then use the word in a sentence!

Because I know they are going to want to take it home to show their family, I have a spot for them to glue their card to the paper!

I also made a set to put in their Valentine gift pack:

It has the scratch off for a prize, Smencil and Smarties candies!

It really did not take long to do- I promise!!!

It is something your students are sure to L-O-V-E!!!!

And just think of all the other ways you can use them...

*classroom incentives

*reading log incentives

*parent teacher/conference night 'raffle'- one winner gets a small gift card for attending!

*word work centers

*matching games (scratch a letter/CVC word and match to the picture that starts with it/is the word)

AND SO MUCH MORE!!!!

I am definitely going to be making a 'lucky set' for St. Patrick's Day!!!

Want to give it a try?

Here are the word cards, recording sheet and gift tags to download for FREE!

I even included a copy of the gift topper if you can use it!

It's my Valentine gift to you!

I would love to hear about how your students L-O-V-E-D the scratch offs!!!

Until next post,