T (Test stress), G (Giveaway), I ( I Love Blogging), F (Freebie)

 Thank God It's Friday!

                    Can I get an A-men?

T(Test Stress):  This has been a good, but stressful week.  If you're a follower, you know that our state writing test is coming up next week.   Is it okay if we never write again for the rest of the year?  On a bright note, it's time to get the kids pumped up and bribe them to do their very best on the test!  I'm a true believer in relationships being the key to success in the classroom...and what better way to gain a relationship with the children than to give them stuff.  lol  Just sayin'. Each year I always create a funny picture with speech bubbles and then write a "you can do it" message on the back of the picture.  They are always so thankful when they realize that I took the time to write them a personal message.  I have had kids that have siblings who bring the pictures in year after year saying that their sister or brother STILL has the picture up on their mirror or in their room.  I'm pretty sure this is their favorite part of testing! All I do is bring a picture up in Microsoft Publisher, add in speech bubbles and  Voila!  Save it as a picture and send it to the Walgreens 1 Hour Photo.   Here are this year's pictures:

  This picture will be given out the day of the writing prompt.  That pig was the hairiest pig, EVER!  lol  We had a fundraiser for Relay for Life.  All the teachers had jars with their pictures pasted on them. The students brought in money and put it in the jar of the teacher they wanted to see "kiss" a pig.  I COMPLETELY rigged this for the kids in my class.  I encouraged them to put money in my male co-worker's jar and another teacher's at our school.  It worked!  Below is a picture of Mr. Geiger gearing up to kiss the pig.  It was a blast!  

Notice the lipstick in hand.  He was READY!  BTW, that is a hat and wig, not his real hair!  LOL

This picture will be given to them on Tuesday for the multiple choice part of the test.  If you remember from an earlier post, we had Saturday SOL Boot Camp.  Mr. Geiger was the king and did another Beth Estill lesson called, "Subject of My Land."  The kids will get this picture with a different personal message geared towards this test and a 3 Musketeers piece of candy (hence the "3 Musketeers" part added to the picture).   


 


Here are some examples from previous years and other subjects.  Stay tuned in May for our science, math, and reading pics too!  :)

 Thank goodness Converse are back in style.  Our kids love Converse...so what better way to show our support than in our "Good Luck Chucks"!  The kids wear theirs too!  I'm a super corny teacher and we do toe taps instead of high fives.  This was one of our pictures last year.  :)

  I went to a social studies professional development and got to meet Abe and Mary Todd!  :)  My co-worker and I came up with the bubbles and we passed this picture out for our Virginia Studies history test.  Looking back at this picture makes me really thankful I went back on a diet!  :)


G (Giveaway):

Check out the cool giveaway that DillyDabbles and 3AM Teacher have paired up to...well...give away.  I can't wait until I can do my first give away at 100 followers.  I have a "sweet" idea!

I (I love blogging):

Thank you to all of you who have become my followers and take the time to read what I have to say. I have gained so many great ideas from the blogging community, I just hope that I can give everyone that reads my page at least one good idea to implement in their classroom. 

F (FREEBIE)!!!!

Everyone's favorite:  a freebie. In honor of testing, I'm sharing with you one of my rewards I give the kids at the end of the testing day.  All you need to do is print them out, cut them up, and buy some starbursts!  Click here for the FREE startburst sheets.  There are ones for reading, writing, math, social studies, and science.  I took out the "SOL" and just said test on these.  If you are from VA and would like my copies of the ones that say SOL or you'd like my publisher template, please feel free to leave me your email and I'll be happy to send them as attachments. Enjoy!

TGIF!  It's the weekend....party on.