Floating Paperclip

What a fun day!
I wanted a quick and fun activity to do with my magnets lesson today.  Yesterday, I introduced the term magnetic field by having the students feel the force of magnetic poles repelling.  They enjoyed it, but I wasn't confident with their mastery of the term magnetic field.  So, I tried a super easy experiment that the kids loved. 
Take paperclips and tie a piece of yarn to each one. 
Tape the yarn to the desk and give the kids a magnet.

TADA!!!
The quietest bus call all year!  This was all they wanted to do!

It literally took minutes to set up and I plan to leave the clips taped to the desks for the rest of the week.  The kids were fascinated with trying to make the magnet float.  I even told them that they could talk while they worked as long as I heard them using the term magnetic field.  Bonus! They figured out the poles are where the magnet has the greatest pull!  It was awesome!  I am a genius!  I can't wait to see how they perform on their assessment.  :)  Try it!

Teach animal adaptations?

I love to teach the unit on animal adaptations!  The kids love it even more.  Last Thursday, I pulled up this website to see a live shot of two polar bears wrestling in the snow!  Talk about a lesson activator.  You can't always count on such good action, but they have the "Best of" playlist and I'll play it while the kids are writing in their journals.  It has been fantastic!  Let me know how you use this link!  I'd love to hear of other ways!    

Polar Bear Tundra Buggy Explore.org

What am I doing?!?

Three weeks ago I got this idea to start a teacher's blog.  So I did.  I look back at what I posted and I'm wondering what I was thinking.  I thought I could just open an account, type a little and TADA!!!!!  Hmmm.... guess it doesn't work that way!  Kuddos to all my fellow teacher bloggers for the hours of work it takes to figure out what you are doing!  I don't live with regrets, so I'm not erasing those crazy first few posts, but I will certainly laugh at my mistakes!  Thanks to Teaching Blog Addict for ALL thier helpful advice. 

I can't believe how many teaching blogs are out there!  I feel like I've discovered a hidden world, and I'm totally addicted.  Reading other blogs gives me such inspiration.  I'm excited to build my followers and to share some of the teaching practices that I have!  SO excited to be a part of this teacher community!

FREEBIE!!

Teachers work way to hard!  Check out my blog to get your FREEBIE from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

This week, I've been thinking about multiplication and division.  Some of my kids have it down while others think it is Greek!  I whipped up this little poster to keep up with who is ready for something harder.  I plan to have one for division and one for multiplication.

Hope it helps as you work on your mid year assessments after this wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Click here for my store:  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tab-Purvis

Mr. Popper's Penguins!

For all of you who are teaching the new Common Core ELA this year....may God give you some rest this week for Thanksgiving!!

I've posted my Mr. Popper's Penguins Complete Teaching Unit to my Teachers Pay Teachers site.  Check it out if you need a break or you feel like you are a first year teacher all over again!

It is aligned to the 3rd grade Common Core and the kids will love the chaotic adventures of Mr. Popper and his acting crew!

Tab Purvis at Teachers Pay Teachers

:)  Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!!

They know.

Wake up to baby puke on the floor.  It's not going to be a good day.

I believe in leaving that personal business at the door when I enter the classroom, but I guess I either had a bit of an edge in my step or not the same smile on my face.  By 9:00, one of my sweet girls handed me this and then walked away. . .

Priceless!  Brightened my day!  Who wouldn't want a letter like this?