The 100th Day is Coming! The 100th Day is coming!

Hello Everyone!
We are 6 days away from one of our most exciting days...The 100th day of school!! We take that day very seriously! And why not??  To young kiddos, 100 is kind of magical.  We have been counting every day since the first day of school in August. We have some fun things planned for next week, and I know I've shared a lot of what we do already, but I wanted to quickly share my updated unit.  It includes poetry, word work, tons of math, fun activities and a new book idea.  100 Snowmen by Jen Arena has become my new fav. for the 100th day.  It's all about snowmen and math, but the illustrations are a hoot!  I can't wait to share it with my kiddos!! My 100th Day Unit includes some activities to go along with 100 Snowmen.  Here's a sampling from the updated version!!

For your own printable 60 page unit for the 100th day, simply click HERE!! :)

On another note, my thoughts and prayers go out to all those in the northeast who are having to deal with the crazy blizzards recently! WOW!! I am praying all are safe and are staying warm.  Keep looking up, friends!!!

Thanks for taking a minute to stop by and peek through our little window!! Till next time,

Keep the Joy in your teaching!!

Nancy 

Hooray for the 100th Day!

Hello Everyone!
Our awesome week was capped off by our 100th day celebration!!  Hooray for the 100th day!! We always celebrate in a big way, all day!  From morning work to math tubs to poetry to balloon launch, we are all about that century mark.  Here are a few pics from our day!

Writing the letters in our name 100 times!

math talk

room moms made a cute sign with a photo op!

Colorful 800 balloon launch. We are tracking locations where our balloons are found. Last year We had one found in the Bahamas! All the way from Texas??? WOW!

I was honored to release an orange, yellow and purple balloon. Orange for the grade level, a yellow for a sweet little first grader, and purple for a sweet second grader who are watching from above. My little angels!

A sweet ending to our fun day!

How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop??? :)
The world may never know!!

For your own little lollipop lick printable, don't lick...click here!!


For a complete 100th day unit, click here!!

Hope you enjoyed your peek into our day! Stay tuned for more wonder!!
Joyfully!
Nancy

100th Day Balloon Launch Honored with Visit By Congressman

Hello Everyone,

What a wonderful 100th day of school we had last week.  Along with all the fun counting, sorting, organizing, celebrating, designing, etc, etc, etc, we ended the day with our annual balloon launch. Each student (yes, the entire school!)  receives a balloon to launch, with each grade level represented by a different color. The balloons have an identification tag so whoever finds them can contact the school.  It's a wonderful geography/weather lesson for the rest of the year! Our first graders were able to launch some colorful orange balloons. I had the honor of launching an additional yellow and purple in remembrance of two sweet former students who will always be a part of my heart. (I love you, Angela and Carson!)  We were also honored with a visit from our US Congressman, Sam Johnson, a decorated war hero and distinguished statesman

 Sam Johnson, ranks among the few Members of Congress to fight in combat. During his 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Representative Johnson flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He endured nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Hanoi, including 42 months in solitary confinement. Following his distinguished military career, Sam established a home-building business in North Dallas from scratch and served in the Texas State legislature. Because of his background, our sweet Congressman has a special place in his heart for veterans.  Every year our school students make Valentines for Veterans, and he comes to pick them up to deliver to the VA hospitals in the area. It so happened that he came on our balloon launch day!  It made the day even more special.  One of my favorite days of the entire school year!  We can't wait to see how far our balloons travel this year!    

I am honored to release two other special balloons in memory of some sweet students who will always be a part of my heart!

Thank you, Sam Johnson for your service and dedication to our country!

Delivery of our Valentines for Veterans!!

Such a colorful sky full of love!

Have a great rest of the weekend!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

Hip Hip Hooray! It's the 100th day!

Hello Everyone!
The 100th day of school is quickly approaching!! First graders have been counting every day from the first day of school!  The number 100 is a very exciting number for our little friends!  There are so many activities you can do to celebrate 100.  If you haven't figured it out yet, I love to focus on one piece of literature or idea and design lessons around them that include our learning objectives for the week.  I have had a lot of fun putting together this unit which includes activities for inferencing, interpreting text, poetry, written expression, questioning, conceptual categories, adverbs, comparing and ordering numbers and place value, as well as some fun activities.  Here are a few pics from the unit.

for your copy of my 100th day unit, click here!! Hip Hip Hooray!


Our wonderful school will culminate the 100th day with a balloon release. Attached to the balloons are info cards so that anyone who finds a balloon can contact the school.  A great geography, weather, and communication project!!
Here are a couple pics from last year! Simply beautiful!!

Just a quick side note.  I received an e-mail the other day implying that I share too much, and that I should limit the "freebies" that I offer. WOW! Can someone share too much?  I promise that it is not my intent to infringe on those trying to sell products.  I truly don't even think my units compare to those that are for sale on various sites. (I find tons of typos on my stuff-ugh!- so unprofessional)  I truly enjoy creating lessons and sharing with those who are looking for another way to teach certain concepts. From the beginning of time teachers have shared with each other for the good of their students.  Should that change? What are the limits? Are there "rules" for sharing? Help!!  If I have offended anyone with my offerings, please accept my apologies! 
On the other hand, I have also received countless comments and e-mail messages of thanks from teachers, homeschoolers, parents, and even college professors who appreciate this blog and my work, and use what I offer as springboards for their own endeavors. YAY!!  That is exactly how I measure what I want to share.  
I am not sure which outweighs the other.  Please let me know via the comment section below, or e-mail (nancyvb1@gmail.com) what you are feeling.  My heart is sad for those who are suffering because of my sharing, but also rejoicing for those who can benefit. What to do????!!!
Sorry, this was a little more than a "quick side note!" 

Anyway, have a joyful weekend!!
Nancy
   

100th day of school

Hello Everyone!
Can you believe it?  We just celebrated the 100th day of our 2011-2012 school year!!  On this day every year I am reminded of all the things I want to do with my VIKs still.  Better get moving!!!
But first lets take time out to truly celebrate this milestone in the year.  Kids were greeted in the morning by a reminder that they were 100 day smarter. You should have seen their eyes as they went through the door! :)
We enjoyed making some 100 day glasses with out third grade book buddies. Cute!! Cute!!
After many other fun classroom activities, it was finally time for our annual schoolwide balloon launch.  Each kiddo at our school is given a balloon with each grade level disignated a certain color of the rainbow! The balloons have tag with our school info.   We all meet outside and as we countdown to 0, we release a beautiful display of color!  This year the temps were chilly and the wind was strong.  We could tell the balloons were going to go far!
After a week, we have already had balloons found in Arkansas and Missouri!  Can't wait to see if anyone finds any of our wonderful orange balloons!!  Happy 100th day everyone!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek into our wonder-filled world!! Check back again soon!
Joyfully,
Nancy