It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Crazy Time!

Christmas is always so hectic. Sometimes, I feel like throwing my hands up and saying "Ok, do whatever you want." Wait. That sounds a lot like what I actually did on Friday! My team had a crazy day. First, the spelling bee took an hour longer than expected. Then, our math teacher's son got sick at daycare and she had to bolt outta here to go be a mommy. With no time to get a sub. EEEK! So, the three other teachers (myself included) decided to watch a movie for the rest of the day. The kids loved it (duh) - and yet I still didn't get anything done in the 2 1/2 hours I had left in the day. How does that happen!!!???

Well, anyway - I wanted to share a couple of things. I finally got motivated and revamped my Light Unit.

I use the Carolina Biological kit for some of my experiments - but some of those lessons in that unit plan are SO advanced, I don't even understand them. I still use a lot of the lessons that are already made, but I needed something extra, something more to make it my own. So I created a vocabulary activity pack to help reinforce key ideas and terms that students learn about throughout this unit. I made some Interactive Diagrams - activities that have students completing a diagram that's started on the sheets. This helps to show me that they truly understand the concepts. I have them do these after we have learned about (and practiced with through labs) a particular concept.

I am also reviewing concepts every single day, so that they don't forget them. We do lots of little quizzes and exit/entrance slips seem to really be helping, too. These concepts are crazy - so the more I drill them in to their heads, the better off I think we'll be. 

I have to admit that this is my least favorite thing to teach because the concepts are so difficult. But I really feel like this packet is helping.  Click here to check it out on TpT. 

I love Christmastime. It's times like these that I long for a self-contained room. I see so many cute activities and fun things going on and I just get sad. :(   I know I could probably cook up some Christmas/Winter-themed science experiments, but I am already pushing it trying to get this light unit wrapped up by next Thursday, so trying to add something else that has nothing to do with light just isn't feasible for my schedule. 

Well, it's a good thing I have a kid - because I can put these creative things to use at home! I designed my own Christmas card this year and am hoping to actually get them in the mail BEFORE Christmas....We'll see if that happens. I also found a cute, cute little footprint tree. We are going to go to the paint-it-yourself store and paint a little footprint tree plate for Santa's cookies. Speaking of Santa....I also helped Mr. Claus design some letter head this year. I'm super excited for Santa to come visit us and leave a little something for my sweey itty-bitty (who won't even know what's going on...so really, is this more fore me?! Yep!!) She's been a super-duper good girl, so I know he is going to leave lots of goodies for Olivia...and Mr. Brown if he plays his cards right! 

I hope everyone is enjoying their month of Christmas!! I hope to have more goodies {and even a few freebies} before the end of the month. 

P.S. I'm linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics to show off my Monday Made It!! :)