Manic Monday

What a difference a day makes! Today I felt like a chicken with it's head cut off running around since we were out Friday due to weather. I've got to take a quick moment to brag on the minis. I'm not sure if it was the extended weekend, our elf, or the beginning of the week but they were angels today. My fingers are crossed they repeat this behavior again tomorrow. It was so silent most of the day you could have heard a pin drop. We had  TON of work to do today; the minis were so cooperative.

This morning Clara Cupcake was caught sleeping on the job! She decided to make herself a comfy bed with a tissue box. We're having so much fun with our elf visitor each day. Today Clara C. had a special job for us.

This was the note I read to students this morning. Instead of keeping all the Christmas cheer for ourselves, we made Christmas cards for our fourth grade buddies. 

We're working on writing and reading numbers up to 999 in math. I had some place value work mats I inherited from the previous teacher in my classroom. Each student had a due they rolled three times; once for the hundreds, once for tens, and the final roll for ones. They had to draw a model for their number plus write it in standard and expanded form. I'm going to use another version of this activity in learning stations later this week. Students were working in their groups, but it was completely silent! I was so impressed with their hard work they earned a compliment towards sweet treats. 

We also completed our gingerbread glyphs in math. I love a good glyph activity because each student is able to showcase what's special about them.

When we were finished we put our gingerbread men out in the hall around our bulletin board.

Our current science unit is all about air and weather. We created this anchor chart together to help us remember how to read celsius temperature. I'm not happy with the black line I drew straight through the mercury but this turned into a teachable moment. Even teachers make mistakes. I'll probably go back tomorrow and fix this.

Dorky teacher moment: As I'm blogging my heart out Blogger spell check keeps saying celsius is spelled incorrectly. I instantly panic and have to Goggle it 3 times before I'm sure it's correct.

I'm one tired teacher tonight. I see early bedtime in my future, zzzz. I can't wait to show you what Clara C. is up to next. Stay turned and stay warm!

Elf Linky Fun

The time has finally arrived to share all the Elf in the Classroom goodness! Seusstastic is hosting this linky party, and I must say I'm in AWE of all the fabulous ideas I've seen so far. 

This is my first year to participate, and I've been blogging daily about our class elf Clara Cupcake. We didn't have school Friday due to bad weather so ClaraC. has only had four days of classroom antics so far.

I've linked every elf post for you below to find out what Clara C has gotten herself into. I figured linking would be much easier than being redundant and reblogging everything I've already done. (Not to mention I get ADD when blogging and it takes me forever)

Feeding the class pet

Peek-a-Boo

Zip Lining

Classroom Arrival

I can't wait to read about other classroom elves and get more fabulous ideas! 

Brrr!

After three days of pleasant weather, North Texas has been hit with an ARCTIC blast! I'm settled in for the night watching The Sound of Music live. This southern girl was not made for cold weather!

I thought this Ecard was perfect for tonight. I don't plan on leaving my house until it's necessary!

Clara Cupcake was nice enough to feed our class guinea pig Ricky Bobby while we were away. 

Ricky Bobby is a bit suspicious of new friends...

I guess the weather will depend on where we find Clara Cupake tomorrow. Part of me wants a bad weather day, and part of me wants school tomorrow since we still need to make it through January and February. 

Peek-a-Boo

Clara Cupcake brought us a new tree topper today! It's so fun watching minis in the morning come in and look around the room. I can't for the minis to see what awaits for tomorrow! 

A short and sweet post tonight; I seem to be out of words which is rare. I'm guessing this has to do with waking up at 2 this morning and not falling back asleep again until 5:30. Time to catch up on some much needed z's.

December Currently

I love a good linky party! I'm particpating in my first December Currently from Oh'Boy 4th Grade.

Listening- Sometimes peace and quiet is the best listening around!

Loving- Tonight I found some great finds in the Dollar Spot at Target and a tree topper for the class tree

Thinking- I'd like to wear a dress tomorrow, however if I don't lay out my clothes tonight there'll be a mad dash tomorrow morning.

Wanting- I'm long overdue for a manicure and pedicure. I try to do this monthly because I'm girly and I like nice nails. 

Needing- I should be doing the getting ready bedtime routine but I'm too busy blog stalking plus I randomly found Laverne and Shirley on TV.

Favorite Tradition- There are so many traditions it's hard to list just one. I love pajama day at school. Of course viewing lights and watching Christmas movies are on my list. My absolute favorite would be Christmas Eve service at church. Everything is so beautiful when the lights are turned down and everyone holds a lit candle. 

Zip Lining Elf Style

Clara Cupcake is turning out to be an adventurous elf! She decided to  make her own candy cane zip line!

Thankfully she didn't fall down during the day! It was funny to hear the reactions from students as they arrived this morning. Clara C. also left a note for us to read this morning. 

Grab a copy of this amazing freebie for yourself from TPT. I can't wait for the minis to see what Clara has been up to tomorrow! 

A Very Cupcake Christmas

I love love LOVE December! I love Christmas, all the traditions that make it special, parties,

and of course the yummy food! December can be a hectic month especially in a school, but I love every moment of it;there's just something always magical and special about this time of year. I admit to even spoiling my minis during this time. I had been anxiously counting down for December since September. (I'm crazy I know) What makes blogging at the moment even more exciting is A Charlie Brown Christmas is on!

Today we started adding some Christmas touches to our classroom, and we'll have a special visitor for December.

This is our classroom tree. I'm still searching for a just right tree topper and skirt. 

We have a classroom elf!

This is my first year for Elf on the Shelf, and I'm not sure if I'm more excited for it than the students! Our elf arrived this morning in a chilly package direct from the North Pole. Seusstastic is an AMAZING resource. I'm anxiously awaiting the linky party. 

While I was reading the book you could've heard a pin drop! My heart warmed when we discussed the last page of the book. We decided to keep the word family and not replace with with classroom. The minis agreed that we are like a school family, adorable! 

How darling is the name Clara Cupcake?!

After we came back from our restroom break, we discovered Clara Cupcake found a cozy spot in our share chair. 

I'll try my hardest to blog about Clara's adventures daily. Happy Monday teacher friends!