Thankful for a Busy November and Delightful Beginning of December!

Hello!  I hope you had a healthy and peaceful Thanksgiving and beginning of December!  Today I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything for their weekly Friday Favorites link-up!

New York City Visit Highlights

My sister and I went to New York City the weekend before Thanksgiving (not advisable due to large number of travelers).  We wanted to take a Peloton class together.  Due to technical difficulties, I thought I was on the waitlist for the Saturday class with Jenn Sherman.  My sister got in.  Upon arrival, I learned I was never on the waitlist, and the class was full.  My sister very gallantly gave me her spot because she knew going to a live class was a dream of mine.  

One thing I learned:  it is roasting hot in the studio.  There are lights and no fan.  I do want to go back, and I'll definitely wear shorts!  Check out the pictures of the view from my bike and of us with Jenn Sherman:

It's very exciting to take a live class in the studio.  Of course, I had to pay for the train from Boston, the class fee ($35) and a night in a hotel.  It was definitely an exciting adventure!

By the way, if you are a fellow Peloton rider, please follow me:  Mrs. Watermelon is my screen name!

Macy's Christmas Windows

The train I took went to Penn Station, and everything we went to was within walking distance, including these beautiful Christmas displays at Macy's:

Canva

If you are an educator, you can get free access to all of Canva's graphics for your personal use and your students' use.  Read here for more information about Canva for Education!  Every month I created desktop wallpaper (see above example) and other colorful designs.

As always, thank you for visiting the blog!  I'm delighted you came to visit.  Make sure to check out all blogs, too:

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Currently It's Fabulous February!

Hello there!  It's February, and it is freezing as winter has returned!  Today I am delighted to link up with Anne In Residence for her month link-up:

I love using Canva to create graphics!

Loving

I am so happy with all the extra daylight we have now!  It really makes me feel hopeful and happy to have the extra sun late in the afternoon.

Reading

Last month I read a very interesting and eye-opening book:

This story tells about a Syrian couple who immigrates to England from Syria.  It is quite a story and makes you realize how terrifying the world can be.

I recently finished a Book the Month title:

The main character, Emmy, is a very successful Instamum who becomes the target of a follower's mother.  Click on the book to read more at Amazon.  I enjoyed this book.  Amazon gave it a 4 out of 5, and I would agree with this overall score.

Right now, I am reading this book which is part of Reese Witherspoon's Book Club:

 Listen  

See this image

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Follow the Author

Kiley Reid

This book also involves a very strong female lead character who will make sure right decisions are made. Her African American babysitter is accused of "stealing" her child while in an upscale supermarket.  I am just beginning this book, but it seems appropriate for these fragile times.

Remembering

Last February I remember how life was so normal.  We went to Tarrytown, New York for a long weekend.  We learned that important history had happened there.  If you watched Turn, Washington Spies (it is on Netflix now if you missed it!), you know about Major John Andre.  He was captured and hanged in Tarrytown.  

  

Sharing

I have 5 Girl Scouts in my class this year.  I bought 2 boxes of cookies from each of them to share with family and friends.  I was a Girl Scout back in the day so I am happy to support a worthy cause.  There is a new cookie in town, and my sons gave it rave reviews:

If you have a chance to buy some Girl Scout cookies, make sure to try these out!

Wish Listing

A lot of my cloth masks are too tight and make my ear lobes hurt.  I googled this problem yesterday, and this product was recommended:

I have put these mask extenders in my cart but have not pressed the order button.  If any of you have figured out a solution to the too-tight mask causing my ear lobes to bend, please let me know!  Also, if you have tried out this product, and it's a keeper, I would love to hear that as well.

As always, thank you for popping in to visit the blog!  Happy Valentine's Day!

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Pear Deck Draggable™ Activities

Are your students dragging their feet when it comes to online learning?  Would you like to infuse your teaching with some interactivity?  If so, Pear Deck™ is for you!

I spend A LOT OF TIME making learning activities for my students.  After all my effort, I still have students who are less than enthusiastic.  Enter Pear Deck™!  The kids love having active learning opportunities during remote learning.

 

Example Questions:

 

 

 

(Click here to see this product on TPT)

 

How to make your own Pear Deck Draggable™ Activities?

1.  Open your presentation and the Pear Deck™ Add-on.

2.  To the right ~ under "Ask Students A Question" ~ click on the Draggable™ button.

3.  This window will open:

4.  Choose a color for your Draggable™.

5.  Choose an object to drag:

6.  Add the object to your Draggable™ activity, and you are good to go!  You can create your own activities or:

Here are links to free Pear Decks™ that I have made.  Please feel free to copy them and try them out with your class!

Math Review:  Week 2:  Word Problems

*Would you rather…?

How to Make a ™ Symbol

 

I am adding this last part in because it took me a long time to figure out how to add the "trademark" symbol.  Hopefully, I won't get sued for not using it earlier.

 

Click:  Alt   +  0 1 5 3  

 

Canva

 

I made that banner for my Google Classroom™ on Canva.  The custom dimensions are 1,000 by 250.  Click here to start creating on Canva!

 

In closing

If you have any questions about Pear Deck™ or using the Draggable™ option, please let me know!

 

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Happy New Year! It is time to celebrate with the "Currently ~ Just January!" link-up.

Happy New Year Everyone!  Thank you so much for popping in today as I link up with Anne in Residence for her monthly link-up:

 

Beginning

 

We are fully remote for the first week of January.  I see my students every day online, but it is so much better to see them in person.  I am hoping for our hybrid schedule for next week!

 

This week we started with Non-Fiction Reading and Writing.  I have been busy creating teaching materials.  Here is an example that I made on Canva which is an online design resource.  I use this site frequently, and it is easy and fun to use!

 

 

Feeling

 

As the week goes on, and I adjust to teaching online, I feel more confident.  It is amazing how quickly you forget when you do not use the technology for two weeks.  Every day gets a little better!

 

I am also feeling grateful that all our snow has melted so that I can go out for walks every day.

 

By the way, if you would like to check out an adorable book and enjoy the snow vicariously, here is a suggestion:  

 

 Organizing

 

I am definitely not organizing at my house!  I spend most of my time working on Google Classroom independent work which I need to assign every day for my students.  Every day I assign the Morning Message as a Google Form with 5 multiple choice questions; 2 questions to answer about our read-aloud; a chapter that I read to the kids; and a multiplication review.

Resolving

 

I am resolving to write in my blog more frequently!  I need to make writing a priority because I consider my blog a type of diary or record of what I am doing.  I have gone back to read some older posts, and I totally forgot what was going on "back in the old days."

 

The last in school day before Christmas, I decided to do dictionary work with the kids.  

 

I asked, "Who knows what a dictionary is?" 

Answer:  "Back in the old days, people had to use dictionaries to know how to spell words."

 

None of the kids had used a dictionary.  Amazingly, they were engaged and fascinated that they could find words they knew in the pages of the dictionary.

 

Consequently, I resolve to talk about the "old days" so the kids know how much life has changed in such a short time.

 

 Check out another creation I made on Canva!

 

 Wondering 

I wonder every day when life will be "normal" again.  I love walking with my friends and family outside because that is the only way to have a visit.  I wonder if school will ever be "normal" again, too.  What do you think?

As always, I appreciate your visit!  Please leave a comment to say hello!  Stay healthy and be happy!

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Every Day & Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Everyone!  I woke up today and could not remember what day it was!  Does this happen to you?  Today I'm linking up with Erika of A Little Bit of Everything, , Narci of Grace and Love and Andrea of Momfessionals for:





Morning Message ~ Google Classroom Style


Having a "school" or Google Classroom routine has helped me to normalize my days.  Every weekday, I look forward to writing and posting my Morning Message.  Check out today's inspiration:

Of course, it is a very rainy day here, but I'm hopeful that someone in the world will find a rainbow.  If it's you, please let me know!


If you're looking for more inspiration, here is a timely poem about keeping germs to oneself:

Book of the Month Club

I recently discovered a great way to get hot-off-the-press books!  It's the Book of the Month Club.  Here's some information from their site: 

Here’s your monthly breakdown.

• Step 1

  We feature 5 wow-worthy reads.

• Step 2

  You decide if you want one (or more).

• Step 3

  Then you read, review, and repeat.

Still have questions?
We’re glad you asked.

Read on.

• Why should I subscribe to BOTM over buying books a la carte?
  Early releases, vetted quality, and oh — we’re way cheaper. Plus, a subscription gets you excited to read, so you might actually do more of it. And that’s a good thing!

Click here to read more!

If you think you might like to join, please use my link to become a member. 

The Book of the Month that I ordered was:







In other news...

If you need a creative outlet, head over to Canva where you can easily create your own fun graphics for your blog or yourself.  Check out the April calendar wallpaper I made:

Well, I hope you've picked up some ideas to make your life more creative and inspiring.  Also, please make sure to visit the link-up to read more blogs for:

Thank you for visiting the blog today!

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Happy Mother's Day and Have a Wonderful Week!

Hello there!

As the weekend winds down, I just wanted to tell you about a few new things!

New Blog Post!

Check out my new blog post on Conversations from the Classroom ~ this is the collaborative blog in which I post, too!  You can learn about Canva ~ a great place to make graphics like this one below:

The Capital Grille ~ Fine Dining For A Special Occasion

I've always wanted to go to The Capital Grille!  My husband's 60th birthday was on Saturday, and we dined at this fine dining restaurant.  Like I tell my children, "it's a once in a lifetime opportunity!"  Check out this beautiful birthday dessert!

My New Car ~ A Honda CRV!

My younger son's Andrew had a 2005 Camry while I had a 2005 Honda Pilot (which I loved and took care of meticulously!).  Anyway, two weeks ago, Andrew called to tell me that his car was unsafe ~ I've been expecting this call for some time.  Andrew lives in Allston (which is part of Boston), and he was thinking of buying a new car.  I suggested he take my beloved Honda Pilot, and I would get the new car which would be parked in a suburban driveway.  Check out my new obsidian blue car:

 I just love that new car smell and the low mileage...I'm still figuring out all the new options, and I'm adjusting ~ it's definitely a learning curve!

That's my quick check-in for now.  Thank you for visiting!  I'd love to hear what you've been up to!

Have a wonderful week!

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