Cyber Monday Blog Hop Stop #16

Primary Powers and GoNoodle have created the dynamic duo!  We are sharing all of our best ideas on using GoNoodle.  You have landed at hop stop #16.  You can also start from the beginning!  :)

We have used GoNoodle in so many ways in our classroom, but an idea I had this year was to use it after fire drills/tornado drills/lockdown drills.  Some of my first graders have a hard time readjusting after such an intense interruption.  Others have just gotten off task and have a difficult time settling down again.  Those situations can either be scary or exciting for students.  Therefore I turned on GoNoodle after these drills to give them a couple minutes to bring them back and help settle their hearts and minds.

Imagine going from this...curtains drawn, doors locked, students huddled in a corner...

...to turning on this!  Did you know GoNoodle offers calming and relaxing videos and exercises?  There are several options so that you can find something to best suit the needs of your students.

I watched this video again to get some screenshots and I wanted to fall asleep.  ;)  

These GoNoodle videos have done wonders for helping my students cope with the stress of different drills that go on during the school year.  Give them a try!  There are so many options with GoNoodle that help my students in SO many aspects.

Now that you have yet another idea on how to use GoNoodle in the classroom, let's move on to the swag!  Want a chance to win this FUN GoNoodle tumbler???  I drink out of these all the time at school. ;)  Enter through the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So what are you waiting for?  Keep hopping!  More great tips, free swag giveaways on each site, and a great last stop!  Your next stop is Ashley's blog at Flying High in First!

BOB BOOKS Giveaway!

Have you heard of BOB Books?  I first stumbled across them in a Scholastic book order.  Now I keep seeing the everywhere!  BOB Books offered to send me a set of books to try with my students.  I ordered Set 3, Word Families because I have some students who really struggle with vowel sounds.  I thought they might be good to use with those kiddos and may give them some additional support.

In this sweet little box is a set of 10 books.  8 books focus on different word families.

I started out with this book.  I love how they fit so perfectly in their hands.  They are so simple and I LOVE simple!  The font is just the right size and the simple pictures really helped him focus on the text while still having that picture support.

I noticed my student was having troubles every time he came across the word was, so I used some of my highlighting tape and placed some over the word each time in the book.  It really helped!

Each book has a list of words used on the last page.  It was helpful when I was trying to figure out which book to use with him.  He needs a lot of practice with short vowels, so this quick glance was perfect in helping me make my decision.  It also gives a list of sight words in the book, which I love as well.  You could also easily perform a running record with one of these books!  It even has the total number of words listed.  :)

The last 2 books are small activity books.  If you purchase these for your own child, they can write directly into the book.  I prefer to make copies so that I can use them year after year.  ;)

I was so in love with this set that I purchased the sight word set!  Each book has a few sight words that it focuses on, with the words listed at the front of the book.

Instead of activity books, the sight word set comes with a set of flash cards.  The words are printed on one side and are used in a sentence on the other side.  I'm a huge advocate of practicing sight words in context, so I was totally surprised and in love with this feature!  They are perforated so that you can easily tear them apart.

I honestly can't wait to get my hands on more BOB Books!  They are so perfect for RTI and my students love them!

How would you like to win a set???  BOB Books and I are teaming up to offer one lucky winner a set of books of their choice!  Enter through the Rafflecopter below!  In the meantime, check out the BOB Books website so that you can decide which set you want!  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 26th.  Good luck!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SUPER Thankful!

It's the time of year when I tend to get very stressed out.  With parent-teacher conferences, report cards, holidays, field trips, cold weather setting in, the year being in full-swing...it's just all very stressful for me.  I have to be very intentional about being positive and thankful for what's right in front of me.

I'm linking up with my gals over at Primary Powers for a Thankful Linky.

A lot of these are very cliche and very standard answers, but they are honestly what I'm truly thankful for.

• My family:  I'm sitting here staring at my husband lounging in bed watching "The Goldbergs".  Sawyer, my one-year-old, is playing with the remote control.  Rowan, my three-year-old, is watching "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" on the iPad.  Kids and their technology.  My heart is so full with these 3 guys.  My life just wouldn't be the same without them.  

• My home: We have another polar vortex, or so they call it, coming through Ohio right now.  Thank goodness it's November, otherwise we'd be looking at temperatures below zero right now.  Instead it's just 30 degrees.  Tell me again why I didn't stay down south?  An inch or two of snow is expected on Saturday night.  I HATE winter.  It makes me SO thankful for my home.  Full of warmth, comfort, and love.  When I'm protected from the elements, I'm even more thankful for it.

• My faith: Without God in my life, I don't know how I'd even be here today.  Having a future to look forward to is the only thing that keeps me going some days.  This earth is not all there is (thank goodness!).  I'm so far from perfect and mess up in so many ways each and every day, but yet Christ forgives me without question.  He gave His Son (and when you become a parent, that becomes even more remarkable) so that I can be forgiven and be given a one-millionth chance.

• My coworkers: Let's face it.  Our coworkers are like our second family.  Next to our immediate family, we are with them more than anyone else.  I'm so grateful to share life with them.  I love getting to know them, sharing ideas with them, and being there for each other when the tough gets going.  From losing loved ones to losing pets to having bad hair days to struggling with health problems, it's so nice to have a support group and friends that stand by your side and are willing to help you at the drop of a hat.

• My friends: High school friends, college friends, blogging friends, church friends...we need friends.  We need encouragement.  I'm so glad to have some gals (and guys) in my life that stay in touch, plan playdates for our kids, send a text message to show they care, get excited for each other, and just encourage each other in life.  Life is so tough sometimes.  Reach out to those around you and be a blessing.  We need each other.

• My students and their families: I was watching my students run around on the playground today with pure joy all over their sweet faces.  Innocent, cheerful children.  I'm so grateful to have the honor of having a moment of their life to help mold them and shape them for their future.  We had conferences last Thursday and last night and I just love meeting with parents and hearing the encouragement seeing their faces light up when I praise their kids.  Even if their child is struggling and I have to relay that information, I think it's so powerful to sit and plan together as to how best help their child.  The parents I've had are so wonderful and I'm so blessed to have such wonderful students and parents.

In the midst of the craziness that is starting to unfold during this time of year, I hope you're able to take a moment to breathe and think about all the ways you are blessed.  :)

Don't forget to check out the other Thankful threads from Primary Powers!