Surviving Valentine's Day

We all know how overwhelming party days can be.....but....I am proud to say that I have survived my first V-day party in 3rd grade!! WHOO HOO!!! And....so did my kiddos :)  As I was stalking searching the bloggosphere for cute valentine gifts for all 41 of my 9-year olds....I came across this adorable idea from Mandy's Tips for Teachers.  It's cheap and my kids thought they had won the lottery!  They loved, I loved it....it was perfect. 

 

I also threw in a little "No Homework" pass from Elizabeth at Fun in 4B.  I'm not sure what my kids liked more....the chocolate or knowing they had a free night with no homework!

 

On a side note, I would like to give a shout-out to my amazing principal and mentor.  I don't know how many of you get the chance to work for someone who remembers that they are a teacher, first and foremost, but my principal is one of those people.  I worked with her as a first year teacher and she brought me with her when she moved schools this past year.  She has a million things on her plate, but she took the time to come and help me when I needed it earlier this week.  With no lesson plans, no extra time, she came and taught my class one afternoon.  I told her I was struggling with classroom management and how to teach without stations (that is another story entirely....and I will have to get into later....I love stations, but this particular group of students cannot handle the independence).  She came in and taught a lesson on fractions, whole group, from a textbook and the entire class was engaged!  Engaged.....with a textbook.....it was amazing!! You can tell that she just knows what she's doing....and is a natural in the classroom.  I was blown away by what she was able to do with no planning, no materials....just a dry erase board and the tables the students were sitting in.  I'm blessed beyond measure to work for her!

 

I hope you are all enjoying your extra long weekend!!!  I love 3 day weekends....what do you all have planned for tomorrow???

 

~Mandi