5 for Friday-September 5th

Completing my second week of school and I am so stinking exhausted. 

It's not just school, it's LIFE! 

My plate is so full, it overfloweth. 

I thrive in these times though. I need schedules to keep me on my toes. 

But, I will admit, I stretched myself THIN this week. 

Thankful for Doodlebugs to share this week with you. 

Here's my 5 

I had my second Donor's Choose grant funded this summer. This one was fast. I posted it on one of their "match" campaigns. This is where every donation is matched by another. It was quick and easy. 

I decided I want to use more literature in my middle school classroom, so I hopped on Amazon one day and just started perusing. I found GREAT STUFF!!! 

Look at all the goodies I got!!!! 

 Most of you are not old enough to know this girl's face.

She starred in The Wonder Years in the late 80's and early 90's. 

Well, she is all grown up and writing

books about MATH!!! 

I want to show girls that Math is not just for boys!!! 

 Love, love, love this series!!! 

My students love them too!

I can't wait to use all of them!

My passion for notebooking has led me to be a part of this great blog hop.

Be sure to click on over and see some GREAT writing about how to use interactive notebooks in your class. (ALL SUBJECTS INCLUDED)

Facebook

I left Facebook over a year ago. 

Long story.

But, I am back on for my blog and business. 

Take a look when you are clicking around. 

I filled in my calendar this week when I received soccer AND baseball schedules for TWO children. 

I am exhausted just looking at it. 

I am still trying to figure out how to divide myself to be at Open House and baseball games on September 25th. 

And lastly, I am part of a HUGE bundle sale at Educents. This is my first one and it was a monster for me. 

I am not as technically savvy as I like to think. I will tell you, I have learned A LOT this week. 

Plus, I truly believe in these products and the ladies who have created them. 

Are you a middle school teacher? Do you know one? 

Do not let them miss this awesome deal! 

Happy Friday! 

How to Make INB's Meaningful AND Interactive

If you have followed me for long, you know I am all about Math Notebooks. 

(disclaimer: I think all subjects should use interactive notebooks, I just happen to teach Math. 

But, if I taught other subjects, I would have interactive notebooks for those subjects too!)

Well, something I have become passionate about as well, is creating meaningful INB's. 

Did you read 4mula Fun's post last week called

"What Really is an INB?" 

Well, she asked some of us that she knows share her passion, to share with you how we make 

INB's INTERACTIVE and MEANINGFUL.

I am once again, beyond thrilled to be part of this group! 

Gluing a worksheet into a math notebook is not interactive. 

Have I done it? Yes, I have to admit, I have. 

I am happy to say though, that 98% of last years notebooks were interactive. 

Last year, I really focused on creating them and having my students USE them. 

They weren't just pretty notebooks, they were THEIR MATH BIBLE!!! 

This year, I have the same goal, except 100% of my notebooks WILL be interactive. 

We have been in school for less than 10 days and we are deep into our INB's.

I will be sharing my INB's and how I start them soon.

But for today, I want to share how I am making them truly interactive and 

meaningful for my students' learning. 

We reviewed Prime and Composite numbers with a new flippable. (coming soon) 

This was the 3rd day of school and I made them write in Math. I think it shocked some of them,  but they knew I was serious. 

Student Samples: 

I actually thought they did pretty well. 

Next, we started converting fractions with this flippable. 

Template by 4mula Fun 

The next day, ON THE LEFT SIDE, they worked some converting problems and then wrote about the relationship between fractions, decimals and percents. (These writing prompts are from Live. Love. Math) /

The bottom half lifts up in casethey need more room to write. 

 Students completed work under the flaps. 

It was quick and easy to walk around and check their work. 

 Students then used their work and their foldable to

 help write in their own words about converting fractions. 

My goal  is to write A LOT this year in Math. I am hoping to use the right side for the "input" I give them and the left side for their "output". 

I hope this helps you with interactive notebooks. 

I hope it helps you see how to truly make them interactive.

I promise, your students will learn, t hey will have deeper learning, no matter what subject you are teaching! 

Happy Notebooking! 

Be sure to check out some other great blogs about Notebooking!!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Middle School Mega Math Bundle

I am so excited to share this with you today.
I have been working lots on this and learning so much as I participate.

I am joining in with some other great middle school math bloggers and participating in a GREAT bundle for you at Educents!!!  There is such good, strong content in this bundle AND at a GREAT price as well. 

Middle School Math should be hands on and fun. 

Your students will have fun and be motivated to learn. 

Interactive Notebooks are great learning tools for students. 

Task cards give students a fun way to practice their math skills in an engaging way. 

Interactive bulletin boards get kids up an moving. 

Here's your answer to getting middle school students excited about MATH!!!! 

  This bundle is loaded with great activities to get your year off to a great start!  

I have 3 products included that will surely be loved by your students!  

First, I have Exponent Task Cards 
These cards are great for independent stations. 
Students practice 3 different skills for exponents. 

Secondly, I have another set of task cards for algebraic expressions 

Algebraic expressions was new to my students last year.
I wanted it to be meaningful and fun. 

Students solve and separate into 2 piles.

My students had great "math talk" during this activity
because their group had to agree on which side the cards needed to included.
Even the quietest of student will join in with this activity. 

This is one of my most popular foldables. 

We create this foldable together for notes in their math notebooks. 

Students use the foldable when completing work, 

such as task cards during Math Stations

The foldable is a fill in the blank to keep students engaged in the learning process. 

But that's not all... the bundle covers to following topics that you will need to teach this year:

•      Multiplying and Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers

•      Long Division with Remainders 

•      Algebraic Properties & Expressions

•      Exponents

•      Fractions, Decimals, & Percents

•      Place Value  through the Millions

•      Word Problems

•      Order of Operations

•      Number Lines

•      Composite Figures, Complex and Irregular Shapes

•      Area

•      Mean, Median, and Mode

•      Pythagorean Theorem

For a limited time it is $10.99 from Educents which is about 75% off!  16 instant downloads for your middle school math learners that are sure to engage.  And 220 pages of materials ready for you to use - there is sure to be tons you will love!

Don't miss out on this great bundle!!

Check out the other amazing products included below:

An InLinkz Link-up

September Currently

It's September 1st, which means time for CURRENTLY with Farley!!!!! 

So, right now I am hiding in my office and I can hear noises of my children playing and watching cartoons, but it is faint noise. I like very much! 

I am super crazy busy right now. I have lots of projects going on, plus teaching, plus a husband and two children in two sports each. Thankfully, my older boys can care for themselves. It's crazy, but I do better under pressure! 

I am struggling to prioritize all my projects though. Besides family, school comes first. I have to be prepared for my students. Then, it gets murky.... Deadlines will help with the order though!!!

This 3 day weekend has been great, but again, it has been BUSY and I haven't gotten as much done as I had planned. Just one more day, PLEEEEEEZE!!!!

I know, it's cliche to say its time to eat right and exercise, but I am at a crossroads. I had to break down and buy some work clothes and I had to move up a size. Insert super sad face!!! Seriously, its not a shock to me. I was crazy lazy this summer, but I HATE buying bigger. I bought a few things to make me look presentable and now its time to get back to business!!! 

We love to travel. We go to Vegas every year!!!! But, we need to expand our traveling destinations. 

New York for sure. Everyone has to go there once, right? 

We had planned a trip years ago to San Diego, but I got pregnant with my last child and our trip was altered a bit. 

And lastly, Hawaii!!! My husband has been, several times I might add. But, that was before we met. Now, we want to go together. One day, I am sure we will. 

So, that's me this Currently! 

I want to add that CURRENTLY, I am having a contest for my staff with their door decoration for COLLEGE AWARENESS. Please visit this post and vote for your favorite door. I want to recognize their hard work with a treat this next week. Thanks in advance! 

National College Colors Day

Since today is National College Colors Day, I thought it would be good to share our faculty's door contest. We will have an announcement later during a faculty meeting, I will let you know how that goes. 

Keep scrolling because I am having a contest for them too and I would like your help with it. 

Door 1 

I shared mine on Monday. 

Check out all these talented folks!!! 

 Door 2 

 Door 3

 Door 4

 Door 5

Door 6 

 Door 7

 Door 8

 Door 9

 Door 10

 Door 11

 Door 12

Door 13

 Door 14

 Door 15

 Door 16

 Door 17

 Door 18

 Door 19

 Door 20

 Door 21

 Door 22

 Door 23

 Door 24

 Door 25

 Door 26

 Door 27

 Door 28

 Door 29

 Door 30

 Door 31

 Door 32

Door 33

To make this fun, I would like for you to vote for your favorite door.

 Just leave a comment with the number you  like the most. 

When I have a winner, I will award the teacher here at my school with a prize! 

They deserve it, they are working really hard this year!!! 

Please note: Door numbers are below the door. 

Thanks for your support!