A Worm Named Oreo
Leaving school one day I hear a discussion among kids on the playground. “What did you name your worm? I named mine Oreo.” The girl says she named hers Oreo because it looked like an Oreo with all the dirt on it. Paper plates seemed to work well for containing the worms for observation. You have to be careful though because the worms can wander off if you don’t watch them. I found one trying to crawl off of a student desk. I lost another one, but the custodian found it on the floor. Hey, I added excitement to his day! LOL!

This discussion came as a result of me teaching them about worms and them looking closely at the body parts of a worm. To add an element of creativity, I had students name their worm. We did this after watching the Diary of a Worm on video. I love this book for it’s imagination into the creative world.
Students are studying ecosystems, so I plan to build a worm farm of sorts in their classroom. For now, I am just holding onto the worms until we learn a little more. To build a worm farm, you need a container, dirt, old newspaper, and some vegetable scraps. Of course, you need worms. I purchased mine at Wal-mart in the sporting goods section. Until we learn more I am storing them in the refrigerator on a not too cold setting in some dirt. I have given them an old banana peel in case they need a snack. This website has some good information on worm farming. You will need a container, dirt, old newspaper, and some vegetable scraps. Until we learn more I am storing them in the refrigerator on a not too cold setting in some dirt. I have given them an old banana peel in case they need a snack. This website has some good information on worm farming if you want to build one.
The great thing about showing students worms is that I got some work out of some students who don’t normally produce work just so they got to look at a worm. I will give you more information soon about our worm farm adventures.
Is Your Brain Sweating? You need this.
I had listened to Ian Byrd over at byrdseed.com wh’llenging to do. I have borrowed his idea when I give my students difficult puzzles etc. I tell the students they are going to need brain deodorant because I am going to make their brain sweat so bad. Well this year, for humor’s sake I actually brought in a tube of brain deodorant. This is actually a tube of deodorant that I don’t use. I just added a label that says brain deodorant. The students actually rub their head with it (haha!) when I ask them to do something hard. I kind of love this. :). When I am not so teacher busy, I will make a better label for it, but you get the idea.

What Can You Do with a Mirror to Educate?
I recently saw this in a school I visited. This was not my idea, but I thought it was a clever use of a mirror. Supposedly this is something that “Leader in Me” schools do. Do you have any ideas for a clever use of a mirror in a classroom?

In addition, this summer my aunt was getting rid of an old mirror from her house. When I asked about where the mirror originated, I learned that it was from the home of her late friend’s mother-in-law. That would make this beautiful mirror an antique. I plan on putting inspirational phrases above the mirror throughout the school year. Some children have said the mirror reminds them of some fantasy books they have read. I love the way the antique mirror in beautifully unexpected in a classroom.

Your Room Decor Can Set the Mood for Learning
I just wanted to show a picture of my ceiling because it makes me happy. This is how I decorated my room for the beginning of the school year. The lighting helps bring a warm feeling to the room and brings a mood of excitement. Even when my students don’t come for a day or so, I turn these on to make myself happy :).

What We Aren’t Taught in School
I saw this on Facebook recently and felt that I had to share it. How true and how profound! At least in gifted education, which I currently teach, I do have some freedom to teach kindness which in essence is teaching love.

Even My Principal Remarked How Calming My Room Smelled
Like many of you I have been cleaning my room. Because of the last two years of germ hyper vigilance, I wanted to make sure everything was dust and germ free. With that, I used a Norwex cloth AND my Thieves household cleaner. Both of them knock germs out! The Norwex cloth is rather amazing because it sucks dust up and doesn’t just push it around. I’ve never seen anything like a Norwex cloth, and I keep one at school. Right before the first day of school, my principal came by and remarked how calming my room smelled!

The great thing about Thieves cleaner is that you only need about an ounce to mix with water. I use a Dollar Tree spray bottle and keep it in my classroom for any cleaning needs. The BONUS is that it freshens the air while you clean without any toxic cleaners.

Giveaway Time Again! Yay!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card
Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)
Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, TheBeezyTeacher, Lockwood’s Little Learners, Star Kids by Naomi, The Froggy Factory, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, Walk with Me a Second, Ms. K, Jackie Crews, 180 Days of Reading, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Mickey’s Place, Angelica’s Resources, Simone, Heart 2 Heart Teaching, Teach Me T, The First Grade Lunchbox, and It’s a Teacher Thing.
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. The giveaway ends 8/13/22 and is open worldwide.
a Rafflecopter giveawayAre you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media? Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!
Giveaway Time!
Are you ready to start thinking about preparing your lessons for next year? Wouldn’t a $100 TPT gift card help? Look no further. Register to win here!
Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)
Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, TheBeezyTeacher, Lockwood’s Little Learners, Star Kids by Naomi, Little Learning Corner, The Froggy Factory, Ms. K, Jackie Crews, 180 Days of Reading, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Mickey’s Place, Angelica’s Resources, Simone, A Teacher and her Cat, and The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring.
Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)
Co-hosts: An Apple for the Teacher, TheBeezyTeacher, Lockwood’s Little Learners, Star Kids by Naomi, Little Learning Corner, The Froggy Factory, Ms. K, Jackie Crews, 180 Days of Reading, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Mickey’s Place, Angelica’s Resources, Simone, A Teacher and her Cat, and The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring.
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. The giveaway ends 7/13/22 and is open worldwide.
Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media? Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!
