Monday Movie Songs

Today's challenge is movie tunes. I've chosen to highlight football movies because I have a great new logic puzzle for high schoolers about . . . you guessed it . . . FOOTBALL! 

But if you came here for songs, here is Peace Train from Remember the Titans.

Enjoy football season with this challenging logic puzzle or brain teaser for high school students! This resource contains a six-grid logic puzzle, clues, and an enrichment writing prompt that asks students to research and write a paragraph about a football player. A quick and easy setup makes this resource a game-time win for you and your students.

Here is another football movie tune. Let's Come On and Take a Free Ride with a song from Invisible.

Teacher Evaluations

Hi y'all! I know it has been ages since I've posted on my blog, but you will be glad to know I am alive, well, and expecting an exciting year ahead. First off, I have twin grandsons due in February. Woo hoo! Also, my youngest daughter is getting married in June. But enough about me.

I remember the anxiety of teacher evaluations. First off, we were often asked if we wanted a preconference for the planned evaluations. Your answer should always be, "YES!" Through these meetings, I went into the evaluation knowing what part of my lesson plan was good and what needed work. The administrator would tell me exactly what I needed to do, and if I did it, God willing, great scores would come.

Pop in evaluations were a little trickier. This horrid invention involves spending weeks to months waiting for the evaluator to walk into your classroom unannounced. As a specialist teacher, I saw many classroom teachers jump then giggle when I opened the door to get my students. One teacher got so nervous during an evaluation she forgot her kids' names. Wow!

Anyway, I taught kids in K - 5 and had multiple lessons prepared for times inwhich the evaluator did not show; however, I had these lesson plans down to a science as to what was expected. Furthermore, I used PowerPoints to prepare for the dreadful days. Having a PowerPoint for an evaluation does wonders to calm the nerves because flipping the page tells you what to do. You don't have to worry about freezing up and forgetting.

So, if you have an evaluation coming around, here are a few lessons made for that purpose. I used the gradual release method, which was at one time called TIMS or any multiple names. It's the basic teaching strategy of modeling, working with whole group, partners and independently. Check these out:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mixed-Numbers-and-Improper-Fractions-PowerPoint-756338 Grades 3 - 4

Grades 1 - 3 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Order-PowerPoint-2812086

Grades 5 - 7 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Solving-Equations-with-Variables-on-Both-Sides-Multiplying-Fractions-1041352

Grades 3 - 5 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Show-Dont-Tell-Writing-2807719 If you don't see your grade level or subject matter, do not fret. I have PowerPoints for all elementary grades; however, I've always been reluctant to place a kindergarten lable on my resources because my students were gifted and talented. Click here to find all of my PowerPoint lessons. Thanks to Educlips for the clipart.

Thanks for reading. Joyce Catch My Products

Honey Bear

 

Saturday night, we lost this sweet baby. Not only did she have this kissable face but she was also smart and kind-hearted. She would watch television and cry at the commercial that showed injured dogs. I've never known a dog to show empathy as she did! In her memory, I've placed her K-2 resource at 50% off.

Critical Thinking Games in Google Slides If you go to TpT and search #JoyceDeals you will find this resource and FREE logic puzzles for grades 4 -6.

I also have posted several new resources. For High School: Winter Logic, Valentine's Day Logic, and for the younger kids: Winter Critical Thinking for Grades 1 -3

Thanks for reading. If you have a dog, show him or her some affection. We still have two dogs who are in mourning along with us.

My Favorite Christmas Activity in the Classroom

After thirty years in the gifted and talented classroom, I had a favorite activity each Christmas season that was so much fun for all! I would partner with a primary teacher who would have her students write letters to Santa, and my older kids would answer these. I know it is still November, but mail is slow to and from the North Pole, so I'd give this an early start!

Let's face it. There comes a time when kids stop believing in Santa and become a part of the secret. I found the best age to return letters is sixth grade and up. One year, I did this activity with fifth graders and got a horrible look on one young man's face that told me I was destroying a valued secret. 😢 I spoke to his mother who said, "It's about time!" Still, I felt horrible and never went below sixth grade after that.

I also found that first grade is the ideal age for the letter writers. The kindergarten letters are pretty much illegible, but the third grade up crew have several non-believers. Second grade is kinda a toss-up in terms of nonbelievers, but may also work.

The best of the best is to pair siblings together or kids that know each other. When my son was in sixth grade, he was in my class and his littlest sister was in first. He wrote, "Be nice to your brother and sister . . . especially Daniel." 😂😂

If you can tap into a pair that know each other, the letter gets very personal and fun. I also got the first-grade teacher to spill the juice on kids who we didn't know. I heard that the first graders were in shock at how Santa knew so much. The older kids had a blast writing letters from Santa!

However, a couple of ground rules are important. Do not promise anything that the parent has not given you permission to say! This is especially true for puppies. 😂😂 I remember a young child asking for a puppy and Santa's reply. "We don't have any puppies at the North Pole. How about a polar bear?"

The final bit of fun takes a little money out of the teacher's pocket. I mean face it, what doesn't? I used to buy peppermint sticks and staple them to each letter. Of course, candy is optional but adds to the enjoyment.

If you decide to write letters have fun and drop me a line telling me how it went. I'd love to hear from you. jlansky@comcast.net

I have also posted two new Christmas logic puzzles and am working on a third. Christmas Logic Puzzles for 4th - 6th grade are 1/2 off until tomorrow.

I also just posted a High School Christmas Logic Puzzle for 20% off. I typically will not sell resources for under a dollar and am not even sure TpT will let me.

I am currently working on a Primary Christmas Critical Thinking Activities Pack for 1st - 3rd, which should be in my store soon. It will also start at 1/2 price for a limited time, so please make sure you follow my store to receive notification for when it goes on sale.

If your kids do not fit in these exact grade categories, these resources might still work for them. After all, you know your kids best. The previews are pretty extensive and should give you a good idea of what is inside.

Also, a quick apology to the high school teachers for not making multiple puzzle packs like for the younger kids. Let's face it, creating the rigour appropriate for high school can be tough. I do my best. Hopefully, one day I will have a high school puzzle for each season/holiday and will create a bundle that way. Just like the letters, I make no promises because who knows whether or not Santa can deliver. 😂 After all, the most recent puzzle had to be proofed multiple times because I kept getting a different answer. My rule of thumb is that if a puzzle doesn't make me sweat, at least a little, it's not difficult enough for high school.

Have a great rest of the weekend and please keep your headaches to a minimum as you teach during the holiday season. I remember how tough it was. (((HUGS)))

Joyce Catch My Products The Gifted Department Store

Thanks to Blame it on The Weekend for the photos.

Halloween Fun

I love Halloween! It's the one night of the year when kids can dress up and collect candy from friends, relatives, and neighbors. I grew up in St. Louis where trick-or-treat meant just that. When ringing door bells, home owners would often request a trick before giving a treat. This practice stopped at our home after Larry, a large child, shook the house with his somersault. None-the-less, Halloween was a great time to hear a good joke and enjoy fun. We weren't the vicious youngsters who would toilet paper a house as a trick.

Can you guess what this couple is dressed as?

Furthermore, what kid doesn't like Halloween activities in the classroom or through distance learning? Here is your chance to challenge your 4th and 5th graders with a logic puzzle pack!

Inside this BUNDLE you will find: Halloween Logic Halloween Logic Answer Key Halloween Circle Logic (difficult) Halloween Circle Logic Answer Key Vocabulary Words for Story Writing Creative Halloween Prompt Halloween Research Halloween Research Answer Key Ghost Research Design a Haunted Classroom Measurement Activity

Find spooky good fun at: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Digital-Worksheets-Logic-Puzzles-and-Brainteasers-746518 Answer: Star Wars

Reading to Learn

There's an old saying that in grades kindergarten through third grade we learn to read, but come fourth grade up, we read to learn. Reading to learn is great provided we capture a kid's interest first. It seems like the older kids get, the more difficult it is to keep them engaged. Afterall, high school kids are more interested in finding dates or a good party for the weekend than what the teacher wants them to read. That is why choosing high interest reading passage topics is so important. Usually, I will look for a topic that is trending or that I've been curious or interested in knowing more about. Often I'll go beyond the normal topic, so I have to geer these passages to high schoolers. Of course you can't have an elementary student reading about Ed Gein slicing his victims and wearing them as we saw in The Silence of the Lambs. You also don't want to introduce younger students to a real life murder from a pair of 1890s lesbians. History is rarely rated G, and I've told it like it was in many high school reading passages. What's even better is the price! When it comes to reading passages, I have bundled activities for 30% off the price of individual resources. I know 30% is a lot of savings, but reality, I'd much rather see a teacher buy several lessons at once than just one story. If you're interested in my best seller for October, check this out.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/High-School-Reading-Comprehension-Passages-and-Questions-Distance-Learning-Bundl-5260770 Passages come with discussion questions, writing prompts, and answer keys. Thanks for tuning in.

My Love of Writing!

I love to write, especially historical fiction pieces because I have fun learning about the past. I've recently gotten hooked on "Outlander," a Netflix show that features scenes from the 18th century. It's so much fun to get a look into the past, plus, before watching the show, I never knew anything about Scotland.

As a writer, I not only have created resources with writing tips but also have written a lot of fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction stories. These stories each contain challenging questions which make for a great buy on Teachers Pay Teachers. All of my stories are my original writing, no purchasing of a story from someone else. I'd often wondered where these resources with writing came from only to learn that a lot of sellers hire someone to write. Not me! 

Here is a peek of some of my reading passages for upper elementary or middle school students.

Since it's March, this might be a good time to look at my Irish stories.

Take a look at young Frank, an Irish potato farmer, from around 1850, as he struggles with his new life in the Bronx of New York City. 

Although Frank is fictional, a lot of his troubles were real for the Irish immigrant of his time. Frank faces, disease and ridicule as he searches for an honest days work.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Historical-Fiction-Passages-The-Irish-Immigrant-4331894

My other story with Irish roots, "A Bloody Bad Life," comes from my experiences visiting a 15th century castle in Ireland. My husband and I took a tour, which inspired me to write this second person story that has been improved by my online teacher/author April Lurie when I took a writing class. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Reading-Comprehension-Passage-and-Questions-or-Printable-Irish-Castle-3198341

Each of these resources, as well as all of my reading passages, may be printed or used virtually for distance learning or center work.

If you like unusual reading passages and questions for your kids, please check out my reading passages bundle, which sells for 30% off the price of individual resources. Am I nuts to give such a steep discount? Maybe.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Reading-Comprehension-Passages-and-Questions-or-Print-Mega-Bundle-4103741

Win a FREE Resource Through My Brief Survey

Please take a minute or two to fill out this survey and enter to win a free resource!

If you don't mind, I would love for you to fill out a brief (seven questions), multiple choice survey. On March 31st, I'll choose twelve participants to win a FREE printable or PowerPoint or your choice valued under $5. Thanks! Click here for the survey. Joyce Catch My Products The Gifted Department Store P.S. Please take a look at my new high school language arts bundle which is 1/2 off for 24 hours.                                          P.S.S. I also posted a middle school reading passage on the Salem Witch Trials earlier in the week.