Sweet Science for Valentine's Day!!

Thank goodness it's Friday!  I've had a week filled with ear infections, walking pneumonia, and pinkeye!  Yikes!!  Get this stuff out of here!!

Last week was our 100th day of school, hooray!!  It came so quick I barely had time to whip up some 100 day goodies!  But I'm glad I did and I'm glad they are all FREE!!!  Here's a peek:

Click on the picture above to get the whole pack, poems and task cards included!

Another part of our 100th day goodies was a 100 cookie bag!  I took a sugar wafer cookie and two fudge striped cookies to make 100.  You can find the baggie toppers and pictures HERE at my last blog post.

Twin Day at school!  My best janitor friend, Doug loves his overalls, so I decided to join the fun.  Love those things!

Our new puppy, Otis has gradually won over our hearts!  Love this little guy (even when I have to wash poo poo off him at 6:30 in the morning).  Here he is with our Mo Mo.

I'm so psyched for Valentine's Day!  My Winter Science Experiments were such a hit with my students, that I decided to create a Valentine's Day unit!  Sweet Science!  Here's a few pics of the experiments my girls and I just HAD to try at home!

All you need are these ingredients to "Fill Your Heart" with love. :)  hehehe

This one was so fun to watch!  You can't tell in the pic, but the hearts would go all the way to the bottom and back up again, pretty cool!

You can find Sweet Science at my TPT Store HERE or enter the rafflecopter below to win a copy of your own!!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Happy 100th Day

The 100th day of school is finally here!  It will be here tomorrow, anyways. :)  I honestly can't believe how fast 100 days went.  The kiddos were totally excited for the 50th day...the 100th day is going to be even better!  



I created a few FREEBIES for my sweet teacher friends to use.  At this time of the year, I'm a little shell-shocked at how much I spend on TPT items.  I mean, I buy what I really really need and my mouth still drops at the tax deductible total.  Wowza!  

Enjoy these 100th day freebies my friends!  And check out my doorway decorations and baggie toppers for the big day. :)

Baggie Topper FREEBIE!

                        Happy 100th Day!!

Five For Friday! Galaxy Bottle Experiment FREEBIE!

Meet Otis, our newest fur baby at the Baker house!  What a sweet little chocolate lab pup he is!  He's quite a snuggler.  I have a feeling he'll be getting plenty of love.

Just a pic of our Arctic Volcano that erupted yesterday...no students were harmed in this icy experiment. ;)

I am so happy to see my unit flying off the presses at TPT.  Makes me excited that other teachers like my work. ;)  You can check it out here.

GOOOOOO CHIEFSSSSSS!!!!!!

I came across the coolest website called Imagine Childhood.  They have awesome kids activities, from gardening to engineering kits.  We ordered a brick construction kit and a basket weaving kit.  Just a few 4H projects. :)  The products are so cool, check it out here!

And finally, a FREEBIE for my science experiment GALAXY IN A BOTTLE!

This experiment is so quick and easy and best of all, the kiddos get to take it home!  

All you need is: an empty water bottle, water, food coloring, baby oil, and glitter if you'd like some stars. :)  Check out the freebie below!

Click HERE for your freebie!  And if you'd like a closer look in my SCIENCE NOTEBOOK: PLANETS unit, check it out in my TPT STORE!!

Happy Weekend!!

Five For Friday! WINTER GIVEAWAY

Five For Friday + one day???  Post- holiday blogging comes a little slow, folks.  :)  But it's either this or clean my house some more...

So countdown to back to school has officially begun with TWO days left of winter break.  I have barely started lesson plans! Yikes!  But I have created two lovely products that will get me through the back to school winter blues.

I would love to give these beauties away!  At the end of the blogpost, enter the Rafflecopter to win!!

New Years was spent snuggled at home as usual.  Even if we did have a babysitter, do I really want to put on makeup and wear something that requires buttons?  :)  It was lovely and calm.

We spent a few days in Springfield, MO with friends.  The girls were in heaven getting to swim while its freezing outside.  We also tried ice skating and I'm happy to say it was a success!!  Only a bit of crying at the end :)  from one blister, but no broken bones.  I call it good.

Before Christmas break, our school decided to try other math programs.  We are currently in the middle of a module in Engage NY.  I've found this to be worlds different from Everyday Math (what we had before), but I think I like it.  We needed more of a focus.  Have any opinions on Engage NY?  I'd love to hear it below!!

My wonderful mother created super cute baskets for each daughter/daughter-in-law for Christmas.  Here's mine!!

Love it!!!

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter below.  I'd love for you to follow my TPT store for sales and freebies!  Help me reach 100 followers and start my 2016 off with a bang! :) 

Happy New Year!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ringing In The New Year!!! 2016 Resolutions

Where in the world has 2015 gone??  I swear time flies by TWICE as fast when you have kiddos running around the house.  :)  Exciting, but way too fast.  

I love starting a new year, though.  Time to clean, rearrange, repaint the kitchen (not the smartest choice before Christmas, but it is done), and think about what I need to improve on.  I love this linky because I really want to focus on my school life improvements.  And I love my ladies at the Primary Punchbowl and others I follow on social media because I KNOW  I can be a better teacher with their help! :)  

After looking over reading scores before break, I've decided to incorporate some chapter books into my high reading groups.  I usually try to do the the last nine weeks, but I have some super duper readers this year!  And they are flying through the Journeys stories with ease.  I use my close reading units I make for TPT with our themes of the month, but I might bring more of those out, too.  I guess this is a good problem to have?? :)

My next resolution is to surround myself with positive co-workers.  It's hard to avoid those Debbie Downers (you know who they are...)  but if they ruin a good mood, turn around!

I think everyone knows how drained they are after school.  I look at the treadmill like it's the devil in disguise. Hahaha, and even if I had energy, I still have to make dinner and go through my daughter's homework, etc.  BUT, there is a BUT, I know that I will feel better after I make myself get on that thing.  Three times a week!  I can do this!!


The last one, and very important one, STOP stressing over TPT stuff!! If I'm on a roll, I create a mindset that I cannot stop working on it.  If I don't have anyone share my pin, I get bummed out.  And don't even mention getting a lower than 4.0 score on a product....STOP THE MADNESS!!!  

I need to learn to take a deep breath and know that THIS part of my life is not my profession, it is merely a hobby.  I cannot let it stress me out more than I already am.  It is a BLESSING that I am grateful to be able to do, I don't want to ruin the moments... :)

Happy 2016 everyone!!!

One week of school left, less than two weeks until Christmas....how in the holly berry did this happen???? :)  Every year it sneaks up on me, but this time I'm ahead of the game when it comes to gift giving!!!

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you today.  It's literally the EASIEST candy recipe EVER!!  I've never had much luck with fudge and this recipe is definitely a keeper.  Three ingredients, jelly jars, twine, and cute appetizer spoons = gifts that anyone will love!

Let's start with our ingredients:

One bag of Milk Chocolate Chips ( I use Toll House, but I bet Hersheys would be yummy too)

I can of sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Packing materials:

glass jelly jars (Walmart)

bakers twine (Target)

plastic appetizer spoons (Walmart) 

gift tags (Target or any you choose)

Directions:

Pour the bag of chips and condensed milk into a glass bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Microwave for 15 seconds, then stir.  If needed, microwave for ten second intervals and stir until smooth.  Add a teaspoon of vanilla and mix well.  Have jelly jars clean and ready to fill.  Pour the fudge into the jars and let set up.  After a few hours, put the lids on the jars and decorate!  If you use bakers twine or jute rope, I would tie a knot before you tie the bow.  :)  Just a tip!  Add those super cute spoons and now you have the sweetest gift!!

Happy Holidays from Mrs. Baker's Dozen!!!