Ericas Ed-Ventures

Primary Education Ideas

Five for Friday – Linking Up With Doodle Bugs

I am linking up with Kacey of Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five Random Things about My Week!
Random #1:
I have two very large LOFT gift cards burning a hole in my pocket!  My problem: the LOFT has been a serious disappointment this school year!  I mean come on LOFT stylists: a dress with cats on it that fits like a potato sack!  Get back to your teacher-friendly roots.   I seriously went in the store and left with one thing and two intact gift cards.   This is unthinkable!  
So, where have I been getting my shopping fix?  H&M!  
This is actually not an outfit I wore to school, but the blazer and top do work well for school.  I love H&M’s blazers,  their loose fitting tops, and reasonable prices.
Random #2:
I am still working on my Penguin Packet!  I know it is taking me  FOREVER.  I plan on using it on Monday with my class, so I better get a move on it.  If you are interested in the packet, follow my TpT store so that you get an email when it is posted. 
Random #3:
I posted my visual plans this week on my blog and received such sweet/encouraging feedback, that I am going to try and do it again this Sunday.  
Random #4:
I turn my art projects into art centers.  This is a project by First Grade Blue Skies that I made sentence strip directions for on my pocket chart.  I include tracers, construction paper, and a sample in the center.  The students have to read the directions and follow the model to complete the project.  It takes a whole week before I get everyone’s finished product but it is an effective way to squeeze in some art.  See my plans above for more details about where to get the project and the acrostic poems. 
Random #5:
A student’s cat died this week.  If you read my blog, you know I love animals and consider pets family members.  When a student’s dog or cat dies, I send home the book Dog Heaven or Cat Heaven, depending on the type of pet.  Both books are by Cynthia Rylant.   I have the family write on the inside cover, as pictured below. I know, the book Dog Heaven made me feel better when my Cocker Spaniel, Hannah, died.
       
Thanks for reading!  Remember to hop over to Kacey’s blog to read more Five for Fridays! 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I need to check out those books! "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it when you lose a fur baby. 🙁 I am saving my LOFT gift cards for spring…I'm hoping they get their act together because it's the only place I shop! Thanks for sharing your visual plans…love to see how others organize and how things flow. It satisfies a nosy part of me. 😉 Happy weekend!

    Amy

  9. Definitely agree with the Loft problem this year! Every time I get a sale email, which seems like it is daily this year…….I cringe that I can't find one thing worth buying! Love the book idea for the lose of a pet!

    • This year I forgot, but all my students celebrate Christmas so I thought it was a safe bet to send the book home. I usually mention the books at Meet the Teacher Night, when I talke about letting me know about things happening outside of school that may upset their child.

  13. I totally understand your Loft issues. What is the deal over there?! I went into H&M over Christmas break and about lost everything. There were so many things on sale! We're talking heels, belts, jewelry, blazers, the works. So cheap too. I seriously love your idea for helping children mourn the loss of their family members (the fuzzy ones that is). Animals are such an important part of the family. Thanks for sharing 🙂 PS cannot wait for the penguin pack and your plans this week!

    Khrys
    Keepinitkoolinkinderland.blogspot.com

  16. Wish we had an H&M in Maine!! It seems like a GREAT store.

    LOVE Dog Heaven!! My friend's mom gave it to me after my cocker spaniel died. I was in tears. Love that you're using those books to make a connection to your families and showing them how important pets are!!

    Laurie
    First Grade Lyons' Den

    • I actually used my circle punch and had the kids glue the white circles to the bows. I showed them how to trim the edges off. Some did it and some did not, but they still came out cute. I have a huge fear of paint in the classroom!

  18. I LOVE H&M! They just put a new store in near me (before the closest one was 45+ minutes away) and it is now dangerous for me to go inside… haha. So many cute clothes! And great prices!

    –Caitlin
    thekindergarden.blogspot.com

  20. I love the idea of sending home thos animal books with a family whose pet has just died. Such a sweet way to honour the pet and let the family know you are thinking about them. I need to check those two books out. Thanks for sharing!

    Amanda
    First Grade Garden

  21. I love the idea of sending home those books. I will definitely need to do that too. Rainbow's Bridge is a sweet website to visit when you lose a pet. I will need to be medicated when my kitty and bunny die.=(

    I know this won't help with your gift cards but you can by things new off eBay. I love the store Anthropologie but it is expensive. I buy new with tag things off eBay all of the time. =)

    Thank you for sharing! I am sure you would still look cute in the cat dress!

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

  22. I just recently discovered Loft and I am excited to start shopping there for new school clothes. Also, I am always running out of time to do small art projects and putting them in a center is not only a great time saver, but I bet the kids loved it!

    Jennifer
    Darling Little Learners

  24. I also love H&M! My closest store is up near Cincinnati, which is about an hour and a half away, so that kind of stinks for me, cause I love their low prices! I wore and H&M sweater today actually! 🙂

    I love the idea of doing artwork as a center. Unfortunately, the kids that come into my room for reading absolutely couldn't handle that. My own class could, though, so I want to find a way to work that in! I think they could do most of the art activities I've done on their own! And those snowmen are so cute!

    I love Patricia Pollaco, and I love the idea of having those books! I may need to get a copy for myself! What a great idea!

  27. Thanks for sharing about Dog Heaven and Cat Heaven. We just lost one of our dog's this week and I ordered Dog Heaven for my son and then I will put it into my class and do the same thing. I shared what you do on my blog and linked back to this post. Just and FYI and thanks again for the great idea!

    Renee

    Fantastic First Grade Froggies