Five For Friday {June 6}

I'm linking up with Kasey from Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five For Friday.

This is my first week of summer break. I feel pretty productive this week!

1. I finished reading my first book.  I love Robin Jones Gunn's writing.  She writes Christian Fiction.  This particular one was a little sad, but if you are interested in her writing, check out the Sisterchicks series.

2.  I've been on a walk every morning.  The weather here this week has been beautiful; low to mid 70s and lots of sun (with the exception of one afternoon).  Looking forward to continuing my walks throughout the summer.

3. I spent the better part of an afternoon purchasing my new driving companion.  We'll be spending a lot of time together starting in August when we go 100 miles round trip from work to home.

4.  I planted a few flowers in a pot in front of my house.  Gardening isn't usually my forte so here's hoping these make it!

5. No photos of my culinary creations, but I made zucchini bread and strawberry pie this week.  Looking forward to trying some new recipes this summer.

What were you up to this week?

Wordless Wednesday: Critters

I'm linking up with Christina from Sugar and Spice for Wordless Wednesday.

We let our butterflies go the last day of school.  What "critters" do you have (or have you had) in your classroom?

A Book to Love {June 3}

I'm linking up with Mrs. Jump's Class for her new Tuesday linky Let's Talk about Books.

I'd like to share a book I have read the past couple years in the spring.  I am a sucker for illustrations, and these are beautiful!  My book to share today is Whose Egg (links to Amazon) by Lynette Evans, illustrated by Guy Troughton.  This book has the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon.  The page gives a description of what is in the egg, then you lift the flap and see the animal inside the egg.  I don't have it at home for the summer as I store most of my books at school.

I believe I purchased this at a Scholastic book warehouse sale a couple years ago.  Have you been to one of these?  50% off...danger zone for this book lover!  This year I bought a companion book, Whose Nest?

Be sure to hop on over to Deanna's blog and check out some more great books.  What are your favorite books for spring?

Monday Made It {June 2}

I'm so excited to join the weekly Monday Made It with Tara from Fourth Grade Frolics!  I found tons of great ideas last summer and can't wait to learn more this summer.

Today is my first official day of summer vacation!  My "made its" are few, but hopefully that will change as the summer progresses!

I "made it" a mess in my cubbies in an attempt to clean up for summer.  We are required to put everything somewhere, which will lead to some work in the fall.  This is the most empty these have ever looked for the summer.  I purged 3 Brute trash cans this spring, but you'd never know it looks at this picture!

My art materials are always a disaster. I can't find what I need and know that I have somewhere.  Our art teacher retired and we are not replacing her, so I will be my students' only art teacher next year (so help them).

My kiddos this year made short work of the wheels on the bottom of these carts (they lasted about a week).  I decided to try to stack them in this closet to hold art supplies.  Who knew; it was perfect!  Everything is neatly put away, organized and labeled.

I'd love some kindergarten art ideas if you have any to share!

During the last week of school, my kiddos peeled the paper off their crayons to make "reusable" crayons.  When we talked about Earth Day, we discussed things we could reuse and recycle.  They suggested crayons, they removed all the paper and broke them into pieces.  I melted them down in mini muffin tins (24 count tin for under $6 at WalMart).  Each child got one to take home and the rest are going to the local children's hospital to brighten a child's day.

What have you made lately?  Hop on over to Tara's blog and find many more ideas!

Wordless Wednesday: Field Trip {May 28}

I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo from Sugar and Spice for Wordless Wednesday.

I took my kindergarten kiddos to visit my college alma mater today, University of Mount Union.  It is in the same town I teach in (less than 2 miles down the road).  We want them to be excited about the prospect of college and all it has to offer.  Their favorite part...lunch in the "big" cafeteria of course!

What is your favorite field trip (past or present)?

Ice Cream Math Freebie

We have 2 days to go with kids.  I created a little activity to keep my kiddos going academically today while their brains are thinking "summer".  I shared a photo on Instagram this afternoon (@averycuriousclass) because my kiddos loved it!  I'd like to share the little activity with you so your kiddos can enjoy it too.

Did you download by clicking the link above?  I'd appreciate your feedback and/or any tips you have for this Instagram newbie!

Summer Bucket List

With four days of school left for me, I'm linking up with Mrs. Jump's Class to share my summer bucket list.

1.  Read!  I enjoy reading but find that I don't have (or make) much time for it during the school year.  I'm looking forward to reading some professional and "nonprofessional" literature this summer.

2.  Enjoy time just being at home:  I commute about an hour each way, so depending on the day and any after school commitments, I am not home much in any given day.  I just moved in last summer, so I'm hoping to enjoy some time here.

3.  Clean and organize: While boxes are unpacked and many places are organized, I have fallen into a bad habit of making a mess of my extra bedroom.  The past month or so I just drop stuff in that room when I don't know where else to put it or when I'm in a hurry.

4. Help with VBS: I'm helping with the preschool group at our church's Vacation Bible School in June.  I just started going to this church late last summer, so I have not seen VBS yet.  I hear that there are around 50 preschoolers each year, so it should be an adventure!

5.  Try some new recipes: Last summer I enjoyed trying a few new recipes each week with the help of Pinterest.  It was nice to have some different things to eat throughout the year.  I'd like to find some more easy ones that I can either make on Sunday and have for the week or quick ones to make throughout the week.  Your suggestions are welcome!

6.  I Teach K!: I'm very excited to be heading to Vegas for I Teach K! this summer.  I am presenting a session on Monday and looking forward to enjoying the rest of the week at the conference.  I'm hoping to meet new friends and learn lots!

7.  Visiting friends: I'm looking forward to visiting with friends that I don't get to see as much as I would like.

8.  Prepare for a new adventure: While I don't want to work all summer, I know that any things I do to prep for next year will make my year easier.  Over the summer, I don't mind doing things like assembling Reading A-Z books and creating centers, but I save these things for a rainy day.

9.  Get outside: Last summer I loved walking in the morning while it was still a little cool and starting my day off in a good way.  I'm looking forward to this time again this summer as well as catching of my cousin's softball games.

10. Spend time with family: I moved last summer to be closer to my family.  I am now about 20 minutes from them.  My mom also commutes over an hour to work (the opposite direction from me).  It was nice to make dinner and have my parents over a couples times a week over the summer since I am home and have more time to cook.  I'd also like to go on a little getaway with them, but we'll see about that.

What is on your summer bucket list?