Monday, June 9, 2014

3-Digit Subtraction Or Addition Practice!


This activity is great for hands on practice for 2nd and 3rd graders struggling with 3 digit subtraction or addition w/ regrouping!

I split my "class" into 2 groups.  2 students vs. 2 students.  They rolled their set of dice.  Set up their problem.  I had to check (at the beginning- they ended up catching on) before they subtracted to ensure the larger number was on top- to avoid any negative numbers. :)  The groups would find the difference (or sum depending on what you are practicing).  Whichever group had the largest answer won the round!  I loved watching the teams catch on to put the biggest number on top and the lowest possible number on the bottom so they can get the largest possible difference.  So fun to see the light bulb go off in their little minds. :)


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Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Distributive Property Hands On Activity



Great hands on activity for 6th - 8th graders struggling or just learning the Distributive Property.  I like to tell my students that a fun way to remember Distributive Property is that the parenthesis are like a bowl and the term in front is going to be "double dipped" (or "triple dipped" depending on how many terms are inside the parenthesis) into the bowl.  I always have them circle the term in front including the sign so it's easier for them to remember it when distributing. 

Materials Needed:
Half Sheet of Paper (write boxes and parenthesis as pictured)
3 dice (I put in one red one for the older kids to represent a negative number)
Whiteboard or paper and pencil


Students roll the dice and place the dice in the boxes
(if they are using a red dice for negative numbers, then just put it in either of the first 2 boxes)


Students write the problem formed when the roll the dice and solve!

My summer class of 7th graders wanted to make a competition of it.  So, we set a timer to see who could solve the most distributive property problems correctly the fastest.  It was funny to watch them catch on that when they rolled a 1 they would put it in the first box so they didn't have to distribute or "double dip" like I call it. :)


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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Frozen Birthday Party!


I think every child (and parent) knows the lyrics to "Let It Go"!
The Frozen epidemic has hit our house too!
My daughter turning 3 wanted a Frozen Party and this is what I put together:

CAKE:
Since it's pretty much impossible to buy an Elsa or Anna doll right now without dropping some serious cash.  My first choice for a cake was out since it was an Elsa with a cake dress.  There isn't a Wilton cake pan for Frozen yet either- so that was out.  Then, I found this tutorial on YouTube: Olaf Cake.
In case you didn't recognize it, this is from Olaf's song "In Summer".
Thought it was simple enough so I gave it a go.  Didn't have time for all the fancy extras but I thought it turned out great! {Seriously, I probably only spend like 30-45 mins on decorating.  Most of the time was unwrapping all those Kit Kats} Little tip: It's easier to manipulate the gum paste when you rub a little vegetable shortening on it. 
Materials:
Cake Mix
Your fav buttercream frosting (and blue food coloring)
Kit Kats
Gum Paste
Pretzels
Orange Starburst (for nose)
Candy Eyes



 GAMES: 

~SNOWDOUGH~

My welcoming activity for kids to do {since they always show up at different times} was playing with snowdough.  Seriously this is HANDS DOWN the best playdoh recipe.  Stays soft forever!
You can find the recipe HERE


~PIN THE NOSE ON OLAF~
This idea is ALL over Pinterest.  Before you nix this idea cuz you "can't draw" then check out my Etsy shop cuz I will draw it for you. :)


~ SNOWBALL FIGHT WITH MARSHMALLOW~
 
I drew Marshmallow on a shower curtain.

Then, you can make these soft "snowballs" out of white pantyhose and polyfil.
Again, you can purchase Marshmallow and the snowballs in my Etsy shop if you don't want to make it yourself.

You can play this game a couple ways:
1) You have the kids stand on a line a distance from Marshmallow and have them try to hit him with a snowball (like Anna did in Frozen)

2) You display it in the room you will have the snowball fight. I put down a masking tape line in the middle of the room. I divided the kids into teams. Set the timer and said "Go!". When the time is up you see which side of the room has less snowballs, that is your winning team!

This was the funnest game!


Then, I had Elsa and Anna come for a visit. 
If you are local to the Mesa, AZ area then Fairytale Events is awesome!

I have one other original game idea but I can't show you because it is going to be featured on a blog!  Eek!  So.... stay tuned for that. :)

~SOME FOOD LABELS~

This label got a little cut off in the picture so I took another pic below.
I was going to have some Oreo Truffles here... but that didn't happen so I just put out some chocolate!


And the water cooler full of water bottles.


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Saturday, May 17, 2014

May~ Why is it important to study the scriptures?

These handouts go along with the lesson from May "Why is it important to study the scriptures?"


This printable goes along with this part of the lesson:
  • Ask each young woman to read one of the scriptures suggested in this outline. Ask her to draw a picture that represents what her scripture teaches, and invite the rest of the class to guess what the scripture says about the importance of scripture study. What experiences can the young women share in which they have seen the importance of scripture study in their own lives?
 I was going to have the girls draw a scripture out of a hat and then they have to illustrate the scripture on on page of their Come Follow Me INB and tell about it on the other page.

Then, I will partner them up with someone.  They will show their partner their illustration. (see below) and will have their page with their description facing them without their partner seeing.

Their partner will have to try and guess what the scripture is saying by looking at the picture.



Then, I will have the girls write a question they may have on a piece of paper.  For example: How do I know when I have been forgiven?, How do I know I am a Daughter of God?, How do I know Heavenly Father answers prayers? etc....

Girls will crumble them up into a ball and throw it into the center of the class.  Like "snowballs".  The girls when then pic up a "snowball'/someone else's question.  They will write the question on this handout below.  Then, they will find scriptures to answer that YW's question.

While the girls are looking for scriptures, I will post the questions on the board.  Then, when the girl's have a scripture(s) to answer the question they will post it on the board next to the question. 


Girls can write the questions and scripture references for all the girls (from the board) in the grid below to use for future reference.


Hope this helps!! :)




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Monday, April 21, 2014

#BecauseofHim Easter Lesson


I was assigned to give the Easter Lesson this past Sunday.  It was one of those lessons that really didn't fall together until the last minute (sorry!).  But, I wanted to share it with you because it was one of the most spiritual lessons I've taught.  And like one of the other YW leaders said to me afterwards "It wasn't that you taught it, it was such a powerful lesson because of Him."  Which is so true.  It was really the power of the Spirit that taught the lesson.  The message behind the Atonement and what Jesus Christ did for us is so powerful and we needed to be reminded of it often.

So, this is what I did.  I found this "silent lesson" idea on Sugardoodle.net.  But it was on Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on "Stop It" in regards to judging others.  I liked the idea of the silent lesson, but wanted to incorporate the new Because of Him video the church came out with.

What is a "silent lesson"?
It's where everyone is completely quiet.  The teacher holds up signs for the students to read.  You can incorporate an activity, videos, music, etc...

So here is my silent #BecauseofHim Easter Lesson:

I stood at the front of the classroom and held up these signs watching the girl's faces to make sure they were reading....



 

I showed this video: Because of Him

I then silently passed out an Easter egg to each girl.
{of course each girl was quietly peeking inside as I passed them out to see if there was anything in it}


Then, I handed out a piece of small paper and pencils.
Gave the girls about 2 mins to fill them out.  Once I could tell they were all done, I stood up to hold the next sign.

{I demonstrated sticking the paper inside their Easter egg}

I had Bibles ready on the table in case anyone needed one.
Here is that scripture if you want to read it: John 3:16





I then played this video: "Never a Better Hero"

This quote came from the lds website. 

The lesson went by really fast because there was no talking! I'm really glad we sang all 3 verses tho.  Some of the girls were crying through it. :)  The spirit was so strong among these sweet girls.

We actually still had about 10 mins. left.  So I let them bare their testimonies.  A lot of the girls shared.  It was amazing.  I'm so grateful for the power of the Holy Ghost. :)



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Sunday, April 13, 2014

60 Minute Dinner Rolls!



These rolls are done in 60 minutes.  Start to finish.  Not even joking!  And they are YUMMY!  I found the recipe HERE on Dinner Time Ideas Blog.  I'm asked to make them all the time for family dinners.  Tonight I didn't even start making them until right before my husband was going to put the chicken on the grill!  They are fast homemade rolls!  Just thought I would share since everyone always asks for the recipe.

Just make sure you don't kill the yeast! Check your yeast packet, bag etc... for right water temp! Mine (from Costco) says btwn 90-110 degrees F.  Yes, I always use a little baking thermometer to check my water temp! ;)



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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

GIVEAWAY!!! FHE Kits!




GIVEAWAY!!! 
just in time for Easter!!
 I will be picking FIVE winners!! 
One winner each Monday until Easter! 

Go over to my Facebook Page: Apples 4 Bookworms to enter

To qualify for the giveaway you must:
1. Like my page
2. Like this post
3. Comment on this post (only one comment!)
4. Share this post

Family Home Evening Kits. Kids reach in pull out an item. Using the card enclosed you give the lesson using the scripture reference given. Or you can supplement using your Gospel Art Kit or Scripture Story books from the LDS Distribution Center. Enough lessons for over a YEAR!!! Great way to make sure you always have FHE! {normally sell for $12, $4 shipping}
Also great to use for if you are asked last minute to sub Primary!

(sooner you enter, the sooner you have more chances to win! Up to 5 times! I will do the raffle drawing every Monday night at 9:00pm MST. I will contact you to ship directly to you or a family member, if you are giving it as a gift!) Good luck!
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