Fab. Five for Friday and Area and Perimeter Spelling

Awhile ago, I posted about the spelling contract that I use with my kids. Its available in my TPT store. I've also added in the worksheet that my students use to find the area and perimeter of each of their spelling words. This sheet has really been a hit with the kids. They LOVE finding the area/perimeter of their words and are truly able to grasp the concepts with this spelling sheet. I've uploaded a few examples for you, since it may be confusing at first :P

Students begin by writing their words in the boxes. I remind them it's kind of like writing when in Kindergarten with the lined paper. Tall letters go up to the roof, and letters like p and q go downstairs tot he basement. 

Students then must outline each word with a  highlighter or marker. This is where many students make mistakes, so its important for them to go slowly. They outline only the boxes that have writing in them.

Then, they find the area and perimeter of each word. I have my students label each side for the perimeter then cross it off as they add them up..so they don't get confused. 

Let me know if you have any questions about this sheet!! Again, it's available in my TPT Store..and If you'd like to read more about my spelling contract you can read my earlier post :)

Onto my Fab. Five for Friday

Source: mrsbrowndotcom.blogspot.com via Courtney on Pinterest

I'm loving this no name paper hanger. When students don't write their names on their paper, all you do is clip it up. Students are responsible for checking to see if it's theirs..No more wasting time trying to figure out who's paper belongs to who..

Source: etsy.com via Courtney on Pinterest

This is such a cute idea!!! Pencil dispenser..Although, I can imagine kids just wanting to get pencils so they can pull that thingy down and see their pencil fall out. I remember loving to get straws from this dispenser as a child.

Source: thebudgetdiet.com via Courtney on Pinterest

This site has 72 ways to cut your spending my hundreds a month, and thousands a year. I really need to start budgeting my money better...I really have a problem spending on shopping and food!! If you don't already know by my pins..I LOVE food!! I've been having house fever for awhile, I really really want to buy ahouse..it is killing me paying rent (for the past 4 years) I feel as if I'm throwing my money away :( when it could be going to a mortgage payment...

Source: justinandashleyrefresh.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Has anybody ever tried this diet before?? It seems pretty easy..especially since I LOVE fruits and veggies. I'm a skeptic though and don't think you could really lose 10 pounds in 7 days. Doesn't really sound healthy to me either :/ haha Ive been wanting to try it out though..just to see if it really works. lol

Source: Uploaded by user via Courtney on Pinterest

I've been having to motivate myself lately with these kinds of pins to hit the gym and just work out. I've never really understood what people meant when they said "i have to get ready for bikini season' since I was always one of those really skinny people that ate a lot...although during and after college..it totally caught up to me!! I put on so much weight and have a hard time losing it and/or keeping it off!! My best friend and I are taking a mini vacation to Maui to the Grand Wailea Hotel. It is beautiful..and I need to get in shape to wear a bikini!!!   :P

BTW..Is anybody else excited that Magic Mike is coming out today?!?! Anybody going to watch it today?? I'm off to round up some girlfriends to check it out this afternoon..Oh the joys of not having school!!

Spelling Homework, Flow Map Summaries....and Can You Say FREEBIES?!

 I posted about a Summarizing Breakthrough that I had with my students awhile ago. You can go back and check that post out here! As I was going through my posts, I was wondering why I didn't share that file?! If your students are struggling with summary writing, give a try to the worksheet I created. You can find it for FREE at my TPT store The students use a flow map to draw pictures of the most important events that happened in the story. They use their flow map to write a summary. I had my students just write a simple sentence or two to describe each picture. If you do use it, please let me know how it works for your students!! My students even use this for their weekly reading responses and they draw it out on their own. I love it!! :)

Secondly, I wanted to share a Super Spelling Contract that I created. I know many of you have probably experimented with contracts and allowing your students to work on an assignment throughout the week, which means they need to manage their time and be responsible!! Of course, this will not work for every class but I make a big deal in the beginning of the year how I feel this class is Responsible enough to HANDLE having a contract and it is a privilege. I get bored with assigning the same assignments for spelling homework each work. With this contract, students are able to choose which assignment they will work on for the week. There are three different columns to choose from and one study option. Students are only allowed to pick ONE item from each column per week. The reason is because the assignments in each column vary in difficulty. Parents have seemed to really like the contract too. Since many students have practice, church, or other things going on after school, they have the flexibility throughout the week to get it done on their 'off days'.

The students really enjoy being able to choose the assignment they want to complete. I also make them check off and date the assignment once it has been completed. The catch here is that the students are only allowed to do 'abc order' once during the month. This was my tricky way of making them think they have the choice, but really they end up doing nearly all the assignments on the contract throughout the month. At the beginning of each month, I give out a new contract and they write the month on top. If you would like your own copy of this Super Spelling Contract you can pick one up at my TPT store!!

I will be giving a FREE copy of this contract to the first TWO comments who leave their email. If you REALLY want a free copy and are too late...post a link about my blog or any of my free resources, leave a comment that you did and this contract is yours :)