Scalloping Trophy Anyone??

So every year my family and I go scalloping in Homosassa, Florida. Homosassa is about and hour and a half North of Tampa. When I say "my family," I means a ton of people. The last 3 years there have been about 10 people, but this year there are 16 of us going. It has become tradition for us to try to collect the most scallops, then they have bragging rights for being the top collector. This year I decided to create a trophy that we can give to the person with the most scallops at the end of the trip. The trophy will be passed on every year to the person who captures the most scallops!

It got me thinking ... I could create "trophies" like this for my students. Maybe a pencil wrapped trophy for a writing competition. Just a thought ...

I'll be scalloping 'til Monday ... 

Accountable Math Talk Stems for Students

I just finished sprucing up my accountable math talk stems. I print these on cardstock, cut along the border, laminate them, punch holes in the corner and put silver rings through.

These stems are used in the math block when students are explaining, justifying, and critiquing other students’ work. Students use them to help formulate conversation about math concepts. The first few weeks of school maybe only giving students five to choose from would be appropriate, but as the year progresses attached new stems to the rings. In my class they are in the manipulative bins for each group so students can always access them. They go along with the Standards of Mathematical Standards.

Click on the picture to download accountable talk stems.

If you want to print the stems, click on the picture and it will take you to my TpT store where you can downloaded them!


Another place to visit for math talk ideas/stems, visit: GPS Math Coach

The Great Gatsby - High School Relived

Picture I took from the airport

My first non school/education related reading for the summer is ... (drum roll please...) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Classic, and maybe not very exciting I know, but it was required to read in high school for some reason! I wanted to 'really' see what the big deal was because in H.S. I didn't get the big deal. Never did I think I would be reading a book from H.S. (that I actually read Cliff Notes for the majority of)  for leisure or enjoyment, but the movie is coming out soon and I wanted to know the book's version before productions version is released.

I am sitting in Houston's airport heading home to Tampa.  I was visiting my very best friend Blair and her new baby boy Carter (he's AMAZING btw)! I bought the book in the airport to give me some 'quality' reading on my journeys - unlike my usual Health or People magazines. = )

I'm so excited about starting the read ... the first paragraph in the book starts with "whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all people in this world haven't had the advantages that you have had." ... This is a great start! I'll keep you updated!

Casey