Five for Friday 12.5.14

I've finally found a bit of time to sit and blog at the end of this busy week. As I sit here at my computer sipping a cup of hot, steamy Earl Gray I realize that I have a great deal to share for Five for Friday this week.

First... 
We made plans for our annual tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, our first day back to school after Thanksgiving break. We chose our theme and made our ornaments.
Second... 
On Wednesday morning, we walked into our room to find a huge cardboard box and an envelope on the top of it. Much to my surprise, when I opened the letter I discovered that I had been chosen to receive a science education grant. The box contained one of the items that I had requested as part of the grant. My kiddos had a grand time reading the directions and assembling a portable sink for our classroom.

Third...
I've been having a terrific time using the new products that I purchased during TpT's Cyber Sale this past Monday and Tuesday. One item that I started using immediately is this Common Core Daily Reading practice for gr. 7.

My kiddos seem to like the short yet challenging texts. The activities require about 5-10 mins. per day and focus on various standards. Monday-Thursday's items are multiple choice while Friday's requires written response.

It's difficult to cover the myriad ELA standards in a daily 40 minute period, so this product helps assure that all the reading standards are covered. I also purchased the gr. 6 set and am looking forward to starting it with my sixers after Christmas break.

Fourth...
The big day arrived today: the annual tree decorating and lighting ceremony! All of our K-6 students (and teachers) dressed in pajamas for the day. We gathered in the cafeteria to hear an inspiring Christmas tale.

This year the chosen story was...

After the story all the students hung their angel ornaments on the tree (or the windows).

Once the tree was decorated, we turned on the lights... just beautiful!

The fun was not over yet. We returned to our rooms to celebrate reading before bedtime (yep, the reason for the pj's). All of our K-6 students spent the next 2015 seconds reading. We started this portion of our annual tradition back in 1999 looking forward to the new millenium by reading for 2000 seconds. Each year we've added one more second.

And because today was Friday, my kiddos read using their finger lights for Flashlight Friday (Thanks goes to Diane over at Fifth in the Middle for this cute idea!),

Fifth... 
The week ended with more fun. My sixers are able to participate in junior high sports. Today was a junior high/high school pep rally where the basketball teams and cheerleaders were introduced. My sixers are just the cutest.

I hope your week was as fun-filled and full of learning as mine.