Run, Run Rudolph

As you can tell, we have been busy, BUSY in second grade consumed by our reindeer activities. I have compiled all of the fun that we have been having into a holiday unit full of resources, crafts and projects. Run, Run Rudolph is a standards based  unit that encourages valuable learning experiences and brings in a whole lot of holiday cheer! As  many of us know, the holiday spirit in many of our students becomes a little…well…at times…crazy! (It is what it is…right?J) With this unit, you can bring out the best in that sweet spirit and keep students engaged and excited about learning. I hope that you and your students enjoy this little piece of Christmas spirit! And the best part??? It is on SALE until Friday. If you would like to check it out, you can swing by my TPT store.

That's all for tonight, friends! It's bedtime for this tired straight up EXHAUSTED teacher!

The Somerset Freedom Fighters First Field Agent

Yes he is his, the first of three SFF field agents with this one being form the start of the conflict with the government and BUF forces. As I have stated before this fellow is based or rather he has modelled himself on the Republican Spanish Civil War fighter fighting Franco and can see parallels here in Blighty and dress accordingly. Personally I think its a fashion thing. He is armed with a Colt M1911 pistol and a ERMA EMP35 sub machine gun.

Somerset Freedom Fighter, Early 1938

You Dirty Rat

Well maybe not but here the latest stage that Freedom Fighter is at. He is rapidly becoming one of my favourites and I am very happy with the leather look on the jacket.

SFF swinging pistol around. 1938

Somerset Freedom Fighters Start

Here is the actually start to the SFF troops. This chap is heavily influenced by the Spanish Civil War and also mobster movies too. Hopefully this will come out and show up as the painting evolves.

SFF Field Soldier

Long A Word Sort {2nd Grade Word Study}

Hi friends! It is short, sweet, and straight to the point tonight. My students needed a little review with long vowel letter combinations this week, so today we reviewed long a. I created this little word sort activity that correlates with my 2nd Grade Word Study Unit.If you would like a copy, you can click on any of the pictures below. Of course, it has to fall right in line with our reindeer theme this week. Hope you can put this to some use!

Don't forget, my TPT sale lasts through Friday at midnight. If you didn't have time to shop on Monday, all of my units are still 20% off. Keep your fingers crossed and I may even have a reindeer unit up before the end of the week! Hope you are having a fabulous week! Happy Teaching!



Relaying Tales of Daring Do.

Yes he is the finished version of the intelligence officer retelling or reliving tales of past glories. I am rather happy with him as he has come out rather well. Next a SFF fighter.

Dick at the Bar retelling of his Adventures in 1938

Reindeer Tracks...and a FREEBIE!

It is all things reindeer in our classroom this week. We are researching reindeer, writing fictional stories about reindeer, creating reindeer and even working to earn reindeer tracks (a.k.a. fake money) to buy our reindeer trail mix on Friday. Basically the more money they have, the better their selection of ingredients. At this point in the year, it is all about the incentive people! Am I right or am I right?!? ESPECIALLY since our MAP testing begins on Monday. Cross your fingers!!!!

I can't actually believe that we accomplished so much today, but I told my kids before the break to come back with their workout gear on when they returned because we were going to be WORKING. IT. OUT. for three weeks! Boy were they ready! Maybe it was the excitement about research, maybe the incentive, maybe the five days off...don't know and don't care....they were just pure awesome today!  

We began by adding a few finishing touches to our multiplication unit before our big test. Today, the students created an array journal. Check. Them. Out!

If you have any need for an array journal you can pick up a copy by clicking on the picture below.

During our shared reading time, we began our study of reindeer. We completed the first two steps of our RAN strategy. We also watched some pretty cool videos on National Geographic Kids.

After we were all excited about reindeer, we read about some of our favorite reindeer in a cute little story called Santa's New Jet. The students then created a "Wanted" Ad for the North Pole Weekly! In the story, all of Santa's reindeer are completely out of shape. A little too much Thanksgiving perhaps! Ahhh....I feel their pain! Ha!

And of course we had to do a little craftivity! Especially since it was pouring...and I MEAN pouring outside! Best time for crafts.

I am so loving this time of year! Well...there is still a few more hours left in this Cyber Monday for all of you crazy shoppers! I hope that you all had a fabulous Monday!

So this is Intelligence Gathering then?

Here is the latest stage of Dick at the Bar, that is so wrong to write on so many different levels. I am going for the late 60s early 70s look and I think I have managed to capture it.

Intelligence Gathering Operation

Just in Time for Cyber Monday!!!!!!

Hi, Hi, Hi Friends!

Wow...it feels like for-EVA ago that I was here! Basically, about 2,000 miles {in a car...Yes...I feel like an old lady with some SERIOUS back issues...did I hear a sigh?}, 4 hotels, 5 family dinners, and what feels like 10 pounds later, I am back and ready for action! Honestly y'all, I seriously thought that I would never make it BUT it was so great to see our family and celebrate the holidays together! Now...I have t-minus 12 hours to prepare for tomorrow, unpack, clean, sleep and post a few units! Ay...yi...YI!!!!

So, SO sad that I have not had the time or internet connection (HA!) to post all of our fun Thanksgiving activities. It was quite the week between turkey creations, tie-dye shirts, Indian craftivities and so much more! Next year I will have to be in the loop a little earlier!

Now that Thanksgiving has passed me by, I am in the mindset of Christmas 100% of the time. So, since holiday parties are just around the corner {My gym and I are about to become BFF's maybe even twice a day}, I thought I would throw a little party of my own over at my TPT store.

This sale is JUST IN TIME for two brand new units: 

This unit now includes an additional mini-unit to be used with Money Sticks.

For additional information on my math centers, you can look HERE!

This is a perfect unit if you are currently diving into a study of nonfiction.

For more information on this unit, you can check out a post HERE!

You can check out both of these units on my TPT store!

That's all for now friends! I will be back this week with all things reindeer! Can't wait! I hope that you all had a blessed Thanksgiving and are all ready for the crazy whirlwind before Christmas break! Happy Sunday!

Painting the Old Man

Well I have started on the older version of Dick, the one who is relaying his tales and I am pleased so it so far. The tie still requires some work on and then the suit, possible in tweed, as was the style in the 60s, 70s or sports jacket and trousers. I'll have to think about that one. Here he is.

Dick enjoying a tale and a drink

A Somerset Freedom Fighter

Here is the first of three SFF field operatives or fighter to you and me. He is going to be wearing a black leather jacket over cord trousers and black boots, giving him as Spanish Civil War look, need to look the part. Couldn't decide on fag in the mouth or not. So here the chap it.

Somerset Freedom Fighter, 1938

A Return to the SFF

Yes I have returned to the illustrations of the Somerset Freedom Fighters' book with a picture of the main man retelling its tells in a local. It is actually based on a relation of the writer I think. So here is the sketch.

Ex Intelligence Officer retells his past

We Wish you a Merry Christmas

Yes the picture for me Xmas Card is finished and now its the card part of actually made the blooming things, lol. Those local volunteers sing is enough to scare any would be attacker.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas?

Christmas Is Coming

Or so the Coca Cola ad tells us. I have started to think of cards to do for myself and keeping with the 1938 VBCW theme I have come up with this little idea. Its about half way done now and hopefully should have the rest done by tomorrow, I love setting unrealistic deadlines for myself, lol. Here it is so far.

A 1938 VBCW Xmas

Albion Orc Officer

Well I have finished the chap and just a few things to do before sending it off to Orcs in the Webbe. I am rather pleased with the way he has turned out and I think I have got the image of soberly and daring do about him.

Orc Line Officer

I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General

Well not quite but he, I think its a he, not going to ask him though, lol, is coming along. I am loving the change to do something different and I have a real soft spot for Flintloque so here it is.

Vary Model of a Model Major General

Orc Officer

Well having done the Ferach Officer I thought that the next thing to do is an Orc from Albion. He is modelled on a very specific character and I think I have captured him. I cant wait to have him finished.

Orc Officer

One year Old Today

Oh my gosh, my blog has made its first birthday and I am still hapy posting away, not sure what that says about me. Well I have had a great time over the last year with this and look forward to next, this year and producing some more interesting pieces of work for you all to enjoy. Thanks for all your support for the last year.

Cheers

Ferach Naval Captain

Turning my time over to a different type of project here is the first of three illustrations for Flintloque. This is a black powder fantasy game from Alternative Armies which is based, very loosely on Sharpe and is great fun. Well this elf is a naval officer for the Ferach navy.

Ferach Naval Officer for Flintloque

Come Comrads to Battle

First another is completed and this is the socialist chap that I have been working on. I went for a simple check and wish I had thought about the herringbone. That means that one project is completed and still two to go, which is no moan. So onwards and upwards.

Peoples Defence Militia, Nottingham, 1938

Coming Soon....My Road Trip Through Nonfiction

I have had SO many sweet emails and comments about my nonfiction post from several days back. After this crazy week, it feels like I posted that WEEKS ago. Seriously, I keep saying...one week! One week! One week! These little cutie pies of mine are CAH-RAZY ready for Thanksgiving break. Thank goodness I have TONS of hands on learning already in the works for this week. Especially for Friday since I am MOST DEFINITELY staying up for the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn on Thursday Night into the wee hours of Friday morning. Come on...I know there are some die-hard Twilight fans out there in teacher world!!!!  However, I WILL NOT be one of "those people" dressing up in costume...just sayin'!

Back to nonfiction! Along with all of those oh too sweet comments, I received lots of emails asking about my little notebook that I created for my kiddos. You know...the "My Road Trip Through Nonfiction" notebook. If you are so lost...scroll down a few posts to see just what I mean. :0) 

Just for all of you, I have been hard at work putting together a little unit. It should be ready by mid-week. Who knows...I may just become super motivated and finish it ALL tonight! Either way, I wanted to let you know that it is in the works! So...stay tuned!

Happy Beautiful Sunday Dear Friends!!!!

The Left is Rising

Here is the latest stage the socialist militiaman is at. As you can see the majority of the illustration has been completed and now its the details like the webbing, rifle and his cap. Question is to tweed the cap is not?

Socialist Militiaman, 1938

At Last The Socialists

Here is the last one form Simon at Solway for his next book, the condensed versions of the Sourcebooks. This chap is a member of the worker defence militia from a mine or factory. No real webbing or uniform, just a rifle and a bayonet, guess that the real look of a militia anyway.

Remembrance Sunday

Green Fields of France

The Finished Yeomanry

I remember who they are and its the Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry in there 1911 Coronation Uniform. Again its a picture for VBCW but its for myself. It has been discussed between Simon at Solway and myself about Yeomanry reverting to the full dress uniforms and bringing colour to the battlefield and here is what what a yeomanry trooper would look like.

Yeomanry Cavalry

Here is the latest stage the Yeomanry is at. As you can see I have finished the horse and am very please with it. I have enjoyed painting horses maybe I am the next Stubbs, lol. Well here he is.

Yeomanry Cavalry

A Small Project For Me :)

Having taken so time off from paint, playing the computerised version of Bloodbowl, I have started on this project for me. He is a British Yeomanryman from the 1911 Coronation and it has been fun researching and painting this so far. The uniform is actually correct but the name of the regiment escapes me at the moment.

British Yeomanry, 1911

11.11.11.11

The Soldier (War Sonnets No. 5)

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England's, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blessed by the suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts a peace, under an English heaven.

Rupert Brooke (1887-1915)

Keeping It Light and Fluffy! {Marshmallow Multiplication}

Alright...has anyone else had one of "those" weeks! You know...the ones that haunt you and give you nightmares for weeks on end!  Well...maybe it hasn't been THAT bad but I honestly never believed in the theory of THE "full moon" until I became a teacher! The little darlings have been a tad on the crazy side this week. So during this "time of the month" {hey...we all have them right???} that they feel their hands always have to be moving and their lips just tend to follow, I find every way imaginable to put those hands and mouths to good use. Needless to say...just about everything on my lesson plans have been revised...and revised...and revised! Where is that little poster about pretending that it is on the lesson plan again??? {Riiiiggghhhtt! wink! wink!}

Thanks to the world of blogging, I did a little borrowing to create a fun activity to get my kids all into multiplication {as if they needed motivation...they have been begging and dreaming about this day...I SWEAR!} Abby over at "THE" Inspired Apple used this same concept to teach place value. It worked PER.FECT for multiplication as well! Thanks Abby for all of your awesomeness!

Here is how my little marshmallow multiplication lesson went down:

I introduced the concept of multiplication using a Brainpop Jr. video with the all too famous Annie and Moby. After the initial introduction, we used marshmallows and fruit loops to show how we can use repeated addition to solve multiplication problems. For each problem, the students used marshmallows to show the number of groups and fruit loops to show the number of objects in each group.

My little crazies sweeties at work! They truly are the most amazing students ever...even on weeks where they are a little off their rockers!

This is short and sweet tonight. Friday is so calling my name!!!

A BIG TGI {Almost....almost...almost...}F!!!!!!!!

P.S. If something doesn't make sense or you see a trillion spelling errors...I am so blaming it ON THE KIDS!!!!! Ha!