Saturday, May 21, 2011

Save our Earth!


I know it's past Earth Day (though isn't EVERY DAY Earth Day?!?), but I thought I would pass on a few tips to help reduce the damage we do to our Earth. :D

Studies have shown that 60-75% of our landfills contain items that can be recycled. My husband and I have been recycling for about 3 years now. Here are our bins:

These are in our pantry. As you can see, we have a bin for paper, a bin for plastic, and a bin for cardboard. These bins empty into three different garbage barrels stored in our garage. My husband hauls the barrels to the neighborhood recycling center about once every month. We recycle whatever we can, including junk mail, food containers, and take-out containers--basically lots and lots of packaging. Packaging takes up about one-third of trash thrown away--WOW! (In fact, since we started recycling our trash only has to be taken out ONCE a week, versus 2-3 times per week. Recycling = less trash. Less trash = less waste.)  

FUN FACT: You may not have noticed this but every plastic container has a recycle symbol on the bottom with a number in the middle of it. It's not just there to remind you to recycle, but to show you how easy the container is to recycle. The lower the number, the easier it is to recycle; the higher, the more difficult.

I try not to use things that have a high number, but sometimes it's unavoidable (like laundry detergent). The plastic cups (usually red) used at parties and events (especially on TV!) have a HIGH number and shouldn't be used if you can help it. There are plenty of other cups that are just as fun and have a 1 or 2 on the bottom.

I also keep this little green folder in my school tote bag to use to bring home papers from school that can be recycled. (You all know how much paper is used at school, so it's usually quite a bit that I put in my folder!). 

I hope this post inspires you to make a few small changes in your life to help preserve our Earth! As far as we know, we only get one! :D

Do any of you recycle? What other green things do you do?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Math Detectives



Last week, my students put their brains to work and created math riddles! They wrote their own (with a little bit of guidance, or course) and I am very pleased with how well they came out. Enjoy!


Sample:


Sunday, May 15, 2011

TBA

I am TOTALLY honored that I have been invited to become an author on TBA! Check it out here:

Friday, May 13, 2011

Tessellations: PART 3

Here is the final installment of the tessellations--we are finally all finished:




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They did SUCH a great job! I am so proud of my students! I hope you enjoyed these 3 posts! :D

Saturday, May 7, 2011

And the winner is...


Congratulations!! Email me for details at froggycupcakes@gmail.com!

Thanks everyone for your interest! :D

Friday, May 6, 2011

Only (roughly) 24 hours left!

My giveaway ends Saturday night at 10:00 (CST)! Join in one the fun here!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

(drum roll please)


It's time for a...

I'm very excited to be able to exchange ideas with some of America's finest teachers through blogging! I want to thank each of my 30 followers for expressing an interest in my blog! That being said, the giveaway will be for...


With it being Teacher Appreciation Week, I feel that you totally deserve to get yourself something special (or at least have free reign in what you get!). What better place than Amazon?!? (I'm such a huge fan!)


Here's how it will work:
Leave a comment with...
  • a statement that you are a follower of my blog.
  • your plans for what you will purchase with the gift certificate.
  • a link to a blog post (by you, of course) about this giveaway.

Additional Entry:
Share your favorite math activity that you do with your students (comment or leave a link to your post).

This giveaway will end Saturday, May 7th at 10:00 p.m. (CST). I will then randomly pick one winner. Good luck and again, I thank for your support! :D

Monday, May 2, 2011

Monday Math Blog Hop: Tessellations PART 2

Last Monday's Math Blog Hop I posted the beginning of a tessellation project my 4th graders started. Well, I am VERY PLEASED to present the finished products (well...at least several of them) to you! I didn't get a chance to take a before picture of all of them, but I do have a few.


BEFORE

FINISHED PRODUCT


BEFORE

FINISHED PRODUCT


BEFORE

FINISHED PRODUCT


BEFORE

FINISHED PRODUCT


Some kids REALLY went all out while others just slapped a design on to get finished.
 










This was such a fun project! I had a GREAT time teaching it and the kids had a GREAT time being so creative. :D

By the way, thanks to Abigail, I reached my 25 follower goal, so I will be announcing my first giveaway this week!! Stay tuned!!