Rainy Day Summer Activities

For the past few summers, I've had the opportunity to work in an Autistic and preschool special education setting.  I simply loved it and we were able to make  summer time activities that included fine motor skills, counting, identifying colors, and so on!  You can do these activities with your own children, preschoolers or kindergarten kiddos. Here are a few of my favorite (and the only ones I took pictures of) activities I have done with my students! 

1. Colorful lantern

I did this activity during a Camping themed week. We only needed a few items to create these cute lanterns. We needed mason jars, wet glue, a paintbrush, tissue paper, and a flame less tea light. I got a six pack of these frameless tea lights at Christmas tree shops for $2.50. 

I had my students rip up tissue paper while identifying colors, counting, and creating piles of ten! We used at least twenty to thirty pieces of tissue paper, but that all depends on the size of your pieces. We then took a paintbrush and had students glue pieces of the tissue paper directly onto the mason jar. As we were going over the mason jar, we would reapply glue of edges were turning up! We let them dry overnight and placed a flame less tea light inside. We loved the final product. I even have one that I keep on my patio for summer nights!

2. S'mores on a stick

To strengthen fine motor skills, I gave each of my students a snack sized bag with one graham cracker inside. Each student would try to break their cracker into crumbs by pinching it. Surprisingly, the kids loved to do this! I melted some pieces of chocolate in a microwave, stopping every 20 seconds to stir it in a bowl. I placed big marshmallows on a kabob stick made of bamboo and had students roll their marshmallows in the melted chocolate and roll it in the cracker crumbs in their snack bag. No melted marshmallows but the kids asked for second and third helpings, so you know they loved them!

3. Starfish

I simply used construction paper; cut out a starfish like shape (not the best looking one; I'm clearly no artist). I used Cheerios and had students count them and glue them onto their constudtion paper. Some were able to do more than others, but  either way, we worked in math skills.

4. Lighthouse

Again, step in the flame less tea lights! This was so simple! I just used clear cups and Red Solo cups, had kids cut small pieces of black construction paper and glue them on the sides and put masking tape around the cups! Super easy and super cute! 

5. Snake

I simply used a toilet paper roll, had the kids paint it, and allow time to dry. Then I had the kids cut the roll while I turned it. We then unrolled it to stretch it out, snipped an end to create a head and glued some eyeballs on it! The kids used these for pretend play. 

Pleasure; with None of the Guilt

So if you know me; you know I am a chocoholic! I love the sweet treat; and often have a stash in my desk at school (and maybe a little at home too ;)  Unfortunately, it tends not to be 70% cacao version! During a stressful day, I could eat a ton on the miniature sizes of milk chocolate. Many of my students see me with it, and always ask for some! My response is that I share a lot of things, but one thing I don't share is my chocolate!  Aren't I horrible?!  I can't help it, I am truly a chocolate addict.

Summer always reminds me of the beach and of course, ice cream.  Growing up I loved Mr. Softie (didn't we all??), and would always run out outside when I heard the truck coming up the street with its distinctive jingle! My family also vacationed in Cape Cod every summer and we always had homemade ice cream every night at a different place.  In high school, my friends and I often went out to get Italian ices before meeting up with a group of friends.  We even had a couple of reunions this summer, along with our favorite cream Italian Ices.  As an adult, I feel in love with blizzards at DQ ( chocolate and peanut butter cups).  DQ did not exist on Long Island while I was growing up.  Up until recently, I thought I was eating better when I got frozen yogurt; that is until, I added the peanut butter sauce and PB cups.  But as I try to move towards a healthier lifestyle; I had to give that up that summer ice cream fix!  I was determined to find something that was healthier, but still tasted good. The struggle was real, friends. That is until I found these....Arctic Zero Fit Frozen Desserts!

(Notice all have some form of chocolate in them). These are still a much healthier version than what most of us would normally have on a hot summer day, including frozen yogurt without any extras! Now this may not be new to you, but being that I have no Whole Foods or Trader Joe's near my house; it was a total treat to find these awesome treats in my local supermarket.  The entire pint has 150 calories; 35 calories per serving! They are gluten free, lactose free and GMO free and most are even nut free and fat free. These three flavors have 3 grams of protein (whey protein), and only 5 grams of sugar.  Normally, I could eat a whole pint in one sitting, but one serving size was perfect for me.  This has been my replacement from all fatty summer treats... Ok, not all, but most! 

Oh, before I forget, Arctic Zero does offer fruit versions of this frozen treat too! I'm just a chocoholic fit girl! Try some and let me know your favorite flavors!

Your "fit" chocoholic,

Mac

Summer Changes

This past school year has been one of my toughest in my eleven years of teaching experience. Towards the end of the school year, I was mentally and physically exhausted, as most of us are! 

Even with all the exhaustion, I think I would go stir crazy if I didn't work over the summer (even if for a month or so).  I've worked with our Extended School Year program for the past eight summers.  Some think I'm crazy for teaching summer school, but each experience is actually is so different from what I taught during the school year; that it's always a "break" for me.  This year, going from sixth grade to preschool was just what I needed. It reminds me that change can be good! I think an experience such as this one, allows you to see both the good and bad of each situation.  Being called a name, over hugs?!  I'll take hugs any day.  Potty accidents or having students going to the bathroom independently?!  I'd definitely prefer independence.  Each new summer experience, makes me give credit to the teachers that teach these students from September to June, as well as appreciate what I do teach. 

Preschool has both three and four year olds; along with varying ability levels. Due to this, I have created a few activities for students that are differentiated to meet their needs. Check out this Ocean Themed Ten Frames packet on my Teachers Pay Teacher store.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Motivational-Ms-Mac 

Here is the direct link:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ocean-Themed-Ten-Frames-1971616

Push yourself

One thing I am not; a runner! I've always had excuses as to why I couldn't run! First, I'm an asthmatic! Even when having to do the mile run in high school, I was lucky if I finished in 12 minutes. From time to time, I would get on a treadmill and still last less than 30 minutes. So I always labeled myself as a non runner and always had in my head that I couldn't do it!

I was tired of my own excuses. Since January, I have dedicated my Sunday's as "Sunday Runday"; where I would run a 5k every Sunday no matter how long it took me. I started off slow on a treadmill at the gym and would warmup for half a mile, run a mile, walk half , run half and cool down for a half mile. I slowly worked my way up to running for two miles without stopping. That felt like progress for me, until I took my 5k to the streets and boy, what a difference. I felt like I took two steps back because I couldn't run for a straight two miles like I did on a treadmill. Obviously my streets were not a flat surface and it was not a controlled climate. Again, here was another excuse I was allowing myself as to why I could not run!

Enough was enough. I told myself that I must run in the neighborhood, rather than on a treadmill, and however long it took me, it took me! It is what it is! Without giving myself excuses, I just ran! Instead of worrying about my time, I just ran! Instead of worrying about the weather, I just ran! I just focused on my breathing and positive thinking and just ran! 

I pushed myself today despite the things I used to worry about and I am nothing but proud of myself! I ran under a ten minute mile this morning. I can't say I've ever done that! Now to some that might seem like nothing, but to me, it was an accomplishment! I can and will call myself a runner! No matter what it is you want to accomplish, believe in yourself and you can do it! Push yourself! Your mind gets in the way of what you think you can and cannot do! Tell yourself you can and you will! 

Regards from this runner,

Mac

Mocha protein shake

Are you one of those people that must have coffee in the morning? I totally am, but I don't always finish the pot (or even the cup I make). This is because I'm running out the door each morning, as I'm sure most of us are! Well today, I decided to put my cup of coffee in the fridge before heading out to my Body Pump class at the gym. After lifting weights, I always like to have some protein, so I decided I'd use my leftover coffee in a shake. OMG! I think I found my new favorite shake!!!!

It was so easy to make! Here's my recipe:

1 cup of brewed coffee (mine included some French vanilla creamer and half teaspoon of coconut sugar already)

1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (vanilla, chocolate, or plain... Whatever your pleasure!)

1/2 a frozen banana

1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (chocolate or vanilla)

2 handfuls of ice

Add sweetener of your choosing (I didn't since I already had some in my coffee)

Blend well in a blender or Vitamix

That's it! Simple as that and you have your breakfast or post workout meal! It completely filled my Blender bottle (26 ounces).

Give it a try and let me know your thoughts! 

OX,

Mac 

Motivational Monday: Music

For as long as I can remember, music has always been a part of my life.  Music evokes a number of emotions as well as memories for me.  My earliest memory of music was the family 8-track player that sat in our living room. Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell was a favorite, and probably why I know every song on that album by heart...Thanks Ma!  I even remember growing up listening to ACDC with my big sister and rocking out with her in her bedroom.  She even quizzed me on Led Zepplein songs.  The 80s were full of Duran Duran songs and other hair bands.  Each of my sisters "had" a member that was theirs, and being the youngest, I got the ugliest member (sorry, Simon Le Bon).  My mom even "had" a better guy than me....ha ha ha ha!  I remember singing (rather screaming), My Country Tis of Thee  for whomever would listen as a young girl, and well as screaming the hymns in church.  In fourth grade, I started playing the violin and remained playing it for nine years. 

As I listen to music now, I am reminded of times in my life that bring back good, and not so good memories.  Biggie Small songs will always remind me of middle school.  Lauren Hill songs will always remind me of high school.  Sister Sledge's We are Family is a song that reminds me of my sisters and I getting together to sing at every event where it is played, and little by little, family joins us until everyone is signing and dancing with us.  For college, there are too many songs to remember, but chances are I was either in a basement frat party, pledging, at a mixer, Greek Week, or dancing in the back of Murph's Study Hall (our local bar).  As a family, I remember singing Raffi songs when my oldest niece and nephew were little, all to make them smile.  Even now, certain songs remind me of people I love (or hate), and most importantly; they get me pumped.  Family dance parties often occur and we love every minute of it.  Last Christmas, my nephew Jake and I even had a "twerk off," and of course, he won.  (I don't even want to tell you how I lost...LOL)!

Why am I telling you all of this?!  Because music has always been special to me, and most of the time, puts a smile on my face.  Music can certainly motivate me to push through a workout or even a school year (this year especially).  I even use it as a motivator for my students.  My students will often work quietly if I put some music on softly in the classroom.  Today was one of those days that I needed a little push for my workout.  A crazy school day and the dreary weather made me want to sit on my couch and catch up on all of my DVR'd Ellen shows.   All I did was turn on my music from my phone, and that was all I needed to get my rear end up and into gear.  It truly pushes me and reminds me of why I am working out.  I made the decision to live a healthy lifestyle and I must do it. 

Here is my new playlist that totally pumps me up by either the sounds or words.  My hope is that in the future when I hear these songs, I will be reminded of all of my hard work and the positive changes in my life.  Please keep in mind, I have no preference for genres of music.  I love them all, so this playlist reflects that too.  Check them out; they may help motivate you too.

•  Electric Heart by Sia
• Hideaway by Kiesza
• If it Wasn't for You by Alesso
• Fight Song by Rachel Platten
• Cheerleader (Felix Jaehan Remix Radio Edit)
• Centuries by Fall Out Boy
• Don't Look Down (feat. Usher) by Martin Garrix
• Hey Mama by David Guetta
• Emergency by Icona Pop
• GDFR by Flo Rida
• Sweet Escape by Alesso
• Get Low by 50 Cent
• Five More Hours by Deorro and Chris Brown
• Trap Queen by Fetty Wap

Motivating your Students

Recently, with the Common Core Standards in place; the pacing of our Math curriculum has become insane. There is so much to cover within a given time period. This often makes it difficult for mastery of this skills because we are often have to go on to the next skill or topic. Being that this has been this way for a while, my awesome co-teacher and I decided that we needed to switch some things up and add some more fun to math.  Our students needed to be motivated in order for them to want to learn and enjoy math. This is especially true around this time of the school year.

My co-teacher was reminded of a game that we both pinned from Pinterest, but never had a chance to incorporate it.  If you are anything like me, I pin links, but don't always get to utilize them, or simply forget that they are there.  This particular game is known as Grudgeball. It is a twist on basketball, and the goal of the game is to have your group/team have the most amount of X's or points at the end of the game. This game can be incorporated or adjusted to fit any content area or grade level's needs. We decided to use it as a review game. We provided our students with questions to answer independently. Afterwards, we broke our students into groups randomly (four to five groups). We used sticks with our student numbers to pick groups or you could have the students going around the room calling off numbers 1-4 to represent the groups. Students were then placed into an area of the classroom and given time to review their answers to the questions with the group. If students within the group have different answers, they had to discuss and explain how they came to their answers and come to a consensus. 

As the students were comparing answers, one of us divided the board into four groups and labeled. Each groups had five rows of four X's, for a total of 20 X's under each group. We also set up a "basket" and shooting lines. (Think of a two and three pointer in basketball.) we used an empty trash can and walked 10 feet away from the basket and placed a piece of tape on the floor for the first shoot line and a second piece of tape about another foot or two from the first taped line.

To start the game, we explained the rules and stressed that we will go in group order to answer the questions. The group will answer their question, and the other groups need to agree or disagree. If they agree students one student in the group gets to shoot a ball (we like one that can't bounce and is fairly small; about the size of a baseball or softball). That student can decide if they want to shoot for two extra points or three extra points (based on taped lines on the floor). If a student misses the basket, but answers the question correctly they can erase two (2) X's from any group/team they want. They can split their points into different groups. If they get the basket from the first taped line on the floor, they can erase four  X's and if they get a basket from the second taped line, they can erase five X's. If the group gets the question wrong, they do not get to erase any X;s and we move onto the next group. The students are very competitive and it becomes a fun battle as to who will erase from which of the teams. Often times, they majority of the teams go against one, or teams align with one another. Once a team no longer has X's, they have to start adding X's back, following the same point value rules. This continues on until the end of the review questions.   Again, the team with the most X's wins.

The students absolutely LOVED this game.  I mean, really LOVED.  I hadn't seen my students so excited about math.  I think the competitive nature of the game gets the students hooked; and promotes students collaborating. This was a Pinterst tried and true success! I hope you can find a way to incorporate it into your classroom too!

Happy reviewing!

Katie Mac