Thanksgiving Poetry Bookmarks

Thanksgiving has come and gone for me... I'm Canadian and we celebrate on the first Monday in October and it's typically a much smaller affair than it is for those of you south of the border!  

I'm always amazed at the enthusiasm for Thanksgiving in the United States... I love that it brings families together for huge feasts and that there's a big focus on the idea of giving thanks.  I'm hoping you and your family have much to be thankful for and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 So here's a holiday freebie for you to use with your students... it's a set of Thanksgiving bookmarks that also allows you to review poetry terms at the same time!  There are 16 bookmarks - some have poetry term prompts and some are left blanks - lots of options for you to pick from!  I've also included two sheets of Thanksgiving themed poetry/writing paper.

Click the image to download a copy of the bookmarks or you can download them from my TpT Store.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Addie 


Check out more FREEBIES!

 

Halloween Freebie

Halloween is one of my favorite "holidays" of the year!  I love to dress up in a silly costume for school and really enjoy seeing the creativity of the students - some of their ideas are incredible. (Last year, we had 5 students come as different Tetris pieces that all fit together!)

Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year... smack in the middle of the school week!  I know that my students will have the "Halloween Wiggles" so I like to have some activities that I can do with them to help them focus and get back on track!

Here's a fun freebie for you to use as a writing prompt, poetry prompt, art prompt or simply as classroom decor!  You can download it at my TpT store OR you can download it directly from my blog by clicking the image below. 

I like to display the poster (or project it with a document camera) and have the students use the words or images as prompts for a story or poem.  Perhaps they have to include the purple words in their first paragraph, or put 2 orange words in their first sentence.... Why not write a haiku using a word from each color?? Or write a poem using the images as a starting point? 

Students could also use the poster as an inspiration to create their own "word art" or "subway art". (You can find lots of other examples of "subway art" online.)

I'm sure you can think of even more ways to use the poster!  Please share your ideas... I'd love to hear more!

The full download includes a copy of the poster in color, a copy in black/white and a sheet of b/w pumpkin writing paper!

Have a Happy Halloween!

Addie 

Pinterest Power

So, I'm a huge fan of the visual clipboard site called Pinterest... it's like eye-candy for me!  I could spend hours browsing the beautiful pictures and never grow tired!   I've found amazing recipes, unique craft ideas, some of the most hilarious quotes, incredible blogs and unbelievable teaching ideas.  (My classroom has never looked so good!)

I've started posting a "Quote of the Week" in my room and I love the discussions my students and I have had as a result.  I've got an entire stash of quotes that I've found on Pinterest at the ready for each Monday.  If you'd like some inspiration check out my board of Quotes, Posters and Sayings!

There are literally thousands of teachers using Pinterest to gather ideas and inspiration... it's really amazing what people come up with and are so willing to share.  Here's my board of School Stuff.

Another fun aspect of Pinterest is the fact that people from all over the world can collaborate and all pin to the same board! What an amazing concept!  A global village of teachers connecting through Pinterest.  Some of my favorite collaborative boards are The Lesson Cloud, Connect-A-Blog, and the fantastic boards organized by The OC Blog.

There are entire teacher boards dedicated to FREEBIES!! Who doesn't love a good freebie?!  Check out Fabulous & Free and Free Lessons for some fun and free ideas and products!

Be sure to check out this list of teachers using Pinterest at Debbie Clement's incredible blog Rainbows Within Reach.  Add your link below... but be sure to head over to her blog to see the links she's organized over the last few weeks - she's sooo organized to have them sorted into categories. 

Have fun pinning!!
Addie

Classroom Ipad Rules

I was thrilled last year to be given a class set of ipads!! I can't believe what a difference they've made for my teaching!  However, I knew that before I could hand them out to my high-school students I'd have to develop a list of rules about their use and a system to keep track of them.

My new students are very excited about using the ipads and can't wait to get their hands on one next week.  However, before I let them loose I need to go over some of the basic rules for their use.  I spend some time talking about how lucky we are to have them (one of only 2 classrooms at my school with access to ipads) and that using them is a privilege.  Luckily the students really seem to pick up on this and respond well to the rules that I've established for their use.

The first day I allow the students on the ipads I go over the rules that I have posted in the classroom. (Click the image below to get a copy of the ones I have posted.)  We spend some time talking about why the rules are in place and the importance of following them. And we talk about consequences... which are really very simple in my class... you break a rule, you lose the ipad for the day.  You break a rule twice and you lose the right to an ipad for a month.  Last year... I only had one student break a rule twice. (He somehow managed to put a lock on the ipad that only he could undo. Sooo frustrating!!)

After talking about the rules... I let the students just play!  They love it! They take pictures, they distort the pictures, they watch videos, they web surf and they giggle! I let them get the giggly "oh my goodness these ipads are soo cool, I can't believe we get to use them"... giggles out of their system. It seems to work!  The second time we use them... it's all business.

Luckily, the settings on an ipad can be locked down very well. My students cannot download programs, change settings, add / delete an app or do anything too terrible to them.  Frustratingly, they can change the language (I once opened an ipad to see Japanese!) and change the wallpaper settings.  Minor inconveniences that I can ask the students to fix... they do it once, get caught and never do it again!  (Having a good sign-out system means I know who changed things!)

What are some systems you have in place for using ipads or technology in your classroom?? Have I missed something hugely important?? Would love to hear what some of you do? 

To read more about why I love my ipads check out this previous blog post.  Stay tuned for more posts this year too!  I plan to write about some of my favorite apps and uses for the ipads.

Thanks!
Addie

Ultimate Middle Years Giveway and Blog Hop!

Welcome to the "Ultimate Middle Years Giveaway and Blog Hop" designed to highlight a great bunch of Middle School bloggers!  There are over $300 worth of prizes to be won - which is amazing!!!! (Including a shopping spree in my TpT Store!!) Who doesn't love to win prizes??  But, you've got to be quick... the contest only runs from Aug. 25-27th!  Those of you who complete the entire Blog Hop Challenge will receive a HUGE package of "Freebies" from participating teacher bloggers!  Click the image below to find out all the information on the Blog Hop!

I'm a Middle / High-school teacher and I love the Middle Years! There's a little bit of big kid, but a whole lot of little kid still in them... and their energy and enthusiasm is contagious!  Pop by my blog often for lots of freebies and fun ideas to incorporate into your classroom. As part of the Blog Hop, I've donated a $15 shopping spree from my TpT Store!!

I've got the wonderful job of highlighting Elizabeth from Fun in Room B.... (don't you love her blog button?!)  She has lots of great information about teaching math in upper elementary and loves to teach with foldables.  She's also been researching and experimenting with Whole Brain Teaching so be sure to hop over to her blog to see what she's figured out! I'm a little in awe of her blog - she's very crafty and has some great posts highlighting her crafty talents... I only wish I could be so skilled! And... her classroom looks A-MAZING!!! She's posted pics!!

She also sells some fabulous products on TeachersPayTeachers so be sure to check out her store!

  

If you want to start blog hopping check out the links below! There are some fabulous bloggers participating!

Thanks for stopping by!! 

Addie

  

Back To School Teaching Goals

The Back to School Season is in full swing for most of us  and I like to set some goals for myself for the year.  But... I'm going to be totally honest here... I often forget what my goals were by the time November rolls around....

I learned through the years that I need to write my goals down on paper - I need a reminder throughout the year to keep me on track with my goals.  Soooo this year I've made a quick template to print out and keep in my day book and post on the wall by my desk... I'm hoping that by being constantly reminded about what I've set out to accomplish this year, that I'll be more successful!

Just to give you some inspiration and get you started, I'm going to share some of my own goals with you!

Teaching Goals

-give my students at least one brain break in each 80 min. class

-to differentiate all major assignments in the classes

Professional Goals

- to present at two conferences this year (I've recently started presenting at workshops and I'm really enjoying it!)

- to read five professional books this school year

Personal Goals

- to cook at least three new recipes a month

- to go to the gym at least once a week

Click the picture above to download your own goal setting sheet.  

Good luck!  Feel free to share a goal or two in the comment section... I'd love to hear what other teachers have planned for their year.

Addie

Back To School Fun With Sticky Notes

The new school year is an exciting but also slightly nerve-wracking time of the year for both students and teachers.  I know I always have the dreaded "Nightmare Before School Starts" that usually involves me standing in front of a classroom full of chaos!

I like to start off by introducing myself as more than "just a teacher".  I want students to know that I have a life beyond the classroom - I'm a mountain biker, a snowboarder, a hiker, a wife, a dog owner, a traveller, a reader... it's amazing how many kids I can connect with over the activities I participate in!  Finding a connection with kids is so important to me and it's done wonders over the years to build great rapport with my students.  I have a fun "Back to School Survey" I give students to get to know them a little bit better and I encourage them to share their answers with each other.  Download a FREE copy of the survey from an earlier blog post HERE.

Sticky Notes can also be a powerful tool for getting to know students and creating an open and sharing classroom.  I have piles on my desk and I want students to get used to the idea of sharing ideas on the board so I do a few activities in the first few days with sticky notes.  When students are asked questions and then told they can post their answers anonymously on the board they are more likely to be very forthcoming with their answers.

• ask students to write down two things they're excited about and one thing they're nervous about in regards to your class - post them on the board and then discuss with the class
• ask a fun question - "If you could perform with any band in world who would it be?" or "If you were a car, what would you be?" and share their answers they've posted on the board
• ask students for advice as you start off the year - "Write down two things that would make this class work really well for you."  OR "Great teachers __________________"
• One of the subjects I teach is Geography so to get kids thinking about my subject area I'll ask them to write down their favorite city, their dream vacation destination, the closest volcano to our school, list two environmental concerns...
• When I teach English, I ask students to write down their favorite book, their favorite character, what fictional city they'd love to visit, the book character they're most like....
• The students love the see what everyone else has come up with, but they also love the fact that it's anonymous so they're not self-conscious about writing down an answer.

Check out the linky over at Corkboard Connections for all sorts of great ideas to start building a caring classroom environment right from the first day of school!

Hope you have a smooth transition into your classroom this  new school year. 

Addie

Fun Back to School Student Survey

Seems like Back to School is happening so quickly for some of you!! (I've still got 6 glorious weeks left... but don't be jealous... some of you have already been off for two months!!)

I have a love-hate relationship with the first week back to school - it's great to see my fabulous co-workers, catch up with friends, and see students back in my classes. However, it's also a frenzy of paperwork and administrivia that can bog us all down as we try to start off a new school year. 

I currently teach in a high-school (grades 8-12) and my students will cycle through all 8 of their classes in the first two days.  They must feel shell shocked as they sit through 8 classes of expectations and course outlines... so I like to start off things a little differently.  (I usually leave course expectations etc. until the 2nd or 3rd class when things have settled down a bit.)

Here's a survey I've used with my students in the past and they've had a ton of fun with it. Instead of the usual survey questions for Back to School, I've made things a little quirky and different. For example, I've asked students to list the song that got stuck in their heads the most this summer (for me it was "Payphone" by Maroon 5... just goes 'round and 'round my head sometimes!!) Or to list their favorite flavor of ice-cream (Ben & Jerry's Phish Phood - chocolate caramel goodness!).

As an extension idea I ask students to write a paragraph to justify one of their answers to a question of their choice.

Download a FREE copy from my TpT Store or click on the image below to get a copy on Google Docs.  Download includes teacher activity suggestions, survey and writing paper.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Addie

The 2012 Summer Olympics Activities

I love the Olympics.... I mean I really LOVE them! I love the way so many nations of the world come together for sport and celebration. I love watching athletes overcome challenges to put their best foot forward while representing their country. I love what the Winter Olympics did for my hometown in 2010 - the feeling in Vancouver was unlike any I've ever felt before and the pure joy of the event will live with me forever.  Lastly, I love the values that the Olympics can teach students... work hard, play nice, the honor of representing one's country, and the importance of taking care of yourself physically and mentally.


I really wish (sounds weird, I know...) that I was teaching during the Summer Olympics as there are so many great teaching opportunities  that can cover so many subject areas and grade levels.


Here are a few fun suggestions for those of you teaching this summer (or even for those of you who are back to school in August)

• Follow an athlete from your hometown, state or province.  See what kind of background information you can find on them and then track their progress at the Games.
• Create a new Olympic sport and test out the activity with your classmates / students.
• Keep track of the medal count and work out the percentage of gold, silver and bronze that your country wins. Create a poster to track the medal count.
• Have students "adopt" an athlete from another country - find out their story and a little bit about their country and then share with the class.
• "Adopt" another country to cheer for and find out as much as you can about their athletes.  
• Make a medal count prediction and award the person who came closest. 
• Research London, England and find out what they did to prepare for the Games. 
• Research the history of the Olympics and have students present some of the main ideas to the class. 
• Have your own Olympic games - but keep it light and fun and combine athletic events with math and literacy events. 
• I'm sure that there are 100s more engaging activities that you can do to highlight the Olympics.  Share your favorite below!

Here's a FUN FREEBIE for you to use with students that involves them pretending to attend the Olympics and then writing a "postcard" and sending it home.  Click the image below to download a copy of the activity - template and extension ideas included!

Hope you're all having a fantastic summer! Let the Games begin!

Addie

Fishing For Ideas Link Up

I've linked up with some other great bloggers for a fun Fishing For Ideas link up in June (which is very gloomy in my part of the world!). I thought it sounded like a great way to check out some new blogs and grab a few goodies along the way. 

Everyone's doing something a little different, but we're all doing something fun to highlight a freebie, a sale or a new product.  Be sure to check out our Group Pinterest Board to see what's new and exciting... and of course, feel free to check out my Pinterest Boards. (It's sooo much fun isn't it??)

Here's my newest freebie at TpT - I love the graphics I used for the product... all thanks to the 3AM Teacher(she has the cutest graphics and some fabulous freebies too!)

It's a set of "Owl Be Reading" bookmarks to inspire students to keep reading over the summer.  The front has an owl-themed quote and the back of the bookmarks has a space for students to record the books they've read during the summer.  Includes 4 different styles! Click the picture below to get your copy today!

As a special treat I've put my two best selling items  on SALE for 25% off for June 14-20 ONLY!!  Check out my best selling POETRY PACKAGE and MEDIA LITERACY PACKAGE. 

Both on sale for only $4.00 (Reg. $5.49)

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to head over to the other blogs listed below!

Addie

Year In Review Top 10 Lists

I know that many of you might already be finished the school year... but I've still got 5 weeks to go! As I start to wrap things up with my students I always get reflective about the year and think back to our highs and our lows as a class. 

A fun activity I like to do with my students is to have them create Top 10 Lists for their year.  This week, I'm going to have my students create a Top 10 List of Things They've Learned in the class.  First, I'll have them create the list individually and then I'll ask them to work in groups of 3-4 and decide the 10 biggest ideas or concepts they've learned as a class.  It's a wonderful way to get students thinking about what may be on their final exam, as the exam relates to the BIG IDEAS.  As a teacher it's also an excellent way for me to check that what I've taught them comes through on their lists... hopefully, our lists aren't too far apart!

I've created a FUN FREEBIE with worksheets for you to work through your own Top 10 Lists with your students.  I've included the following worksheets:

• Top 10 Things I've Learned
• Top 10 Pieces of Advice (for next year's students)
• Top 10 School Moments
• Top 10 Life Moments
• A paragraph worksheet for students to explain their top three picks from one of their lists.
• Worksheets come in full & half size!

I've done this activity with several age groups and I've always loved what's come of it! The discussions are fabulous to listen to and I always have a bit of a giggle when I read their "Top 10 Pieces of Advice" list! Always a great way to get a true sense of what your students really think!  

Click the images to download a FREE copy!

You can also download these from TpT by clicking HERE.


Hope you have fun with these!
Addie

Teacher Appreciation Jackpot - May 6th

A big thank you to everyone who participated in The Teacher Appreciation Jackpot on Sunday, May 6th! What a fun way to check out some new blogs and pick up some freebies!

• PK - Grade 2 - April McNair on A Modern Teacher 

• Grades 3 - 6 - Laura Candler on Corkboard Connections

• Grades 7 - 12 - Adrianne Meldrum on The Tutor House

Here's the link to the product that was part of the Jackpot. It's on SALE until Wednesday, May 8th!!  Click on the image below or HERE to go to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to download it while it's on SALE!

Don't forget that Teachers Pay Teachers is having a TEACHER APPRECIATION SALE too!! I'm offering an additional 20% off at my store!  Use coupon code TAD12 when you checkout!  The sale runs from May 6-8th!

Be sure to check out the other fabulous bloggers who participated!  If you missed it this year... I'm hoping we'll have a similar event next year!

Have fun!!  Happy Blog Hopping!

Addie

May Freebie - Summer Bookmarks

Ah... summer! I can't wait!! I love nothing more than waking up and throwing on a t-shirt, pair of shorts and my flip-flops and eating my breakfast outside while reading the paper! It's pure bliss!!!  Sadly... the weather in my neck of the woods is still a little cool, but I'm hopeful that sunny skies are on the horizon.

I'm working until mid-June, but know that many teachers and students are winding down in May and will be finished before the end of the month! (Not that I'm jealous or anything!!)

So here's a freebie for May that also ties into my love of summer and my love of reading. Did I mention that I love to read outside... in the sun...with fresh lemonade nearby?? I've a giant stack of books I can't wait to sink my teeth into this summer!

I created a set of Summer Poetry Bookmarks (like my Earth Day Poetry Bookmarks) - there are 32 bookmarks with two themes! There's a Beach Blue theme and a Sunny Orange theme and if you don't have access to a color printer you can ask the students to color them in themselves.  I've also included two summer themed writing papers for students to write a longer poem or to write down their summer dreams  /hopes / wishes / goals etc.

These bookmarks are a great review activity for figures of speech and can be given out with Summer Reading Lists, as a token from you at the end of the year, or just for a fun reminder of what they learned during the year.

You can download the bookmarks simply by clicking the image below.

Hope your Summer Break starts sooner, rather than later!!  Here's to the lazy, hazy days of summer!

Enjoy!

Addie

PS - I just completed the 5-Star Blogger Challenge hosted by Charity at the OC Blog.  Check out the list of amazing teacher bloggers who've linked up! 

Poetic Earth Day Freebie!

Earth Day is on April 22nd and I've always found a way to make it part of my class regardless of the subject I am currently teaching. (I've taught everything from cooking & drama to science & ELA!) I also try to model good environmental practices with my students whenever possible and encourage them to think about their environmental footprint. My students all know I carpool, drink my coffee with a reusable mug & recycle (maybe a little obsessively - they love to watch me pick things out of the garbage and transfer them to the recycling bin!).  My senior students and I have had great conversations this year about the power we wield as consumers and the choices we make when we make a purchase.

Here's a free & engaging set of bookmarks to use with your students to celebrate Earth Day AND review poetry terms.  Sounds a bit weird when I see it in print... but it's an easy way to get students talking about Earth Day and practice using figurative language at the same time - after all it's National Poetry Month!  (Keep in mind I teach Science and ELA!)

These look great in black/white (I just ask students to add color) and if you can put them on cardstock they'll last a little longer.

My kids LOVE bookmarks (not sure why?) but they're always a hit. It's sooo exciting when I give them new ones to use.

Click on the picture to get a copy.

Here's a link to an earlier blog post with another Earth Day themed freebie! Click HERE.

Happy Earth Day!

Addie

Fun With Foldables

I typically have a somewhat challenging group of boys in my senior science class (last year... 24 boys, 3 girls!) and I really needed to change things up with them.  They struggled with our long 80 min. classes, they were easily distracted and they fiddled and fidgeted.  I stumbled across the idea of foldables while surfing the web one night and became intrigued. Although they're primarily used in elementary classrooms, I thought I'd give them a try.  (A foldable is a piece of paper that's been folded into a 3-dimensional pop-up to help teach students a concept.)

Did I mention I teach 16-17 year olds??  and they're mostly boys?? I was a little leery the first time I introduced the idea of foldables.  The boys looked at me like I was a little crazy as I demonstrated how to cut and then how to fold.  I outlined what they needed to include on their foldable on the board and I had a "model" on display. My students and I have been foldable fiends ever since....

Here's what I LOVE about foldables:

1.  It's a fantastic kinesthetic break for the students -  they get to cut, fold, and glue while I let them chit chat. 

2.  Because each foldable is dedicated to a specific topic / learning outcome, it's a great way to "chunk" the information into more manageable pieces.

3. My students glue their foldables into a manila folder that is dedicated to one unit. (Astronomy, Plate Tectonics...)  The folders stay in my classroom and only go home when they're needed to study for a test.  At the end of the year I give students all of their folders (mine have 5 folders for 5 units) and they can study for their final exam. I know of some students who kept their folders from last year and are using them in classes this year!!

4.  Students are required to think differently when creating a foldable - in my case I ask them represent a concept with a symbol or drawing on one part of their foldable.  I've eavesdropped on some awesome conversations as students debate how they're going to represent "inorganic" or "erosion" with a symbol or drawing.

5.  I love that the folder (with its foldables) consolidates an entire unit into one neat package. It's easier for students to see how all of the concepts link together.

6.  Foldables can be used with every subject!

7.  My students actually enjoy working on their foldables! I've seen student engagement increase, test scores improve and ultimately their overall understanding of a concept is much better! 

8.  It's easy to find information about foldables on-line.  Although I often make my own templates there are many available for free.  Here's my favorite website to get foldable inspiration and free templates. www.homeschoolshare.com

Here's a foldable you can use - I created this using MS Publisher relatively easily.  My next challenge is to ask students to make their own.

 If you're looking for more foldables and ideas about how to integrate them into your teaching. Head over to Corkboard Connections for a fantastic linky party about foldables! 

How many of you use foldables in your classroom? What grade level do you use them with? How do you find they work for you and your students?

Have fun folding!
Addie

April Freebie - Earth Day Activity

I love April for a number of reasons... the days are noticeably longer, spring flowers are in their full glory, there's a hint of summer in the air.... AND we celebrate EARTH DAY on April 22nd!  It's a great day to focus our attention on the environment and to think what we can do to reduce our "ecological footprint".  

In order to understand the importance of preserving and conserving, students need to understand the unique qualities and characteristics of Earth that make it habitable. 

Here's a fun and educational activity to get students thinking about Earth and what makes it stand out within our solar system.  Students pretend to be aliens visiting from another planet (a great hook for students of almost any age!) and they must send back a report to their home about what makes Earth unique.  It's a fun group activity that asks students to work collaboratively to come up with a Top 10 List.  

This is also a great activity at the start of a geography unit or science unit on biomes, landforms, or ecosystems.

Here's another Earth Day Freebie available on my blog.

Check out more April Freebies at The Cornerstone for Teachers - an amazing blog full of incredible classroom management and teaching tips. 

Happy Earth Day!
Addie

Poetry Terms Freebie

In honor of World Poetry Day on March 21st I thought I'd post a quick review activity for poetry terms / figurative language.

You can use this worksheet as review for a quiz or as an introduction to poetry terms (just work on one term at a time).

I often have the students work on their own examples and write them on the board at the front of the room.  My students (I've done this with grades 8-12) love the chance to write on the board and share their poetry prowess with others.  I usually have 4-5 whiteboard pens out at a time and once a student has written their example on the board, they must pass the pen to a new student.  There's less pressure on the students if there's more than one person writing on the board at the same time, and they can write their ideas anonymously.  I usually end up with a giant free-flowing board of really great examples and the kids love to read what others have come up with.

Have fun!

Thanks,

Addie

**Check out the ESOL Odyssey for a fun Linky Party for National Poetry Month.  Lots of great FREE and paid products linked up.

Laughing At Limericks - FREE Limerick Writing Activity!

Top o'the day to you all!  It's March and I'm tenuously holding on to some small Irish heritage as an excuse to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  I don't spend a lot of time on holiday related writing, but when I can, I do incorporate it into our day or our lessons. 

Limericks are fun and silly and appeal to just about every grade level.  I know that my Grade 8s have had a blast with these in the past... their imaginations and sense of humour are awesome!  However, I also know that some of them have struggled to come up with a limerick of their own and I've heard the familiar whine... "I don't know what to write about..." too many times!  So I created a set of "recipes" to help students write their own limericks.  They're easy to use and appeal to a wide range of ages and abilities.

Have fun and let the silliness begin!  Click on the image below to download your FREE copy.

Check out more fabulous FREEBIES at The Cornerstone for Teachers Blog!  This FREEBIE as well as several others was featured there for the month of March.

Addie

Valentine's Day Freebie

Well... love it or hate, Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Strange things happen in a high-school on Valentine's Day.... and it seems that at some point in the day I find someone in tears. (Usually a girl... upset with a boy, who has quite likely forgotten or didn't understand that he should have done something to mark the occasion.) 

Teen love is so sweet and so hard to understand sometimes.  Today, I had a student tell me that she and her boyfriend had been together almost two years and were sooooo excited to celebrate their anniversary.  Being polite, I asked when their "anniversary" was.  I'm proud to say that I didn't burst out laughing when she said excitedly "Oh... it's October 18th".   Just goes to show it's all about perspective!

Here's a Valentine's Day Freebie to start off the Valentine's Day Season.  A fun writing prompt, poetry starter, art project or just as classroom decor! 

Thanks!
Addie