Open House and A Birthday

I know many of you started back to work this week, but it was my 4th week in and this week we had Open House. I was a bit stressed about it, because I really didn't have much up on my walls and didn't want my parents to come into an empty class.

So we buckled down this week and finished all kind of fun projects.
 
We finally finished all of our Surf Buddies!!
 
They came out so cute. I love the way they all have their unique flair.
 
They all got their reward necklaces.  These are what the girls received...
 
 
and these are what the boys got.
I am using them for their behavior clip chart, AR, and other assorted recognition.
 
We did another timeline of what we do in a day.
 
 
I love this one
 
 
He has a smiley face all through the day...
 
 
until he goes home, lol.  His mom told me he loves coming to school:)
I personally know this little guy and he has a pretty happy home life in case you were worried;)
 
 
I had students write clues about themselves so their families could guess which was their paper.
 
I told them to just fill up the page with as many clues as they could think of.
Then they drew a little cover to hide who it was.


 
They were so excited to have their parents find their pictures.
 

 
We also finished our plant lifecycles for Science.
 
We started our Surfer Of The Week, (formerly Star Of The Week) which was little old me:)
 


I brought in lots of items to share with the students and they oohed and aaahed over my treasures:)


 My only Barbie left from my collection
 

 Ribbons from Track and Cross Country in High School
 
 
Pictures of my pets and sketches I do for fun.
 
Then they all wrote me letters telling me what they liked about what I shared and the class.
 


 
I love getting these letters every year!! I put them all into a book and place it in our class library.  I pick a new Surfer at the end of the week and they are so excited to share and receive all the wonderful letters from their classmates.
 
Open House was a success and I enjoyed talking with all of the families.  I was so happy to receive such sweet compliments about how much their child loved the class and how bright and colorful our room was.  They also loved the Surf Theme and the Clip Chart which they have heard so much about at home.
 
The highlight of  Open House however was another timeline of sorts. The parents loved this and thought it was a hoot.  Well, the ones who had kids with close guesses anyway:)
 

The students knew my Birthday was coming up because of my cupcake on the timeline.


So I had them guess how old they thought I would be turning today.
 

 
Okay, I'm liking these answers...A+

 
Still okay:)

 
Good Guesses

 
Okay these kids are right on, but more to the left please...

 
Okay this is pushing it...70, and 71??

 
 
Whaaat?? I didn't think I looked that old,  hahahaha!!
 
I love doing this activity, it really gives you an idea of what kids have number sense or at least relate who you are to what they know in their own life.  The kids who have close guesses usually tell me they just wrote how old their mom was:)

 
 I love these little guys and we celebrated with a licorice treat:)
 



Aren't they just the cutest:)
 
So today I am officially 44 years old!! Yikes, I'm getting up there.  What am I doing for my birthday??  If you follow me then I think you probably can guess.  I am headed to Waikiki today to surf.  Here on the North Shore waves have been non-existant for weeks.  So I told the family I wanted to go to Diamond Head, one of my favorite surf spots in town, and the only place with waves right now.  My hubby surprised me by getting a hotel room in town so we can stay and play all weekend:))  So I am unplugging for the weekend and going to enjoy the surf and sun.
 
 I hope everyone had a fantastic week, especially those of you who just started back, and that the weekend is wonderful as well:)
 
 

33 comments

  1. Happy Birthday to you! Your pictures are amazing. I just adore the Who Am I? essays! Cute, cute, cute!

    Ѽ Lori
    Teaching With Love and Laughter
    luvyorkies@gmail.com

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  2. Happy Birthday! My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Wakiki and the northshore.It was just 2 months ago. It was so beautiful! I loved the northshore area. that was our speed. Love your classroom and so happy to get read your blog and get a taste of Hawaii. I can't wait to go back!
    Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Klass

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  3. 86?? Wow - you look great for your age! Happy Birthday! I really like your "Who Am I" bulletin board.

    Sara :)
    Smiling In Second Grade

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  4. Happy Birthday!!! 86 years old huh?? You have to love how the kids estimate at this age! lol. I hope you had a great day!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  5. Happy Birthday Corinna !!! What a great surprise from your husband :). I love all the work you have done at school, very impressive ! Your kids are wonderful writers, and it is the beginning of grade 2 !!! The guesses were a hoot, My bday is the second week of school but not sure if I am up for the guessing haha.

    Have a wonderful bday weekend, hotels are such a treat !

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    1. Thank you Diane, I had a blast and am completely exhausted:))

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  6. Happy Birthday! It was fun to see all the pictures of your recent class projects. It is always interesting when the kids estimate how old I am. (It gets more interesting the older I get!) When they ask how old I am I usually say "102 - How old are you?" It is always fun to watch them try to process this and try to decide if I am telling them the truth. Once I had some 5th graders decide that I must be at least 105 because I was 102 when they were in 2nd grade. :)

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    1. Lol, they take their teacher's so seriously;)

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  7. Happy Birthday Corinna! I hope you had a great one! I love the Who Am I? writing! I've been trying to think of an idea for our Open House coming up in 2 weeks. That looks like fun!

    ❀Bethany❀
    Learning is a Journey
    Polka Dot Parlor

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    1. Mahalo Bethany:)) I just saw that you are reorganizing your library. I may have to do that soon too;)

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  8. Happy birthday, Corinna! I'm glad you are getting your own Hawaiian vacation for your birthday! I love your reward tags. Our school hands out some that are purchased. I never thought to make our own! Great idea. How do you incorporate your clip chart into it? I love how funny the kids are about age. A former student came up to me and asked if I died my hair. When I said no she asked why I have a white stripe (it's not THAT big). I said, "I must be getting old." when I told her my age she said in shock, "You are older than my mom!" I miss the days when I was just older than their siblings!

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    1. Thank you Merecedes:) I know the guesses used to be much younger. Last year I had a student guess I was 10, lol!! When my students reach the top of the clip chart 5 times they earn a bead for their necklace and a little reward coupon. They are really excited about adding to them;)

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  9. Happy birthday. Have a great day, super jealous of how you are spending your day.

    Terri
    thefirstgradeprincess.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Terri:) When do you come back for a visit??

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  10. Happy Birthday!! You look great for 86!! I'm totally doing this activity with my firsties :) My birthday is early Oct.
    ❤Teri
    A Cupcake for the Teacher

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    1. Wow, two Teri's in a row, lol!! I think I look pretty good too;) Can't wait to see their guesses!

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  11. Hope you had a fantastic bday! Mine was last week and they also guessed some weird numbers. Bday 36 for me.
    Your classroom looks like an amazing place to be :)
    Tania
    My Second Sense

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    1. Thank you so much Tania and happy belated Birthday!!

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  12. Happy birthday! I love the activity you did with your kids. I will have to do the same. My b-day is in October so it's perfect. :) Oh your brilliant my kids will love this activity. :)

    M

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  13. This was a GREAT open house! Thanks so much Corinna for handling the chaos with ease. Happy Belated!

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    1. Thank you so much Courtney, it was so nice speaking with you again:)

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  14. These are SUCH great ideas!! Just what I needed to see right now!
    Denise
    Sunny Days In Second Grade

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  15. Corinna, I have just found your blog! It is adorable! I am your newest follower on TpT and on here - I have loved visiting Hawaii so can't wait to hear more about teaching over there! I am a third Grade teacher in Australia.

    Alison
    mathswithmeaning.blogspot.com.au

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  16. Hi Corinna and Happy Birthday! I was in Hawaii 31 years ago for my honeymoon at the start of October. It is so beautiful! Your classroom looks fantastic and I love following all the things that you do with your class. You are an inspiration to many! Enjoy the rest of you weekend! Karen

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  17. Happy Birthday! You look pretty good for 86. :-) My birthday is in 2 weeks and I might have to do that activity too. It would probably bring a few laughs!

    I always enjoy reading your blog!

    Kristen
    Sprinkled in Second

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  18. Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing you idea! I might have to try it when I turn 44 in January. Take Care and I hope you had a great time surfing this weekend.
    Tammy

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  19. Do you have more info on your recognition necklaces and your "Who am I" lesson? Not only that, but do you have a day planner? I feel lost sometimes with our very old text books, common core and the only teacher in my grade. I am swimming, but wish I was swimming in Hawaii not common core.

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Mahalo Nui Loa For Commenting!!

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