Sunday Scoop {12/14/14} with a Freebie!

It's time to link up with Teaching Trio again for The Sunday Scoop!

There's something about looking at only four more days before the holiday break that makes me feel quite a range of feelings. Part of me says, "Do I really have four MORE days? It feels like this holiday is taking FOREVER to get here!" And another part of me says, "Wait! What? Only four more days? There's so much more I wanted to do with my students this month!" But mostly I'm saying, "How the heck am I going to keep these Christmas-crazed kiddos engaged and even somewhat focused on learning and staying off the "naughty" list during these next four days??"

One of the tricks up my sleeve is winter-themed read-alouds. Plenty of them. One of my favorites is this one:

Also, these holiday kindness cards.

(Click on the picture for this FREEBIE!)

What do you have planned for this last week? I'd love to hear about it!

Currently December

December is HERE! That means all kinds of festivities, decorations, friends, family, and food! YUM! To get this month started, I'm linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her Currently linky.

Listening: I know I'm the last one on earth to find out about this series, but I just started watching it on Netflix a few months ago and I LOVE it! The characters are great and the story lines are clever... I'm hooked!

Loving: So far, my students are still working hard and haven't become too distracted by the quickly-approaching holiday break. Fingers crossed. This could completely change tomorrow. 

Thinking: I've planned to do a LOT in these next three weeks, and I'm really hoping all goes as planned. (See above.)

Wanting: Since the beginning of the school year, I've been trying to figure out a schedule (and gym) that works for weekdays and weekends... Luckily I live only a few miles from where I work (but public transportation makes the distance seem greater!).

Needing: Well, now that December is here, I have to stop procrastinating and finish booking my flights for the holidays... I'm going to France and Spain! I still have one more ticket to book.

Giving: I wanted to give something that teachers could use this holiday season. I know we all focus on teaching and modeling kindness throughout the year, but this time of year it seems even more appropriate. So, here's my freebie! Use these kindness cards during morning meetings, as brain breaks, or to go along with the character education program you use. 

Happy holidays!