Monday Made-It - Wreaths, Resources, and Pie ... Oh My

30 June 2014
YAY for summer!!!  We just finished our school year on Friday and oh my goodness - it's been quite the year.  I honestly feel my Monday Made-It post should be ...

I made it to the end of the year.

Done.


That alone is reason to celebrate.



But ... I've managed to accomplish a few more things to share.


I made a beautiful summer wreath for my door.  I had seen a gorgeous wreath with little red tulip buds, and headed out to Michaels to gather some supplies.  But alas, they didn't have nearly enough tulip buds to make a wreath.  So, I had to come up with a new plan.  I finally (after many handfuls of flowers and making my daughter lay them out on the floor in a circle shape) decided on green hydrangea blossoms and little cream rose buds.  I love it.  

Now, I should mention, I'm not one for fussy crafts.  I can't be bothered with the floral wire and tape, so I just snipped the flowers off the stems with my scissors, and pulled out my glue gun.  Everything you see is glue gunned on (is that a verb?), which made the entire process much quicker, and I didn't even burn myself this time.  (But, one week later and the "E" has fallen off ... maybe I should have glued that one on a little stronger).  For the wreath I used 4 large hydrangea blossoms, and about 7 bunches of cream rose buds. Isn't it pretty??


I also finally finished my Text Structure Concept Posters.  They had been on my to-do list forever, and had been sitting unfinished in my permanently open PowerPoint tab on my computer.  But, I put the push on, and finished them up.  

I included 2 different posters for each text structure (cause and effect, compare and contrast, description, problem and solution, and sequence).  One poster is more general - perfect for teaching or modelling the text structure.  The other poster is more text specific (but can be used with any nonfiction text) - focusing on what the student learned from the text, using the text structure.  It also includes a graphic organizer specific to the text structure.  This one is great for a summative assessment.

I also included a student checklist for success criteria, rubric, blank template, and completed example.






Last but not least, I made this little beauty last night for tonight's supper.  The strawberries and rhubarb are fresh out of my garden, and as soon as my husband picked them, I knew a pie was in order.


The recipe was quick and easy ... because that's how I roll in the summer.  ;)

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
  • 3 1/2 cups strawberries (quartered)
  • 3 1/2 cups rhubarb (cut into 1/2" slices)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp butter 
Mix all ingredients (except the butter) and pour into prepared pie shell (I used a frozen shell, because I can't stand rolling out pie dough).
Dab butter on top before putting on top crust (I thawed the frozen shell a bit and used my pizza cutter to cut strips so I could make a lattice top).
Brush top with cream or milk and sprinkle sugar on top (I used raw sugar).  *This step is completely optional.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees and bake for another 25-30 minutes.



And, that's that.  I'm linking up with my friend Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics for her fabulous Made-It-Monday ... and I can't wait to share a lot more Monday Made-Its with you this summer.  :)

Happy Monday!


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June Currently

01 June 2014
I still cannot fathom that it's June already.  As ready as I am for the end of the year, I need more time!!!  I haven't linked up to a Currently over at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade in far too long, so here goes ..

It's Sunday ... so that means laundry day around here.  With three kiddos (girls, at that) around here, my clothes mountains never seem conquered.  I guess I could have better time management and throw in a few loads through the week, but who am I kidding ... that will never happen.  ;)

I'm LOVING the beautiful weather we've had this week.  I think we skipped right past spring (we did have snow until the very end of April) - and I'm fine with that.  We've been taking advantage of the beautiful weather with a little (A LOT) work around the yard and my kids' school.  Yesterday they had an "extreme makeover" at their school - brand new playground installed, painting, yard work, benches, sandboxes, rink moved ... it was CRAZY the amount of work that was accomplished.  My kids are SO excited for Monday!

I'm definitely thinking about our provincial testing starting tomorrow.  My students have worked their tails off this year, and they are as ready as they will ever be.  I'm just about to head out to grab a few little testing encouragement treats for them.  I can't wait until testing is over ... I have a few extra special FUN days of learning planned for them this month.

I can't really think of anything I want or need right now.  Life is good.  Well, except maybe another day this weekend.  But who couldn't use that?  ;)

Summer bucket list ... well, I'm SUPER excited to go to Las Vegas to meet all my blogging buddies!!!  I've actually been to Vegas before, so I'm not sure if it should really be on my bucket list, but I was 16 when I went ... so it doesn't really count, right??  I'm also taking my daughter's to their first real concert (One Direction) and we're getting our house renovated - so, it will be a busy summer, but one I'm VERY much looking forward to.  Like I said, life is very good right now.  :)



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