Mrs. Smith's classroom blog: February 2014

Thursday, February 20, 2014

March 3rd

Mrs. Smith will be returning to school on March 3rd. Mrs. Focht and Mrs. Smith will be working hard to make this transition as easy as it can be.

So far in the past two years I've had 6 projects funded for our classrooms totaling over $3,191 on Donors Choose. We've received book shelves, classroom supplies, library bins, packing peanuts for bean bag chairs, and a fully funded field trip to Crystal Cave. 225 donors from Spooner to California to New York to Sweden have helped fund these projects. Some gifts have been large and some have been small. Companies like Disney, Direct Tv, Geology.com, and Math Playground have joined in. I've had numerous teachers and supporters join in on Facebook giving community pages like Caring Classrooms, Projects to Lead the Way, Kindergarten Rocks, I Can Learn, Hand in Hand, Classroom Angels, Support Excellence in Education, Memories and Milestones, Just Because You Care, Southern Hospitality, and Send A Smile.

Currently I have three projects posted on Donors Choose.

The first project is for recycling bins for SES. These bins will help us recycle things like string cheese containers and send them in to TerraCycle to earn points and money. It currently has an UPS match and is half off. It only needs $88 to fund. To donate visit this link: No More Waste

The second project is for classroom and art supplies for our classroom. Last week we ran out of glue sticks and realized we were in need of some basic supplies. Until tomorrow, February 21st you can enter INSPIRE or 100WOMEN at checkout and double your donation. They do this for every project in its first 7 days. This one needs $389 to fully fund. I applied for a match grant on this project, but am waiting to hear. Visit here if you'd like to help this project: Rat A Tat

The last project is for a 3D printer. A few weeks ago MakerBot announced a plan to give Almost Home matches to 3D projects. This match would fund all but $98. This project has $2,422 to fully fund. If you'd like to help with this project visit: 3D and Beyond

I know that money is tight and do not expect you to make donations. Even $1 can go a long way! The log in process is very easy and simple.

If possible, please share this post with family and friends. You may also know a business that would be willing. All gifts are tax-deductible. Thank you for your time.

I will continue to post projects as needs arise. Future projects can be found at www.donorschoose.org/mrssmith121.

Lastly, a fellow teacher posted an offer to win a $50 Donors Choose gift card. You can enter to win in less than 5 minutes, for our classroom at: http://thirstyfirsties.blogspot.com/2014/02/website-wednesday-giveaway-included.html

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Contest on Donors Choose

If you're interested, a giving community on a Donors Choose is having a contest for $50 in Donors Choose gift cards and spots on their giving page, which has 100% funding success. See the flyer at this link: Valentine's Day Weekend Contest. We currently have three projects that could use some love!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Good News!

This week's Newsletter: February 10th

Spelling Unit 17

Last week's Newsletter: February 3rd

NO MORE WASTE IN THIS PLACE on Donors Choose:

Also, just to keep you up to date. Our current Donors Choose project has a UPS match. It is currently needing $123 to be FULLY FUNDED. This project is for recycling bins for the lunch room. We can recycle items like chip bags and string cheese plastic, send them in, and then earn points and money for other classroom items! If you know of any family or friends that would be willing to donate even a small amount, please pass this on. The website for this project is: http://www.donorschoose.org/project/no-more-waste-in-this-place/1164085/?rf=link_siteshare_2014_02_teacherid_1537949&challengeid=251476

Student Resources

Raz-Kids: Download the app. My teacher username is mrssmith124. Students know their password.

DreamBox & Prodigy: Please contact me for login information.

Google Drive (homework and in class activities): https://drive.google.com/

Math Playground, fun math games for practice: http://www.mathplayground.com/grade_3_games.html

https://www.gonoodle.com/ and sign up for free as a parent.

www.flocabulary.com/join-class Please ask for the home code to join and use at home.

Apps we use on a regular basis:
Book Creator
QR Code Reader
Seesaw

All about me

About Mrs. Smith: Mrs. Smith grew up in Barron, Wisconsin where she graduated from Barron Senior High School. She got married shortly after high school to her husband, Sam. They moved to Superior, Wisconsin where Mrs. Smith began college at the University of Minnesota Duluth. There Mrs. Smith began studying elementary education right away. She worked in multiple classrooms from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Mrs. Smith had her first son, Noah during college and her daughter, Isabelle, shortly after graduating college. For a year after college she substitute taught in local schools in the Duluth and Superior area and worked at a restaurant. When she was hired at Spooner Elementary her family bought a house in Wascott and moved. In 2011-2012 Mrs. Smith taught her first year as a Spooner 3rd grade teacher. In 2012-2013 Mrs. Smith was a 2nd grade teacher. She started teaching 3rd grade again in the 2013-2014 school year. Mrs. Smith had her 3rd child, Jonah, in December of 2013. She also coached volleyball. Her family moved to Sarona in 2014. In October of 2016 Mrs. Smith had Annabelle! She is now starting her 7th year at Spooner Elementary School. She loves teaching 3rd grade! She has a passion for teaching and her students.

Mrs. Smith has a large family. She has three brothers, six sister-in-laws, and a brother-in-law. She has seven nephews and seven nieces. Her parents and in-laws still reside in Barron, Wisconsin.

Besides teaching Mrs. Smith enjoys scrapbooking, being involved in her church, enjoying the outdoors, being with family, playing board games, volleyball, and flavored coffee.