Candy Hearts Math

Grab some hearts from your local candy store and you have many math lessons in a box of Yummies!  Below are two ideas; one for estimation and the other for graphing. 

Estimation:

Draw a large heart on a piece of paper. Give Each student a box of Hearts.

Have him Estimate the number of hearts that will fit in the heart. Then have him see how many really fit in the heart. 

Was your estimation close to the actual number?

The activity sheet shown above and below is from Teaching Heart CDROM #3 - Click to learn more.

Graph Them:

Give each student a box of candy hearts. Have the students color the graph to match the hearts they have. After they have the graph colored, have them trade with a friend. The friend can answer the questions on the back using the graph. The first graph is for grades k-1. Have your students lay the hearts on the graph. To make this more difficult 2-3, create a graph that allows your students to color the hearts and then answer questions about their graph.

The activity sheet shown above is from Teaching Heart CDROM #3

 

Healthy Smoothy made with Almond Milk!

I have a healthy smoothy recipe to share with you...  I am trying to eat "clean" and wanted a low calorie and filling smoothy like the one I use to make with Diet Sprite in it!  I have given up all Soda so I needed something new.  I came up with this recipe the use Almond Milk!!!  I just discovered Almond Milk and I am so happy with it.  It is better than Silk and it tastes good in my coffee...  Anyhow, I tried it in a smoothy and I was pleasantly pleased. 

1 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Flavored Almond Milk (40 calories)
1 Cup of FROZEN fruit.  You can use any kind you wish.  Use frozen for a milk shake texture.  (about 100 calories)
2 Steevia Packets
Half of a container of organic yogurt (55 calories)

See the finished product via my Flipshare!!! 


Mix in a blender - Below is the one I have and it works fantastically!!!  This makes a great afternoon snack.  It lasts a long time and it is filling.  I will often pour it in a travel mug to take along with me. 

If you are looking for a green smoothy made with Veggies, hop on over to my girlfriend, Rebecca's blog and check out her smoothy recipe...  Do you have a low calorie smoothy recipe for me?  Please post in the comments section...  I would love to hear about it!

Sticker Number Fun!

Here's a quick activity you can throw together in two minutes with a pack of number stickers, like the ones here.

You can write numbers on a sheet of paper and have your child put the sticker over the matching number. 

You can make dots and have your child count the dots and put the sticker on the correct set of dots.

You can make computation problems and use the stickers as the sum.  Or you can leave a blank equation and have your child put a sticker in the blank.

This activity was enjoyed by both my almost four year old and seven year old.

Happy Sticking!!!

Please don't see your shadow Mr. Groundhog

From my research, I see that Phil sees his shadow about 90% of the time.  I am done with winter already, so I am hoping he doesn't see his shadow.  And yes I do believe in the power of the Groundhog Shadow!

At 7:30 AM EST on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 the world discovers if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow - predicting six more weeks of winter!

Below is some Groundhog fun for your kiddos or classroom!

Let's start wth a song!

Groundhog's Day


Sung to: "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

Do you see your shadow,

Shadow, shadow?

Do you see your shadow?

On Groundhog's Day.

Yes, I see my shadow,

Shadow, shadow,

Yes, I see my shadow

On Groundhog's Day.

or

I don't see my shadow,

Shadow, shadow

I don't see my shadow

On Groundhog's Day.

Make a Book!

This is a printable book from Teaching Heart CDROM #3

Click over to Teaching Heart's Groundhog Page for many ideas!


Looking for a quick craft to have the kids make?  Here is an easy craft.  Make a groundhog pop-up.  The link gives you the printable groundhog.  All you need is a cup and a craft stick.

Danielle's Place has this cute hat to print and make.

Here are a few more free printables for you to look over and use if you wish!

Alphabet groundhogs (PDF file)

Emergent reader book 1

Check out this cute cupcake!

Do you have a fun Groundhog's Day activity you would like to share?  Please post in the comments section!!

Moo... It's Monday!

Week three down and heading into week four!  It was another good week of clean eating and lots of great exercise.  I can feel myself getting stronger.  Watch out! 

I have to start off by sharing this picture:

Could I please have this mirror???  Wouldn't this be the best? 

Through my mom's group we were entertained and informed at last weeks meeting by my girlfriend's husband, David.  He is the Operations Manager for Allegheny Imaging of McCandless in Pittsburgh, PA.   He spoke with us about the importance of having a mammogram.  Anyhow, in his presentation, he showed many funny slides (as well as informational details about breast cancer)...  but I LOVED this picture!  I had to share it with all the Moo, Monday readers!  So, where can I get one of these?  Hee-hee!!!

One of the things David mentioned was,  researchers suggest that women should be advised to avoid weight gain during adulthood to decrease their postmenopausal breast cancer risk.   Just another great reason to take off all this weight I gained during and after pregnancy.  The Nation Cancer Institute says;

"Gaining weight after age 18, specifically after menopause, increases a woman's risk of breast cancer after menopause, whereas losing weight after menopause can reduce the risk, researchers at Harvard Medical School have found. They say that many cases of breast cancer could be avoided by women losing weight after menopause."

I knew that weight gain in general is not healthy, but I did not realize that it increases your risk for breast cancer...  More fuel for my fire!

Weight Loss:

I lost a pound this week...  I was disappointed after such a big loss last week...  but I do know that slow and steady will win the race.  So, I am down a total of 7 pounds!  I'll keep chugging along this week. 

Still eating clean.  I tried a few new recipes this week, that I hope to share in the future...  I cheated this week with a non-fat Mocha at Starbucks and it was almost too sweet for my tastes.  That was kinda a good feeling. 

My friend let me borrow Eat This Not That! 2010: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution.  It was neat to thumb through and see a healthy alternative for a craving.  Check out their website...  I likes this article on the top 8 Fitness foods. 

Similarly, I love the website; Hungry Girl!  Have you checked that out?

I found this article (worth a read)...  It talks about the website the Daily Plate (I use this still to count calories)!

Exercise:

I did boot camp M,T, and W.  I ran four miles on Thurs.  walked a mile.  I rested on Sat. and ran 2 miles on Sunday.  I have three more weeks before I start real training for the 10 miles at the end of April. 

I love boot camp.  If you can find one, you should try it.  I have two more weeks left in my camp.  :(  Hopefully I can convince my hubby to let me do another 5 weeks.  This is why I love it:

Top Five Reasons I "Love" Boot Camp:

1. I never loved exercise... It's a chore, but my BC instructor makes it tolerable. I still don't LOVE to Exercise, but I "Love" the feeling of knowing I accomplished the task of completing an AM at Boot Camp. I am always tired and sweaty, but strangely energized after camp?

2. NO EXCUSES: I can get my exercise done before the kids are awake and my husband has to go to work. I can't make excuses because who can say they have plans at 5:30 in the am!!!

3. TIME FLIES: Time goes by quickly when my BC instructor engages us in so many types of exercises. Going from station to station keeps me active and interested, as opposed to my treadmill workouts when I’m counting down the minutes until I’m done. At bootcamp, I'm often surprised to look up and see the hour is over!

4. Aerobic activity and strength training is done in one workout.

5. Everyone is very supportive... Being one of the "weaker" bootcampers, I don't feel like anyone looks down at me. No exercise snobs and it is nothing like this episode below (hee-hee!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Yyb55PgHk

Closing:

Well here's to week four!  Good luck to all trying to achieve your goals!

What inspirers you?

What inspirers you?

If you read my blog, you know that I am trying hard to get healthy in 2010. So far I am on the right road and heading in the right direction. I haven’t needed to make a u-turn yet.

Often when I am feeling yucky or disappointed in my progress, I find that music will often lift my spirits. Like yesterday on the treadmill I kept replaying EMINEM’s song Last Chance… The part

(“You better lose yourself in the music, the moment

You own it, you better never let it go go

You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow

This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo”)

inspires me when I run… The Lyrics make me remember that I need to own up to the challenge of getting healthy and never letting go!

Besides getting healthy… I love songs, books, people, and things that inspirer me to be a better person. One of my favorite inspiring things to watch is Randy Pausch's last lecturer. His words make me want to be better, be more positive, love life, and count my blessings. Yes Larry passed away, but when I need to ground myself I watch this lecturer. It is probably something I watch at least once a month.  What a gift Randy was given...  His words forever touch my heart.  If you haven’t seen this… It is a must watch.

You can watch all of the lecture. It is long, but worth it.!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Or you can watch this shorter version...


Some of my favorite quotes from Randy are:

-Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.

-When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care.



-Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted  (I LOVE THIS ONE)

-The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.  (I memorized this one and often repeat it to myself)



-You just have to decide if you’re a Tigger or an Eeyore.  (I hope I am a Tigger more than an Eeyore)

-Find the best in everybody. Just keep waiting no matter how long it takes. No one is all evil. Everybody has a good side, just keep waiting, it will come out. 

-It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.

-We can’t change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. If I’m not as depressed as you think I should be, I’m sorry to disappoint you.

What inspirers you when you are down and out or working towards something?

It will PAY to read this if you LOVE Teaching Heart Packets!!

To say thanks to our Yahoo Groups members, Teaching Heart Blog Readers, and Facebook members, we are offering 15% off your instant packet orders when you order from:
http://teachingheart.cerizmo.com/
and use the discount code: teachingheart15

That is 15% off your shopping cart...  Fill up! This offer goes till Feb. 1st.... Don't delay!!!

Be sure to check out our newest packet and download the free printable. 
http://www.teachingheart.net/winterprintables01.html

Enjoy!

The Gift of an Ordinary Day!

A mommy friend of mine sent this to me. This summarizes the ordinary days of being a mom and reminds you to soak in those days, because soon your will be standing on your tippy-toes kissing your son goodbye as he heads for college.... you will be hugging your daughter as you leave her college dorm. If you are looking for a good mommy cry... this 8 min. video is it and then you will want to go enjoy an Ordinary Day!

Magic Treehouse Resources

My son is a HUGE fan of Magic Treehouse.  We have finished the series except for the one that was just released, Magic Tree House #43: Leprechaun in Late Winter (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)).  It was released Jan. 12, 2010.

My kids also enjoy the Magic Tree House: The Musical. 

Be sure to check out these activity sheets that match many of the books, my son enjoys doing them!

We also love the printable passport here.  My son loes answering the questions to earn his badges for his passport. 

The best is when Wendy's gives out the Magic Treehouse Audio Books with their kids meals.  It is usually in the summer...  My son and daughter love listening to them for a quiet time activity or on a long trip.  I love them because it means a moment of mommy time for me.  You can't get them now, unless you get them on ebay.  Here's a great deal on six of them!  I know the seller... so no fear!  ;-)

 

Happy MLK

I am a big U2 fan.  My son came home telling us all about MLK today.  This video was a nice way to conclude MLK day, plus a great song!

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Moo... It's Monday!

Week two down of working towards a better me! I have to tell you that, I rocked this week... Yeah me!  I just pray I can keep up the rocking!  So often I get started on a healthy program and loose interest.  That isn't going to happen this time...  Fingers crossed!

Here's a hodgepodge of my week for those who care to read:
Weight Loss:
Week Two and I am happy to report that I lost.... FOUR pounds this week!!! Wahhhhooooo!!! Brings my total to six pounds. I ate really well this week. Kept it clean and kept my calories at 1,500 with a cheat day of 2,300 calories (but I also ran/walked four miles this day)... I think I ate all clean this week! I hope this isn't just a honeymoon stage - but, I wasn't craving sweets this week, so that helped me.

Exercise:

I did boot camp FOUR days this week... M,W,F,S - I also ran twice this week. One time for a three mile run and a mile walk. Another time for a two mile run. 

I also signed up to run 10 miles at the end of April. I am way nervous about getting ready for this. However, maybe it will motivate me to work towards something! I have been looking at running websites and reading about half-marathon trainng plans. Here are the sites I have found most useful (with more to come in another Moo Monday post:

The 10 Mile Training Program I am going to use.  Is there a better one?  Let me know!

I just love the name of this Blog and she has some nice posts too...  Chubby Chicks Run Too!

Lots of great stuff at Cool Running!  I once did the couch to 5K running plan and it was great.  I downloaded the podcast from Itunes which made it super easy!

There are so many running tips.  Here are some for eating when you run!

Notes:

I love Ezekiel English Muffins with my Natural Peanut Butter and my All Natural All Palmer's Jelly on top. YUM! I even decided to make my son a few Natural PB&J sandwiches. I was looking at the ingredients in the Smukers Frozen ones and did not like what I saw. I made a bunch of my own and froze them. I can take one out in the AM and stick it in his lunch.

I was amazed at how breads even have the High Fructose Corn Syrup in them. It took me sometime to find a bread that was all Natural. My husband thinks I am weird getting rid of high frutose corn syrup from my food and most of the kids foods. O-Well!

Hummus has always been a favorite of mine, but it is a huge treat now... I have it on everything and with all veggies.

I made this recipe this weekend and my family loved it.

Check out these two You Tube videos that my Boot Camp Instructor sent out this week.... Makes you think?

I like diet soda...  But I haven't drank one it too weeks.  This video is for regular soda.  O-Yuck!

This one is about HFCS!

Closing:

Well, if you are trying a new exercise or diet program I would love to hear any tips you have in the comments section. I am a new runner so any running tips are greatly appreciated too.

Teaching Heart Resources

Hello Teaching Heart Readers! Hope this finds you all well and happy in 2010!


Below are links to many updated pages on Teaching Heart… At each page you will find free printables, ideas, lessons, links and more for the given topics.


100th Ideas:
http://www.teachingheart.net/hundreddays.html


MLK Ideas:
http://www.teachingheart.net/happymlkbooks.html
Just updated with new printables and all the links are working…


Valentine's Day:
http://www.teachingheart.net/valentinesdaypage.html
Updates and will update through Jan., so keep checking!


Snowy Day:
http://www.teachingheart.net/snowyday.html  
Just updated! Check it out!

TEACHING HEART PRODUCTS:
http://teachingheart.net/primaryteachertimesaver.html
90% of the teachers who purchase one product come back to purchase
another product. 1000's of happy teachers using Teaching Heart CDROM's.
Make lesson planning easy! Plus NOW instant downloadable mini units!
Check them out with this direct link to our instant downloads! http://teachingheart.cerizmo.com/  

Mittens:
http://www.teachingheart.net/mitten.html


Pres. Day
http://www.teachingheart.net/presidents.html\
Updated too!!!


Clifford:
http://www.teachingheart.net/cliffordunit.html


Any Skill Board Games
http://www.teachingheart.net/anyskillgames.htm
Are you looking for a great center for your classroom that you can use to reinforce previously taught skills?
Do you teach in small groups? Are you a parent looking for a fun way to practice skills at home?  This is the CDROM for you. Check out the link and download the free games and decide if it is right for you!

Will he see his shadow?
http://www.teachingheart.net/groundhogdaysite.html  
Many great Ground Hog Day Ideas


Teaching Heart Mom Blog
http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/
Follow this blog to find out what is new daily by following the blog.


Thanks and have a great day!

Pittsburgh South Hills Relay For Life

A heads up on the 2010 Peters Township Relay for Life...

Bring the family out to Peters Township Stadium for food, music, games, prizes, and more - all to support a GREAT Cause.  You don't need to have a team to join the fun! 

May 15, 2010!!!

Click Here to Learn More!

Happy 10 in 2010

How cute, my first tag from a fellow blogger!  I am excited!  Artsy_momma at Handprint and Footprint Art tagged me in the Happy 101 Award.  Awww... I love talking about the "h" word, what a cute idea! Thank you!!!!  I am honored you picked me to tag!

 For this award, you are to list 10 things that make you happy, then tag another 10 people.

1.) Shopping for myself and by myself ='s no kiddos with me.

2.) Watching the expression on someone's face when you have done something nice for them or given them a treat.

3.) Watching my kids in a quiet moment and realizing that God blessed me with the best gifts, their lives.

4.) Knowing that God blessed me with a life full of great friends who seem to be planted in my life in all the right moments. 

5.) Hearing good things about how Teaching Heart products make the lives of k-3 teachers less stressful or how much the kids loved an activity from the site or a product. 

6.) Radom acts of kindness either given or recieved.  A few weeks ago, I was in the drivethru at Starbucks (for hopefully my last Mint Cafe Mocha EVER! - Note my New Years Clean Eating Life - Blahhhh!) and saw a Mom in her car behind me yelling at her kids.  I asked what she had purchased when I got to the window and it was just a small drink... so I asked if I could pay for it.  I told the worker to just tell the mom that this is from a mom who has been there and to pay it forward someday.  I never got to see her reaction... but it made me feel really good all day thinking about the smile that may have been on her face.   It is one of those great feelings - if you have never done that... give it a try!  On the other side of it...  Yesterday I was in the store buying Soy Milk for my coffee and someone had left a dollar off coupon by the milk.  I was so happy and thankful! 

7.) Watching my husband interact with the kids.  He is a kid at heart and I find myself thinking how lucky my kids are to have a Daddy like him.

8.) Those moments (that are sometimes  more few than often) when I know I am a SUPER mom! 

9.) ALL THINGS Fall!

10.) Seeing the numbers on my scale shrink!!!  Fingers Crossed =)

These 10 Blogs Make Me Happy!  All are Followers of My Blog!!!  Followers make me HAPPY!!!

1.) This Mom's Many Hats

2.)  The Place For Preschool Moms

3.) 2 Sweet Peas and Me

4.) Jake Lsewhere's Musings

5.) Our Family Blogspot

6.) Play, Explore, and Learn

7.) The Amato Family

8.) Faithful Life

9.) This, That, and T'other

10.) Running away? I'll help you pack.

Thanks for following this blog.  Are you a follower???

 

Dream & Learn With MLK

January 18, 2010 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here are some resources and links that may help you celebrate this day.

Print Up Some Fun!

The sheet above and below are From The Teaching Heart CDROM - Click to learn more!!!

You can download the sheet above for free. Just click here! Students read the text and illustrate a picture in the thinking cloud.

Try this easy and fun craft from Ramblings of a Crazy Women

Looking for: Ideas, Books, Songs, Lessons, and much more ?  You can find it here!!!!

I would love for you to share and MLK ideas or links in the comments section!!!  Thanks!

Moo... It's Monday!

My New Years Goals sound simple enough... Get Healthy in 2010! Basically loose 30-40 lbs this year (now that doesn't sound as easy when you put it that way...)!!! As I said here, I will try to keep you up to date on my progress, thus holding myself accountable. I would love to hear about your week in weight loss or good health!

Here's a hodgepodge about my week for those who care to read!

Weight Loss:

This was my first full week of diet and exercise and the scale is showing a 2lb loss. I was hoping for more during the first week, but I will take that. I am still playing with the number of calories I should be eating. I am using the Daily Plate and I found out two days into my diet that the Daily Plate was calculating my calories a little too high. That is too bad, because those two days were easy!!! Haa-haa! Hopefully I have the calories calculated right to make sure I loose weight vs. maintain. I ate clean most of the week... I did slip and found myself scarfing down a handful of chocolate chips. Oppppsss! But no wine this week and I really need a glass. Oh, and I did have a piece of Fudge on Saturday that I would have never had if someone hadn't given it to us as a gift and I felt obligated to try a piece. On a positive note: It is now packed and in the hubs car for him to take to work.

Exercise:

Did three days of Boot Camp this week. PLUS: I ran 2 miles on the treadmill once this week. I did a Spin Class once this week. Lastly, I walked 1 mile and ran 2 miles on the treadmill. That is definitely an A+ week of exercise for this bod! I think my big butt may be is shock.

I am also playing with the idea of running a half marathon in May. I have NEVER run more than a 5K... I figure maybe if I have a BIG goal I will work towards that. Also, I may be running a 5K in April with my sister-in-law.

I keep telling myself that running these two things will be easier if I am thinner. Hopefully I am listening to my words of advice to myself. I sure am full of it!

I learned this week:

I love Naturally More Peanut Butter! It is sooooo good! I bought it at Sams Club and I think I may be in love. "Naturally More easily differentiates itself from other natural peanut butters with the added benefits of Omega-3, fewer calories than other peanut butter competitors, 25% more protein, and 50% more fiber than regular brands currently on the market." I love the texture and taste of it. Sooooo, awesome!

I am no longer scared of Avocados. Yes they are full of fat and higher in calories than I think they should be... but they are working for me this week.

Stevia is great in coffee. As good as Splenda. I even put it in my workout water with half a squeezed lemon.

I miss my creamer... but Rice Milk is okay. Nothing will beat Coffee-mate. I miss you Coffee-mate! 

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!

Here's to another week of success for me and anyone else who is working on getting rid of some pounds.  Good luck to all and to all a week of clean eating!  Smiles! 

You Will Be Seeing Hearts...

You"ll Be Seeing Hearts...  before you know it!!!!  Yes, Valentine's Day is more than a month away, but let's get some idea sharing going now. 
Do you have a Valentine's Day post to share?  A great recipe, craft, lesson idea, or printable???  Use the Mr. Linky to link up to it.  I will feature your posts in another post soon.

Can't wait to see what Lovely posts you will share!

Hodge Podge on a Snowy Day

I got an award today from a fave blog.  I so enjoy reading the blog Casa Camacho and I am excited to hear she likes to read Teaching Heart Mom as well.   O, look... she gave me this Sunshine Award.  Sunshine!!!  I really need some Sunshine in this cold wintry snow globe I am living in.  Ugh!  Casa Camacho is full of Sunshine herself...  You will know why I enjoy her blog when you read the posts; Cookie Exchange (you know I love those),Unbirthday (I love a good kids party), Getting Organized (I love good organization tips), When the Kids are Bored (my goal is to keep them busy),and  I Spy Placemats (she is full of great ideas)!  Those are just a few that caught my eye.  Thanks Bobbi!

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blogworld! 

The rules for accepting this award are:

1. Post the logo on your blog.

2. Pass the award on to 10 bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within your post.

4.Let the nominees know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person you received this award from.

I would love to pass a little sunshine on to these 10 bloggers in hopes of brightening their days:

1. Ramblings of a Crazy Woman
2. Make and Takes
3. Kristi Ternullo Photography
4. flipflops and applesauce
5. 5 Minutes for Mom
6. This Mom's Many Hats
7. http://workathomemom.typepad.com/the_daily_grind_of_a_work/
8. Momma Findings
9. Little Fingers That Play
10. Tip Junkie


Hey Tip Junkie mentioned Teaching Heart Mom in her 1,000th post...  I am thrilled to be mentioned in one of my faves blogs 1,000th post!  Thanks Tip Junkie/Laurie for being you!


Here is a video that sums up my week...  Hee-hee!  Only a few more weeks to go!

Can a blogger out there tell me what happened to the spell check and a share a video link???  ugh!

Happy Snow Day