Happy (late) 10 Months!

Baby A also understands:

+Can you turn on/off the light? (She isn't 100% on actually doing it though)

+Do you want to get the mail?

+Do you want to go to the library?

+Do you want to read a story?

+Do you want to read ________ or ________? (She reacts more to one cover over another)

More Mystery Pictures: Two by Two Digit Multiplication

I've failed to update this blog over the last several days. C has been in Spokane with work and I've gotten excited about other projects that I've forgotten to work on this and update things. Here are the most recent products that I've made:

 (here)

(here)

I've made products close to this before, and it gets easier the more I make these products. I am selling them on their own and as part of the multi-digit multiplication growing bundle. It was tricky to keep coming up with images to use for the puzzles, but with some internet research, a tutorial, and some experimenting, I can make a larger range of images to use. Maybe I will post a tutorial in the future...

2017 Reading Challenge...A book you wouldn't normally read

2017 Reading Challenge
I have finished another book (a book you normally wouldn't read) for the reading challenge. I read Winter by Marissa Meyer.

This book is pretty beefy at over 800 pages. In this installment, we meet Winter. She is Levana's stepdaughter and is slowly going crazy because she won't use her Lunar gift. We follow her and the previously introduced characters as they prepare for revolution. 

As with the previous books, I still really like the characters. I was invested in what happened to them, which helped get me through some of the slower parts of this book. I cheered Winter on when she tried to get away from her stepmother and do her own things to rebel. 

The downfall is that there are so many character that it bogs down the story a bit. We have 9 major protagonists in the story and not enough time to satisfactorily spend with all of them. I could have done with either more books or fewer characters to bounce between.

The overall plot was engaging. It was similar to the last Hunger Games book, but I liked it better. I always enjoy a bit of romance, so that was nice to have. However, there were some parts that seemed to drag and everyone kept getting kidnapped. One of the main characters was getting captured every 100 or so pages. Does someone really need to be kidnapped to create drama? 

I don't recall any swearing and outside of some kissing, the book is clean. 

In the end, Winter is definitely worth the read and even a reread or too. 

More Reviews and More Mystery Pictures

Adding Two Digit by One Digit Whole Numbers Puzzle 

I liked doing the adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators so much that I decided to create a similar set for adding two digit by one digit whole numbers. Pretty similar, however, I decided to have a few different levels for some of the worksheets. This way, students at different levels can still enjoy completing the picture. 

Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles

So I stayed up late the other night to finish this book in the series. Fairest is just a novella and so far you don't need to read it to understand Winter, but it is definitely an interesting read. Disturbing, but it was interesting to read Levana's background. I did think that I would get some understanding of the character and maybe sympathy, but nope. She is just as vile as they make her seem in the main series. This book isn't too dirty, but the dirtiest of the books so far with a lot of detailed "slut shaming." Overall, interesting for people who like learning about villains' backstories, but otherwise a book worth skipping.  

2017 Reading Challenge, The Lunar Chronicles Review, and Adding Multi-digit Whole Numbers Oh My!

2017 Reading Challenge
I have made some headway into my 2017 Reading Challenge! Previously, I said I would start out on the walking level and then progress throughout the three levels (hopefully) by the end of the year. However, I have yet to stay faithful to a reading challenge because I get way too excited about other books that may or may not fit the guides of the challenge. I've checked off a bestseller and a recommendation through The Lunar Chronicles.

The Lunar Chronicles...so far
I finished Scarlet and Cress in the past week and a half. I am happy to say that I am still hooked and excited to continue reading the series.

The series takes place after a 4th world war. Cinder takes place mainly in Asia, Scarlet is mostly in Europe, and Cress was in Africa, space, and Asia. I found the main story lines engaging, but I did get frustrated when the author switched to other characters because I wanted the main story to keep going without interruption. 

The switches in focus makes sense and each switch is easy to follow, which is pretty hard to do in my opinion. Marissa Meyer does an excellent job with her characterizations and both female and male characters are equally interesting. 

I really appreciate that these books are pretty clean. I don't recall any swearing so far and the dirtiest it has gotten was when they described a ship that has the silhouette of a naked lady on it (no description beyond that). I would recommend these books to higher level middle school students and high school students as well. Definitely worth multiple reads as well. 

Adding Multi-Digit Whole Numbers

(find it here)

I took a break from fractions and completed another set of task cards. Once I built a template, it became easier to edit the product. It's a lot of fun to create these products and I have a lot more in store. I've even started making a few sales! I'm excited to see where this will take me. 

Has anyone else made any headway on their reading challenges?

August Writing Journal Bundle

(find it here)

"This easy to use writing set will help students practice their writing throughout the month of August. The student journals allow for daily independent practice and the task cards work well for center activities. 

This packet includes:
+one printable student journal containing 30 journal prompts as well as extra writing paper for students that need extra space
+32 task card prompts (same as the journal prompts plus two bonus prompts) that can be used for center activities"

I've finished another product! When I was teaching, I loved having a list of prompts that I could use in class since I had trouble coming up with my own sometimes. This can be used for individual practice, center work, and more!

Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators Mystery Pictures

I was inspired to make this product when a friend of mine asked me to help her teach one of her sons adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.

(here)

The packet contain 5 worksheets total. Three of the worksheets have students solving a mix of addition and subtraction fraction problems. The other two worksheets have students solving either addition or subtraction fraction problems.

They are no prep worksheets that include the answer key. I think I may make more of these in the future with different problems and with different topics. I believe they added a bit more to the work instead of just using regular math problems to practice.