Drink for a Cure, Groundhogs and a Super Sale

My Day was Hectic and a whirlwind of activity, but it was worth every minute!
Myself and a couple other teachers got together and decided to do a Fundraiser for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  One of my Students is battling Leukemia, but according to Julian he is "kicking Cancer's Butt!"  Today we kicked off our school wide fundraiser in his honor. Next week we will be selling tickets to buy lemonade and on Friday kids will be able to turn in their tickets and help fight Childhood cancer in the process. ALSF sent me a picture book about their foundation when I wrote them and told them about my students. I read it this morning on the announcements with Julian by my side.  The last line of the book is "When life gives you lemons, ...you make lemonade!"  Julian read that line for the school.

Click the Book to go to Alex's Lemonade Stand Gift Shop

 I was so nervous reading, trying to not mess up and not go too fast.  Afterwards, all of my colleagues told me they were crying from the book. So many of the kids were asking if they could pay more than the $1.00 for lemonade and wanted to know about my student. I was overwhelmed, I couldn't of asked for a better start to my day! Later in the day, our 5th Grade Reading Buddies helped us make posters for the Fundraiser. One of the boys came up with this slogan 

"Drink for a cure"  

and I think it's perfect!

If you would like to donate to our Fundraiser you can go directly to our Fundraiser page here: Julian's Lemonade Stand

As soon as we got back from announcements, Groundhog Day, or should I say the day before Groundhog day began! I wanted my class to learn that shadows move and change, because the sun moves across the sky. We went outside at 10:15, 12:15 AND 2:30 to trace and measure our shadows.

I borrowed the clipboards from my neighbor Renee (thanks Renee) and we got to work.

We traced!

We Measured! (Thanks Cyndy for the meter sticks)

We add two-digit numbers and used our tens and ones! Because their shadows were longer than the meter stick, they had to add their 2-digit numbers to figure out the length of their shadow. We have been working on this concept for a while. It was so great to give them a real purpose in their adding. And, of course it was fun too!

 

Of course, it wouldn't be Groundhog day without some predictions! Here is the before.

Here is the After!  My Florida kiddos do not like the cold, they want spring to come!  I would prefer a little bit more of this cool weather we are having, so I added my vote to 6 More Weeks of Winter!

I am starting my Sale tonight--But if you wait until Sunday you will get 28% off at my TPT Store.

button by Ashley Hughes

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A Good Cause

    I am going to stray from my usual teacher talk to something that means quite a lot to my family and me. I just recently found out a friend of my son's from kindergarten was diagnosed with Leukemia.  He and his family found out on Memorial Day weekend.  Julian was not at the Kindergarten graduation ceremony, and I couldn't understand why. At the time his parents did  not want to announce this news. 
    More recently, they are now setting up fundraisers and ways for people to donate to him. I have not stopped praying for him or his family since I found out.  I only have a few followers, however I know many of you can reach even more than I can.  Please Pray for 6 year old Julian and his family and his battle against Leukemia. He is heading to Miami tomorrow for a spinal tap. He and his family will need all of our prayers.

Link to Julian's Fundraiser  
Continue reading to find out more about the type of Leukemia Julian has:

Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (also called acute lymphocytic leukemia or ALL) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. It is the most common type of cancer in child ren.

Normally, the bone marrow makes blood stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells over time. A blood stem cell may become a myeloid stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell.

The myeloid stem cell develops into one of three types of mature blood cells:

•Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body.
•Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.
•Granulocytes (white blood cells) that fight infection and disease.
The lymphoid stem cell develops into a lymphoblast cell and then into one of three types of lymphocytes (white blood cells):

•B lymphocytes that make antibodies to help fight infection.
•T lymphocytes that help B lymphocytes make the antibodies that help fight infection.
•Natural killer cells that attack cancer cells and viruses.

 I have also found a great foundation and added their badge to my blog. They have lesson plans for teachers as well as a free book to share with students if you are interested.  In addition, you can start fundraisers at your school with their help. If you are interested in the same see the link below.
http://www.alexslemonade.org/newsroom/webbadge
Thanks,
Jessica