Running in honor and memory...the next 26.2 are for you, Boston!

I had planned to blog about my run last weekend, and some great events at school, but none of it really seemed appropriate at this time.  Through school, sports, and running I have found many other fellow runners.  We share stories, quotes, race details, etc. along our running journeys and are all part of larger community who understands the effort and dedication that goes into training...just as many of you do.

I can't even imagine what it might have been like to be watching friends, acquaintances, and loved ones cross the finish line with pure joy and excitement in mind to only have it ended with such tragedy.  I wish there were words, but there really aren't any.  A college soccer buddy of mine was running Boston, had already finished, and was heading toward the airport when his phone started buzzing with texts.  His blog post about the race shares the type of atmosphere Boston provides for its runners...simply amazing.

Another friend of mine went to Boston College.  His BC friend and wife were at the finish line spectating.  They were both injured.  Both went to the hospital. Both had their left legs amputated.  Both didn't find out about their spouse's condition until today because they were sent to different hospitals.

As I pray for those who were running, watching, volunteering, cheering, etc. I want us all to think about how we can run in honor and memory.  For me, it's going to be running the next 26.2 for Boston.  Whether it's 4 miles here, 6 miles there, the next 26.2 will be for Boston.  Whatever it may be for you, use this tragic event to put your kicks on, hit the street, and do what so many will never be able to do again.  Use this as your motivation to make your life better in honor and memory of others.

The quote below seemed most appropriate to share with you all tonight.
"Marathoners push themselves for a whole host of reasons. To test their physical and psychological limits. To raise money for worthy causes. To compete. The next time this -- or any -- marathon is run anywhere in the world, they will run for yet another reason. To show that the power of communal achievement can be beaten on one day, but not on most days and never indefinitely. And that is what makes sense on a senseless day."

May we go forward this week, and remind our students of all of the GOOD that is around us each and every day. Perhaps you can join in on the 26.2 for Boston movement through walks and runs of your own.

Gotta run...the first of my 26.2.

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Update since posting an hour ago...I went for a 4 mile run in honor and memory, but it was so much more than that!

As I was changing clothes, I decided to get my USA on.  It seemed appropriate and right.  

Then, as I was heading out of my neighborhood, there was a double rainbow (there is another one above the one you can see) and sunshine (after a very dark, stormy day).  God is great!  He shows that in darkness, there is always Light.  Thank you for making my first 4 miles of 26.2 a reflective time for me and a Glorious running occasion.

Sorry, I had to add to my post and share about my experience.  It was a very moving run.

Grumblings of a 10 miler, Proofing a Product, and TBA Freebie

Happy Sunday to everyone!  Well for those of you following my half marathon training, I had a 10 miler this weekend.  Notice the title is called "grumblings"... it wasn't the best run I've ever done, but it's finished!!  Here are my grumblings by the mile.

Mile 1: Alright, let's get going, Mary Beth!  Whoa, legs aren't so fresh, but this is the warm up.  No worries now.
Mile 2: Okay, now I'm settled into a a good speed.  The sun is shining and it is beautiful out here...am I done yet?  When I get to this point on the way back, I'll be sooo close!
Mile 3: Uh oh.  This doesn't feel like a great run.  Am I done yet?  MB, pull it together, this is a great day for a long run.
Mile 4: Really?  I have to run by an amazing breakfast place where people are eating outside, laughing, and enjoying themselves?  Yummm...it smells so good!  Oh man, this just means when I turn around I'll pass this again.
Mile 5: I'm half way there.  Ooooh...livin' on a prayer!  (Go ahead, start singin') Well my half way point was actually 5.1.  By going an extra tenth of a mile before turning around it gives you some walking/cool down time when you get close to home.  Believe me, it's worth it!
Mile 6: Oh man!  That chick is bookin' it.  That was a good time for some motivation, especially as I pass that restaurant again.  Yes, you're past half way, but you still have 4 miles to go.
Mile 7: And I have officially hit a wall.  Why won't my legs pick it up?  Eh, maybe it's payback for going to bed after midnight.  Okay, I promise, I'll treat them better next time, just get me through this run.
Mile 8:  Ugh.  That silly bridge going over the road is going to take so much energy to get over...and it did!  Alrighty, only 2 miles.  So close.
Mile 9: I turn onto a new road to head back toward my house, and whoosh!  Right into the wind.  I'm glad I didn't think about this at the start of my run, but with 10-15 mph winds, it wasn't so fun running into it.
Mile 10: Last mile!  Yes, it's done!  So glad I can cross this run off my schedule, and move on.

So there you have it.  The ups and downs of running.  At least I know that next week's long run can only get better!

Don't you think school is like running sometimes too?  There are days when you feel like nothing can stop your students.  They are doing so well, mastering their learning targets, and getting along.  Then, all of a sudden, on a random day, you think what on Earth happened to them!

Proof My Product
And for those of you who read all the way to the end....you could proofread one of my products! I worked on a counting coins game yesterday, but want to make sure that it's accurate.  I'll pick three people to proof the game, and then I'll send it to you once it's perfected!  All you have to do is follow my blog, leave a comment with your email address so I can send it to you, and be ready to proof it in a timely manner!  Here is the game I need help with!

TBA Freebie

It has been brought to my attention by a couple of TBA blog followers that the freebie I added for the Teacher Appreciation Labels is not linking correctly.  It's linking to someone's store that I don't even know, and it's not free!  Ahh! If any of you are visiting my blog from TBA, you can click here and find it for FREE!  

During Teacher Appreciation week, these labels help you put your own spin on a great time and appreciate those that you work with everyday!  

Don't forget to stop by TBA to find some of my freebies, but also hundreds of others!  What a great little Spring Treat for everyone! :) 

              

Alrighty, gotta run and enjoy this last beautiful day before school starts back tomorrow after a long, joyous Spring Break!! Have a great week!

9, 5, and 3 Mile Runs and Breaking the 8 min. Wall!

My Spring Break has been great!  I've had lunch with my sister, dinner with some girlfriends, a night with my best friend and her new baby, cleaned out our guest room, and have done some yard work!  I'm only saying that to make myself feel better after seeing everyone's warm weather beach pictures.  It is going to be 65 degrees this weekend though!  Woohoo!

Alright, so along with those other things, I've gotten a few more runs in this week for my Mini Marathon training.  A fellow blogger asked when my race is, so I thought it's be fitting to post today!  My race is exactly one month from today on May 4th!

So about my runs this week.  On Saturday I decided to do my long run for the week, which is up to 9 miles.  Depending on my schedule, I'll either do my long run on Saturday or Sunday, but with Easter on Sunday, I figured I'd get it out of the way.  I'll have to admit that I was kind of nervous about 9 miles.  Yes, I ran a marathon, but that was a year and a half ago, and my goal for this race is to increase my pace.  We have a wonderful running path near our house that goes for miles, so I ran 4.6 out and 4.6 back (yes, I know that's more than 9, but I'll explain why later).  The best moments for me while running where the two times I passed a group of 6 runners.  I'm always motivated by those around me and Saturday was no different.  A dad was running with 5 other kids probably around the ages of 9-12. I was inspired not only by the kids, but by the dad who was helping these kids live a healthy lifestyle and be active.  I hope I see them again on Saturday...they were truly incredible!

My husband has been home with me during Spring Break so on Tuesday, he decided to ride his bike alongside as I ran 5 miles.  We don't typically workout together, so it was really fun to have this time.  I caught myself with a huge smile while looking over at him a couple of times.  We both had headphones on and were rockin' out to our own music, but there was something about doing it together.  I usually run by myself, so it was a great change of pace (and I ran faster than usual!)!  It was also great to have to take off layers as I ran because the weather was a bit warmer!  The hubs even carried it for me on the way back.  Many perks to working out together!

Yesterday, my training schedule said to do a 3 mile run.  Since this is the shortest distance, I wanted to make sure my speed was increased, but I've had a huge block when it comes to running faster than an 8:00/mile.  The hubs agreed to ride alongside, and push me a bit so that I could get over the hump.  I always have this fear that I won't be able to make it to the end, so if I hold back and finish strong, then I'll know I can do it.  I don't know if it was just knowing that the hubs believed in me to go faster, having him there to push me faster, or both, but it worked!  I averaged a 7:48 min/mile!! Now, I know it was just 3 miles, and my half marathon will be 13.1, but just knowing I can do it will help my mindset as I approach longer distances.

Well, I gotta run!  10 miles is coming up this weekend!

Poetry Month and April Currently

Posting twice in one day is my April Fool's Joke...but really, I'm going to do it!  :)

Welcome April...and Poetry Month
I'll be honest.  I. am. not. a. writer.  When it comes to Poetry, I am especially not a writer!  So when a teacher friend of mine was going on maternity leave, and she needed someone to pick up Poetry club for the year, I was kind of absolutely dreading it.  Instead of planning one club meeting at a time, I decided to do it all at once so that I would feel well-prepared.  My Poetry Unit highlights 7 different types of poetry and can be used for 1st-3rd grade!

The 7 different types of poems you can find here are autobiographical, acrostic, diamante, shape, haiku, cinquain, and couplet poems.  I have found that all of my students can identify with at least a few of these poems, and through modeling the poems during my teaching, I even enjoyed teaching it!  Shhh...don't tell anyone, though!  The unit also includes graphic organizers, publishing pages, and recommendations for picture books to use as mentor texts.

You can also click here to see my post from last year on how I used the unit in my classroom with the Poetry Club.  

Here is the Poe-tree I put up in my room last year.  It's things like this that make me really miss having my own classroom and making the room all about learning and student work.  

April's Currently

Farley has done it again with another great Currently!  She is always so creative, but most of all her posts are real.  I've never met her, but I feel like I know her, Bubs (her son), and her classroom.  If you have some time, hop over, read some other Currently's, and enjoy Farley's posts!  

I also posted a Math Freebie game today on place value, so hop over to grab the review game for free! Click on the image to link to my post!

Alrighty, gotta run!

Math *Freebie*, Pinterest...check!, and SB 2K13

Happy Easter!  I'm going to try to make this quick since I'm heading to my family's Easter Egg Hunt soon!  The holiday was my motivation for the colors of the game I created today!  As I was walking through a classroom the other day, they were practicing with base ten blocks, so it stirred up my creative juices to make this game!

With such a joyful holiday, I thought I'd make it FrEe for all of you!

Just another reason to sing Allelujah today!  

**Here's a snapshot of what you'll get!**

Visit here to get your free copy, and don't forget about my 5 favorite products that are 20% off!

I also linked up with Fabulicious Freebies on the First!!  Click the link below to find many other FREE items for your classroom!

Pinterest...check!

Okay, so I'll admit.  I pin a lot of items on Pinterest and don't end up doing any of them!  My sister and I have spoken many times about how we wish Pinterest would add a feature where you could "check off" an item that you have tried or completed.  This would serve as your own motivation to check some off as well as serve as a great tool when you need help creating something you see.  If someone you follow has checked it, then you can ask them!

Last weekend the hubs and I headed to my sister's house and she had all the materials ready to make these eggs we found on Pinterest.  Blow up a balloon, but the string through a flour and water mixture, wrap it around the balloon, let it dry overnight, pop the balloon, and wallah (sp?)!!  So, here are my Easter eggs on my table!  This is my own little "check" on my Pinterest board!  I actually completed a pin!

 

~Up close view~

~A little farther away~

Spring Break 2K13

I don't have much planned for my Spring Break, but I forgot to give a shout out to my husband for breakfast in bed on my first day of break!  Woohoo...I can already tell it's going to be great.  

Alright, well I need to get my bunny ears on and hunt for some eggs, but I hope you all enjoy your holiday!!  Gotta run!

My 5 Fav Products!

Well, as of 3:40 yesterday I am officially on Spring Break!  Woohoo!  And it's Easter weekend, so why not join in on the fun and throw a sale on my 5 Favorite Products!  Head over to my TPT shop to get 20% off of these products!

Here's a preview of the 5 I've selected!  Click on the image to get a more detailed description.  

 Catch my #1 selling product...Data Binder and Student-Led Conferences!  This is your go-to resource for everything data and setting up student-led conferences.  Enjoy 20% off!

If your weather is anything like Indiana right now, you're going between types of precipitation and seasons all in one week!  We had 9 inches of snow last Monday and a Snow Day!  Tomorrow will be 60 degrees and spring! Enjoy this Weather Unit to help your students understand all this weather mania!

 Ahhh...beloved subtraction with regrouping.  Grab this great review game for just $1.20 through Sunday!

Poetry month is oh so close!  Grab this unit with examples of styles of poetry, differentiated writing pages, and ideas for mentor texts to use to celebrate the month of April. 

9 games in one big back!  Enjoy addition and subtraction format in a fun way...especially at the end of the year!  

Happy shopping!  Gotta run...no really, I'm going to run!  (I'll post about this week's running adventures over the weekend!)

10K, Weather Craziness, and New Math Games!

10K Race
This weekend was a 10K race for my training, and it worked out perfectly.  If you remember, I changed districts this year, and my old school had a 10K fundraiser this weekend!  Perfect timing!!  It was so nice to see my old students and teachers and get to run at the same time.  The PE teacher has a running club and a lot of my former students were running in the 5K race.  I was extremely proud of their hard work and determination! What a cool thing to be able to do a 5K at the age of 9!  These types of events make me realize just how remarkable our students are outside of the classroom too.

Okay, so about my actual running.  The course is a 5K loop, so if you're doing the 10K, you do the loop twice.  I had a goal of running 8:00 minute miles.  The first half was a bit slower than the second half, and I don't think I had the confidence that I could actually do 8 min/mile.  I ended up averaging 8:07/mile which I was pleased with, but it certainly makes me realize that I should be running at least this for my shorter runs.  Now the real question is whether or not I can run this pace for 13.1 miles! Fingers crossed!

Weather Craziness
We always know in Indiana that we're going to have crazy weather, but really?  A snow storm on March 24th!  On Saturday we had beautiful weather.  So much so that I took my dogs for a walk to the dog park, played frisbee, and completed doo-doo duty in the backyard!  24 hours later this is what it looked like at my house.  What does all of this mean for me?  A snow day today!!

             Saturday on a walk with Addie and Scout.   Sunday into Monday 8 inches of snow!

Snow Day = New Math Games!
I've had such a great response from all of my I have...Who Has? games that I've been trying to add to the selection.  Right now, I'm doing all math games, but have many language arts ones on the list for spring break.  Watch out contractions, short vowel sounds, r-controlled vowels, long vowels, and silent e!  I'm coming for you.

Anyway, I started with a bright and vibrant spring theme for converting fractions to decimals because I needed a little bright in my life.  After all, Spring Break is only 3 school days away!

Next, I used some pizza slices for fractions practice.  My EL students need some help on simple fractions before we move into more complicated fractions.  This will be a great refresher and an easy entry point into fractions.  

And our 4-H clubs are gearing up again for a great summer 4-H fair, so I got a little country with reading decimals.  Knowing how to read decimals is an important skill for students, and this is a great game for reinforcing these skills.  

Here are links to some of the other games that teachers enjoy:

Addition with Regrouping Game

Subtraction with Regrouping Game

Addition with and without Regrouping Game

Also, I have undertaken a huge task (much bigger than I originally had though) to create a year-long unit of greek and latin roots.  If any of you do work with learning roots and vocabulary words and would like for me to include something specific, let me know!  

The countdown is on until my Spring Break.  I'm hoping this snow melts and the weather warms before my 9-day stay-cation!

Gotta run!