Five for Friday - Testing and Bubblegum Day!

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to share 5 random things from my week.

              

We had our state STAAR testing this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, but it already seems like forever ago! This is what my room looked like for those days.  We had to cover all bookshelves, remove everything from under our desks, and take everything off the walls.  All the stress has just melted away, and all that's left behind is the torture of waiting about 3 weeks for the scores to come in.  I feel strangely calm about it this year because I could just feel a different energy from my kids during the testing days.  They seemed more motivated than any class I've had before, and they kept the test at least 3 hours each day.  Some of my students who had extra time accommodations kept working until 3 o'clock dismissal both days!  

The day after testing, I wanted to give my students a fun-filled day.  I was so excited to read about Bubblegum Day over on Ideas by Jivey.  I went straight to her store and bought her Bubblegum Day product.  

My kids absolutely loved it.  I bought two types of gum - watermelon and tropical island - and let them chew one piece during the morning while they did the math activities.  Then I let them chew the second piece later in the morning during their reading and writing activities.  It was the perfect way to get 2 days of testing out of our systems!

I was so surprised to get this sweet present from one of my boys today!  It's a candle, and it smells delicious.  I love candles, so can't wait to find a spot for it at home and enjoy the scent.  

My students had their Pep Award Ceremony in the gym today.  We were the first class there, and one of my students asked if they could read.  I said sure, and next thing I knew, my whole class got their books out and started reading.  Even when the other classes noisily walked in, my class kept reading.  This was such a proud teacher moment for me, I had to snap a picture!

I finished both of these books this week, and they are two of my new favorite books.  Each one had a big WOW moment for me.  I really want to share both as read alouds with my class, but I don't think there will be time left this year.   So I am going to have my students vote next week as soon as we finish our current read aloud, Harriet the Spy.

There you have it!  My 5 random things from this week.  I'm off to have a movie and pizza night with my boyfriend.  Enjoy your Friday evening!