When You Need A Twin

I know every teacher has felt the desire to duplicate herself or himself.  It probably happens on daily basis for many; I know I feel that way!  It's especially a struggle when you have to start a new topic, but you know there are still some students that still don't get the old stuff.  What do you do?  You have to move on and hope you can find some time for reteach later.

In third grade math, we have worked to solve that problem by creating anchor charts and how-to videos.  Specifically, we have been using the app "Educreations" which records sound while you draw on an iPad "whiteboard."  We are then going to post the videos on the student iPads as icons for quick reference.  When students are trying to working on a previously taught skill, they can pull up the video for a quick refresher.  This allows for a quick review without necessarily requiring students to work with the teacher. 


Click How to Solve Fraction Word Problems to see one of the videos that was created for this purpose!

Super Bowl Snack Time

I will be honest...I'm not a big Super Bowl fan.  However, I do like food, and when our school staff decided to do a potluck "Super Bowl" lunch this week, I decided I could definitely get behind that.  If you have ever taught, you know that teachers are always hungry.  Like men, the way to a teacher's heart is through the stomach.  Anyway, you should have seen the spread we had today!

My contribution to the lunch was tortilla pinwheels.  I think these snacks make the BEST  finger food.  Not only are they delicious, but they are so easy to make.  Even more important (especially to someone who is NOT a morning person), you can make them the night before and refrigerate so you don't have to get up early if you are taking them to work. 

The only problem with my plan was that I didn't have time to stage any great photographs.  These were actually taken at work in just a couple of minutes. 

I have to thank my friend Julia S. for the recipe.  She made them by special request a few months ago for my baby shower, and I have been hungry for them ever since!  Our school staff loved them as well, because the plates were empty by the time I got to break for lunch. 

If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe for your Super Bowl festivities, you have to try this one!

Tortilla Pinwheels

(Makes 2 large plates full)

Ingredients:

• 2 8-oz packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 bunches of green onions, chopped
• Bacon bits (to taste)
• Salsa (approximately 1 cup)
• 8 large burrito tortillas

Directions: 

1. Beat the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until creamy and fluffy.
2. Mix in chopped green onions and bacon bits to taste.
3. Mix in approximately 1 cup of salsa.  You want the consistency to be like cake batter so it is not too difficult to spread.
4. Spread mixture across the entire top surface of your tortilla.  Roll it up tightly and set aside.  Continue until you have used all of your cream cheese mixture.
5. Refrigerate rolled-up tortillas for at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Cut into the your desired size.   Refrigerate until your ready to serve.

What is your favorite Super Bowl snack food?

Meeting Time

As the coordinator of our campus Adopt-A-School program, I have to plan monthly meetings.  I like to have a theme for each meeting because that makes planning easier and more fun.  Since we are nearing on Valentine's Day, I chose that as our theme.  I don't get too fancy because I don't have the time, but I like to have a few table decorations and treats.  It is my way of saying thank you to the teachers and community partners that take time out of their day to attend and make our school a better place.

 



 I served carrot sticks, vegetable crackers, Rasberry Chipotle Ranch (because it is light pink and delicious!), Hershey Hugs, and homemade Chocolate Cherry cookies.  Check out my post from yesterday for the recipe.  These cookies received rave reviews from everyone at the meeting!

The napkins, plates, and table cover were from Dollar Tree.  The heart-shaped platter and heart-shaped bowl were from HEB (less than $2 each).  The white bowls are my everyday china, and I made the centerpiece with some random decorations I hade stored from my teaching days.  I put a wedge of Styrofoam in the vase, and then stuffed pink Valentine's Day tinsel around the foam to cover it up.  I then poked themed picks (like you would use in a bouquet or wreath) into the Styrofoam. 

 

Make your  meetings more meaningful with a few tasty treats and a little effort to spruce up the way you serve them.  The extra mile will make your teachers' day. 

My First!

My first blog post.  Inspired by so many people who have encouraged me to share recipes, ideas, and the things I'm passionate about.  I truly hope you enjoy.

I spent this afternoon making some delicious, decadent cookies for a meeting I have tomorrow.  I am a firm believer in the idea that if you need to have a meeting, you must provide a tasty treat.  It just sets the tone for a more enjoyable conversation.  My meeting is Valentine's day-themed, so I decided to try a new recipe-Chocolate Cherry M&M Cookies.  M&Ms make these seasonal candies for Valentine's Day each year, and I thought a chocolate cookie would be the perfect backdrop for turning these M&Ms into a baked dessert. 

 As you can see, the red, maroon, and pink colors of the M&Ms lend a festive feel to these Valentine's day-inspired cookies.

 

I also added chocolate chips to make this a truly decadent cookies.  A glass of milk would be a perfect pairing!

 

Chocolate Cherry M&M Cookies

 

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (regular flour works fine also)
• 2/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large package of Cherry M&Ms
• 1 (6 ounce) package of chocolate chips

 

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350F.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in small bowl and mix together.
3. Beat butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy.
4. Beat in eggs.
5. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
6. Stir in chocolate chips and M&Ms.
7. Drop tablespoon sized balls onto baking sheets (lined with parchment paper).  Press cookies slightly.
8. Bake 9-11 minutes or until centers are set.  Cook on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies