Tuesday, July 26, 2011

I Was Doing Cake Balls, Before Cake Balls Were Cool...

Apparently there is a "Cake Pop" craze right now. Just google them, and you will see. I have made cake balls for several occasions, for quite some time now, and I always get the same reaction... people LOVE them. When I tell them how they are made, they are shocked that they are so simple. You start by baking a boxed cake, following the directions on the back of the box. You can use any flavor but I prefer white.





After you let your cake cool, crumble it up in a large bowl.





















Next, take a can of your favorite icing, (nope nothing fancy about it) and put in about half of the container. Take off your rings, and go to town. Mix with your hands. When you are done mixing make sure to lick your hands clean! ;)









It should come clean from the sides of the bowl. If it doesn't, you probably need to add a bit more icing.








If you are boring, like my husband, then you are done. Scoop them with a cookie scoop, cool, and eat. You can make these cute by melting the remaining icing, drizzling, adding sprinkles, and placing in an ice cream cone.






...but I wanted to turn these plain cake balls into CAKE POPS, so I started by adding some chocolate and pink food coloring.















I got this!





I used my medium sized cookie scoop,









and rolled out balls of dough. They went onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. I then placed a stick in each one. Next, they took a trip to the deep freeze while I started my next step.








I can already hear the redneck jokes... Yes, this is a pan with a bowl on top. Yes, I am pretending it is a double boiler, and yes, I do bake/cook often and do not have one, nor do I have a working candy thermometer! I am that cool. I used this... whatever you want to call it, to melt a half a package of white almond bark.





See! It works just fine!














Put green food coloring into the bowl, that is still on the boiler. This is going to stiffen up your bark, but all you have to do is add a little crisco, and it will go back to the right consistency. That is a fairly new, and very helpful trick, that I read about.





Take the balls out of the freezer and dip them quickly. Once they begin to thaw, they won't hold onto the stick as easily.












Next, I took the remaining icing, and put it in the microwave for abut 25 seconds, until it was runny. Then added a different shade of green to it. ( I use Wilton's food coloring) Take a spoon and drizzle the green over the cake.






I did it! I took the plunge and had a bite, so that you could see the inside and how it looks like a sweet little watermelon. You could just use strawberry cake mix, but a watermelon that tastes like strawberry creeps me out... so TA-DA!



Your turn. The possibilities are endless... :)






















































































































































































































Wednesday, May 11, 2011

May 11, 2011

No homework!
* I will have a sub tomorrow, due to jury duty.
* Please look in your child's backpack, for a note about summer school.
*Remember, Friday is track and field day. The rain date is the following Monday.

Friday, May 6, 2011

May 6, 2011

Homework-

Math- Skill Sheet (1-14)

*I will be gone on Monday this week for a professional day, and I got lucky, and was chosen for jury duty on Thursday.

If your child is interested in summer school, send me a note or call the school, and I will make sure that you get an enrollment form. I will send a reminder note home next week.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

April 28, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 107 (1-30)

Reading- Chapter Book

Writing- Cloud Writing

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

April 27, 2011

homework-

Math- Lesson 106 (1-30)

Spelling List

garden
yellow
rather
secret
package
apron
narrow
chicken
gather
declare
entire
bucket
rabbit
engine
nothing
person
silver
number
rocket
limber

CHALLENGE
publish
rascal
reflect
vibrate
disturb

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 104 (1-30)

Writing- Cloud Writing

*Tomorrow is P.E.
*Spring parties will be tomorrow at 12:15! Students will be dismissed at 1:12, and school will resume the following Tues.

Monday, April 18, 2011

April 18, 2011

Homework- Finally! We are back to a regular routine! I cannot tell you how proud I am of my class. They worked so hard on the MAP Test, and I feel that they were proud when they were done. We are going to be picking up where we left off in math, and will be having Saxon Math homework like normal. For the next two weeks they will be going to their assigned room to read a chapter book with one of the fourth grade teachers. Do not forget that this is a short week! We will get out at 1:12 on Wed. School will resume on the following Tues. Math- Lesson 103 (1-30)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

April 13, 2011

Two days down! One day to go!!! I have never had a class that has been more enthusiastic about the MAP Test. They know that they have all the tools they need to do a good job, and they look pleased with themselves when they are done. They have worked so hard, and it is almost over. Thank you for making sure your child is fed and rested when they come to school!

Friday, April 8, 2011

April 8, 2011

Homework- Math- vocabulary matching * Make sure you ask your child about the MAP Rally!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

April 17, 2011

Homework- Math - Quiz Quiz Trade Reading- MAP letter Writing- Letter to Parents *Tomorow is art.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

April 6, 2011

Homework Math and Reading- MAP Testing Practice Science- Newton's Laws of Motion * Today the class learned that one of their classmates lost her mother. They may be curious and have questions for you. We worked through some of this today at school, and I tried my best to keep a routine, but it will still take them time to process this information. I will send home a note when I know the final arrangements, and you can do with that what you wish.

Friday, April 1, 2011

April 1, 2011

Homework- Math- Elapsed Time Worksheet Reading- Weekly Skills and Selection Test Spelling- Test Social Studies- Natural Disaster Video *Monday is P.E. *Due to the large snowstorm that is expected to hit next week.... haha... April Fool! Sorry. That is about as creative as I can get on here! I do want to let you know that we will be spending next week reviewing skills and strategies to prepare for the MAP Test. I am very excited to see the progress that they have made this year, when those tests come back. I feel like the kids are confident and should be. We have been learning the things necessary for them to succeed all year long. I think that it would be a good idea to prepare them at home next week as well. We always tell you ,that the week of testing, they should go to bed early, eat a healthy breakfast, etc. If you would start trying to do that next week, it will not be a transition during the actual week of testing. I know that these are things that you expect anyway, so the transition will not be difficult. Thank you so much for everything that you do to help your child be successful!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

March 31, 2011

Homework Math- Lesson 102 (1-30) Reading- Author's Purpose Paper *Tomorrow is art!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Spelling List

deliver favorite camera yesterday tomorrow important together victory remember library enemy animal another however banana alphabet hospital hamburger carpenter several

March 29, 2011

Math- Lesson 101 (1-30) * Tomorrow is library!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

March 23, 2011

Homework

Spelling- Write each spelling word four times each.

Math- Test * We will have to complete the test tomorrow.

*Tomorrow is library!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

March 22, 2011

Homework

Spelling- pages 194-195

Math- Lesson 100!!! (1-30)

Tomorrow is P.E.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Spelling List March 21-25

deliver
favorite
camera
yesterday
tomorrow
important
together
victory
remember
library
enemy
animal
another
however
banana
alphabet
hospital
hamburger
carpenter
several

Challenge-
interview
article
halibut
edition
photograph

March 21, 2011

Happy Spring!!!
Homework-

Math- Lesson 99 (1-30) *test Wed.

Reading- Note card writing

Writing- What would you do without T.V.? (2 paragraphs)

*Tomorrow is art!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Monday, March 14, 2011

March 14, 2011

Homework-

Math- Lesson 97 (1-30)

Spelling- We will not have a normal spelling list this week. We are spending the week reviewing short vowel sounds.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 96 (1-30)

Reading- Integrated Theme Test

Writing- Sacagawea
* The class has been working very hard on making good answers to questions. Knowing how to pick the main idea out of a reading passage is a very important skill. When you are reading things at home (newspaper, magazine, etc.) ask your child to read along. See if they can pick out the main idea. They may have a different opinion than you, and that is ok. Ask them to back it up with a couple of details from what they read. If they can do that GREAT! If they have a hard time with that, you may want to tell them what you think the main idea is and why. :)

* Monday is music.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

March 10, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 95 (1-30)

Reading- Integrated Theme Test

Spelling - Test

Writing- Small Group, How to Write a Good Answer!

Social Studies- Famous Missourian reports were a success!!! Thanks for all you do for your child.

* Tomorrow is library.
* Please call to set up a conference for next week!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Spelling March 7- 11

redo
unsure
useless
kindness
easier
copied
crazier
seven
become
fever
dislike
movement
displease
cities
families
worried
angriest
paper
parent
prison
reread
peaceful
powerful
studied
earlier
happiest
visit
reason
never
tuna

Challenge-
unusual
resourceful
breezier
select
radar
discontinue
companies
iciest
alert
license

March 7, 2011

Homework

There is no homework tonight. We felt that we needed to give the class as much time as possible to perfect their Famous Missourian Reports. You will also see that we are doing more MAP practice as the test approaches, which means, less homework for the kids. They will still be working hard here at school. I am confident that these students know what it takes to make a good answer, and we will just be practicing and perfecting those things. Thank you so much for all of your support! Make sure that your child is ready for their presentations tomorrow or Wed. It would be good for them to stand in front of you and practice!

*Tomorrow is art.

Friday, March 4, 2011

March 4, 2011

Homework

Math-Lesson 93 (1-30)

Reading- Weekly Skills Test and Selection Test

* Monday is Library.

March 3, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 92 (1-30)

*Tomorrow is P.E.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 90 (1-30)

*Tomorrow is library.
* Be sure to ask your child to see the Famous Missourian Note.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

February 23, 2011

Homework

Reading- Page 127 ( done in class)

Math- MAP practice packet

Spelling- Test

*Tomorrow we have art!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

February 22, 2011

Math- Lesson 88 (1-30)

Writing- Boa and Python main idea paper

* Tomorrow we have library!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Spelling Feb. 21-25

sunnier
windier
cloudier
cities
heaviest
prettiest
studied
easier
noisier
families
ferries
crazier
funnier
earlier
copied
hobbies
angriest
emptied
worried
happiest

Challenge-
iciest
hazier
breezier
companies
qualities

February 21, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 87 (1-30)

Writing- Write back to your first grade buddy! (rough draft)

Social Studies- Famous Missourian

Tomorrow is P.E.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Feb. 17, 2011

I'm back! I have been gone sick for the past two days, and I appreciate how well behaved the students were while I was gone!

Homework

Math- Lesson 85 (1-30)

Reading- Page 556 Comprehension Questions *restate

Spelling- Pick 15 spelling words and write them in sentences.

Social Studies- Work on Famous Missourian reports.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Feb. 11, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 83 (1-30)

Reading- Integrated Theme Test

*Monday we will have art!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Feb. 10, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 81 (1-30)

Reading- centers

Spelling- Write each spelling word 3 times!

* Ask your child about our wonderful beach day!
* We will be taking the science test tomorrow!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Feb. 8, 2011

Homework

Writing- Word Connotations Sheet

Spelling- Test Tomorrow

Science- Worksheet 114-115

*Tomorrow is P.E.
*Tomorrow is an early out!
*Thursday we will be having a Beach Bash! I will be sending a note home tomorrow telling you what the kids are allowed to bring!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Feb. 7, 2011

Homework:

Spelling- workbook pages 79-81

Math- Test

Writing- What did you do during the blizzard of 2011

Reading- Author's Purpose Paper

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Jan. 27, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 78 (1-30)

Reading- Comprehension Questions 1-6 page 508

Writing- Letter for Cora

Science- Rock Cycle

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Spelling

bottom
picture
other
attend
capture
common
danger
afraid
borrow
office
arrow
suppose
escape
whether
pillow
dinner
thirty
degree
allow
corner

Challenge Words-
method
concert
narrate
abrupt
challenge

Jan. 25, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 77 (1-30)

Reading- Page 54 (together)
Page 56-57 Story Structure

Science- Lesson Outline 111-112

* Tomorrow is music!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Jan. 24, 2011

Homework

Writing- DOL

Spelling- Test Wednesday

Science- Edible Rocks

Friday, January 21, 2011

Jan. 21, 2011

Homework-

Math- Lesson 76(1-30)
Slide, Flip, Turn worksheet

Monday is P.E.

* Have a great weekend, and try to stay warm!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Jan. 19, 2011

Homework

Reading- Centers (Weekly Skills Test tomorrow)

Math- Lesson 74 (1-30)

* We will have a spelling test tomorrow.
* Tomorrow is music!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Spelling Jan. 18-21

item
ideas
timed
pie
cry
cried
try
tried
frying
light
I'm
buying
highest
fight
lives
why
violin
shines
kindness
polite

* rhyming

- The test will be on Thursday this week!

Jan. 18, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 73 (1-30)

Writing- Color Coded Sentences (adjectives and sentence fragments)

Spelling- Write each new word twice in alphabetical order.

Social Studies- Write a paragraph about what you learned from our sticker lesson.

* Final copy of friendly letter to Miss Kottman!

*Tomorrow is library!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Jan. 14, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 72 (1-30)

Spelling- Test

Writing- Friendly letter to Miss Kottman (rough draft)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Jan. 13, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 71 (1-30)

Spelling-Test

Reading- Ask your child about our FUN drawing conclusions activity!

*Tomorrow is art!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Jan. 12, 2011

Homework

Math- table group graphs

Reading- workbook pages 47-48

Spelling- Write each spelling word in a sentence.

* Tomorrow is music!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Speling List Jan. 10-14

village
cottage
bridge
fence
strange
chance
twice
cage
change
carriage
glance
ridge
manage
damage
since
marriage
edge
lodge
cabbage
dodge

Challenge
fleece
fragrance
homage
fringe
excellence

Jan. 10, 2011

Homework-

Math- retest

Writing- DOL

* Tomorrow is P.E.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Jan. 7, 2011

Homework

Math- TEST

Spelling- TEST

Reading- Weekly Skills Test

*Today students were sent home with grade cards, so be sure to check their backpacks!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Jan. 6, 2011

We are attending the Children's Literature Festival on April 15, 2001 in Kirksville. The cost is $3 per student. We need to turn in the money on Monday, so it would be greatly appreciated if everyone had it turned in tomorrow!

Homework

Spelling- Write your spelling words 3 times in alphabetical order

Math- lesson 70 (1-30)

Reading- Leveled Readers

Writing- MAP practice

Soc. St.- Today we selected our famous Missourians for our reports and presentations!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Jan. 5, 2011

Homework

Writing- Following Directions
Create a paper airplane and write out the directions step by step for someone else to recreate.

Spelling- Test

Reading- MAP practice

Math- Lesson 69 (1-30)

*Tomorrow is library.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Jan. 4, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 68 (1-30)

Writing- "What was your Christmas like?" (2-3 paragraphs)

Spelling- Workbook 29, 30, and 31 *Test tomorrow!

* Tomorrow is P.E.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Spelling List Jan. 3-7

1. beauty
2. ugly
3. lazy
4. marry
5. ready
6. sorry
7. empty
8. honey
9. valley
10. movie
11. duty
12. hungry
13. lonely
14. alley
15. body
16. twenty
17. turkey
18. hockey
19. fifty
20. monkey

Challenge
fiery
envy
mercy
chimney
imaginary

Jan. 3, 2011

Homework

Math- Lesson 67 (1-30)

Social Studies- Missouri Fact Poster

Writing- DOL

* Tomorrow is art!