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To Teach or Not to Teach the Cent Sign?
I love it when I’m right. The other day I was having a friendly debate with another teacher about whether or not to teach the cent sign with the new common core standards. After all, sometimes students use the dollar sign at the same time along with the decimal point and get them confused. I argued, however, that you still see the cent sign at times in stores , but this person argued that you don’t see the cent sign anymore…well, here you go…the cent sign at back to school time! Seventeen cents for a spiral bound notebook. My proof that IT IS STILL IN USE, so we still need to teach students how to read them!
I’ll let you in on my little secret. Now beware it is a little simple and silly, but kids love silly and so my story works.
The cent sign at one time was the dollar sign’s girlfriend, but they broke up. Then the dollar sign and the decimal point got married, so they are seen together almost always. The cent sign got her feelings hurt when the dollar sign got married to the decimal, and so she ran away. THE END.
Adapt and embellish the story to fit your personal style. Now just remind your kids of this story any time they get confused about the notation of dollars and cents, and they will remember which sign to use.
Office Depot NOW Decides to Sweeten Teachers’ Shopping Deal!
Yesterday, I stepped on out to the mailbox, and what did I find? Office Depot Coupons! Not only that, but some extra good news. Office Depot is now offering teachers a 10% discount all year long! They have redeemed themselves. I had always felt it was disappointing to shop at Office Depot and to have a teacher “discount card” that didn’t give you a discount on much…hmph!
For Teacher Appreciation week they are offering a 20% discount and a Teacher Discount Bag with product samples (my favorite!). The coupons in the mailer are for $10 off a $50 purchase and for 30% off packs of Elmer glue sticks–I still don’t know if that will beat Wal-mart’s glue stick deal at 0.10 cents! I’m feeling a little Black Fridayish about August’s back to school sales.
The ABSOLUTE BEST COMMON CORE RESOURCE EVER!
Have you been rolling your pants up to wade through the language of the common core standards? Oh, look, I think I just saw an octopus swim by! Well, I have! I have been working with the other math coaches in my district to build a guide for many days (both this year and last) to help decipher the common core standards into a teaching guide. After all of that hard work, I have happened across the most amazing resource to help teachers understand the standards. North Carolina has taken each and every language and math standard and broken them down into much more friendly language for teachers. In North Carolina’s own words, they have answered the questions: “What does this standard mean that a student must know and be able to do?” These standards are complete with examples, too! They have unpacked the standards for us! I don’t know about you, but I am really starting to be fond of North Carolina. Take a look at the example below. If you click on it, they you will be directed to the North Carolina website.
Back To School Teacher Appreciation Discounts and Events!
Don’t you love to walk into Wal-mart during back to school season? I do. I want to buy 10 boxes of crayons for 25 cents even if I don’t need them. And who can pass up spiral notebooks for 20 cents? Well, in the spirit of back to school season which is soon encroaching, I thought I would whip up a list of teacher discounts for you. Teacher discount days make back to school season so much more fun!
- Office Depot is hosting the event August 5th-11th, 2012. During this week you will enjoy a hefty 20% off of your purchase with your star teacher discount card. If you wait until August 11th from 9-11 you will also enjoy a teacher breakfast, and giveaways in my area. If you live somewhere other than near me in good ole’ Arkansas, you need to put in your zip code here to find out when the event will be held.
- At Staples’ back to school event they will be giving away free gift bags to the first 100 customers. Click here to find out when the event will be held in your area. (I especially love staples for their crazy shaped paper clips–ones that look like purses, high heels, flowers, animals, etc.!)
- Mardel’s will be holding their education sale on July 19th, 2012. They will be offering 20% off of all of their educational products and school supplies. They will also be extending their hours from 8 a.m. -10 p.m. You may also register to win an iPad!
- Big Lots (news to me) also has a teacher appreciation day. They will be hosting one Saturday, August 11, 2012. To find a Big Lots store near you click here.
- Office Max offers lots of goodies for teachers as well on their event day. You get a free tote bag and coupons. Also, they are offering 25% off of everything you can fit inside your tote bag. To find out when their event is held, click here to input your zip code. Sign up for a teacher discount card when you go to enjoy 25% off. (I am especially impressed with the way Office Max emailed me the details of their teacher appreciation sale after reading on my blog that I was unable to get details of their sale by calling the store.)
Make sure you bring your teacher id when you go! Happy shopping!
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