Five for Friday - March 3rd

It's Friday already and I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday.  Our first week back from winter break and it flew by!  Here are some of the highlights from our week.   

ONE: Flexible Seating
Our first week with true flexible seating and I would not go back.  The kiddos we teach are changing and we as teachers need to adapt.  It's not what we want or are comfortable with... it's what's best for the kids.  Choice and different options to meet all their needs is what's best for kids.

  

The standing table and this short round table were probably the biggest hits this week, but I think more than anything the kids respond to choice.  Giving that responsibility and freedom in the classroom is so exciting and motivating for them!

TWO: Matter
We're about to wrap up a unit on solids, liquids, and gases.  I had a ton of left over candy hearts from Valentine's Day so we used them to model the atoms in all three states of matter.  The kids loved this idea and we had some great discussions around how the layout of the atoms impacts the shape and properties of each of the three states of matter.  Sometimes the best science lessons center around a short activity followed by some great discussion!

 

THREE: Break Apart to Subtract Strategy

I'm not gonna lie... when I first looked at this strategy I was confused!  But now that I've taught it and I've seen my kiddos flourish while using it, I love it!  This week we did some extensive practice on the break apart to subtract strategy, using this work mat primarily and manipulatives for some groups.  Some of my kiddos were struggling to count back to subtract and this strategy just changed the game for them.  They can quickly subtract using this and the best part is they can explain their math thinking to their peers!  

FOUR: Empty Bin

Most of the time an empty bin is an amazing thing.  It means I actually accomplished all I set out to accomplish in a given week.  This is a good thing!  It can also mean that all the papers I needed to grade have been graded.  This too is a good thing! 

However, this empty bin this morning was not a good thing!  Two weeks ago I copied assessments I'll be using for our March report cards.  I wanted to get ahead of the game and sprinkle in the assessments when I have a few free minutes here or there so I copied them early.  I gave a few this week, including a missing part assessment yesterday afternoon.  

All was well with the world until this morning.  I put away all the work I copied for next week, also housed in this bin, and I misplaced the pile of copied assessments.  I searched high and low this morning for AN HOUR... I did not find them! 

It's now Friday night and the assessments have not been located.  So Monday morning I will go in early to copy said assessments again.  I know the minute I finish copying will be the minute I find the previous assessments!  Perhaps I can save them for next year!!  Probably not! 

FIVE:  Weekly Instagram "Post"

I'm loving the chance my kiddos get each week to "post" something to our weekly Instagram page.  This week I had the kiddos highlight something they learned this week!  Here's small sampling of a few "posts".

Have a great weekend... Don't forget to check out Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday posts! 

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Five for Friday: First Week

Seems like forever since I've posted... perhaps that because I was MIA all summer!!  I'm not gonna lie, it felt good to disconnect from posting and creating for a bit.. I needed the break! 

But I'm happy to be back for my first Five for Friday of the school year.  Tuesday was our first day and my kiddos and I had a fantastic week!!  I'm excited about what the year holds!!

Here are some highlights from our first week.  

ONE: Graphing

This year I decided to begin with a graphing unit and I'm so happy I did.  Not only do we always do graphing activities at the beginning of the year, the lessons in this unit have been short enough that I can begin to introduce the other aspects of math workshop.  I know this will allow us to begin our math rotations a bit earlier this year!  

A few years ago the PTO purchased this graphing pocket chart for me and I'll be honest, up until this year it hasn't gotten a ton of use, but as you can see we used it twice already this week and it's made prepping for math lessons so easy!

TWO: New Promethean Board

This summer a new board was installed in my room and I couldn't be happier about it.  For the last four years I've had a Promethean Board and projector in my room.  I loved the board and all its capabilities but at times the projector was so dim it was hard to see anything with the lights off.  Not that I'm complaining because I know a ton of teachers out there don't have any technology in their classrooms.

This new ActivPanel is touch screen so that means no more pens, no more searching for where I placed the pen, etc.  The brightness is unbelievable and the capabilities are endless with these new boards.  I'm so happy to be piloting this for my district! 

Three: Flexible Seating 

I'm a believer in flexible seating and even though it was only day four today we tried it out and my kiddos were rocking it!  They were exited about picking their own sports... a few of them even said they felt older because I was allowing them to make their own choice!! 

FOUR: Math Tubs

Each day this week I've introduced a different math activity/tub game and some manipulatives the kids would encounter throughout the year.  I wanted to get the kids using materials early and often to begin to set routines and expectations. Today we did a short graphing activity with a spinner and the kids did an awesome job with it!  

FIVE: Get to Know You

Yesterday we played a quick game right before dismissal to get to know one another better.  My kiddos rolled a dice and then answer a question that corresponded to the number.  They loved sharing out to the class and as we were playing my mind started coming up with other ways to utilize this throughout the year... more to come at a later date!!

Have a great weekend.. Don't forget to check out Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday posts! 

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March St. Patrick's Day Prep with Freebie

It's officially March and I can't believe it.  It doesn't seem like it can be March already because we haven't had a winter here in upstate New York.  It feels more like late fall than March 1st but none the less we're moving forward... the rest of the year is going to fly by.  I wanted to share a few of the math resources we'll be using over the next few weeks during our math workshop block each day.  

These math spinner games are easy to prep and allow for lots of addition and subtraction practice in the classroom.  The addition pack includes sums to 10, 20, doubles, as well as ways to make 10.   

The subtraction pack includes subtraction from 10 as well as subtraction within 10 and 20.  I found gold coins at the dollar store last year and I have my kiddos use the coins as their game board markers.  

I also have a missing part game we'll use during our math rotations.  The kids need to find the missing part of each number bond and then sort the number bonds based on the missing number.  The more practice they get with this skill the more fluent they are with both addition and subtraction.

   

I've been creating spinner games for each Month of the year and these March Math Tub Games are now in my TPT store.  There are several versions of many of the games to make differentiating easy.    

I've also created additional spinner games that use two spinners are I use these games tp differentiate the tubs my kiddos use each day.  I laminate these add/subtract and cover games, put out two-sided counters, as well as a paperclip and my kiddos are ready to play the game.  The addition spinners have sums all the way up to 35 while the subtraction cover games include differences within 20.  

I also have my kiddos write number sentences as they practice addition and subtraction facts.  As I circulate around the room I like to see what my kiddos are working on so I know they're practicing their math facts correctly.  While I usually put these pages in page protectors so they kids can use dry erase markers, I sometimes copy the pages and have the kids hand them in so I can look over their work... so many possibilities!!

To go along with the add/subtract and cover games I've included a doubles version for my kiddos who still need practice with their doubles facts as well as a subtraction from 10 version for the kids that need friends of 10 practice.  

Similar to the fact family games is this missing part game.  I have my kids roll a 12 or 20 sided dice for their whole.  Then they roll a 6 sided dice for the one part.  Then they need to figure out and record the missing part.  I like to see the work for this game as this game be tricky skill to master.

We begin and end each math workshop block with problem solving.  I feel like kids cannot get enough problem solving practice.  To begin our workshop block we always solve a word problem with our math buddy.  I have the kids work through a word problem on their work mats.  The student with the pen explains to their partner how they are solving the problem.  Each day we switch up who solves the word problem but I love that my kiddos are using math talk with their buddies.  

To end our workshop block, typically three times a week, we end with a problem solving printable.  It's just one word problem the kids need to solve and I usually check it right then so they can make corrections as necessary.  The printables I've been creating have different themes including construction, rainy day, pet shop and winter/snow themes. 

The printables always have a real world feel to them... that being said, the St. Patrick's Day word problems do not... enter in Leprechauns and gold coins.  All the printables packs in my TPT store include result unknown, change unknown, and start unknown examples.  I encourage my kiddos to use a tape diagram or a number bond to solve the word problem and I make them label their answer based on the question that was asked.  

For St. Patrick's Day I've created these half sheet printables that you can download from my TPT store for free.  I hope your kiddos enjoy these!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

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Peek at my Week: October 5th

I'm linking up with Mrs. Wills Kindergarten for a Peek at My Week! Just checking in with a few highlights for our upcoming week!

Click on my plans for more details and hyperlinks.

Our reading program begins with a review of letter and short vowel sounds so we spent much of the month of September working on kindergarten skills.  This works well because it frees up some time to get procedures and routines in place for the rest of the year .

 This week we'll finally begin our formal spelling program and we'll begin with the short a pattern.  To introduce each spelling word I will say the word, then the kids will say it, clap it, figure out the number of syllables and then use it in a sentence.   Then as a class we'll stretch out the words to hear all the sounds and then record each word on a spelling recording sheet. 

I like to have the kids work with the sounds and then use the spelling pattern to spell the  words because they can see how to use letter sounds and patterns to spell these words not only for the test on Friday but in their daily writing as well.  

 For our word work station this week the kids will use magnets and a recording sheet like they've been using the past few weeks.  

The kids will also get to build short a words with these clothespins.  In previous weeks the kids have had to read a word and the build it.  This week I want them to have a bit of a challenge at the word work station.  This activity requires the kids to use their knowledge of letter sounds and the short a pattern to help them spell these words and then record the words on the page.  

Set up for this station is quite easy... all I did was write letters on the end of clothespins.  Then I placed the pins in this organizer I picked up at Lowe's and the kids have access to all the letters they will need to build these words.

  
We'll continue to use this work station rotation board.  It worked  well last week and the kids were bummed when we didn't get to do all three rotations.  They keep telling me how much they LOVE rotations.  My teacher heart is so happy!  I think they're loving the ability to pick what they want to work on at each station.  I also think they love to use what they view as "teacher supplies" at these stations.  Can't wait to see what this week brings.  

In math this week we'll be working with different ways to make numbers.  This hula hoop will be used to help us understand the commutative property.  I began this concept on Friday when I flipped the hoop and the sum didn't change.  The kids were so excited to see this and it really helped them to "get it".  I'm hoping that using it again this week will help them to really understand and apply the commutative property.  

This week we'll also have a fire safety presentation on Friday and to go along with the presentation we'll read a Scholastic News that includes fire safety tips.  After the presentation and reading the Scholastic News we'll complete this worksheet where the kids can write about one fire safety tip they learned throughout the day.  Then they'll color their hat and I'll use the hats to create a fire safety bulletin board in our hallway.  I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Have  a great week!!

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Peek at My Week: Short Vowels and Apples

I'm linking up with Mrs. Wills Kindergarten for a Peek at My Week! It's our second full week of school and we have a ton to do!

Click on my plans for more details and hyperlinks.

This week we're working on the short o and short i sounds.  We've been practicing different word work options and we'll continue that this week.  The kids are doing a great job using word work materials and I think we're real close to being able to begin our workstation rotations... I can't wait.  

  During word work my kids will be building words using magnet letters.  The kids have been reading the short vowel words and then building them with magnets.  Last week we worked on these short a words.  I'll have the kids continue to use these and add in the short i and short o words.  

This week I also want to introduce the pictures and have the kids build the words using the short vowel patterns they are learning. 

   

In math this week we'll be learning about addition and we'll focus on different ways to make 6, 7, and 8.  We began this last week and the kids did a great job using manipulatives to model the different ways to build numbers.  

During our Read to Self time the kids increased their stamina on Friday to TEN minutes!  I was so happy and proud of them.  They have really embraced the idea of reading in book nooks to "get better at reading" and they are truly enjoying it.  Can't wait to see what this week brings!

I'm loving these stair treads I picked up at a local hardware store.  They're big enough for the kids to sit on in their book nooks but small enough to store away and have the kids grab them when they're needed!

We began learning about apples last week and the kids are excited to begin reading some non-fiction books about apples.  I put these apple/fall books out at the end of the day on Friday and several kids couldn't wait to read them this week.   

This week we'll be working on finding facts in these non-fiction books.  We'll talk about the purpose of non-fiction books as well as the difference between facts and opinions.  Then I'll have my kids complete this worksheet to highlight one fact they learned about apples this week.  

Have  a great week!!

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Wordless Wednesday

Today I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday.  

Here's my picture for the week!

We use these work mats each day to solve word problems.  I put a word problem on the Promethean Board and the kiddos solve it on their work mats.  The page protectors save paper and they're easier to erase than lamination!  Love using the socks as erasers... so much cheaper than white board erasers!

What are your must have math tools?

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