It's about that time of the year....for us anyway...to introduce & reinforce 2D & 3D shapes (concepts and ideas). Does that hold true for you, too? Shape identification and geometrical language are always among my favorite concepts/skills to teach. Hands-on and engaging and so many connections to the real world! And for our kids, shapes are tangible. They can feel real world shapes. They can play with them. They can even identify shapes in the environment around them. Shapes are EVERYWHERE! And shapes are among the earliest objects they learn, recognize, and identify (thank you, Mickey … [Read more...] about 2D & 3D Shapes
math tubs
Making Math Fun!
Happy Saturday! I know this is going to sound cliche and all, but seriously....where did the summer go?! August is only a couple of days away and most of my teacher friends are starting school either this coming week or the next. Oh summer...we loved you so!!!! Now it's upward and onward and we're getting ready to embark on a new journey with a whole new crop of babies. Exciting and bittersweet all in the same breath!!! There are so many things to anticipate with the start of a new school year. Organization...classroom management...centers....small group...and everything in between! I love … [Read more...] about Making Math Fun!
120 Chart – Moving Beyond the Number Line
If you're reading that title and thinking I'm crazy, let me explain. Both the number line and the 120 chart are important tools for our kids to use. They are equally important and make wonderful resources for our kids to use when problem solving, counting, etc. I think it's extremely important to equip our kids with the tools necessary to be successful. I display the number line (0-120) in my classroom and all of my kids have a personal number line they keep in their desks. Their personal number line contains the numerals 0-20. The reason for this is so that we can practice with the numbers we will more … [Read more...] about 120 Chart – Moving Beyond the Number Line
Apple Fun For EVERYONE!
How many of y'all felt a little shift in the weather this past weekend?! I woke up to a beautifully crisp (what felt like Fall) day and it progressively got hotter as the weekend went on. As they say here in Texas, "if you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes." With the change of seasons impending, I couldn't wait to recap some of my favorite apple themed activities for you today and share with you some freebies a new addition to my little shop. One of my favorite things to do with ANY theme is to incorporate it wherever I can in the classroom. The easiest places to incorporate a theme...IMO....are in literacy … [Read more...] about Apple Fun For EVERYONE!
Math Center Set-Up & Organization
With the start of the school year rapidly approaching, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk to y'all all about how I set up my math centers. This seems to be a frequent question I'm asked. Let me just tell y'all that by NO means do I think I have it all figured out. I just want to share what's worked for me over the last 13 years in the classroom. As with anything, you have to find what works best for you as a teacher and what best fits the needs of your kids. What works for me may not work for you. What works for me one year might not work for me the next...especially considering the dynamics of … [Read more...] about Math Center Set-Up & Organization
Math Monday (& a Birthday SALE-A-BRATION)
Happy Monday! God willing I will be celebrating another year of life on Saturday so this is technically my birthday week. Does anybody else draw out their birthdays and celebrate for a week?!?! If I'm being honest, I don't do that anymore, but when I was younger I sure milked my yearly milestone as long as I could :) This year I thought it would be fun to bring back that weeklong tradition I used to covet, only now I want to celebrate with YOU! So each day this week I'll be having a little birthday SALE-a-bration and posting all about the topics you see posted below :) Now let's get on with … [Read more...] about Math Monday (& a Birthday SALE-A-BRATION)
Problem Solving in the Primary Grades
Are you sitting down?! Good. Because this may or may not be a lengthy post. On the off chance that it is {& by off chance, I mean it is}, go ahead and grab yourself a little something to sip on...and don't forget your snacks, too! Let's go ahead and talk a little bit about.... I don't know what it is, but I love teaching math concepts and skills. This always makes my mom laugh something fierce because I STILL...at 30 something...have to CALL HER when there's a sale so that she can tell me how much I'll be saving. If it's 10%, I got it. 50% off is even better. I mean, I can … [Read more...] about Problem Solving in the Primary Grades
Odd & Even Anchor Activity
Do y'all use anchor activities in your room? I do! I refer to them as anchor activities & desserts...a little something for the kids to do {independently} when they're stuck or when they're finished with their work. I love anchor activities because they lend themselves to easy differentiation. They give kids a sense of independence and autonomy, too. The activities I include in mine are concept/skill specific and thematic. I keep them out for a few weeks, until I feel the novelty is wearing off, or until the themtic unit of study comes to an end. The activities included are always independent … [Read more...] about Odd & Even Anchor Activity
Apples, Apples, EVERYWHERE!
How many of y'all felt a little shift in the weather this past weekend?! Us?! Notsomuch. My Facebook feed was full of friends in other cities and states talking about the gorgeous fall weather & pictures of pumpkin spice lattes, infinity scarves, boots, fires in the fireplace, and weather report screenshots reading temps between 50 & 70. Lucky you. I lie. While I'm looking forward to Fall and all the nostalgia and comfort it encompasses, I don't want the weather to change. I'm a summer girl all the way. Okay, okay. I could do without the 90 degree temps. But I'd love for it … [Read more...] about Apples, Apples, EVERYWHERE!
Organization & A Sale!
Today I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week. Today's topic...ORGANIZATION. I know I've talked to y'all a little bit about staying organized. You might remember me telling y'all that I always start out the year organized and ready to go, but after the first day the wheels fall off and I usually don't find them until the last day of school :) Here are just a few of things I do & use to TRY and stay organized throughout the year. TRY being the operative word. I keep all of my files in the plastic sterilite drawers labeled by month. This has helped me a TON!! … [Read more...] about Organization & A Sale!
Number Sense & a Freebie!
One of the best things we can do for our little friends at the beginning of the year is set a strong foundation in numeracy & number sense. If y'all have been reading this blog for 5 minutes, you might already know that I absolutely LOVE teaching math. BIG love it. Which is funny considering I still call my mom when I'm trying to figure out how much money I'm going to save when there's a sale. I can figure out 50% off like a champ....and if there's anything more than that I know I'm winning...but start throwing in 15%, 20%, 30%, etc. and well...let's just say there's a reason the primary grades are my wheelhouse :) … [Read more...] about Number Sense & a Freebie!
Summer Fun…Math Style!
I have to say that I've been blessed with two kids who LOVE to learn. Trust me when I say that I know this isn't always the case so I am very grateful that {at this moment in time} they love it. My wish is NOT for them to be at the top of their class{es}, read the best, or anything like that, rather I want them to LOVE school and LOVE to learn. And so far, thankyouJesus, they do. As you can imagine with two little boys who love to learn, we haven't been sitting idly at home doing a whole lotta nothing. Yes...there are MORE video game moments than I can count....the pool has been their second home....and our … [Read more...] about Summer Fun…Math Style!
You Requested. I Created.
Hey y’all! I promise I’m not turning into a once-a-week blogger, but I’ve been a bit preoccupied lately. I’ve been knee deep in redecorating my master bedroom these last couple of weeks and that’s pretty much how I spend my nights. Planning. Pinning. Pinning some more. And decorating. We’ve got ‘er painted. We have the bedding. Now I just need to find the finishing touches and finish painting a few pieces of furniture! It’s almost there!! Moving right along… I received the sweetest messages/emails last month asking if I’d be willing to create an interactive math printable packet … [Read more...] about You Requested. I Created.
Conversation Heart Math. A Fun, Hands-On Freebie!
I'm always looking for ways to make learning hands-on and FUN. Just like all of you, I scour the dollar bins at Target/Dollar Tree/Wal Mart/{insert store name here} in search of the *perfect* hands-on manipulatives/counters. Don't we all love making learning fun?! Turning the ordinary everyday things into learning materials for our littles?! Of course we do! And just like you, one of my favorite seasonal counters to use during the month of February are the tried and true...and completely disgusting...conversation hearts. {Y'all...I'm not a fan. They have the consistency of chalk and I'm really not … [Read more...] about Conversation Heart Math. A Fun, Hands-On Freebie!
Hello? Hello? Is Anybody There?
Hi friends. Maybe you remember me? I’m the girl who used to be semi good about blogging here at The First Grade Parade. Is anybody there? I’m convinced no one reads blogs anymore…or maybe just that no one reads this one. I’m sure it doesn’t help when I don’t post for a month :) Living in a small little town means that sometimes you don’t have internet access…for extended periods of time…even when you call your provider and practically beg for them to restore your service. {{Sigh}} So I enjoyed the temporary lapse in blogging. And when Internet service was restored, I kept on enjoying my break. … [Read more...] about Hello? Hello? Is Anybody There?
Spider Week!
What is it about spiders that kids love SO much?! When I busted out our graph to start our unit of study on arachnids, the kids went CRAZY. In Abby’s words, 12 kinds of crazy. They were SO excited! I’m always floored by how much kids LOVE non-fiction. It seriously surprises me every.single.year. I see this with my own two boys. The gravitate towards non-fiction books ALL.THE.TIME. I love that. We started our week with the question, “Are you afraid of spiders?!” Me…notsomuch…unless they’re BIG and FURRY. Gross. They’re more creepy than scary and I say … [Read more...] about Spider Week!
Math Stations, A Great Idea, & Something New
I think y’all probably know by now that I LOVE math. I love teaching math. Love my math block. Love my math tubs. I just love it all!!! I’m not gonna throw rainbows and sunshine at y’all and tell you that everything has gone perfectly smooth since I implemented them this year. If you’ve taught Kindergarten for 2.5 seconds, you know very well that that’s not the case :) All that to be said, I am so happy with the way things are going now. My kids are really getting into the math groove. When I told my kids it was time for math tubs today, they CHEERED. I kid you not. That’s a first … [Read more...] about Math Stations, A Great Idea, & Something New
I Survived Week 2 How About You?!
Well…I did it. I survived the 2nd week! HA! In all honesty, I have a pretty sweet little class. I feel like they’ve picked up so much in just a short 2 weeks! I’m so excited and anxious to see how much they progress this year. This is one of the reasons I love Kindergarten so much. They all come in with such different abilities and it’s amazing to see their growth…even after just a few short weeks! This past week we hit the ground running and started focusing on name recognition. Not just our own, but the names of our friends, too! I usually wait ‘til the 3rd week to start our name … [Read more...] about I Survived Week 2 How About You?!
Your Mission…Should You Choose to Accept…
When I presented in Chicago, I shared some fun {to me!} math activities that my kids really love{d}. I figured y’all might be able to use a few of them so I wanted to share some of them here, too! The best thing about these activities is that they can be used in all different ways…whole group, independently, dessert tubs, etc. Just a few really simple ideas to keep your kids engaged in hands-on learning! One of my favorite ways to keep my kids engaged is with this little “Beat the Timer” notebook. This would work for anything…not just math. I have a tub in my room that holds my little sand timers and this little … [Read more...] about Your Mission…Should You Choose to Accept…
Earth Day, Telling Time, & a Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Freebie!
It’s Saturday and I couldn’t be happier that I have absolutely NOTHING planned. Those are the best kind of weekends, aren’t they?! I *might* venture off for a pedicure because my feet are a little scary right now. BUT…other than the mid-day pampering, I have a whole bunch of nothing planned and I LOVE IT!!!! This past week was FULL of non-stop learning. We didn’t confine our Earth Day festivities to Monday, but instead we did a little something to celebrate each day this week. I can honestly say that I think my kids are experts on the 3 R’s. One of my FAVORITE Earth Day songs is by my FAVORITE artists, … [Read more...] about Earth Day, Telling Time, & a Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Freebie!
What’s the Buzz?
SO. I know I’m not the only one. Who else has their countdown on? 38 days for us. Not that I’m keeping track. But yes…38 days. I can smell summer in the air. Speaking of summer, I started a new workout program(ish). I’ve been getting up every morning and working out here at the house before school starts for a while now. I was using a few different videos, but after being inspired by my beautiful best friend {you have GOT to read her story HERE! Her progress pictures are INSANE!!!} I decided to try something new! Last week I started Les Mills Pump. I am in LOVE. I … [Read more...] about What’s the Buzz?
Recap.
My life seems to be moving in fast forward right now, so I’m doing good just to “rewind” and recap all the fun we’re having in Kindergarten! Last week was B-U-S-Y. So here goes… We started our week with “Kite Day”! The kids made kites in art class, so the whole campus {all Kindergarten} took a little time out of our day to fly our kites. It was the most perfect, windy day! Couldn’t have asked for better!!! Thank you, God for that BEAUTIFUL day! We mixed a little kite and Easter fun in our literacy and math tubs. The kids did awesome! Top left writing activity via Sarah Cooley … [Read more...] about Recap.
The Plants Dance
I don’t really have a “plants dance” to share with you, but the words rhymed and I’m all about “catchy”, so I went with it. Happy Sunday, friends! Can you even believe Easter is next week?! Where’d the time go?!?! I have NO idea, but I’m not complaining! This just means we’re a little closer to summer! Woot!! Speaking of Easter, I’m home today and my laminator *might* need to be replaced after all the use it’s been getting this weekend! HA! Here’s what I’m prepping…. What do you have in store for the week?!!? This past week, we learned ALL about plants!!!!! And I don’t want to … [Read more...] about The Plants Dance
Party Rockin’ In Kindergarten
Hands down, Kindergarten writing is my favorite. I love the way the kids stretch out their sounds, and the way they organize their thinking and then translate that to writing just kills me. This *might* be my favorite writing to date!! Haha!!! “I’m so sorry Mrs. Carroll. I’m sorry for party rockin’. Do you like George Strait?” #partyrockininkindergarten #neverlaughedsohard #georgestraitismyhero In other news, I don’t get the hashtag, but all the cool kids are doing it so I thought I’d join in :) ***************************************************** For those of y’all asking about my … [Read more...] about Party Rockin’ In Kindergarten
