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 trying new things and making learning hands-on and engaging for my kids. I think that's the key to creating lasting connections that kids can refer back to when trying to recall and apply new information. When our kids can get their hands "dirty" so to speak, they're more engaged in what they're learning. I think that's pretty much common sense, but so often we get bogged down with SO many other responsibilities and obligations that the path of least resistance seems … [Read more...] about Math Fun For Our Little Ones
Math
2D & 3D Shapes
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
Thanksgiving Math Freebies!
Hello all! I hope this week's supermoon hasn't throw your babies off at all. Oh, who am I kidding?! I know it has, LOL!!! Here's to you and making it through to the Thanksgiving holidays up ahead! Halleluia, right?! Okay, so let's talk math, shall we?! I just wanted to share a couple of math activities from my Simply Social Studies Thanksgiving Mini Unit (K/1) that you might be able to use in your classroom this week or next. I always try to include ELA & Math extension activities in my social studies lesson plans. I love cross curricular teaching and our kids tend to build a more … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Math Freebies!
Visual Lesson Plans – How I Fit It All In
I often get asked how I'm able to fit things into my day and I'm hoping this helps give you an idea of how that looks. Let's go ahead and start with the plans. I'm fortunate enough to be able to help teachers plan for their days while pushing in to assist and mentor. We talk a lot about "fitting it all in" and I hope this helps you to see what that looks like. I tend to OVERplan because I'd rather have more than enough to get through the day(s). You can download them HERE for a closer look. Whew. Now let's break it all down. MORNING WARM-UP Most kids are still filtering in during this time, … [Read more...] about Visual Lesson Plans – How I Fit It All In
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!
Lemonade & Retirement.
Goodness I love that word! Unfortunately I'm nowhere near the age I'm actually able to reap the benefits or enjoy it myself, but I do love that word a lot. Although I'm not quite ready to retire anytime soon, I do have lots of resources that are ready to take the leap. And because retirement has it's benefits, these resources will be offered at a deep discount before they're gone for good!!! I'll be posting my retiring sets throughout the summer, so stay tuned to see what's headed out & grab 'em on the cheap before they go! First to retire, two of my favorites! These files have been bundled and … [Read more...] about Lemonade & Retirement.
Let’s Talk Leap Day!
Leap Day is coming up...February 29th, to be exact. Y'know..in case you needed a reminder ;) So HOW do we celebrate and make this day relevant for our kiddos?! Well here are just a few fun ideas!!! This is a GREAT book to read on Leap Day! Leap's Day: February 29th, by Stephanie Bee Simmons. Here's a great Leap Day video geared toward kids, too! And here's another! Of course, no new concept is complete without an anchor chart. Here's the one I did with my first graders four years ago! That year we learned that Leap Year babies are called "leaplings" or "leapers". We did a little … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Leap Day!
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
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)
Easter Freebie and A Few Ideas
Believe it or not, Easter is right around the corner! I'm not sure why I thought we had more time, but just in case you missed the memo too, we don't. We don't have much time at all. Next week to be exact. I'm in the process of helping the Easter Bunny gather lots of fun treats for the boys. I'm glad I didn't wait to remember that until the night before. Not that I know anything about that ;) I was at Michael's the other day and found these... Of course, I had to have them. Loved that they came 3 to a set. I'm sure they have something similar to this at the Dollar Tree?? All … [Read more...] about Easter Freebie and A Few Ideas
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
It’s Tuesday & I’m a Little Batty
See what I did there?! In all seriousness, happy Tuesday!! Did y'all have the day off yesterday?! We did. All 3 of my boys had a "man day". That basically consisted of a lot of bathroom jokes, lunch out at Chili's, and a trip to Home Depot. I spent the day putting the finishing touches on my presentations for next week's Tennessee First Grade Conference. Will I see you there?! I sure hope so! If y'all haven't learned about bats yet, or even if you have, I just wanted to share a few things we've done in years past and give you guys a few more freebies to add to your ever growing collection of … [Read more...] about It’s Tuesday & I’m a Little Batty
Take Me Back & A Freebie
Hello October. I missed you. Don't you feel the same?! I took a break from blogging and whatnot to enjoy a very special Texas tradition...Antique Week in Round Top! I spent a day there with the girls and another day there with my mom and her friend. When it was all said and done, I ended up with a muddy pair of boots {my own}, two chairs, two quilts, some farmhouse decor, and great memories : Since I'm still trying to get into the swing of things...and get this … [Read more...] about Take Me Back & A Freebie
Columbus Day Fun & a Little Sale :)
I spent the day yesterday helping some of my teacher friends get ready for their Discovery Day! SO fun!!! I love the idea of having "theme days" to teach particular concepts and events. My friends are incorporating the Columbus Day holiday into a day of learning they're calling "Discovery Day". Instead of focusing on Columbus being the first to discover America...which, by the way, is highly disputed...they're focusing on exploring, new discoveries, and Christopher Columbus' explorations. I came up with a few craftivities and printables to help them supplement their Discovery Day plans and thought I'd share … [Read more...] about Columbus Day Fun & a Little Sale :)
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!
The Naughty Numbers
One of my favorite things about teaching is the people with whom I teach. I love my team. I really, really do. I love that we all have our own little set of experiences and talents we bring to the team. I love that we all love to share. And I love that we're all brunette ;) Ha! Okay, so that last one was a bit of a stretch, but I'm pretty sure brunettes have more fun :) All that to be said, one of the best things about having an amazing team is the collaboration that goes on behind the scenes. It never seems to come from our regularly scheduled planning periods, rather those off the cuff … [Read more...] about The Naughty Numbers
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!
There’s SNOW Time Like Winter!
Just stopping in for a quick minute tonight to share a few things that have been keeping us busy this week. Write the Room has been keeping us up on our feet and moving around. This is my kids’ absolute FAVORITE activity so it’s no surprise that I have to change these out quite frequently. These last couple of days my kids have been identifying word families and writing CVC words {from my January Write the Room packet}. In our sight word center, the kids have been digging through the snow to find words. Once they find a word they know, they count out the number of letters in the word and use the … [Read more...] about There’s SNOW Time Like Winter!
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?
