Cara Carroll

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 🙂  They absolutely LOVE math tub time.  Score for the teacher 🙂

math1

Remember how I told y’all I let go of control and I’m letting the kids choose their literacy stations?!  Well…I’m still exercising my control during math tubs.  Because I have more kids in the room during this time, I do have a rotation schedule in place.  However, they do get to choose their math desserts and they’re definitely loving that!

math2

I’ve slept since the beginning of Kindergarten last year, so I forget just how much guidance they need this time of year.  I’m really stressing independence and the word “resource” is said no less than 50 times a day.  They’re getting REALLY good at remembering to use them!! 

math3

The stations pictured above are from my The Bus Stops Here back to school packet.  

Speaking of back to school, one of my sweet school friends had the BEST idea!!  Brandy is a special education/resource teacher on my campus and she took the number puzzles from my Don’t Forget My Number packet and adapted them to fit the needs of her kids.  Ummmm….GENIUS.  Y’all…it’s so true…we get by with a little help from our friends!!  I absolutely LOVE this idea!!!!  I can definitely use this set up for some of my kinder babies, too.
puzzle1  puzzle2puzzle3
And in the random department, I’ve started turning my doodles into clipart {per request :)}  I just added these little guys to my shop…

Apple Babies Cover
These little guys made their first appearance in my newest unit, Apple Antics.
Slide1 
And now I’d LOVE to give some of these apple goodies away to you!  Leave a comment telling me your favorite apple flavored food and/or drink.  I’ll randomly choose 3 comments and the winners will get a copy Apple Antics and my little Apple Babies clipart set. 
I’ll be back tomorrow to announce the winners!!  TGI{almost} Friday!!!!!

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Comments

  4. CaitlinL says

    Oh my lord, those Apple Babies are too cute! Can't wait to start my apple unit with my kids in a week! As for my favorite apple flavored drink/food…this is a hard one…it's between Apple pie & apple cider! yum! I'd probably choose the pie though 🙂 CMLoBuglio@gmail.com

    Reply

  5. Mrs. Banister says

    LOVE! My favorite apple drink is a carmel apple cider from Starbucks. I don't get it often, but man, it's yummy!

    I don't think I can wait to see if I win those precious Apple Babies! Too cute for words! 🙂

    Reply

  21. Angie says

    I would love to win your apple unit! I love carameled apples and mulled apple cider best! We are doing apples in my first grade class next week when we study Johnny Appleseed 🙂

    Reply

  23. Wright's Rippers says

    I learned how to make apple pie with a crust from scratch and a crumble topping from my dear sweet Grandma that passed away last February. I share Johnny Appleseed's bday on the 26th and of course apple pie will be a bday favorite. It will be just a little sad thinking of my sweet grandma this year but I was so blessed to learn how to make it and will show my daughter how to one day. Thank you.

    Reply

  36. Michelle Berenson says

    oooh I hope I win. I love so many apple flavored things. but two of my fav are . . . baked apples topped with a little brown sugar and then vanilla yogurt . . . And, I kbow it may sound wierd but I slice apples, usually fuji or honey crisp, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on them and eat them with slices of sharp cheddae cheese! yummy combo u swear 🙂 Apple pie is good with ched cheese too. Can you tell I love apples!

    Reply

  52. kinderdiva says

    Apple anything, but mostly I love homemade applesauce – especially at school. The kids are always so amazed that we can make real applesauce – not out of a squeezy packet! – and they love it so much, it always makes me happy! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!!

    Reply

  57. Laci Bowman says

    Love all of your cute-sie creations! My favorite apple flavored thing is butterfinger covered caramel apples! I had one of these for the first time when I took my sons to an airshow and they were to die for!

    Reply

  76. Samantha Kearns says

    I feel ya! Even in first grade we need a lot of initial practice with math center activities. But I have a great class this year so they are catching on quickly. Super cute apple babies by the way! As for my favorite apple food or drink… Not gonna lie when Woodchuck came to mind first hahaha oy vey! I do eat about 3-4 apples a week as well, but that's not very exciting. Then, I have a texture issue with baked apples #slimeythings #imweirdiknow. So, yeah, in the end it's lookin like Woodchuck gets my vote.

    Samantha 🙂
    Tales of a #teachernerd

    Reply

  85. Mrs. Berard says

    I've always loved your anchor chart drawings! You are just so crafty! And I seriously cannot just name one apple thing… I think it is the whole spirit of fall that gets you craving all apple flavor things! Yum.

    Reply

  95. Stacey Arballo says

    I love eating chocolate covered caramel apples! They are my fav treat at Disneyland. AND Disneyland CA Adventure has this yummy new drink which is only available at the Cozy Cone. Its a frozen apple cider type drink with a maple whip cream. It was YUMMY!

    Reply

  108. Katie says

    Carmel apples are my very favorite fall treat! I just love your clip art! You are one talented lady! Thanks for always opening the door to your classroom and sharing your adorable ideas!

    Reply

  119. Mrs. Wright says

    Hi Cara, those apples are really cute, I pretty much mimic everything you do in my first grade class here in Chicago, and apples start next week!!!! Any hoo! Your the best, and my favorite is a gourmet taffy apple dipped in carmel, chocolate covered with almonds!!!!!, so good!
    Best,
    Kim
    firstgradejournal

    Reply

  135. krazy4K says

    I love apple cider! I usually make some up in a crockpot and serve it up every year for my fellow teachers and faculty. I just add red hots to it and dilute it a little bit with apple juice. My students also love this and it makes our kindergarten pod smell awesome!!!
    ltowater@k12tn.net

    Reply

  140. Samantha ♥ says

    Hmmm…let me count the ways that I LOVE all things apple…caramel apple cider at Starbucks, apple cobbler, caramel apples, apple pie with vanilla ice cream, apple dumplings and of course I love when one of my sweeties brings an apple for the teacher…I guess I should stop my list now! 🙂

    By the way…love your apple babies. The different eyes crack me up! 😉

    Reply

  143. Yukari says

    I love everything you make Cara! It's too cute! I hope you make more clipart I lve your drawings!
    Anyways my favourite apple food is McDonalds Apple Pie lol. I hope I win!

    Reply

  144. Mrs. M says

    I lloovveee apple cider from Starbucks! But I'm also in love with a good old homemade apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the top…so this is a tough one! Crossing my fingers I win…I could really use this! 🙂

    Reply

  160. Laura Ado says

    Hi there! I love math stations too!!! Your graphics are just too cute!

    My favorite apple flavored drink is special grown up drink that my girlfriend makes with cinnamon and apple infused vodka! It is super yummy and fun to drink!
    Can you tell I am ready for Friday??

    Laura
    First Grade Spies

    Reply

  161. Miss Kristan King says

    Late to the party! Can't wait to print that back to school center pack, just bought it.

    My favorite apple drink is cider & I love me some apple butter too!

    I love this time of year. Have a great day, fingers crossed for your new apple unit & clip art sets!!

    Reply

  172. Heather Ferris says

    This time of year I love to spice up apple cider and put it in the crockpot all day long. I float some sliced oranges and cinnamon sticks and let it simmer! What a great way to make your house smell great and your belly warm!!!

    Reply

  180. Victoria says

    Love, love, love all of your products, ideas, and your blog!!! My favorite apple drinks Woolf be hot apple cider and a appletini. My favorite apple food is apple fritters from the apple barn. Mmmmm, mmmmmm!!!

    Reply

  185. beth arnott says

    You are all making me hungry! I love hot apple fritters from the St. Jacobs Farmers Market in Waterloo, Ontario. Unfortunately the market building burned down a few weeks ago and I'll have to wait until they rebuild – then yum yum!

    Reply

  194. Positively Learning says

    I don't think there's anything apple I DON'T like, so this is really tough…I think fresh apple cider heated and stirred with a cinnamon stick. That's how my mom served it 🙂
    I'm so excited about the number puzzle adaption! I have that packet and wasn't sure if my firsties with OT goals would be able to access it. Did she use Velcro? I will try it, maybe magnets, too!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Jen
    debrosse.jennifer@gmail.com

    Reply

  202. Louisa says

    Love warm dutch apple pie! I am interning in a kindergarten classroom and learning very quickly that repetition is very important for the first couple of weeks. I absolutely love reading your blog. You post great ideas and I have even used some in the classroom. Thank you!

    Reply

  210. mary says

    I haven't tried this yet… but, I am planning on doing baked apples with the cinnamon pita chips that are out now.(My low fat version)Fatty versions = apple crisp with homemade whip cream!
    Love your darling apples ! Great idea by your teaching colleague!Hope I win!

    Reply

  221. Kara says

    I love a nice warm apple crisp with a delicious scoop of vanilla ice cream!
    I love your blog and all your amazing ideas!!
    From a friend with the same name just with a K- (Kara)

    Reply

  224. Miss B says

    I get SO SO SO excited when I find Caramel Apple Pops at the store…even snagged a bag to give my kids as a Fun Friday treat tomorrow since we are starting to study apples next week!

    Reply

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