Math Supplements

Hey there!  It's been a minute...err well, actually it's been about 3 months.  Yikes, sorry about that!  I've been drowning (literally and figuratively) in work.  Tough start this year.  Let's get down to business though!

This year I'm focusing VERY heavily on my math instruction.  It's amazing how much there still is to learn about the developmental level of students on a grade level you've been working on for 5+ years.  Every year I find a new way to challenge myself.  I can see how people can enjoy teaching the same grade level for their whole career.

The curriculum guide in our district for math this year is solid and cleverly laid out (for once :).  The only real problem with it is a lack of assessment pieces.  Because we jump around our curriculum materials (we use Math Investigations AND enVision Math) so much it isn't feasible to utilize the assessments in those resources.

We have been given more time to focus on math and implement math centers but again, our curriculum resources do not offer a variety of engaging activities to use during this time.

Our district has also moved into serious implementation of interactive journals, which I thought I'd hate.  As I have begun to understand their purpose and see my students engagement I'm really enjoying our work in creating them.

Click here to check out the Commutative Property Supplemental Pack!

I'm sure you can see the problems piling up.  I noticed these deficits a few weeks into the school year and started creating materials to fill the void for my grade level.  It's always hard to implement something new so I started out with the interactive journal pages.  I created one for the teacher-side (right) that served as a guided instructional piece.  Then the student-side (left) serves as a way for students to practice the skill either individual or with the assistance of their table mates.

I added a few games and activities that can be used in math centers to practice the concept/skill and I topped it off with an assessment and occasionally a craft.

Get this Flip Flop Fact free in the Preview!

 These packs have turned out to be exceptionally helpful so I thought they could benefit others!  I've got 4 supplemental units complete and packaged and plan on creating them for each Common Core standard/skill/concept we work on in first grade.

Click here to check out the Fact Families Supplemental Pack!

Download Domino Fact Family for free under the Preview!

Click here to check out the Missing Addend Supplemental Pack!

Download Missing Number Match up for Free in the Preview!

Click here to check out the Doubles and Near Doubles Supplemental Pack!

Download Near Doubles Game for free in the Preview!

Let me know what you think and definitely share anything you'd like to see added!

Number Lines

We've been getting to know all the cool tools we will use in math this year!  Last week we really focused on number lines and began exploring the strategy of "counting back."

I love using the songs from Have Fun Teaching to help engrain skills in my students minds.

We've been shaking our tail-feathers to this Counting Down From Twenty video for DAYS!  They're still asking for more, I love it!

We kicked off our lessons using these Write & Wipe Number Lines from Lakeshore.  They were part of my most recent Donors Choose project so I was excited to break them in!

If you use Math Investigations you may be familiar with the game Start With/Get To.  These number lines helped students count forward and backwards and create equations during the game.


Later in the week we started working with adding 0, 1, & 2.  To keep it consistent I had students use the number line to practice this.

Last Fall I created Hop Along the Number Line and thought it would tie in well.  Click on the caption to download this game for free!

Grab this game for free here!

To wrap up our number line practice I decided to take it outside!

Students worked in groups with number cards (1-9) and dice.  We played 2 versions:

1) Students drew 1 card and stood on that number.  They drew a second card and hopped to that number.  Finally, they had to state an equation to represent their movement.


2)  Students drew 1 card and stood on that number.  They rolled the die and hopped to that number.  Finally, they had to state an equation to represent their movement.

Students are now using the anchor chart we created last week as they continue to practice using number lines this week with subtraction story problems.

We are getting familiar with the rituals and routines for math center time this week so I added a few number line games to one of the center buckets!  I'm looking forward to differentiating this time more as students become independent and I finish collecting data for tiering!

How are you using number lines with your students?!?

Testing Blues

We've been waist deep in baseline testing for 3 weeks now.  While I'm looking forward to some good data, I can't wait to switch from tester to teacher and get down to some serious business!

My question for you is, how do you shake off the testing blues?  

My kid-lets look like someone punted their puppy off a bridge, Anchorman-style, by the time we wrap up testing each morning.

The best solution I've found for this is a little dance party sponsored by Just Dance Kids on YouTube.

Here are a few of our favorites!

Last, but not least, the Sid Shuffle!

How do you kick the testing blue?!?!

First Day Pictures!

This has been one of the craziest starts to a school year I've ever had.  That's one of the things I like most about this job though.  Anything but routine.

I like my job like I like my kids, the weirder the better :)

I totally spaced on the "First Day of First Grade" pictures so we took "Second Day of First Grade" pictures.  Luckily, they're adorable everyday so it worked out!

Here's a little peek at my sweet, silly students (only the ones whose parents gave me permission to post, of course).

I mean, seriously, are all first graders this adorable or is it just mine?

Donors Choose

Do you DC?

Donors Choose projects have made such a huge difference in my classroom!  They have provided my students with some DESPERATELY needed materials.  I've completed 3 projects this past year, with the help of so many friends, the families of former students and of course my very own family!

I wish I had the words to express how thankful I am for the games, activities, books and materials that now fill my classroom.

I received the materials from my latest project in the mail this week.  There were a variety of materials for students to investigate as they master our measurement and geometry standards as well as some new books to be used during the lessons.

My Math Coach stopped by this morning to check everything out and we were talking the huge deficit of materials that ALL of the teachers on my grade-level face when it comes to math, geometry in particular.

The same could be said for my whole school and probably yours as well.

Teaching without the tools you need is equivalent to landing on the moon without a rocket.  The proper tools can transport your students to mastery...or the moon ;).

If you're asked to transport your students to the moon each year without a rocket, you should seriously consider creating a Donors Choose account!

Most of the materials we received won't be used until the second half of the school year when we begin working on the standards they are intended to support so today we spent a little time checking everything out.  Building the shapes (above) was a big favorite!  Look how engaged they are.  They wouldn't even be that interested if I lit myself on fire and rode around the classroom on the back of a tiger!

If you've never set up a Donors Choose project here's how:

1.  Go to http://www.donorschoose.org/teachers

2.  Register for an account and start setting up (shopping for) a project.

3.  Allow DC for post on your Facebook.

I didn't want to do number 3 because I felt weird about asking my friends and family to contribute.  The flip side of that thinking is that NO ONE WILL KNOW about your project.  When you put the word out you provide the people who care about you most (and know how hard you work) with the option to contribute!  You'll be surprised by the generosity of your friends and family!

The final 2 tips are:

4.  Lately DC has been providing a match code during the first week of your project.  They will match any donation (up to $75) made during that week as long as the donor enters the code at check out.  Post about your project EVERYDAY during this time.  Make sure EVERYONE knows the code!  You can usually get your whole project funded during that week, in fact, I've gotten a project funded in 6 hours thanks to that match code!

5.  ALWAYS donate to your own project!  I donate $25 the day it goes "live" and match it to knock $50 off the top immediately.  If you believe (& invest) in your project so will others!

If anyone else out there has DC tips please share them!  I know we all need ALL the help we can get!

Peek In My Room: Virtual Tour

Hey everyone!  I wanted to give you a little sneaky peek into my classroom.  I will let the pictures and videos speak for themselves.  Please enjoy!

I finally found the panorama option on my iPhone...awesome!

This year I decided to add hanging table numbers and more paper lanterns.  Because, why not?

Next you will see my whiteboard, calendar, and birthday board set up:

Video clip of our beginning of the year calendar elements:

Video of the Common Board Configuration:

I painted these new months-of-the-year hanging plaques this summer.  I've been wanting to spruce up my calendar for a while and these guys did the trick.  I'm going to attach popsicle sticks or clothes pins with each students birthday to the corresponding month once everything is settled!

Video clip of our birthday board and routines:



Now we'll move into specific area's of the room.

Above you will see a picture of my classroom library and below you'll find a video clip:

This is my Word Wall corner.  Below it is the Writing Station.  The following video clip will provide a few more details.


Up next is the listening center!

Finally, I wanted to share a few pictures and videos of some handmade items in my classroom!

Behavior chart:

Classroom helpers/jobs chart:

How we go home:

Last, but not least, C3B4me!  Best invention ever.  This is a reminder that students need to ask 3 people before they interrupt your reading groups, testing, RTI, whatever time to ask you to repeat instructions (that you probably gave 3 times already).  I love that it helps my students develop a sense of personal responsibility to begin solving their problems independently!

I hope you enjoyed this interactive tour!  Let me know what you think.  All questions and suggestions are welcome!

Back to School Ice Breaker

How do you break the ice on the first day?  Last year I used this little "ice breaker" game and it was a fun way to make new friends!

Since I thew it together last minute last year I never really did anything with it.  This year I decided to throw a dress on it share on TPT!

Students will work in small groups of 2-4 students. They will take turns rolling a die and moving a plastic bear manipulative the number of spots they rolled. 

If they land on a picture they find it on the Question Key, read it, answer it, and ask their partners to answer as well! If they land on a "you choose" arrow they can share any fact they would like about themselves. 

When all players make it to the finish line they can find new partners and play again!

What I love most about this game is that it's "print and play" friendly!  Last week I printed 10 copies of the game board and 1 copy of the question key (I projected it onto the board).  I laminated everything for durability this weekend.  Today I added 1 die and plastic bear manipulatives.  Voila!  Done!  Just what I need during Back-to-School CRAZY!

Oh, the kids had a blast too!  I'd post pictures but I totally forgot my camera today!  Looks like my students will be taking "Second Day of First Grade" pictures tomorrow!  

Womp!  Womp!