First Grade Funnies and Calendar Flipchart for Second Semester

I love lilstening to first graders.  They say some of the funniest things.  Here are a couple I've heard in the last two days:
"My Grandmother is taking me to ANTlanta in a few weeks."

As a girl is reading to me she reads, "Last week Jesus went to space in a spaceship."  The word was Jessie, not Jesus.  She never even stopped to question what she was reading!

This morning, I hear two children arguing about last night's BCS game (Roll Tide, by the way!).  One is saying "the game was in New Orleans".  The other is arguing, "no, the game was in the United States."

On to the calendar...  At the beginning of the year, I posted about my calendar flip chart for the Promethean Board.  I e-mailed many of you a copy of it.  Well.. it "expired" in December.  So, I thought it was probably time to post the second semester version for those of you who want it.  This flip chart will only work with the Promethean Board!  Please let me know if you would like me to e-mail you a copy.  Promethean Planet is not cooperating and I can't get it to upload there.  I'll try again.

Here are a few pictures of what it looks like.

First page (I removed "today is, tomorrow will be...).  Each month you can change the calendar by: Retyping the name of the month and deleting the image of the January calendar.  The images for February-May are stacked behind January.

Each song title is linked to a page with an audio file of that song and the lyrics

A page to practice place value, odd/even and greater than/less than.  I like to write addition or subtraction sentences or initials for coins (Q, D, N, P) on the Greater than/less than part to make it more of a challenge.

A place to practice money.  I've removed the coin poems (hopefully by now everyone knows the coin names and values).  I added the bills-- oooh, aaah!

A place to practice composing a number.  Sometimes I like to create a challenge: Example - ways to make 16
I might write one that says 76- ____ = 16  or ____ + _____ + _____ + _____ = 16 (your answer must be the same number all four times)
 Keep those extra smart kids busy with the challenge while others are creating their problems!

Winter Math Centers and a Freebie

I'm excited to post about my new winter math centers pack-- "A Wintery Mix of Math Centers."  I've included 7 math games/activities to use during independent practice time (in my room it's called Math Tubs).  These centers were designed to practice Common Core Standards and be easy enough that most children can complete these without teacher help.  Four of the games have a snowman/penguin theme, while the other three are Valentine-themed.  Here's a little preview.  If you're interested you can find the set by clicking here.  I tried to keep the price teacher friendly, at $5.00.

And as a thank you to my sweet blog followers, you can pick up one of the games FREE! Click here to download.

 

Free Halloween Math Games

My kids (and I) are loving all of the fun Halloween-themed things going on right now.  We've learned about pumpkins, scarecrows, bats and spiders.  And coming up soon-- owls.  I created a few Halloween games to spice up math tubs.  They have been a big hit.

Spook-tacular Tens
One of the Common Core standards in first grade is to determine the meaning of the equals sign and have children tell if equations are true or false.  I created this little game to begin teaching the concept of equal and not equal-- plus it fits in nicely with our addition strategy of the week-- tens partners.  The children sort the addition fact cards into "Equals 10" or "Doesn't Equal 10".  Then they record their answers on the recording sheet.  Click on the picture to download a copy.

Spooky Coin Count
The next game focuses on counting like coins-- pennies, nickels, and dimes.  The children sort the cards by the coin type.  They count their money and record on the sheet by skip counting.  Click on the picture below to download.

Double Double, Toil and Trouble
My kids are loving this game this week!  The directions say to use 7 pennies in the middle of the witches pot.  Instead, I've let them use candy.  They aren't even eating it-- just using it in the game.  It's the little things, I guess!  Anyway, a partner teacher said she was making her kids use 13 objects if they are playing with three in a group.  That extends the length of the game a little.  Good thinking, Jan :)
Click on the picture to download.

FREEBIES in exchange for FORGIVENESS

It has been WAY too long since my last post and all I can say is I'm sorry and WOW!  September sure did fly by!  I can't believe tomorrow is already October.  I have been so busy at school and at home-- blogging just hasn't been a top priority.  But, to make up for it I have some free stuff!

I have spent the last few weeks in math teaching number sense.  The children have learned about tally marks, even and odd, greater than/less than, and using the number line and hundreds chart as tools.  We have also just started addition strategies (+0, +1, and doubles).  Each week we continue to work in our math notebook practicing graphing, ways to make a number, problem solving, and estimation.  And, can I tell you my kids have gotten TONS better at estimating.  Problem solving-- well, that's still a work in progress :) 

Below are some of the resources that I have used for either math tubs or the math notebook recently.  Click on the pictures to download.



A math tub activity to practice ordering numbers from least to greatest.  The directions aren't on the document.  You will need to cut apart the food cards.  Have the children sort the cards by the color around the outside of each card.  Then, they will order the four cards in the set from least to greatest.  Lastly, they will record their answers on the recording sheet.

 

A math tub activity to practice patterning

 

A class graph for the math notebook.  We do the graph together as a class.  I go around the room and allow each child to answer the question.  For this graph, the children colored in the fruit pictures as we we polled each child.

 

A math tub activity to practice labeling patterns

 

Problem solving for the math notebook (these are made to fit on 2 X 4 labels)

I promise I don't spend the whole day teaching math.  I'm just excited to be teaching our new curriculum this year.  Our reading time is a little more dictated by the basal (Harcourt Storytown), so it's not as much fun to blog about.  I also haven't spent much time creating word work activities because I've found so many great ideas on other blogs (why re-invent the wheel?). 
I hope you enjoy the free downloads.  I'm going to try and get back into the blogging groove.

Week in Review- Math

I'm sorry it's been a little while since my last post.  My husband was out of town last week, making it a much more busy week.

As I mentioned in a few previous posts, my first grade team spent many hours this summer creating our own math curriculum-- based on several different research-based programs (of course!).

Here's what the second week of math looked like in my classroom:

Whole Group Lessons:

We spent the whole week learning about patterns.  We watched the Brain Pop Jr. pattern video as a quick introduction.  I love this website!  The children practiced rhythmic patterning by clapping while I read "Caps for Sale" and tapping them while we sang "Going on a Bear Hunt."  We also completed a flipchart on the Promethean Board to learn how to create, extend and label patterns.

Independent/Partner Work:

 I gave each of the kids a pattern block template from our Everyday Math program.  They were allowed to create any pattern using the shapes.  I was really impressed with how they turned out.



 The kids worked in partnerships to create patterns with either bears, Unifix cubes, or links.  One person created a pattern and the other had to copy it.  They had to make three different patterns.

To the right is an activity I like to do each year.  Each child is given Fruit Loops to create a pattern of choice.  They glue them on then label their pattern by color, number and letter.  They always like this activity because they get to each the leftover cereal!

Click here to download your copy.


We also did the name pattern sheet, but I forgot to take pictures of it.  I blogged about it earlier here.  You can get a free copy of that page by clicking on the link.



 Math Notebook:

 To the Left:

7 ways to make the number 6.

To the right: Our first problem solving label was just a way to start a discussion about numbers.  We will get into addition soon.

To the left- Class graph: do you have a pet?  Click here to download a copy.   To the right- Estimation:  I brought in a bag of Hershey Kisses.  They had to guess how many and write their guess.  We came to the carpet and counted together.  Then each child went back to their notebook and wrote the correct answer and then "I was too high" or "I was too low."

Calendar on the Promethean Board

I have had several questions about how I do calendar activities on the Promethean Board.  I've taken screen shots of each page to give you an idea of what it looks like.  I've uploaded it to Promethean Planet for you to use if it looks like something that would work well with your class.  (Let me know if you download it from Promethean Planet.  The images on their website don't look complete.  I'm hoping that it downloads correctly.  I don't have the Promethan software at home to be able to check it out).  Click here to download the file.

 Page 1: This is the true "calendar" part of calendar time.  The kids can drag the yellow box to mark the day.  They also drag the days of the week to the proper boxes.  I have created this calendar to last until December.  You can easily retype the name of the month as it changes.  I created pictures for each month.  They are just stacked on top of each other.  So when September comes around, just click on the August calendar picture, right click, and choose "delete".  September will be underneath.  You'll need to retype the name of the month yourself.

Page 2: Pledge of Allegiance.  After the pledge, we sing a patriotic song.  For the first four months of school, we sing one song a month (so the kids can learn each one).  After that, they help me choose which song to sing in the morning.

Pages 3-6: When you click on the song link from page 2 it will take you to each song.  I embedded the songs into the flip chart, so all you have to do is click on the music icon to hear the song.  Click on the "more calendar" star to return to the rest of the flip chart (and skip over the rest of the song pages)

Page 7: Place Value Review.  This is the page to record the days in school and drag up the base-10 blocks.  After the 20th day, you can practice having the kids hear the numbers better.  If it's the 23rd day I will say "we have been in school 23 days.  Listen to the number carefully, what two numbers do you hear in 23?"  You would be surprised how difficult this is for first graders at the beginning of the year.  Anyway-- the answer is 20 and 3!  There's also a place to record how many H, T, and O.  So for the number 23 they would write 0 hundreds, 2 tens and 3 ones.

Page 8- Money Practice.  Here the children will practice making the days in school or the date with coins.  If it's the 23rd day in school, they would make 23 cents.  The other option (which is a little easier) is to make the date.  So, if today is August 7th, the kids would find ways to make 7 cents.  This way is easier because you will never be making more than 31 cents.  We practice the coin poems for several months until the kids know them very well.

Page 9- Ways to Make ___- I will pick a number (ex. 8) and the kids will come up with ways to make that number, using addition and subtraction facts.  This is a great time to practice using the 100s chart, and number line.  We also talk a lot about addition and subtraction properties.  The "Macarena Math" song from Dr. Jean is included on this page to practice counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s.

 Page 10- We practice writing the "short date", telling time, odd/even, and greater than/less than on this page.  With the clock I progress from drawing the hands to the hour, then half hour, then 5 minute marks, then writing the time and having the children draw the hands.  Odd or even starts out simple with just writing a one digit number and the kids writing the words "odd" or "even".  Later I will make it two digits, then three digits.  Greater Than/Less Than also starts out simple with one digit numbers, then two digits, but later in the year I will write addition facts on each side, or draw coins on each side.  Anything to keep them thinking.  It's also good to throw in some equations where the answer is equal.  This one is always a little more tricky at first.  

I stated at the beginning of the post that this is the calendar for the first semester.  Later in the year I change it up a little bit and take out some of the routines that get boring.  I'll post the second semester later in the school year.

More About My Math Notebook

I had a few questions from my previous math post, so I thought I'd answer them here.

 My math notebook is just a cheap spiral notebook (you can get them for a penny in the summer).   Each day of the week we do something different. 

Monday- Number Talk- There are so many ways to do a number talk.  In first grade I try to keep it simple and just look for different ways to make a number.  So, I have my kids write "Ways to Make ___" at the top of their page.  Then, they think of 7 ways to make the number using addition, subtraction, tallies, money, pictures, etc.  After they are finished I will ask a few to share and write them on the board. 

Tuesday- Graphing- I create very simple graphs that fit 2 to a page.  Each child gets a page and glues it into the notebook.  We do our graph together using their notebooks and the Promethean Board.  I go around the room, asking each child the question.  We all write the child's class number (easier than their name) in the graph.  I ask follow up questions once the graph is complete.  I try to keep the graphing questions simple during this time.  Any really cute graph, like graphing Skittles or Goldfish, we try to do during our unit time.  I like to include as many different types of graphs as possible (tally graph, graphs going up, graphs going sideways, graphs with different amounts of choices).

Wednesday- Estimation- Each week the Star Student (or in my class the Top Banana) brings in items to estimate- usually on Monday just to make sure we have them by Wednesday.  Almost everytime they bring in great items...almost.  In the past I've estimated rocks, individually wrapped pieces of candy, cotton balls, silly bands, bird feathers, erasers... and Wal-Mart bags all wadded up together (remember the "almost?!!)  The kids write "How many (items)?" at the top of their notebook.  Then as I walk around with the estimation jar they write down their guess.  I go around the room and ask for everyone's guess and record it on the Promethean Board.  We come to the carpet and count the objects together- making a focus to count by 2's, 5's, or 10's.  Then, we look back to the board and see who came the closest.  They children go to their seat, write the correct answer, put a big "star" around it, and then have to write one of the following- "I was too high, I was too low, I was pretty close, I was the closest"  We use the Promethean Board to decide who will write each sentence.  If the items are edible we eat them during snack time.  Sometimes the kids will bring things, like pencils, that they other children can keep.  If it's a collectible item I send it home when we're finished.  You'll be surprised how much better they get at estimating by the end of the year (my estimating skills have improved tremendously! ha!)

Thursday- Problem Solving- I type up the problems on 2 X 4" labels.  I give the kids time to answer the problems then we share strategies together as a class.  I will record their answers on the board and discuss why some ways were better than others.  The kids are allowed to correct their answers in their notebook and change their thinking if needed.  We do many different types of problems throughout the year.  Here's my general progression (addition (answer unknown), addition (middle part unknown), subtraction (answer unknown), subtraction (middle part unknow), subtraction (beginning unknown), multiplication (super simple), comparisson, division (just grouping).  I use CGI, Cognitively Guided Instruction, during my problem solving time.

Friday- I don't formally teach math on Friday.  In first grade, Friday is our day of Social Studies/Science Unit study.  Of course, there are fabulous math (and reading and writing) ideas to tie in with any unit.  So, we are always doing math on Friday.  It just doesn't follow the same routines as the rest of the week (no math tubs, no math notebook).  This is the time I pull out the cute graph, or we measure a pumpkin and count the seeds, or create a themed glyph, etc.

Math Work Stations - Chapters 1 and 2

I'm excited to be learning more about Debbie Diller's book, "Math Work Stations."  I read it a few months ago, but now I want to see how others are actually putting her ideas into action. 

I'll admit I'm more of a "center" gal than a "work station" gal.  I have always loved teaching with a theme.  My biggest fear with using work stations is the children will get bored with the same activities for several weeks at a time.  I can't wait to see how others are implementing Debbie's ideas.  I'm really hoping to learn a lot this summer-- thanks to all of you.


On a different note, this year I made a lot of changes to the way I do math, and I LOVE it!  I've devoted much more time in my day to student hands-on practice and my kids LOVED it!  My team decided to use our "assigned" curriculum, Everyday Math more as a tool than the Math Bible.  It's been more work for me to supplement (a whole bunch) but it really paid off. 


I'm linking up with with Mrs. Wills for Chapters 1 and 2.

Chapter 1: The Checklist
1. Materials used by the teacher first, then placed in the station: half of the time
2. Materials do not change weekly, but rather to reflect the students' learning objectives: No- my materials change each week. They are created to reflect their needs, and often they are the same activity with a new look.
3. All students go to stations daily: Yes!!
4. Materials are differentiated: No- I need more pointers on this one
5. The teacher observes work or meets with groups- Yes!!


Chapter 2: Organization
I wish I had some pictures to share, but my room is packed up for the summer.  I love to keep things organized.  Unfortunately, my room is very tiny, and it doesn't offer a lot of space for anything extra.

I use the white plastic three-drawer systems to store materials for each month.  Each drawer is labeled with a month.  I have 4 sets stacked together in a tall cabinet.

I use binders to store all of my teacher masters (for all subjects).  I put the originals in plastic sleeves and it makes things so easy to see.  Binders work SO MUCH BETTER than files in a filing cabinet.

I have one shelf for manipulatives.  I really had to purge and get down to what was really needed/used because of the lack of space. 


I use the Sterilite tubs (that hold 8.5 X 11" paper) for the materials that my kids are using each week.  They are labeled "Tub 1", "Tub 2", etc.