Math Center Central

So... math centers.

We have a love-hate relationship.

 I LOVE that they provide my kiddos with tons of hands-on practice.

I HATE that I have to come up with new centers and then make them.

And, I'll just go ahead and confess right now that I am NOT a fan of all these centers that you buy online and then have to sit and cut and laminate. I think it's a lot of work for something they only use a little while. And, my kids get bored with them.

I came up with a math center plan this year. It's not perfect... but, I can say that I've sent my kids to a differeniated math center most days this year for at least 25 minutes. So, it's certainly a step-up from years past! Ha.

Here are some of the activities that we've used this year in math centers. I've taken these pics over the course of the last few months. (And, FYI, I DID NOT come up with all if this stuff on my own. Some of it I did, but some of it came from blogs and pinterest.)

One component of our math centers is math journals. I didn't want to have 12 different centers I had to keep up with. So, I have 5 centers and then the rest of the kids go to computer or math journals. (This has changed a little the last few weeks.) The math journals are differentiated by ability and there is a place for them to draw a pic, write a number sentence and explain how they solved the problem.

This is how they store their problems in their journal. This friend is clearly not done, ha! They have a sheet of directions and they also have a "cheat sheet" with addition words and subtraction words behind it.

This is what the lower students' journals look like. Much simpler.

One center we did was use buttons and ten frames to make number sentences. One partner would put some buttons on the ten frame... and the other partner had to write the number sentence on a marker board.

This idea came from The First Grade Parade. She did this for Halloween. I just made it a little more generic so we could use it longer. And, we've used it a loonnggg time! I've moved this little center around to where pretty much every group has gotten to use it. And, they all love it! They basically just take addition problems on popsicle sticks and put them into a cup with the correct sum. They use our little homemade bead counters to help them out. (Well, they did at the beginning of the year.)

I have three extremely low little friends who have needed a lot of practice with just counting. So, I took 12 plates and wrote the numbers from 1-12 on them. Then, I gave them a bag of buttons and let them practice putting the amount in the plate.

I try to utilize some of the store-bought puzzles and things I've bought over the years. This one in particular is a favorite because it has subtraction on one side and subtraction on the other. I think it was like $6 at TJ Maxx - can't beat that!

Okay, the kids LOVED this one! I made some little cards about three years ago with some circles and blank addition sentences on them. So, I got some blue and orange pom-poms. The kids put some orange and some blue in the circles. Then, they have to write the number sentence.

Okay, this came from Lory Evans' page. The kids roll a dice and then subtract it from 10. I've printed off several of her activities and they are FABULOUS! Oh, and I also tried using self-laminating sheets for these centers. And, I will NEVER AGAIN laminate a center with just regular laminating. These are much sturdier and they clean a lot better!

I've been letting my lower kids use stickers to help solve their math journal problems. Just a fun way to get them into math. And, a great way to use up some of my two million stickers, ha.

I printed off some "Make Your Own" word problems from Lory's page, too. The kids love them because they are full of popular characters from a lot of the books we've read. And, some we haven't. Let's just say I've been reading a lot of word problems about Voldemort and Harry Potter :)

This idea came from here via pinterest. I think it's great practice for place value!

I look back on the centers (math and literacy) I've done in past years that I had to change every. single. week. I stayed at school every single Friday night and switched out all my centers. And, honestly? Those centers weren't any better than my centers now. They were actually worse because they weren't differentiated a bit!

I think that if you are differentiating your centers and if you are making them fun for your kids to do, you DO NOT have to change them that often! I change my math centers about once a month. My kids have never once told me they didn't want to do one or acted bored at their centers. Since they are on their level, they are being challenged and feel successful every day.

Well, I'm off to watch some Real Housewives of Atlanta. When did Kim become the most normal person on that show?

Thanks for stopping by!

The Four Seasons

Before I share what I came here to share, I have to show you this picture I found on my camera. I had completely forgotten that I had taken it... but, I'm sooo glad I found it!

HA!

It was taken from one of my student's literature circle journals. I don't even know what it is supposed to say... but, the words she wrote are pretty dang funny! You gotta' hate it when you throw your "wore" in the sea and she comes back!

Okay, I'm done laughing now.

We spent this week learning all about weather. And, we also spent our writing time learning about the four seasons. We used the seasons as a guide for the weather we discussed. We started off talking about the difference between warm days and cold days. We did a double bubble Thinking Map to get their little minds a-thinking!

I'm really, really trying to incorporate more Thinking Maps into my instruction. And, lo and behold, the kiddos are pretty dang good at them!

We made an anchor chart about the four seasons. Usually, I seperate their schema and new learning. But, this week, we just listed it all together. It was a great resource for the kids to refer to all week.

They pretty much gave me all that information!

Then, I had themm pick their favorite season and complete a circle map about that season.

Then, we took the information from their circle maps and used it to fill in one of our writing webs. The questions on the web were: What is your favorite season? What is the weather like? What do you do outside in this season? What can you wear? Why is it your favorite season?

These webs REALLY help my kiddos write good paragraphs. I really think it is so helpful to break up their writing into seperate sentences. Anyway, here are a couple of their webs...

These are also great for differentiating work because I have my higher kids write two sentences in each box and my lower kids only have to write one.

After proofreading, we took their webs and transfered their sentences into a paragraph. Here are some of their completed paragraphs.

They certainly aren't perfect. But, you know what? That doesn't matter. I try not to edit them to pieces because of course they can't spell every word... they're six! We just make sure they have capitals and periods and that their sentences make sense. And, I encourage them to spell words that are on the Word Wall correct.

Yesterday, I let them make a tree to show the season they wrote about.

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

And, here are all the rest:

Not the cutest thing we've ever done... but, the kids were so into it! They worked so hard on their trees and especially their writing. So, I'll chalk this activity up as a success.

Before I go, I wanted to also show this chart we've been using. We've been talking about Sneaky Silent E for the last few weeks. And, I wanted to make a chart to remind them about it. So, I made this:

The kids went NUTS. They've been "on the lookout" for Sneaky Silent E ever since!

Okay, that's all for now.

Thanks for reading!

 

Just That Kind of a Week...

Well, I don't really have anything important to talk about. But, that's never stopped me before, has it? Ha. It was a pretty crazy week around my school. I don't have any pictures to post... but, we all love funny kid stories, right? Here's a little glimpse at life in first grade lately...

1. Last week, when we were learning about penguins, my kids were pretty much appalled to find out that mama penguins "get sick" to feed their babies. As my kids were all yelling "ewwwwww" and screaming, one of my sweet little boys looked up at me with his big ole' eyes and said "I wouldn't like it, but I would do it for my babies." Melt. My. Heart.

2. Today, I taught my kids about touch math. I tried it last year at the very beginning of the year, but let it go when my kids got a little overwhelmed with it. I decided to wait until a little later this year to introduce it... and, I'm glad I waited! The kids really got the hang of it and were excited to have a new addition strategy. After about twenty minutes of practicing touch math, one of my littles said "Ohhhhh! Ms. Ridings! It seems like when we draw the dots on the number, it's usually the same amount as the number we're adding!" Face palm.

3. I found this on Pinterest and thought it was a PERFECT description of Valentine's Day in elementary school:

Ha! It makes me laugh every time I see it. Valentine's Day is maybe my least favorite day of the school year. Just being totally honest. It's madness when all the kids are trying to pass out candy and valentines. I'm calling in sick next year. At least the kids had fun...

4. I found a note in the trash can today after the kids left for the day. It said "M-----, do you like T-----? Yes or no." And, M----- had circled no and written "Do you?" I mean, really???? In first grade???? They are both boys, by the way.

5. A few weeks ago, we had Kids on the Block come to our school. They talked to our kids about divorce. At the end, they asked the kids to raise their hands and tell how they would feel if their parents got divorced. I'm not even joking... 14 kids in a row raised their hand and said "sad." Literally. Every single kid they called on said the exact same thing. "Sad." Those poor ladies kept saying "good answer." Ha. At one point, a little girl raised her hand and stopped to think. We all though we were going get a different answer and everybody was on the edge of their seats. Her eventual answer? "I would be sad." Well said.

6. I've been "kidnapping" two of my kiddos every couple of days and letting them eat lunch with me in the classroom. I must admit, it usually turns out to be  my favorite part of the day. The kids are soooo excited and they just bubble over with giggles and happiness. They talk non-stop! It's been so nice to spend some quality time with my little friends and actually have a chance to HEAR them when they talk. The only down side? My room is FAR from the cafeteria. As I was walking back to the cafeteria with two of my little boys today after their lunch date, one of them said "Man, teachers have a hard job!" I asked why and he said "All you people do is walk up and down the hall. And, it's far!"

One thing's for sure. No matter how stressful a week I have, those sweet kiddos make it all worth the trouble.

Pinteresting...

I recieved maybe the best compliment I've ever gotten the other night. Somebody told me that I was their favorite person to follow on Pinterest! Literally, they couldn't have made me happier if they had said I was the skinniest person they'd ever met. Ha!

Well, I think it's that time again. Time to do a Pinterest post. Here are some pins that have caught my eye lately...

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How scrumptious is this?

 I adore open shelving and all that pretty white?

Uhhhh-mazing.

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Okay, I realize this is a little busy. How many lanterns do you need? But, I love it!!! The stripes are fabulous and I love the books underneath the table on the bench and in the trough. Also, I just think the layers make this all very interesting.

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This chair doesn't match a darn thing in my house. But, I WANT IT! It's so funky and fun and is a great pop of color.

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I cannot get over this room. Can not. Because, those curtains? Perfection. And the stools at the end of the bed? Love em! The rug and the orange stool and the green bird and the white bedding? It's all incredible. Ahhhhh!

I love the colors in this room. So pretty and calming.

This caught my eye because I think the yellow lamp, zebra print ottoman, lime green garden stool and orange wreath all look so great together!

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I think these vintage headboards are pretty awesome.

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Great use of color.

We should all have a room this fun!

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Love orange and teal.

 And, I would give my right arm for that leopard pillow!

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I really, really, really want to do this to my curtains. Or, a shower curtain! I love the idea of picking out random fabrics and adding ruffles to make plain curtains more interesting.

Okay, I think that's all for now. I've got to get back over to Pinterest and find more pins!

Thanks for reading!!!

What Do You Love?

  Funky First Grade Fun is having a linky party today! You're supposed to answer the questions about what you are currently loving. Sounds fun! And, it's just in time for Valentine's Day!

1. I love to watch movies with: my friends! We are some movie-watching gals and we even have a weekly movie night! Unfortunately, we've all been a little busy and haven't had as much time to watch movies. But, that's getting remedied: tonight! Here's what we're watching...

We love any and all Harry Potter movies!

2. I love to read books: in bed! There's nothing better than laying in bed on a Sunday afternoon and reading a good book. I've been reading The End of Molasses Classes lately and I can't put it down! I know we can't all start our own schools and do the radical things Ron Clark does. But, man. He brings up so many good points and he truly understands what's important about teaching: relationships. This book is inspiring me to be a better teacher. I HIGHLY recommend it!

3. I love to shop for: my new house! I am always on the lookout for cute lamps and pillows and paintings and rugs. I've taken a little break lately because I've been so consumed with school. But, believe me. There's quite a list of stuff I'm searching for. Beginning with a chair. I'm thinking something like this:



4. I love to collect: DVDs! I have a lot. Like, a whole lot. I got started buying seasons of TV shows a few years ago and just can't stop! Whenever Target has a big sale, I buy them for $9.99. I have Friends, Will and Grace, Glee, Modern Family, Desperate Housewives, almost all of the Real Housewives seasons, I Love Lucy and a bunch of seasons of Survivor. And, that's probably not even half of it. The good news is that I get my money's worth because I watch them ALL THE TIME!



Friends will always and forever be my favorite.

5. I love to listen to: OneRepublic! I think they're my absolute favorite. I mean, I named my blog The Good Life! I also really like listening to Glee cd's. In my classroom, we listen to a lot of classical music, Jackson 5 and Disney tunes :)



This is my favorite Glee cd. I adore The Warblers.

6. I love to eat: fast food. I know, I know. It's so bad for you. But, it's so yummy! My favorites are Back Yard Burgers and Zaxby's. MMmmm.



(I'll be right back....)

7. I love to talk about: reality tv! My friends and I spend a lot of time discussing all  of the tv shows we watch every week.We especially discuss The Bachelor, Real Housewives, The Kardashians and Teen Mom.



Best. Show. Ever.

8. I love to make: graphic organizers and anchor charts. Call me a nerd. Ha. But, I really like creating activities for my little first grade friends to do.

9. I love to travel to: Disney World!!! It's literally my most favorite place in the entire world. I could go there a hundred times and I'd never get bored. It's so magical and fun!

10. I love to teach: writing. I'd say that is my absolute favorite thing to teach. It's the subject that I get to be the most creative with. And, it also seems like it's the subject where I get to see the most growth in my kids... which is exciting to see!

Okay, I think that's all. Head over to  Funky First Grade Fun to see more of what everybody loves!