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Success with Math Stations!

I am sooo excited to share this.....I tried doing the math station rotation that I mentioned in my previous blog and it was SUCCESSFUL!  The kids LOVED it and so did I!  Over the last week I have taught my kids about 4-5 math games they can play independently (Salute, Math Bingo, One More, etc.).  Today I broke them into their three groups and followed the rotation on the sheet I posted earlier. 
Letting my high kids do Fact Practice first, I decided to use the Challenge Worksheets in our Harcourt program.  They were fully engaged!  In our team planning yesterday (and by the way I am fortunate enough to work with some of the most creative and helpful teachers on the planet!) we were discussing how we can challenge our super math scholars each day by simply using what we have already instead of recreating the wheel :)

Meeting with my lower kids first allowed me to really take the time to teach the lesson in a small group session and use manipulatives.  I had their attention the whole time and when it was their time to do Fact Practice I had them complete the backside of our math workbook page independently.  What a great way for them to get some math confidence :) 

All in all I have to say I am looking forward to using this method each day for math! It has made my spinning like a top days a thing of the past! No more going from kid to kid, long whole group lessons, etc. 

So here's a few resources to add to your math games.  Just click on the image :)



Simple Stolen Math Management Idea!

Before I share I just have to ask if any other teachers out there ever get overwhelmed at the beginning of the year with ALL the great ideas out there and wanting do them all??!!  I tend to have a bit of ADD when it comes to getting my classroom going because I want to do it all and have it all be perfect right away :)  I blame Pinterest and all the wonderful teacher blogs out there!

Having a very varied ability math class this year I am struggling with how to meet the needs of all my kiddos.  You know...... keeping the smarty pants challenged (cuz they finish everything in about 2 seconds) and helping my mathematically challenged (the ones who take forever just to write their number the right way).  I love them all equally!!!  BUT how do stop myself from running all over the classroom once I am done with the whole group instruction?

Enter the fabulous Melissa at F is for First Grade. She is a genius I tell you and wish I could take credit for this simple idea to manage my math block!

Now all I need is a good parent (or friend out there reading this blog :) who will want to set up my math stations!  I have the book and the boxes, just need to get them all together.  For Fact Practice time I will have them use Flashcards and computer websites to practice their facts.  If you have any great math management ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Gifts for the Teacher

So I had to take my teacher hat off and put my mommy hat on this last weekend as my own two kids got ready for their first day of school....which was today!  I am once again so blessed and lucky to have two FANTASTIC teachers teaching my kids!

I always think it's nice to give a little treat to the teachers on the first day. I know first hand how hard they have been working weeks prior to get ready for a new school year! First a disclaimer....when I was lucky to be a stay at home mommy for 4 years I was so much more crafty and on top of things.  Teaching full time and being a mom full time kinda sucks the crafty right out of you sometimes!  But here's a litte something I put together that is simple and thoughtful at the same time.


Found these ADORABLE boxes in the Back to School section at Walmart!  Then I added little goodies that I know all teachers love.....stickers, post its, and most importantly....CHOCOLATE!

More Daily Five Resources!

As I get ready for my first day of school....which is only 4 days away....I am trying to refine my process of launching the Daily Five and really take my time this year building the foundations before I just go for it!  I learned that there is NO RUSH in pulling small groups right away, it takes time to establish good proceedures and routines to make this successful.  And practice, practice, practice  to build stamina :)

My first important job is to make I-Charts for each one of the Daily Five activities.  After rereading the book by The Sisters that is one step I felt I rushed through.  Found  a picture of what one should look like from Mrs. Maiolo's Classroom Website


 
She also has a GREAT form for tracking the kids daily choices that I downloaded and changed to put my name on!



Homemade Stolen Ideas :)

The best teachers I found, are the ones who learn from other teachers and professionals or as I like to say "steal" the really good ideas for themselves!  Blogging has been my best resource for great ideas that have given me inspiration to try and make it myself.  So here's two of my latest creations!


I made my own class "Bucket Filling" Station.  I used Library Pockets found at the Dollar Tree, then cut out the buckets from another blog - which I can't find now - laminated the poster and used an Exacto knife to slit the pockets.  My kiddos can fill out "Bucket Filler" slips and place them in their friends buckets.  On Fridays they can take out slips to read and take home.  Can't wait to read the book to my class next week on the first day!

As you know I am a huge fan of the Daily Five.  A big part of making it successful in your classroom is having lots of anchor charts for them to refer to.  I had made it a goal last year and FINALLY have made a poster of the Daily Five Choices.  Used poster board from the Dollar Tree, leftover border, and these great graphics from Judy Bonzer.

So let me know what you think?  I am not the most crafty person, but I am pretty proud of myself for using my resources and trying to pull it all together :)