Paper Bag Royalty

 

We read, The Paperbag Princess, by Robert Munsch, and discussed character traits. Students then created their own Princess Elizabeth or Prince Ronald paperbag puppets. On the back of the bag, they wrote traits for that character.  I love this book! I'm just saying....

More Daily 5 Math ... and A Little Bit of Reading Too!

I have had several requests for my Daily 5 Math signs. Click here to download.

 The small pocket chart was purchased at Target-$1.00! (I bought a billion of them!) The insects represent student groups. These are from Trend Enterprises, Inc. I move the insects (student groups) to change stations. When a student is invited to meet with the teacher for small group instruction, enrichment, assessing, or a math chat, they do not go to their assigned station.

I also use the same groups for the classroom library. Each group returns/chooses 5 books from our class library each week on an assigned day. Four of the books must be "just right" books (We use the 5 finger rule.), and one book is "reader's choice." Students keep their books in a large zip-lock bag at their seat. They use these books during "Read to Self," DEAR (Drop Everything And Read), or when they have finished early. This system has worked very well this year and I will definitely be using it again in the fall. I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions for managing work stations. I'm just saying...

9 Days and Counting!

With the year quickly coming to a close, I am looking for fun, engaging and meaningful activities. One of my "go-to" math activites is BUMP. We have played many versions throughout the year so my students are familiar with the game. I updated my 3-digit addition board with a summer-ocean theme that I know my students will love. Click here to download. Let the games begin! I'm just saying...

Organizing My Daily 5 Math Work Stations

I started my own version of Daily 5 math in January of this year. I used the 4 math standards for first grade common core math and added "Read Math," to make 5 work stations.

Each "Read Math" activity begins with the reading of a short book or poem that relates to math. After reading, students complete a math activity that goes along with the book or poem. I will share some of those activies soon!

I am constantly on the look-out for activites for these stations--teacher blogs, pinterest, and TPT are a few of my faves. When I put together an activity, I store it in a folder labeled with the activity name and math standard. Each folder is then placed in a "math standard" crate. I use a spread sheet to plan for each month. Click here to download a copy of the spreadsheet.  I always write on my spreadsheet in pencil because I am constantly moving and adding new things. Please visit again soon as I will be adding more about Daily 5 math--I'm just saying.....

Our Tree Named Steve

One of my favorite books is, Our Tree Named Steve, by Alan Zweibel. I cry everytime I read the part where (SPOILER ALERT!) Steve is destroyed by the storm. As part of our Earth Day studies in May, we read this wonderful story and completed the "Main Idea Tree," from Amy Lemons' "What's The Main Idea?" unit. There is now a waiting list for this book in our class library! I'm just saying....

Retell Glove

I use this retell glove in small group reading. My students use this glove when sharing a book with the class or with a buddy. Each "button" has velcro on the back so it can be easily changed as needed.   It's a great way to work on retell. I'm just saying...

Flipping over Addition!

It's hard to believe that there are only 16 more days of school! We are in review mode in order to prepare for end of the year assessments. My students used scrapbook paper to create flip-flops that show the commutative property for addition.  Click here for the flip flop pattern. Hurray for flip-flop season! I'm just saying....