Math Tubs #3

Here is another little math tub idea that again focuses on addition. Back during December, I purchased some cute name tags from Target (the hang-y ones for gifts). The kids used these cute sparkly name tags to make patterns.

I was putting them away for next year when I realized we could use the snowmen tags for something new! I took the tags and wrote numbers on the backs (1-10).

To Play: The kids spread the cards (tags) face up where they cannot see the numbers on back. Choose 2 cards over and use cotton balls to add. For example: in the photo I turned over 9 and 3. So, I would then take 9 cotton balls and 3 cotton balls. Then, I "touch and count" all the cotton balls back into the math tubs container. You could also allow kids to use the total number of cotton balls to build a snowman. I bet there would be some interesting snowmen!!

Math Tub #2

Ok, here is another new math tub I am implementing. Again the purpose is for the kids to begin practicing addition independently.

Materials Needed:

egg carton

marker

plastic colored snowflake confetti(or other manipulative)

Here you use an empty egg cartoon and write numerals 1-10 (you will have to repeat a couple numbers) in the bottom of the individual sections.

You can use any manipulatives (teddy bears, unifix cubes, counters, etc.) but I found some cute plastic snowflakes at Walmart in the seasonal section that come in 3 colors - silver, white, and blue.

To begin, I am using the white and blue snowflakes (later on they will be able to add 3 digits and I will use the third color).

To Play:

Place 2 snowflakes (or other manipulatives) in the egg carton and close. Shake the carton (kids love this) and then open. The 2 snowflakes will land on a number inside the egg carton. Kids will use those 2 numbers to add.

For example, if the blue snowflake landed on 3 and the white snowflake landed on 6 - children will "act out" this problem by lining up 3 blue snowflakes and then lining up white snowflakes below. Then, they will touch and count to find the total.

Again, I am not using recording sheets just yet because I want to keep the focus on the process and not a product!

Math Tub #1

Here is the first math tub I will be teaching when we return next week. The kids have used these sticks to practice counting since the beginning of the year. I used 5 gallon paint stir sticks (big ones from Home Depot - like 50cents). I have 20 colored stickers in increments of five. Kids have been using them to clip a clothespin on each dot to count all the way to 20.

Now they will extend their use by using clothespins with a colored star (just the colored foil stars) to add. In the example above, 3 blue stars + 2 red stars = 5 stars!! Partners can work together. One child can "make" a problem and the other child "reads" the problem. I do NOT use a recording sheet for this tub because the point is for them to "make" and "read" a simple addition problem. They enjoy doing this and become very proficient in "making" and "reading" adding problems.

Math Tub Time!

I went into school today and began working on switching some of my math tubs over from Christmasy tubs to new things to start off the new semester.

The first semester we spend alot of time making and extending patterns of all kinds, sorting, counting, and making graphs during math tubs time. While we do lots of addition whole group, the kids don't have a lot of experience adding independently. Now, with the new semester (and being half-way to 1st grade) we begin working on addition during math tubs time.

I'll be sharing what I am doing soon!!

Revving My Engine....

I'm thinking about going into my classroom today to tidy up and start preparing for the second semester. While I don't have to be back until next Wednesday, I like going in early.

After the Christmas party I always BLOW outta there as quick as I can so there are always things misplaced, pushed back, etc. I like to get things back in order and there are usually things I want to change and improve on.

There are things I have to get done before school starts back (because I know once school starts I'll never get to):

*make room for a new student teacher

*clean my area (I don't have a desk, but an area with my teacher tools)

*fix a wobbly table

*replenish centers - change a few

*update sub tub

Whew.....I'm already tired just from thinking about what needs to be done......Well, I guess I better get busy!!!

Loooongggg Day at Six Flags

Wow, yes it is late and I am exhausted!!

My family has season passes to Six Flags and it will be closing here on Monday for the winter. So, I thought (since today was a wonderful 65 -70 degrees) we will go and enjoy Holiday in the Park. Great idea, huh????

Well, apparently EVERYONE in the North Texas area had the exact same idea.....and I do mean EVERYONE. At one point I checked how many people had "checked in" there via Facebook and it was 130,000+. WHOA!!

I have never seen such long lines. We were there for 5 hours and the kids got to ride the snow hill (we live in Texas so they were siked about real sledding) and the mine train. That was the entire trip. Oh Well! Now for resting time for mom!!! I'm glad I still have 5 more days to REST!

Have you been anywhere special lately?

I'm in Love with Walmart...At Least for Now!!

Ok, I know this is silly ......BUT, I love Walmart photo center. This is a new revelation because they have always bothered me before. Every semester I take new photos of the kids and print them out in wallet size for center cards.

Well I've been busy making our new center cards for my students. I made them PERFECT using Picknik. I was ready to pop in a flashdrive to put them on so I could go to Walmart and print (because Walmart's printers don't accept bluetooth from Iphone). --That is a whole other issue I have with Walmart. AAAHHH!!! I was so close to being done.

Then I made THE BEST discovery...You can upload photos from your computer, send them to Walmart via Walmart Photo Center, and they will text you when they are ready (or you can have them delivered to your house). The best part is it is cheaper than standing at one of those automatic machines!!

I'm sure everyone else already knew this - but that is AWESOME!!!!

Ok, back to break!!!

New Year's Resolution!!

I am joining -- A Teacher's Treasure Linky Party about New Year Resolutions!!!

Ugghh! Another year is coming to a close and that means.......it's time to start thinking of ways to improve myself, my life, and my career in this coming 2012 year.

Resolution Number #1: Eat Healthier -- It never seems to take long to get bogged down with work and kids that I start eating greasy fast-food or grab a bag of "a heart attack waiting". I absolutely HATE eating this way and want to make a change. I am determined that this year (2012) will be my year to change my eating habits. I am going to make myself a priority and ensure I carry containers of fresh fruit and veggies to school for snack time.

Resolution Number #2: Delve Deeper into the Blogging World -- I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all that I learn from blog hopping and I believe I am now addicted to blogging. It took me a while to start blogging, but now I am really getting the hang of this. There will be lots more from me in 2012!! Watch out world!!

Word Wall on Promethean

Here is a FREEBIE!!!

I use this promethean flipchart for my word wall. I think it is great and am offering it for FREE on TPT - Check it out!

Word Wall on Promethean <-- click here to get it for FREE!!

Jingle Bells

Here is a video of Jingle Bells that my kids loved. We played it several times each day as a transition. I have several sets of bells that I switched out among the kids. They could play the bells along with the song. We talked about the rhythm and patterns within the song. It was a great pick-me-up song throughout the month of December!