Counting Up Game

My school adopted Math in Focus a few years ago. It's based on the Singapore approach. It's a difficult program and at times I feel some of it isn't developmentally appropriate. It is a great program for enrichment in first.

 

That being said...it's what we have and it's what I'm going to do my very best with. I don't know a lot of other people using the program so I'm definitely cranking out materials to help my kiddos learn while keeping with the program.

Right now we are working on subtraction. We've already completed Chapter 3 over addition. One of the subtraction strategies that is taught is counting up to find the difference. I will say that this program has a lot of CD and online resources. The text, in first grade, offers some games to correlate with some of the math strategies.

The game we were working on this week after introducing the lesson the kiddos loved!

•  Each pair of student receives 10 counters (I used linking cubes)
• Student A chooses 1-10 cubes and puts them in the middle
• Student B closes their eyes and Student A takes away 'some' of the cubes
• Student B counts how many remaining cubes there are and then counts up to the beginning number

I teach the kids to grab and count (post on that coming soon) but I tried to give the directions as general as possible.

I finished Set 2 of my math journals! I created 30 journal prompts and I based them on my math curriculum but luckily Math in Focus coincides with several CCS. That was one of the selling points to the program. Set 2 covers varied addition strategies.

Click here to check out Set 2
Click here to check out Set 1 (my best selling item!)

Some Set 1 feedback:
"We just adopted Math in Focus as our new curriculum and I'm excited to have extra handouts to accompany the lessons."

"Loved the graphics! I can't wait to share this with my students."

"Great resource! Thank you for creating this!"

Running Records Template *freebie*

Before I get into my actual post I wanted to make it Blog official (that's better than fb, right?) Johnny and I are over. Done. Finito. Johnny Appleseed that is....and at least until next September when we rekindle our teachmance.

 Our Johnny Appleseed Writing
We wrote about what we'd plant and what we'd do if we were him. Most kids decided that they would 'wear no shoes'. I was Miss Orangeseed for the remainder of the day.

Here is a close up our little guys. I was all enamored with my bulletin board until the other first grade teacher told me that this guy looked like Timmy from South Park...and he does. So now I giggle.

 My kiddos are super creative and quite a few are artsy.

This kiddo wanted to plant bnanu (banana) seeds.


I'd like to thank Primary Possibilities for the great Johnny Appleseed freebie packet.











I have created, using Microsoft Word 2003, an editable running records form.

You'll see that you can type the story in the blank and at first there will be significant spacing, but that is part of the settings. Once the full sentence is typed it will appear normal. Click here to check them out in my TpT store.















I did running records a lot when I first started. It was part of a reading program that the school where I worked did. I like to hear the kids read and see their growth but it just seemed like I was always testing or progress monitoring something and this kinda fell off my plans. Now that I'm trying D5 (I'm still only doing D3) I'm going to *try* to do these toward the end of the week when I pull kiddos during my rotations.

Do you do running records? Is it by choice or is it mandated?




***EDIT***
I am sorry for any inconvenience some of you may have had. This was actually created using Publisher 2003, not Word. I tried changing it to word but I lost formatting.

*Permission to pin*

September's almost over?!

When did that happen? Where did the beginning of the year go? When did my summery bright decorations get replaced with apples and fall foliage colors?

Well, another busy week in 106 with me. I'm up to "Daily 3" lol. Not quite at the 5 but what I do have is going smoothly. My PowerPoint to transition stations is working well. I added animations and a background to my classroom ppt and the kiddos are really being independent when switching and I'm getting One-to-Small Group time with each kid nearly every day. I really love the small groups I've been able to pull but am struggling to get through the reading series materials now.

This week we started Mountain Language

Stock Photo.

Mountain Language is a program that teaches and practices different language arts and phonics skills weekly. This is the 5th year I've used it and I really enjoy it. By introducing and practicing with some of these topics now it's so much easier when I get to them in a few months. (i.e. contractions, naming part, telling part) They also make a Mountain Math. Check it out.





 We started Centers (which follow Mountain Language)

I currently do Centers during our RTI time. My school is not a Title I school so we may do things differently than many of you. During this time students are pulled out and work in leveled groups. I'm left with the median kiddos mostly.

I have a pocket chart (to the left) that came with our reading series. It's purple which is a bit nicer than all those blue ones I have. I mainly like it because of the deep pockets.

As you can see I have 5 groups. They are color coded (because the containers for the activities are colored) The kids are in that color all week but may do or redo any activity they'd like within their group. I pull kids during this time as well.

I also have a group that does computer time. Right now they're doing Reading Eggs. 

Here are my magazine boxes filled with center activities. They do math and reading activities during this time but I have a separate set of Word Work choices for  D5 time. 

 Do your kids bring in tissue boxes? I love the ones with the plastic guard. I use these for my math and nonsense word fluency games They're great! (and free) I put the cards in there and the kiddos draw one out. This box is cute but some of the other boxes get a butcher paper/wrapping paper makeover.





Oh and those of you that have purchases my Spelling Packet I wanted to let you know that I updated it to include traceable pages to practice heading a spelling test.

 

Google Docs is now Google Drive so I'm not 100% sure about imbedding a document anymore but if you go to TpT and download the preview of this item you'll get this freebie. The whole packet is only $2. 

 

September Craftivity

If you're like me you're in apple mode right now. I know soon I won't want to look at another apple for many months though, lol.  I've found a ton of great resources through your blogs and on Pinterest and I'm excited to try them out. Today we'll be graphing our favorite kinds of apples which is a nice break from our current math chapter.

Here is a little craftivity that the other first grade teacher gave me. I should mention that I'm not sure of the source and the template has been redrawn but it's not our original material.

Click here to go to my TpT store for a free download! Happy Appling (that's a word, right?)

#PermissionToPin

Behavior Management Linky!

I can't turn down a good linky party! (Even if I'm fashionably late sometimes.)

Based on my teaching experiences and the multitude of classroom exposure I received during college and post graduation (a lot of subbing and long-term leaves) I have been fortunate to see so many classroom management plans in action. It is one thing to read it online but I was lucky enough to see them in action. I used card flips up until last year. It was effective but after having a very challenging year with 27 firsties I wanted something new. (I really feel like I had to say "Flip Your Card" a lot to that group)

I found a few choices online and I really liked the clip chart. It had consequences and the physical act of moving a clip down gave a visual and kinesthetic reminder. It also focused on good behaviors, too. I used it last year, with an awesome class, and it was great. I'm doing it this year and so far so good but I can see how this wouldn't work with every class.

My Clip Chart

When kiddos make it to the top of my clip chart, "Role Model",  they get a little jewel on their clip...which they love. This year they also get to go to my DumDum plant and get a sucker.

My DumDum plant

 

To check out my packet on TpT and the great feed back I received click here

Well, when I was blog hopping I found not only this awesome linky but I read the lastest post from Mrs. Stanford and she just happened to be blogging about this very topic. Awesome! She blogged about something new (to me) called ClassDojo. She did a great video on it and that video explains it better than I can. However, I might use it to record where the kiddos end up on my clip chart. This way I can print reports and track behavior patterns. You can edit the categories and reward or subtract points. (How cool would this be on your SmartBoard?!)

 

My edited categories on Dojo

I'm always looking for new ideas and systems. Link up an share your ideas!

Halloween Math Centers (and a freebie)

September is fun. The weather cools down a bit, cool colors appear in nature, and Johnny Appleseed units are fun...but really it's just a stepping stone to October for me. I love the seasonal and spooky ideas and decorations. I've created some math centers to use during October for my groups.

I really wish I could share some pictures of the finished products but we're waiting on laminating film at my school...so that's put up a road block for me. I think I see a personal laminator in my future. (I just needed an excuse people, they're nifty!)

• Practice time to the hour and half hour
• Doubles addition facts
• Number sequencing
• Dice addition
• Odd and Evens
• Most of the centers come with a follow-up worksheet that can be used to assess mastery or used as an independent assignment.

Click here to check this out in my TpT store

Oh and here's a freebie with a Halloween theme:

Click image to enlarge. Then, right click and save image as... For your freebie

Be the first one to pin this & leave the link in a comment and I'll send you a free copy! Oh, and leave your email, too.

Me: C was your paper book signed?
C: (mumbles) Ummm
Me: -waiting-
C: Well, either it was or it wasn't. (with a straight sincere face)
Me: Yes, I know that. It has to be one of those. Go check your folder
#YouMightBeaFirstGrader

Storia app and free ebook downloads!

So the other day when I posted about my faboo (if I do say so myself) PowerPoint idea for rotating stations/centers I mentioned #Storia. Have you used it?

Like many of you I send home a Scholastic book order. (POINTS!!!!) I send home the grade level one and sometimes I send home "Click" the technology one with games and techy things to order. I also encourage my parents to order online. I mean, they get free book coupons, I get free book coupons, and I don't have to deal with those messy checks.

Now Scholastic has an app (and a download for the computer) to get books directly to your device! Best of all teacher pals....download now and get a total of 10 free books. The books do vary in levels, but c'mon...if it's free it's for me. (haha)

I have the app on my iPad but I'm going to ask our tech lady at work to put it on my student computers so that when I buy Storia books they can read them on the computer. This would be awesome if you have classroom iPads.

Pros:

• 10 free books for teachers
• 5 free books for parents
• Available as an app or computer download
• Some books have an interactive feature (indicated by a lightning bolt)
• audio (story read to the student)
• questions about story or picture
•  my book below had the option for an alternate ending
• Teachers still get points when parents download ebooks (and you don't have to send home a flyer for them to buy them, they can go online to buy more)
• Free app
• Need a book last minute...can't go to the store...library doesn't have...ebook to the rescue!

Cons:

• Limited (but growing) library of books
• Cannot download books from the app, must go online to download and then sync to your app (as far as I can tell, please correct me if I'm wrong.

My main screen. You can make bookshelves for your different books.

Some of my *freebie* books

Turning the page on my free apples books

Some stories have the option for an audio reading.

Sorry my pics are all out of order...sigh...here is my free seasonal book

In addition to having an audio option some books have interactive features.

Another interactive feature

Tell me something good

I dare you to not start singing that song!!

I follow Rowdy in First Grade on Twitter (I'm @MissCosbyin106 btw) and earlier she tweeted this great linky.

No matter how many years you've been teaching the first few weeks can be kinda rocky. I could probably write a whole page about the rocks and stumbles...BUT what fun is that, lol.


So, this linky is only about good things happening!

Something Good from School:

• We're doing 'counting on' for addition and I think I can say that 90% of them get it. I mean really get it!

We do Singapore Math (Math in Focus)

• I've been bucking for a classroom rug for a while. I *may* be getting it. (Fingers crossed)

 

•  I had an all day meeting yesterday and my sub graded everything! (and did it well)
• I teach a specific segmenting and blending strategy and I'm seeing kiddos use it unprompted. (this is probably the most awesome so far!)
• Fall decorating time!!!

Oh...and my class is kinda the bees-knees. lol This morning (without prompt) I just watched as many of them had their morning procedures down!!! They're a good group overall and so much fun.

Something good from home

• I went camping, well glamping,  with a group of my friends last weekend! Some are from college and have moved away and others live 30 minutes away but we're just too busy and have different schedules. It was so much fun. We played a pretty fun game called Quelf...oh my word..it was a hoot. 
• Oh, and it's almost fall with all the great fall decorations, foods, holidays, and of course my birthday in October!

Click here and link up!!

Rotation Organization

I am building stamina with my firsties. I really wish I could say we were consistent and I did it daily...as the name suggests. We are up to 10 minutes in Read to Self and today we try for 9 or 10 in Read to Someone. (I'm pausing them at 10 for a while) I'm excited. They're really getting the procedures down and since we've started actual reading instruction and not just kindergarten review many of them are reading what they can. I will start rotations soon and I found some super cute rotation visuals for the kiddos for grouping. I found pocket chart inserts, clip chart posters, and a few other ideas. Well, these were cute...I even saved some and printed one of them. I practiced the other day with a few rotations to get them into the swing of things. It was difficult since they were back to back. I've since though of a few ideas to make them smoother. One of the ideas I thought of was a timed powerpoint. (This was totally my fave because I didn't have to watch a clock or set a timer) Watch the video below to see how I practiced rotations for our second go around. (I plan to make it pretty and add some cool effects soon...but for now...bare minimum)

Oh, and while I have you...have you used the Storia app?! Amaze. I'll post more about it later.

**I've uploaded the most bare bones template of this to my TpT store for free. Feel free to use it as a starting point. If you decide to do this please leave a comment here or on the YouTube video and a link for me to check it out!**

Letter Circles

In first grade we practice so many letters and their sounds...and combinations of letters and their sounds. I wanted to have some practice letters that fit the color scheme (kinda) of my room. Here is what I came up with to practice these letters and create a sound wall.(Click to enlarge)

Check it Out

Each time we introduce a new letter sound I'll pull out the corresponding circle and practice it daily, probably during our morning meeting.

Some other ideas:

• If you have a focus wall this would be a cute addition. 
• You could also hang them all in advance and expose the children to them as a preview to upcoming lessons.
• Find pictures of items that have the sounds you're practicing and use these as sorting mats.
• Find pictures of items that have the sounds you're practicing and glue them to a clothespin and clip the picture to the correct sound
• Word wall word headers (for a sound word wall)

How else could you use them?
Have other first grade letter combo suggestions?

September Currently

Listening--> My cable provider had On Demand channels. MTV is one of them and they have Vintage MTV as an option. Now, I don't watch a lot of MTV but I love the challenges! This one is The Ruins from like 2009.

Loving-->I got some errands ran, chores done, and put in some family time. I also got to catch up on some sleep. This was a great stay-cation.

Thinking-->On that note...I have to set my alarm tonight, ick! (I wish my alarm had pleasant wake up tones...)

Wanting-->To be fair there isn't a lot wrong with my phone...except that I've had it about 2 years. I'm currently rock the HTC EVO 4g. Not a bad phone...but I'm wanting an iPhone.

Needing-->I've spent some valuable hours today blogging and pinning. I'm okay with putting stuff in the washer..and even the dryer...but taking it out of the dryer is no fun to me. Oh, and I stayed late Friday to get some stuff ready...so my copies are made and I organized a bit...but didn't technically write any plans down...oops.

3 Favorite things--> 
1. My ipad is aweome. That. Is. All.
2. My Sonicare toothbrush...love it. I got it a few years ago as a gift but I was too cheap to keep buying the toothbrush heads for it. Target had their brand on clearance...I jumped on it!
3. Wow, it really sounds like I like sleep, huh. I do...The transition back to school was rough so I'm thankful for a few extra hours this weekend.

I promise the next one won't be all about sleep.

Head over and linky up!

Labor Day Sale

I love looking through sales ads and there are some cool Labor Day sales...so I thought I'd have one too! All of my TpT items are 15% off for the rest of today!