Pinspirational

I'm lining up with Cara for another fun easy linky. It does require Pinterest--don't worry--I think most of us are familiar with this site. ;)

Just share some of your favorite pins.....funny-food-educational-decorative-diy etc.

Here are some of my school finds:
(I actually got this one because of the linky!)

Make a check-off list and use a smart device to check off. 


(source)

I think this would be great for meet-the-teacher, first day of school send home packets, etc. It seems to take quiet a few steps but the end product is really nice. (source)

 Thee are not free templates, you can find them on TpT. I put some of them in my wish list and if they work half as good as they look they'll be a great resource! (source)

And these are free! (source)













Okay, now some foodie finds!!

Big giant s'mores! (source)

Baked mashed potatoes!! There isn't an original source but my pin has the directions.

Fried pickles. That.Is.All. (source)























And some decorative ideas!

Decorative ideas using plastic spoons! (source)

I like x-ray art, particularly flowers. (source)

Make letters from cardboard and wrap them in yarn. Cheaper than wooden letters. :) Here is the source of the blog, but not the direct post.
















Head on over and link up with Cara at The First Grade Parade

Math Chat + Math Giveaway

Hey everyone! I'm linking up today with Ashley from Just Reed to talk about math.

Math is actually one of my favorite things to teach. My district adopted an unusual math text about three years ago. To say it was an adjustment is a bit of an understatement.

My district adopted Math in Focus The Singapore Approach.

I was introduced into some new things. 

Number Bonds....in chapter 2. I know that they don't look hard but we pretty much start these in August and before addition.

{screen cap from Think Central}

This was difficult. Math in Focus wasn't very popular when we adopted it and it's slowly (like snail slow) growing in popularity. Well, I'm not here to review if for you...if you want that email me ;) 

Needless to say we've had to come up with some supplementals along the way. 

we made construction paper number bonds to use our manipulatives

I put number bonds into each math center I create (progressively getting more difficult)

Here's a link to a Number Bond freebie (picture below) 

I also created math journals for the first 5 or so chapters of the math book. 

check them out here

These are a few of the things I've done to supplement our math. There are also some GREAT pinterest and blog finds I've used. 

I'll be making these for visual cues this year:

{source: This is just a pinned image so I'm not sure of the original author}

{freebie! source}

I really have a ton of Pinterest finds so if you want to follow me on Pinterest I have two boards that contain math ideas Classroom Ideas and my new one--because I'm trying to organize--Math for K-2

I purchased (and use daily) Cara's Calendar Companion

{source}

I purchased this from Reagan from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits (and the kiddos loved it)

I really just try to make math enjoyable and interactive. I use manipulatives when I can, games when I can, fun phrases when I can, technology when I can, and like I mentioned in my last post--whiteboards...A LOT!

This year I'm going to try incorporating more literacy into math.  I want to do more writing about what we've done, how we came to our answer, and I want to read more books that have math themes. 

Have any of you used this book?

{from Amazon}

or these?

Math Start from Stuart J. Murphy

Well, if you sat through all of that, I'm impressed. 

I'm also participating in a giveaway for BlogLovin' followers!

Since this was a math post I'm going to give away my four Math Journals

check them out here

A second winner will receive their choice of items from my TpT Store

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Throwback Thursday

Today I'll be linking up with Cara over at The First Grade Parade. She has such a great idea to get the blog ideas flowing. You find an old post (maybe it was real popular, maybe there's a freebie, maybe you were a newbie and not a lot of people saw it, maybe you just plain like it)

Last summer I really picked up blogging steam. For a few weeks in a row (before 5 for Friday took over my blogging Fridays) I'd blog about some of my favorite pins.

click here to link up

Here's my Throwback for Thursday!

**Click link to go to source of pin**
1. Using Unifix cubes to teach coin value
Such a neat visual and kiddos should be able to count by 5s by the time you introduce money.


2. Sight Word Uno
I love all things Uno! This was great. To beat it all, it's FREE!
 
3. Flip Chute!!!
This is so neat you really need to watch the video to understand. Soooo many possibilities.
 

4. Labeling your stuff!
Every year I have my teacher supplies for the kiddos to borrow. They're kept in a special place and I often spend the time to write BC somewhere on the item. We all know that that Sharpie does eventually wipe off though...sigh. So not only does that happen but there will be those times that the kiddos get out their crayon box and you revert to being a 7yr old and in your head you say, "Hey, those are my scissors!" Well, why not use some jazzy duct tape. No disputing that.

(I had pink duct tape on all of my dry erase markers, glue sticks, and scissors---it was bright pink so I knew who exactly had my materials and maybe needed to clean our their desk or get a note sent home about stocking supplies--2013)

5. Teacher Tipster.com---Chart Folders
These are so neat. I really hope you've checked out his videos. He has tons of ideas, especially if you're into musical teaching or attention grabbing strategies. Ever hear, "What do we do when we're done?" Well here's one idea you copy some things for the kiddos to work on...like math facts, handwriting, connect-the-dots, spelling, etch. You slide it into a sheet protector and put it in their binder (I use math binders so it'll be easy for me to integrate) and Poof! instant stuff to do when they're done.

I saw it on Pinterest Linky Party

Just like Amber over at Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher I am constantly saying "I saw it on Pinterest"...most people nod their head along and then tell me about their pinning adventures. It's just the one or two friends I have that don't 'pin' that kinda look at me crazy from time to time. Haha.

I've decided to Linky Up and share some of my Pinning faves. Some I've tried and loved and others I am dying to do.



1. My Classroom Ideas Board
I really want to read up on Daily 5 this summer so there are a ton of Pinterest ideas that catch my eye.



Visual Rubrics



Revamp my clip chart (this one is my current one but I may add graphics/borders)

Click on image to read about my classroom management

Two words: Crate Seats



2. DIY
Baked Marbles (so pretty!)               Elmer's Glue on Canvas then painted
                              

3. Holidays
Cocoa Snowmen                                 Melted snowman cookie
                           

4. Yummy Recipes
Bourbon St. Chicken (I've made this one...DELICIOUS)


Homemade Almond Joy                           Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
                           

Okay, I really really have dozens upon dozens more pins that I love but I tried (really hard) to narrow it down.

Click below to check out my boards




This FABULOUS Linky Party was found on




This FABULOUS Linky Party hosted by