Two Math Games

It's important that children spend some time in conversation.  Brain research proves that, and as classroom teachers, we know we need to let them talk... sometimes!

Brain research also proves that getting the emotions involved helps the memory.  (Think back to those very emotional times of your own life... they bring back strong memories, don't they?  Think:  weddings, babies, holidays)

For those reasons, I make sure my kids play plenty of math games.  There are so many math skills that need to be repeated to be strengthened, and games can be played again and again!

Come on over to Elementary Matters to download these two math freebies!

What's up for Spring Games?

I am so ready for Spring!  Here in New Hampshire, the temperature seems to have trouble getting past the 40s, and there are still patches of snow everywhere, including my garden!

But Spring is in my heart, as well as my classroom.  

Games make up a big part of my centers, and I have several spring activities in my classroom!

Come on over to Elementary Matters to see some of my Spring Activities!

Eggs-cellent Freebie

Looking for some ideas for those cute little plastic eggs you find everywhere this time of year?

I've got a few ideas!  Come on over to Elementary Matters to download this freebie, and check out a few other ideas!

Number Sense with Cuisenaire Rods

I have some students in my class who don't quite have "number sense".  These are the kids who still don't automatically "count on" when adding two numbers together.  When determining the sum of two dice, they still count the dots!  These kids need more "hands on" opportunity to get to know these numbers inside out!

I absolutely LOVE Cuisenaire Rods for helping children develop their number sense.  I posted about them a while ago with THIS POST about using Cuisenaire Rods to practice math facts and fact families.  I've got some kids who need to back up even further and really need to get to know the individual numbers by using these manipulatives.


Come on over to Elementary Matters to see my ideas on using Cuisenaire Rods to develop Number Sense and download this freebie!

Golfing for Tens

Sometimes I amaze myself by how I keep thinking of school, even when they have a day off!  I took a day on Thursday because I had 3 medical appointments.  (I'm fine, just scheduled them all on the same day for convenience!)

I had some time to kill between doctor's appointments and so I stopped by the local Dollar Store.  My students need to start adding more than just single digits, so I thought I'd find a fun way for them to work on adding tens. Come on over to Elementary Matters to find out more about how my "Golfing for Tens" freebie came to be!

October is Freebie Time!

I just love this time of year!  I love it so much that I've got a few freebies that can be easily added to your collection!

1. A Calendar Freebie - Ideas for popular and not so popular holidays!
2. A Fire Safety Freebie - Partners discuss "what if" situations
3. A Football Freebie - Children play a board game to practice some Common Core skills
4. A Halloween Freebie - Reading, Writing, and Math activities with one of the children's favorite holidays.

Come on over to Elementary Matters for some freebie fun!

Starting the Year With Number Sense

I've been blessed with the gift of time!

Since I'm piloting a new math program this year, I've had some time at the beginning of the year to do some math activities of my choice before we start in with the new program.

Thanks to the ideas of Jessica Shumway's book, and lots of experience teaching math, I've been able to start the year with some valuable math experiences that will help the children internalize math concepts.  They're gaining Number Sense!  Come on over to Elementary Matters to see some of the math activities I've had a chance to do this year!

What would you do if you had time to choose what to teach in math?

Are You Ready for Some Football?

I love making games that my children enjoy and want to play!  I have several football fans in my classroom, and I put together some football games for them to play and develop their skills.  Come on over to Elementary Matters to see this freebie and several more football themed games!

Addition Strategies

This week, we've been using my Addition Strategies pack to review the different strategies to use when adding....

These are the strategies that are in the center/"assessment."

I gave the "test" today....it was interesting. First, they had to solve the problems that are on the paper, then they have to cut and paste the problems under the header of the strategy they used. I got to see some interesting "answers" today after working on the centers all week.

Go check it out...

There's a little Giveaway too!

Card Games for Fast Facts

I was lucky to have the opportunity to guest post for Raki's Rad Resources last week.  I told about a few games that can be played using a regular deck of cards, that can be used to develop mastery of basic addition and subtraction facts, and work on this standard from the Common Core:  2.OA.2. Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies.² By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.

I think this is probably the toughest standard for the little ones to master, and I'm constantly on the lookout for activities that will lead to mastery of these facts.  Be sure to stop by Elementary Matters to see more about these games and how to get the above freebie!

School Days!

Come on over and check out my Back to School centers!

For the 35th Time, Ending on a Monday

I have officially lived through 35 "last days of school" as a teacher.  (I'm not doing the math to include my last days of school as a student!)  This year ended up being one of my favorites.  Read on at Elementary Matters to find why, and to get a free copy of Things to Do During the Summer So the TV Doesn't Suck Out Your Brain, written by my students.
Sally

Order and Compare Numbers

One of our centers this week is to order and compare numbers.

The kids love using decks of cards!

Come on over to read all about it!

Cupcake Math

This week, we've been using a LOT of Laura Numeroff's books to help guide our lessons.

Come on over to see what kind of math we did with these cupcakes yesterday and grab your freebie!