Getting Ready for Summer

Summer, ahhh that glorious word that is finally starting to be spoken around the school! Although I've still got 9 weeks (!) to go, I know some school districts are a little bit closer to that wonderful break, so I've started thinking about the end of the year already.

In addition to thinking about all the regular end of year things, my mind is also stuck on the job action taking place throughout my the province. We will see if that might mean a full-blown walkout.

But, let's forget about a little old thing like end of the year striking and focus on some more positive things, like prepping the students for next year!

That two month break can be looong for some students, especially struggling ones, so I've created some take-home booklets to send home with students over the break.

I have Daily Math versions for 1st-4th and they each have 40 days of math practice:

Each packet comes with instructions to create the mini-booklet:

I also have Word Problem a Day Booklets for 3rd & 4th. They also contain 40 days of word problems:

And finally, I've got a Daily Language Booklet for 1st grade:

What are you doing to prep for the end of the year? More importantly, how much longer do you have left?

Have a great week!

It's Snowing!

Yes, it is in fact snowing here - finally! I love snow, probably because we don't get a ton of it (maybe 1 or 2 days a year maximum). Although all it does it make me want to curl up with a book and some hot chocolate and not be productive at all!

Speaking of not being productive, this poor blog has been really neglected as of late. Between Valentine's Day and the Olympics (and all that reading, writing & math stuff thrown in) I have not posted in awhile.

Valentine's Day was great this year, probably due to the fact that it was on a Friday! We made a few Valentine-themed art projects including magazine heart trees:

Via Putti's World

and some line heart art (although I think the actual term is cubism!):

Via Budding Artists

They turned out cute and the kids loved them.

I've also been busy finishing up (& bundling) my Word Problem a Day packets. I now have a full year of word problems (12 packets) for 3rd and 4th grade.

You can click the pictures to check out the bundles or {HERE} if you are interested in single packets.

I guess it's now time to start planning for St. Patrick's Day and Easter, with a little Spring Break thrown in there too! I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by, only a few months left!

Enjoy the last bit of your weekend!

A New Year & Some New Units

Well, it is 2014! Hope everyone had a happy, safe holiday, but now it is *almost* time to go back to the classroom. Hopefully everyone is refreshed and ready to head back!

I took full advantage of my break by doing lots of reading, tons of sleeping, a bit of baking, and of course, a little working. I've finished up a few new units:

My New Year's Write the Room

My New Year's Word Problem a Day packets for 3rd & 4th

as well as Valentine's Day for 3rd

Alphabet Mini-Books

and finally, my Winter Printable Pack (10 Differentiated Math Printables) for 2nd Grade.

Click on the pictures if you're interested in any of the packets, and enjoy the little bit of holiday (or weekend for those of us not on holiday) left!

Word Problems and (Almost) a Freebie

How do you feel about word problems? Do you ever find that your students stare at the words and have no idea what to do? I seem to find this way too much with some math skills. I remember doing my practicum at the beginning of the year, in a fifth grade class, and asking doing a quick assessment on written form and place value. I was **shocked**. Some of the answers I got were completely unexpected. After that I remind myself to not assume that the students know the skills. Always do a quick formative assessment.

With some of these skills, I think the best thing to do is complete a basic skills review. That's where my Daily Math comes in and I've tried to do it again with my new math series:

These units include teacher task cards (in color and black & white), student versions (for use in interactive math journals), a student recording sheet and of course, the all important answer key. The task cards and student versions include the Common Core State Standard covered and are a quick (daily) way to review basic skills.

I've offered a few ways to use these in the class.

1) Assess oral listening skills by reading the cards to the students, and having them answer in math journals or on recording sheet.

2) Use the PDF version to project onto an interactive white board for students to read and complete.

3) Provide students with the student prompt version and have them glue into and complete in their interactive math journal.

Click on the pictures to check the units out. So far I've completed the Back to School and Fall packets for third grade.

Now onto the (almost) freebie:

I'm working on a new Halloween-themed math freebie, so check back soon for that!