Math Freebies!

Wow, where has March gone?  Granted, part of it we've been buried in snow and ice!  I realized the other day we've missed more holidays this winter!  It snowed out Valentine's Day, kept moving our 100th Day, snowed out Dr. Seuss/Read Across America (we only went that Thursday!), and then St. Patrick's Day.  Okay, old man Winter, that's enough!  I won't even mention what's in the forecast for this Tuesday!

So, because we've missed, I think, 18 days since January, our time has been crunched!  As in, they wanted us to teach Regrouping with Addition and Subtraction WITH Estimation in 4 days, and then test.  Um, yeah.  It's a brand new concept for our 2nd graders, and they think we'll do that in 4 days????  I wish "they" would come in and work with my 10 kiddos that haven't gotten it after 4 days!  (Shh!  I'm adding 2 extra days next week and testing on Wednesday.)

I told some of my friends in the upper grades what they wanted us to do and they about flipped!  I have to admit, I'm glad they had the same reaction I did!

Well, several years ago, my kiddos (who are now in 6th grade) made videos explaining regrouping with subtraction.  I dug it up and showed it to my class on Friday AND I presented a poster I made to help them along.  We use base 10 blocks when regrouping so students can "physically move" the ten over to the ones place.  I also created a unit to help them as well, starting with base 10 blocks and gradually weaning away from them (although  I told students they could always draw them on a test!).


I fear some of my lowest ones still will not get this concept, even after 2 extra days of practicing, so we're using our extra 15 minutes a day they added on to our schedule to practice regrouping with white boards/markers.

After regrouping, we have fractions.  They wanted that in 4 days as well (what are these people thinking???).  We have to introduce comparing fractions, so I actually spoke up and said I needed a week and a half.

Why the rush?  They want us to post test after spring break, which is the week of April 21st.  Granted, SOL tests for our 3rd-5th graders starts May 12, so they have to pull all our computers/laptops for that.  Hmm, but if my calendar skills are correct, that is at least 2 weeks after we post test.   Oh, did I mention that our last day of school is May 30 and we won't have taught measurement by then, but we were told that wouldn't count against us!!!!! (because we'll have the rest of the year to teach that!!!!).

Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now....anyone else having this problem and would like to vent?  My comments are open :)

So, where are these freebies I teased you with in the title?

First, I revamped my "Gumball Fractions" to include comparing and gave it a cute frame.  I'm all about the cute clipart and frames! :)  You can either copy the gumballs on colored paper, or have the kids color them and paste them on the gumball jar.  Since I'm already doing smarties and marshmallows for another activity, I figured this would have to be a inedible version :)

Click {here} for TpT and {here} for Teacher's Notebook.

My other freebie is my Regrouping poster.  It's part of my Regrouping Packet I mentioned above.  Our PTA bought us a poster maker that prints in color (!), but if you don't have one, the kids can always put this in their math journals.

Please click on the "free preview" to snag the poster! :)  Click {here} for TpT and {here} for TN.

Oh, and here's the video - too cute! :)  I also have it on my math wiki page as well. :)

Um....a little less Currently than usual....

I'm a little late to the party, but that's okay.  

Okay, so they're calling for a BIG STORM on Wednesday.  I have to admit, I love snow days like the kids.  However, I like mine spaced out.  We had a whole week out of school back in January!  It was insane!  Now they're calling anything from 4-10 inches of snow!  AUGH!

We're already on extended school day and any other missed days add on to the end of the year.  Also, my kids thrive on consistency.  Once they're in the routine, they do all right.  The day here, day there, delay here - it doesn't help our productivity!  January was the WORST month all year about turning work in!  We had a "put everything on top of your desk" day on Friday - it was not pretty.

So....the "wanting" - I am undecided.  I mean, I can't stop the weather, but I can hope it changes to rain?  Then again, that could be a flood day in my county!  *rolls eyes*

I am soooo loving the Olympics.  Can you tell which one is a fib?  If you looked at it and said "HOW can she NOT like the opening ceremonies?"  You're right - I didn't.  I LOVED IT!  Soooo cool!  I keep trying to find video to show my kiddos who missed it and I'm about at the point of recording it from my DVR using a video camera!

So, that's me in a nut shell right now.  Loving the Olympics, doing several themed activities in class (including a medal count by continent - geography and math together, gotta love it!).  Getting ready to start my Polar Unit (my fave!).

So, sitting in grade level meeting today and looking over our resources for abbreviations....threw out some nasty looking worksheets, you know the ones - you kept them because it's what you had, but they look so dry and boring!  Last year, I made 3 different activities for abbreviations.  Recently, I've been into the "write the room" activities (I had always thought they were too low for my 2nd graders - duh!).  Looked for one in abbreviations.  Couldn't find one.  So, I made one!

Thought it was cute and I'd tie in with the kids that abbreviations are like the Transformers - they can "change" they way they look.  Or, like a super hero, it's like a "secret identity."  You get the picture!

So, please check it out!  I hope you enjoy it!  I added some female super heroes in for my girls, although they'll just enjoy getting up and moving around like my boys!


Thanks for checking out my blog and following me - I have added another "freebie" if you'd like to check it out! :)  Click on the pic below!

 

Grrrreater Than/Less Than (and other math ideas)

Am I the only teacher who has file folders stuffed with worksheets from previous math texts, Mailbox printables, and assorted worksheets?

Well, in preparing for my unit where we cover place value, comparing numbers, inequalities, money, and rounding (say all that in one breath!) in, oh, 21 days or less (thanks snow!), I pulled out my stuffed file and stared at the massive collection that's piled up after 5 years of teaching second grade.  

I personally don't want to be the death of an entire forest when I want a little from this worksheet, and a little from that one.  A light came on, and I realized - why not make my own?  I mean, I'd rather NOT copy about 12 sheets about comparing numbers (because honestly, how many times do we pull out the whiteboards and markers and practice?).  So, tah dah!  I put them together in a cute little polar bear (because I love cutesy clip art pages!) themed sheet that covered each of the concepts I wanted off those 12 sheets!  I did separate 2-digit and 3-digit pages because some of my kiddos need to move a little slower than others.

Check it out!  If you'd like a copy, just click on it to take you to Google Drive.  

I also came across a goodie I created last year (sad you don't think about them till you open the folder!).  I am always so boy heavy that I remember looking for anything "boyish" for clip art to motivate some of my, er, less than motivated boys!  

I also created this "Battle for the Empire" for Place Value that my group this year (even the girls) went nuts over!  We played this on Friday and it's already in their "B" center for next week by popular demand!  (Good thing my Olympic-themed centers I have are good for a couple weeks!).

 

For inequality, I went cheap but practical with an idea I found and tweaked on Pinterest last year.  My husband said they're going to lock up these cards one of these days when they see a teacher coming!  I also created a "bird brain" center - aren't they cute?

As for Rounding, I found this great support last year that soooo helped my struggling learners.  We also had a suggestion by our math specialist to bump ahead and teach temperature (our standards say the students need to read the thermometer to the nearest 10).  Makes sense, right?


I also pulled out some rounding games I'm sure my kiddos will really like I've made over the years!

 

I keep telling myself that one of these days, I'll be happy with the units I've created and not "tweak" (or redo) them each year!  Somehow, I just don't think that will happen! :)

Time and Money Review

If there's one thing Math Investigations does NOT cover well, it's time and money.  Last year, I did a whole separate unit on those two subjects, because I was worried about waiting until the end of the year to combine it with Unit 9 Measurement. 

Well, with our snow days this year (we're out again on Wednesday), I'm worried that we may not even have time for that!  So, I created two centers that dealt with time and money. 

I have a mix of students in my class, from students with special needs, ESL students, students who are on grade level, and advanced students.  Everything I make, I try to create a variety so that a student isn't frustrated nor bored.

So, today, I decided to create "clip cards" after seeing something similar on Pinterest that was definitely higher than 2nd grade!  If I'm not too busy copying and laminating everything tomorrow :) I might create one for sentences and punctuation!  (Also, I have "homophones" on the to do list since some of my students still think these are rhyming words!).

I thought they turned out pretty well.  I mean, I have to do something to support my clip art habit, right? ;)

Click on the pics below to take you to Teachers Pay Teachers or if you're a Teachers Notebook kinda person, click {here} for Time and {here} for Money.

Confessions of a Clip Art Junkie

I have a confession.

I am addicted to clip art.  (Or is it clipart?  I am never quite sure!).

It's sad, but true.  I have a huge folder that is filled with clip art.  I try my best to use every piece, but sometimes I just buy it because it's on sale or it's too cute and a great price, etc.  It's almost as bad as my container addiction (which keeps me out of Dollar Tree - my husband got tired of the argument that it was only $1!).  Sooo....I have so many pieces of clip art (and yes, I download every free one that's in the teacher stores newsletters!) that some, I actually forget I have and haven't used it!

Also, is it taboo to use it again after you used it once?  

So, wanting some almost forgotten (but not quite) pieces of clip art to feel some love, I looked through the files to find something I could use for comparing numbers (a skill some of my students have difficulty with).

Ninjas.  Ya gotta love them!  How could I have not used this before???? (I ask myself this every time!).  Click on the title picture for TpT and {here} for Teacher's Notebook.

Then, knowing my 2nd grade readers are struggling with cause/effect, I decided to use fairy tales to make a game/practice for them.  I mean, who doesn't know fairy tales?  I figured this way, we weren't reading AND reviewing at the same time.  (I'm also going to use the "If You Give A" books as well).  Looking through my vast folders, did I find any fairy tales?  Two.  Rather, one and a half, since one was mostly princess (and that group is boy-heavy).  

Sooo....yep, you guessed it.  Had to go and look for more.  The good news is I found a new clip art vendor!  Bad news - it just fed my addiction more!  Yikes!  *Sigh*  Is there a 12-step program?  Click on the title page for TpT and {here} for Teacher's Notebook.

A Productive Day!

Well, other than the distraction of free preview weekend on the satellite AND the fact that our 2 hour delay went to closed due to ice, it was a pretty productive day!  

Thinking of some of the upcoming math topics, as well as ones we need to review, I came up with two seasonal fun activities!

 

Click on the title pics to check it out at my TpT store, or click Groundhog or Valentine for my TN links!

Busy Week and FREEBIE!

Whew!  We just finished our first FULL week of school (we started on Wednesday the 14th).  I have quite the crew this year - I am slowly remembering my high school spanish (phrases and words) for my nonenglish student, implementing whole brain teaching with my class, and surviving changes, switches, and all that comes with the beginning of the school year!

That being said, I am currently planning for next week.  As most of you know, we follow Investigations here at my school for K-2.  Of course, if you know that, you know how un-fond I am of that design, but I am trying my best to push it into small groups (how else can you teach math???) and fit our state standards.  

That being said, it does have its merits in some of the games that they have created.  

One of my current class's favorites right now is "Guess My Number."  They love it so much, they've requested it as a BUILD center!  Gotta love that as a teacher!  It focuses on choosing a "secret number" and you basically narrow it down as students guess.  It's a great way to become familiar with the hundreds chart, with number sense, as well as greater than/less than.

Sooo.....I usually use a hundreds chart and dry erase markers (or a number line if we're playing it whole class), but knowing my kids this year, they might need a "refresher" with the rules, so I created a template for the game with some "reminders" of what to do.  Knowing I was offering it to my followers, and how brain-dead I am on a Friday :) I threw in a couple of extra pages with a sample game and sample dialogue, as well as an explanation!

You can click {here} to download it from Google Drive.  If you share it with others, that's fine.  All I ask is that you give me credit and send them to my blog to follow me if interested!  You can also find it in my TPT store as a freebie as well!

Happy Weekend! :)

Keeping Busy With a Hodgepodge of Activities!

Feel the same way?

With the end of the year fast approaching (yikes!  16 days - scary but exciting at the same time!), we're starting to begin review mode with centers and other areas as we're still trying to finish up units!

So, I thought I'd show you what I've been working on this week.

Our butterflies emerged from their chrysalis!  We said goodbye on Wednesday (all 5 made it!).  It was hard, because at first, they didn't want to come out!  We made sure to release them in the field behind our school, near the woods and away from the playground and bus loop!

 Our "Flat Stanleys" started coming in this week!  So far, our Stanleys have visited Newport News (VA), Utah (Great Salt Lake), Texas (Austin), and California (Fort Irwin).

We are finishing up our prefix/suffix unit and I was rather disgusted with some of the sheets I had because they combined prefixes (which is a good thing because it saves paper, right?) but was wrong for the order I was teaching it in!  My kiddos do better with an activity on the carpet and then an independent one at their seat to "seal" their learning.

So, if you're not happy, change it, right?  I created a set of activity sheets with ONE prefix or suffix per page, and made them look fun so my kiddos would enjoy themselves as well as learning (very important this time of year to catch their attention!).  

I also played around with some shapes on Microsoft Publisher and created flowers.  I always do a flower activity to decorate our tree in the hallway with prefixes and suffixes!  I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out!

I also had a few review items I've made previously and then realized I hadn't shared nor had I put them on TpT or TN!  These I've either already used or are using them for review (or both!).  Click on the pictures on the ones you'd like to check out closer!

Okay, well, sorry for the double blog post today but Blogger's schedule kinda messed me up with the announcement of the Teacher's Notebook sale/drawing.  I also saw where they are offering a $5,000 scholarship to an online university for a Master's in Teaching!  That's in addition to the drawing they're holding for the $100 Oriental Trading Gift Card.  Wow!  You can click on the link in my earlier post to take you there! (I'll be adding a sidebar one soon!).

Be sure to check out my sale thru the 10th - everything in my store SHOULD be (I say should because I found one item that had gotten overlooked!) 50% off and with TN's extra 10% off, that's 55%!!!!!  Please be sure to stock up - it's a great opportunity!  Several items are less than 50 cents!!!!