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! :)

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.

What We Need is a SUPERHERO!

I don't know about the boys in your room, but mine are FANatics about Star Wars, Legos (Ninjago), superheroes (of all types), Pokemon, and Power Rangers.  Well, I haven't been able to find clip art (yet) for Ninjago, Pokemon, and Power Rangers, but I was successful with the Star Wars and superheroes!

So, I spent part of my day off creating two place value games and one on plural nouns using some of this fantastic clipart I found (and bought) over at scrappinggoodies.com!  (I have been hunting for the Star Wars one since I saw someone's cute game with it!).

While I am grateful that "Frankenstorm" didn't hit our area too hard here in central VA, it did cause some flooding and we've been out of school for 2 days.  What a week - we'll start on Halloween!  I have NOTHING ready (I had cute decorations, etc.) and after two extra days off, the kids will be more off than usual!  I hope the Star Wars and superheroes will help soothe my wilder boys! :)

Be sure to check out my newest additions to my teacher stores by clicking on the pictures below which will take you to Teachers Pay Teachers.  Clicking on the link beside the name will take you to Teacher's Notebook! :)

Place Value War:  Battle for the Empire {Teacher's Notebook}

X-Citing Numbers!  Comparing with <, >, and = {Teacher's Notebook}

 

Super Hero Plurals {Teacher's Notebook}

Knock Knock! Inspiration Calling! :)

"I love it when a plan comes together."

Okay, I admit it - I was watching A-Team with my husband the other night. :) However, wanted to share with you my latest inspiration/"pinspiration inspired" activities I'm doing with my kids! The best part...most of it is FREE since I'm sure you have these things lying around your classroom or home! ;)

As always, we continue on our journey of silent e/long vowel sounds for word study. I was soooo pleased this week when my groups GOT silent e! I had already made this paint card inspired activity, using a gold sharpie for the "e" (the paint cards are from Lowe's...I love the ones with the holes already in them!):


We said the short vowel word first (even if it wasn't a real word), then placed the gold "e" in the hole and voila! The kids knew by adding the "e" it made it loooong! :) (And they still enjoy being loud and using all our breath to say long o, and using short breath to say short o!). I am excited that my lower ones are getting this concept and I'm seeing it cross over into their reading. Woo hoo! :)

The next center is math, using popsicle sticks (the wider ones) and again, paint cards. Love those paint cards! My friend says they're going to start charging me soon :) (I make sure to "spread the wealth" and take them from different stores each time). We are beginning comparing numbers as well as inequalities. They'll use the card and match the sticks so that the math sentence is true:


The last is what we did for Science today. Total Pinterest-inspired! My kids did AWESOME on our have/need/give chart...coming up with some "gives" that I hadn't thought of! I think it really helped set our unit off to a great start! :)


I have to say a great big THANK YOU to my friend, Valerie over at Enriching Kinders for introducing me to Pinterest (if you haven't checked out her blog, you should!). I feel like I have become a much better teacher because of it! I get so inspired by what others post, as well as giving me inspiration for my kiddos! (I mean paint cards...who knew?). Hope everyone has a great week! :)