Howdy, friends. I am getting more preparation done for my classroom as I know you are too (if are lucky enough and have not started school yet!) I presented some staff development workshops this summer and was able to share my classroom with other teachers in my district. Just for the record, these teachers are the inspiration behind "Kindergarten Down River." They helped me realize the full potential of my vocation. Thank you, Texas friends. During these workshops, a specific format is used. It goes something like this: I model and share a piece of a lesson and then the teachers share the instructional strategies they saw present. This really holds me accountable for the correct modeling of these strategies. Finally, the teachers apply the strategies that I shared during the workshop by modeling their own mini-lesson with a small collaborative groups. I am a "newer" teacher in comparison to many of the teachers whom I meet at these workshops, but they are truly so excited to learn "new tricks" (as one sweet teacher shared with me in an email today.) In college, this newer generation of teachers has been taught more about building a classroom community of learners, rather than being taught content knowledge (I have a real problem with this--but that is not the topic of this post!) Many of the cooperative learning strategies that can be utilized in the classroom are much newer to a large group of these teachers. I must say, my school district has put a lot of emphasis on the structure of the classroom and I have yet to see a classroom, at the schools I have worked at, with individual desks separated into "the grid." Here are a few tricks that you would see if you walked into Kindergarten Down River: Students are grouped in teams of three or four. All students are separated into teams of three or four. Smaller groups allow (force) students to communicate. Any group larger than four usually is more problematic as far as behavior is concerned. Each student chooses a number in the group (1, 2, 3, or 4--depending on group size). Students have the choice to pick the number so they have ownership of it. Each student is required to know the response to my question because they do not know who is will be called on in their group. (I tell them after they have time to discuss! This way every student is "on the hook" or accountable!) Each group is assigned a different color. I place $1.00 small metal buckets in the middle of the tables that are the color of the team. (Target sells these in the party aisle. Hobby Lobby has some in seasonal and party sections.) When I dismiss groups to join me at the rug or line-up for lunch, I use their group color. There are other variations to this: You can use shapes, numbers, or academic vocabulary words that change but meet a specific unit. I have lots of great ideas on how to do this, but I stick to colors as it is just easier for me to remember. Once you get in a habit, it is hard to break it! I have a small metal bucket with spoons in it. Yes, I said, "Spoons!" Cups or Buckets to Label Table Group/Spoons to Call on Students Each spoon has a number on it. The number written on the spoon represents the student in the group is that number for their group (See Step 2 if you forgot already!) I just bought these new Crayola plastic cups the last time I was in San Antonio at H-E-B for 66 cents. I only used standard white plastic spoons for this with Sharpie marker written numbers. My friend, who I often collaborate with, gave me a great idea this summer. Have you been to a frozen yogurt shop lately? Does your favorite shop stick a funky spoon in your yogurt when you pay? Mine does! Take a break, grab some "fro-yo" (I think that is what the youngsters call it), and SAVE YOUR SPOON. The future of the Earth depends on it. Think about your carbon footprint. You can save the planet! Here the routine I use to implore this strategy now that you have all the key pieces: Tell the students that, "In just a minute you will be responsible for discussing a question with your team. It is important that all team members have a turn to speak. When each member has a turn to speak, you need to work together to come up with a response for your team. You will not know who I will be calling in, so it is important that everyone is ready to share." Ask ALL of the students a question. Have all the students repeat the question. (This helps build language skills which is very important in a classroom with a high ratio of English learners.) Then, tell the students something to note that they need to begin. I say, "Heads together," and use a visual cue. The visual cue I use for this command is I put both of my fists together which represents the word, together. I allow enough time for students to process the information, being mindful that some students need additional time. Then, I call all of the students "back together." I say, "Back together." All of the students who are finished put their eyes on me. Anyone that is in the middle of their conversations, finish up quickly and then put their eyes on me. (This is a routine I teach that values all students and their processing times.) I grab my metal bucket with spoons in it and I mix them up. As I am mixing them up, the students all stare at me because they are very curious as to what number I will pull out of the bucket. (This is why I emphasize that each student should be prepared.) I pull a spoon out of the bucket and reveal the number to the students. Typically, they all shout out the number on the spoon. This is one less job for me and helps them read their numerals which supports our mathematics standards! I say, "Everyone listen, as number 1 from the purple table shares." Everyone listens. I usually thank that student for sharing. Then, I say, "Everyone listen, as number 1 from the blue team shares.." and so on. I KEEP THE SAME NUMBER FOR THIS ROUND OF REPORTING OUT. There is no need to switch them each time, or it lets students "off the hook." It is important that each team reports out and you hold them accountable. Use this cooperative learning strategy in all subject areas, no matter what grade level you are in and you will see your students' language skills greatly improve. Happy Communicating! Laura

Comparing numbers can be difficult. Young mathematicians, especially in kindergarten, just become proficient in learning the quantity of numbers before diving into comparing those numbers. For decades, teachers have relied on the 'ole alligator analogy for teaching students to compare numbers and draw comparison symbols. You will find numerous blog posts and printables with this cute alligator, even suggesting to use him with decimals and percentages. Have you or your students become dependent on drawing teeth on comparison symbols? Students think, "Is the bigger value eating the smaller one?" or "Is it the value it already chopped on?" This becomes confusing, especially for younger students. While this can be a cute anchor chart, students are not internalizing the meaning of the comparison symbols. This misnomer is confusing children and frustrating their future teachers. I know what you are thinking, if the alligator analogy isn't the best for students to learn, what can I teach my students so they can retain the correct meaning for these symbols? Read more to find a strategy for teaching comparing numbers and correctly explaining comparison symbols.

We want to motivate students, encourage active learning in the classroom while we develop critical-thinking, communication, and decision-making skills. Group work can be an effective method to do all of these things. When looking more specifically at the 21st Century Skills, (12 abilities that we want to instill in our students to prepare for careers in the Information Age) group work enables us to build critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, flexibility, leadership, initiative, productivity, and social skills. Wow! Nine of the 12 21st Century Skills can be addressed by simply using group work in the classroom! What does productive group work look like in the classroom? What does productive group work sound like in the classroom? We will be diving into student group work!

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

Down River Resources wants to keep you afloat with dynamic, rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for elementary math.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

Howdy, friends. I am getting more preparation done for my classroom as I know you are too (if are lucky enough and have not started school yet!) I presented some staff development workshops this summer and was able to share my classroom with other teachers in my district. Just for the record, these teachers are the inspiration behind "Kindergarten Down River." They helped me realize the full potential of my vocation. Thank you, Texas friends. During these workshops, a specific format is used. It goes something like this: I model and share a piece of a lesson and then the teachers share the instructional strategies they saw present. This really holds me accountable for the correct modeling of these strategies. Finally, the teachers apply the strategies that I shared during the workshop by modeling their own mini-lesson with a small collaborative groups. I am a "newer" teacher in comparison to many of the teachers whom I meet at these workshops, but they are truly so excited to learn "new tricks" (as one sweet teacher shared with me in an email today.) In college, this newer generation of teachers has been taught more about building a classroom community of learners, rather than being taught content knowledge (I have a real problem with this--but that is not the topic of this post!) Many of the cooperative learning strategies that can be utilized in the classroom are much newer to a large group of these teachers. I must say, my school district has put a lot of emphasis on the structure of the classroom and I have yet to see a classroom, at the schools I have worked at, with individual desks separated into "the grid." Here are a few tricks that you would see if you walked into Kindergarten Down River: Students are grouped in teams of three or four. All students are separated into teams of three or four. Smaller groups allow (force) students to communicate. Any group larger than four usually is more problematic as far as behavior is concerned. Each student chooses a number in the group (1, 2, 3, or 4--depending on group size). Students have the choice to pick the number so they have ownership of it. Each student is required to know the response to my question because they do not know who is will be called on in their group. (I tell them after they have time to discuss! This way every student is "on the hook" or accountable!) Each group is assigned a different color. I place $1.00 small metal buckets in the middle of the tables that are the color of the team. (Target sells these in the party aisle. Hobby Lobby has some in seasonal and party sections.) When I dismiss groups to join me at the rug or line-up for lunch, I use their group color. There are other variations to this: You can use shapes, numbers, or academic vocabulary words that change but meet a specific unit. I have lots of great ideas on how to do this, but I stick to colors as it is just easier for me to remember. Once you get in a habit, it is hard to break it! I have a small metal bucket with spoons in it. Yes, I said, "Spoons!" Cups or Buckets to Label Table Group/Spoons to Call on Students Each spoon has a number on it. The number written on the spoon represents the student in the group is that number for their group (See Step 2 if you forgot already!) I just bought these new Crayola plastic cups the last time I was in San Antonio at H-E-B for 66 cents. I only used standard white plastic spoons for this with Sharpie marker written numbers. My friend, who I often collaborate with, gave me a great idea this summer. Have you been to a frozen yogurt shop lately? Does your favorite shop stick a funky spoon in your yogurt when you pay? Mine does! Take a break, grab some "fro-yo" (I think that is what the youngsters call it), and SAVE YOUR SPOON. The future of the Earth depends on it. Think about your carbon footprint. You can save the planet! Here the routine I use to implore this strategy now that you have all the key pieces: Tell the students that, "In just a minute you will be responsible for discussing a question with your team. It is important that all team members have a turn to speak. When each member has a turn to speak, you need to work together to come up with a response for your team. You will not know who I will be calling in, so it is important that everyone is ready to share." Ask ALL of the students a question. Have all the students repeat the question. (This helps build language skills which is very important in a classroom with a high ratio of English learners.) Then, tell the students something to note that they need to begin. I say, "Heads together," and use a visual cue. The visual cue I use for this command is I put both of my fists together which represents the word, together. I allow enough time for students to process the information, being mindful that some students need additional time. Then, I call all of the students "back together." I say, "Back together." All of the students who are finished put their eyes on me. Anyone that is in the middle of their conversations, finish up quickly and then put their eyes on me. (This is a routine I teach that values all students and their processing times.) I grab my metal bucket with spoons in it and I mix them up. As I am mixing them up, the students all stare at me because they are very curious as to what number I will pull out of the bucket. (This is why I emphasize that each student should be prepared.) I pull a spoon out of the bucket and reveal the number to the students. Typically, they all shout out the number on the spoon. This is one less job for me and helps them read their numerals which supports our mathematics standards! I say, "Everyone listen, as number 1 from the purple table shares." Everyone listens. I usually thank that student for sharing. Then, I say, "Everyone listen, as number 1 from the blue team shares.." and so on. I KEEP THE SAME NUMBER FOR THIS ROUND OF REPORTING OUT. There is no need to switch them each time, or it lets students "off the hook." It is important that each team reports out and you hold them accountable. Use this cooperative learning strategy in all subject areas, no matter what grade level you are in and you will see your students' language skills greatly improve. Happy Communicating! Laura

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

Are your students reluctant to read content and missing valuable aspects of the topics? Teach science with comics, and engage your learners in reading science. Children love cartoons! This comic is packed with information and will ignite your students' eagerness to read. Erosion is happening all around us. This comic takes students to a beach to explore erosion with relatable situations. Students will learn the definition of erosion and examine various examples. Also available in the Earth Science Bundle ******************************************************************************** Grab a FREE Comic While You're Here! Adaptations Comic. Don't Litter Comic. ******************************************************************************** Customer Tips: How to get TPT credit to use on future purchases: • Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase, you'll see a Provide Feedback button. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Each time you give feedback, TPT gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback greatly as it helps me determine which products are most valuable for your classroom so I can create more for you. ☺ Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches: strong> • Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower. Voila! You will now receive email updates about this store. ☺

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

My students love using interactive, digital task cards during math centers, independent practice, and small group instruction using the Boom Cards app. I have found that my students are engaged and eager to participate during this time.

When teachers collaborate on projects across subjects, they can drive engagement in all of their classes.

Splat! is an interactive math game perfect for math centers, small group, or whole group play. Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students will love reviewing one more/one less, ten more/ten less, and odd or even numbers with this fun game.

Moby’s not sure about the idea of a fish ladder, but otherwise he’s crazy about dams! Learn generate electricity and control flooding, and back in ancient Egypt they even helped irrigate farmland.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

My blog has been quiet lately. I apologize. I have been enjoying the summer, as I hope you have been too. I have been working on doing some small home improvements, playing with my kids, and just relaxing! Such an important goal of the summer!! In between all the time of not doing work, however, I went to a professional development and was introduced to an amazing website that I wanted to share with you! The Ithaca College Look Sharp project focuses on media literacy. They provide case studies and lesson plans in many different subject areas related to media literacy. These are definitely common core related, and critical to becoming informed and educated citizens! Here are few pictures from the PD that I attended. More details soon. If you have an idea what these activities were about, please leave a link in the comments.

This report explores how the challenges faced by communities at risk from environmental hazards might be tackled via the application of social learning practices.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

Hello Everyone! Another quick share today. I am working on 2 huge events that are consuming my extra time---but are both so worth while. I'm on a hunt today for about a hundred old rusty horseshoes!! Ha Ha! I think I can! I think I can!! :) Wish me luck! I wanted to share an updated version of my Natural Resources unit. I have added a section inspired by "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, one of my all time favorite books to use this time of year. I've also added 5 new math tub activities focused on comparing numbers up to 120, adding single digits to multiples of 10. Here are a few pics. A Reader's Theater for Kids Unscramble the sentences A written expression opportunity A Mystery Picture Opportunity Some math problem solving stories in mini book form. 3 different "Sunny Sums" games for math tubs If You want it...CLICK HERE!! :) These are a few of the 50 pages of print and go learning opportunities you'll get in this little pack! I can't wait to get started! Have an awesome weekend!! Joyfully! Nancy

This graphic of the Experimental Cycle is adapted from the IB’s MYP Sciences Guide assessment descriptors (2014), using GoogleDrawings. The experimental cycle is a visual representation of th…

Presents basic physics principles and concepts for self-study and review.

Search… Cancel View all results TRENDING SEARCHES Classroom Decorations Classroom Furniture Schoolgirl Style Rugs By Flagship Carpets

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

This math education blog helps elementary teachers keep afloat with diverse and rigorous resources, activities, and ideas for the math classroom.

Howdy, Friends! A special Texas welcome to all of those joining me from the Kinder Tribe! I'm Laura from Kindergarten Down River. In this new year, many teachers are looking for exciting ways to keep students engaged in learning as the next semester begins...and some teachers have set goals to move more...also known as, the E-Word: Exercise. This strategy, the Magnet Game, as I have dubbed it, will achieve both goals: engagement for students and movement for teachers and students alike...great for the heart and the brain! Before you use this simple eight-step strategy, you must have a question you want the students to ponder. In a bit, they will move around the room as they think about their response and then share with a partner in a fun, exciting way! You can discuss "good movement spots" such as, the rug or walking spaces behind desks and "bad movement spots" such as behind the teacher's desk, the classroom library, computer center, or any other unsafe spots for movement. When I first teach the movements that corresponds with this cooperative strategy, I use a basic question: "What did you do during Winter Break?" Or, "what was your favorite Christmas gift?" Then, as I use this strategy throughout the year, I use academic questions, "How did Lizard feel at the end of the story?" Or, "explain how you would change the investigation?" Teacher can turn on music to cue the movement or tell students "Think and Walk." Students should begin moving around the room staying in their own spots as they meander around the room. It is important that when teaching them what to do, you emphasize some basic rules which will save you some stress when implementing this strategy: Stay in your own space, stay quiet, and keep thinking about your answer while you move. My favorite part: If you...touch somebody, follow your best friends around the room, or talk, the consequence is having to sit out of the game. Muah, muah, muah. No kid wants this to happen! Teacher Tip: I use a track I have downloaded on my phone. It makes it fast and easy for me to cue the music and the students know that it is special when we have some music. This allows students the opportunity to look around the classroom without the pressure of partnering up right away. Students face back-to-back while teacher ensures all students have a partner. It also discourages talking! Finding their closest partner encourages students to team up with students whom they may not normally chose to talk to which builds relationships in the classroom and promotes risk-taking. This is a great time for formative assessment. Select students whom you are working closely with and monitor their responses. You may select students with special needs or English language learners. You can assist them in producing responses by giving the students a sentence stem. For example, "Lizard felt __ at the end of the story because ____." My students use their "question hands to repeat the question to their partners; this is just another way for them to engage in practicing the language...learning to speak in complete sentences and use inflection in their voices. Students ask their partners the question again before composing their answer. Probably one of the greatest pieces to this game is having the students turn back-to-back. It is great for the teacher to know when the majority of students have finished their conversations, but it also controls the students' urge to talk to one another during this time! Genius, I know! You can use this step if you want students to practice multiple times with other partners. You could also change the question and start a second round of the game. If you are short on time, you can students return to the rug or their desks and continue learning. I hope this cooperative learning strategy becomes a part of your teaching toolbox. I'd love to see it in action in your classroom. Take a picture and tag me @kinderdownriver. Happy Teachin' Trails from Texas!

Who doesn’t YouTube? The other day I YouTubed "What eye cream should I purchase?" YouTube is wonderful. There is a lot of information and tutorials for every interest and/or need, so it’s no surprise teachers

Where do waters in streams and rivers go? Where do oceans lead to? These are important questions that need good answers. Luckily, there are resources ? like this book ? that have been designed especially for 2nd graders. Big words and systems have been cleverly reworded to make sure that even the young ones would understand them on their own. Such simplicity leads to a spike in the interest of self-paced learning.

Use this mini-bundle to teach primary students about the concept of near and far. Students will learn that objects that are nearby appear bigger and objects far away appear to be small. Product includes: * Mini-booklets to read, color, or fill in (color or black and white) * Cut and sort page * Quiz (or worksheet, depending on your needs) * Colorful sorting cards with headers Click the preview for a full view of all that's included! UPDATE: This product is now a TpT EASEL activity. Enjoy this printable AND digital resource! Please follow my store: LIVIN’ IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER Thanks!

Exponents, Index Numbers, Powers, and Indices are used in lots of parts of our modern technological world. Exponents are used in Computer Game Physics, pH and Richter Measuring Scales, Science, Eng…