It's March and if you're anything like me, you're in a teaching frenzy! Stop right there my Florida friend! My, "I see the sunshine...
Looking for fun activities to explore the art of poetry and use it to support language learning? Try these simple and fun activities!
I finally introduced my babes to pronouns this week. This standard had been tucked away in a forgotten file in my brain and I’m so glad that I “located it” sooner rather than later. Here are a few of the fun centers/activities we rolled with this week. The kids really got into it and
This month we worked on measurement! The FDK expectation that we focused on was: M2.1 compare and order two or more objects according to an appropriate measure (e.g., length, mass, area, temperature, capacity) and use measurement terms (e.g., hot/cold for temperature, small/medium/large for capacity, longer/shorter or thicker/thinner for length). Here is our math wall at the end of our unit: We started by learning about capacity. One activity we did was writing about what the kids are bigger than after reading the book "I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean" by Kevin Sherry. "I am bigger than a baby." "I am bigger than a worm." "I am bigger than my baby brother." "I am bigger than a butterfly." "I am bigger than my Dora snacks." Next we talked about length. We talked about and compared lengths whole group and then we practiced ordering items from shortest to longest and longest to shortest in small groups. Then we moved on to temperature. You can read about our temperature activities in depth here. Finally we talked about mass. First we read this book "Heavy or Light". Then the students came up with their own heavy or light items. The next day we started to compare using the terms heavier/lighter. We held a water bottle in our hands and then came up with items that were heavier or lighter than a water bottle. (Please excuse the yogurt stains all over the bottom of the chart.. one of my friends had a little yogurt explosion accident at snack time one day!) One activity that was available during centres was this light and heavy t-chart. Since we have done this activity with many other measurement concepts (cold/hot, small/big) they were familiar with what to do and could complete it independently or with each other's help :) Here is a student example. Light = a lollipop Heavy = tree We also used scales to figure out which items were lighter/heavier but unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that :( That's a snapshot of all of the measurement activities that we have done so far! How do you teach measurement? ___________________________________________________________________ Added 08.11.21: I now have a full non-standard measurement unit with lesson plans and printables! Click here or on the image below if you are interested in taking a look: I also now have a digital non-standard measurement unit! Click here or on the images below if you are interested in checking that one out:
It’s MARCH!!! WOOHOOO! But… it’s also been SNOWING all day. I’m ready for SPRING. I’m SO OVER indoor recess! My kids need to go outside to play! Heck… I need to go outside to play! On another note… I just uploaded one of my favorite units. So, I’m celebrating with some fancy, fizzy water. I’ve […]
Are you ready for the month of March? We are all geared up for some fun learning this month! Our March NO PREP packets are done and we are ready to go!
I can’t take any credit for this cute idea for contractions. I found it in an old mailbox magazine. We have been focusing all week on contractions with not and we will be testing over this on our unit 4 test next week. I thought this was a good, creative change for a lesson. The kids really had fun making the kites. I think their favorite part was being able to hang them over their seat. I’m pleasantly surprised that no one had tried to swat at them. So far so good! If anyone has any cute ideas you use for contractions please share. We seem to test over this skill a lot, so new ideas are always a plus. I posted a link under the pictures for the kite patterns. Kite Pattern Link
french immersion resources
Notes From the Portable is a blog about teaching, reflecting on connections to Common Core Standards and 21st-Century Skills.
Are you ready for the month of March? We are all geared up for some fun learning this month! Our March NO PREP packets are done and we are ready to go!
Hello Everyone! Thanks for stopping by our blog to see what's happening in our first grade classroom! This week we are working very hard on "retelling"stories we have read. Learning how to retell a story helps our little learners as readers and thinkers. It helps to organize thought, and recognize the thoughts we have during reading. It helps us recognize when our thinking changes throughout our reading. Characteristics of good retelling are: using character names, telling about the setting, including the happenings or plot (beginning, middle, and end), discussing the problem the character is having, and describing how the problem was solved. Today I introduced our "retelling rope." Each symbol represents the parts of a story. I have used retelling ropes before, but revamped this with some better visuals. The kids really get it when they can actually manipulate the parts. This year I wrote a simple poem to go along with our retelling activities. We practiced retelling several stories together using the large retelling rope, and then the kids got to make their own mini one to manipulate during their own reading time. After putting these together, some kids chose to work with others to retell a common story (The Lorax has become a favorite for some reason :) !) We also practiced recording our retelling thoughts. We will continue to work hard on this important skill! When I read a story! For your printable of these pages plus larger visuals to make your own retelling rope click here! :) here's the link to the printable with student rope pics! :) Or click here! :) I love helping kids improve their retelling skills!! Don't forget to retell your own stories with your kids!!! Stop by again soon!! Joyfully! Nancy
If there is one thing that is constant among generations of teenagers, it is the love of music. And if there’s one thing that English teachers know, it’s that music is the perfect gateway to getting students into poetry. Today, I’d like to share an awesome poetry/music pairing to
Sing, sing, sing! I want my students to experience beautiful, in-tune singing and I am always on the lookout for songs with solos. I know students are more successful in pitch matching when they sing unaccompanied and have opportunities to sing alone. While I use several songs with solos in the primary grades, I don't use as many in the older grades. Here is one that has been very successful with my older students. I often start with several knots tied in the rope so that a few students are singing the solo, (which cuts down on the initial fear factor for the singers.) I learned this song from my wonderful Level III teacher, Liz Arcaro. Once a student has sung a solo (or duet, or trio, depending on how many knots I tie in the rope,) they go to a barred instrument and accompany with a simple bourdon on C and G. What are some of your favorite songs with solos?
Teach kids about temperature as they perform easy science experiments with hot and cold water and the our free printable.
music lessons for home schoolers, music lessons for the young child, peter and the wolf, rhythm, teaching musical form, melody, elementary music
We have been brushing up on our quotation skills the last couple of weeks. It is such a hard skill for students to grasp in first grade, but once they reach second grade it's like something "clicks"
View the comic strip for Rubes by cartoonist Leigh Rubin created March 18, 2014 available on GoComics.com
A Taxonomy Tree: A Bloom's Revised Taxonomy Graphic
Keep your quick workers busy with these fun activities for fast finishers! This set includes everyday activities as well as themed monthly activities. The change in tasks throughout the year will keep your early finishers board fresh and your kiddos interested. Included: 12 activities for everyday: read, write, draw, organize your desk, help a friend, dry erase board, listening center, puzzle time, reading buddy, math practice, tech time, and catch up time 18 activities for September: (school/apples) *read and review x2, write x2, draw x2, *make a list x2, label, *make words x2, word problems, play-doh x2, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x2 18 activities for October: (Halloween/pumpkins) *read and review x2, write x2, draw, *make a list x2, label, *make words x2, word problems, play-doh x2, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x2, *word search 24 activities for November: (Thanksgiving/Veterans Day) *read and review x3, write x3, draw, *make a list x2, *make words x2, play-doh x2, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x3, *word search x2, *crack the code, poem, *ABCs, arts and crafts 18 activities for December: (Christmas/gingerbread) *read and review x2, write x2, draw x2, *make a list, *make words x2, play-doh x2, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code, *word search, *crack the code, word problem, arts and crafts 24 activities for January: (winter/Martin Luther King) *read and review x3, write x3, draw, *make a list x3, *make words x3, play-doh, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x3, *word search x2, *crack the code, word problem, arts and crafts 24 activities for February: (Valentine's Day/friendship/Dental Health Month) *read and review x3, write x3, draw, *make a list x3, *make words x3, play-doh, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x2, *word search x2, *crack the code x2, word problem, arts and crafts 24 activities for March: (St. Patrick's Day/rainbows/weather) *read and review x2, write x3, draw, *make a list x3, *make words x2, play-doh x2, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x2, *word search x2, *crack the code x2, word problem, arts and crafts, poem 24 activities for April: (spring/Easter/Earth Day): *read and review x3, write x2, draw, *make a list x3, *make words x3, play-doh, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x3, *word search x2, *crack the code, word problem, arts and crafts x2 18 activities for May: (gardening/bugs): *read and review x2, write x2, draw, *make a list x2, *make words x2, play-doh, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x2, *word search, *crack the code, word problem, arts & crafts 18 activities for June: (beach/pool): *read and review x2, write x2, draw, *make a list x2, *make words x2, play-doh, *finish the picture, *rainbow write, *color by code x2, *word search, *crack the code, word problem, arts & crafts Printables for certain activities are also included! If a printable is not included for a certain task, the activity is meant to be completed in a journal, on blank paper, etc. Activities with matching printables are noted with a * in the lists above. I hope you love it!! Enjoy! :) XO Teri A Cupcake for the Teacher
My faith art, Bible study journal: Chapter by chapter doodles and scripture art, following along with the Good Morning Girls ( GMG ) reading plan.
⬆️ LOOK HERE for our Self-Reg Resource Library, full of books, blogs, podcasts, courses and more. Start your Self-Reg learning journey here.
When my students start needing a little help with more detail in their writing/drawing, I remind them to think about their 5 senses. Here is a picture of the poster we made together that hangs in our writing center. Amber
They're Here!! Adorable March First Grade Worksheets for your home or classroom. Math, Addition, Subtraction, Grammar, Writing, and so much more.
Constructivism provides students with rich experiences and encourages them to reach their own conclusions.
Don't miss this great set of March Kindergarten Worksheets for your math and literacy practice this month. Perfect for home or the classroom.
Superflex teaches kids they can be a superhero if they use flexible thinking strategies to self-regulate. When sneaky characters called Unthinkables visit our brains and push us toward socially unexpected behavior, children use their strategies to defeat the Unthinkables and steer themselves back on the pro-social track. Learn about this positive, motivating program to teach self-regulation!
Have you ever thought about using wordless videos in your speech therapy lessons? It increases engagement! Start with these videos...
Championships are won in practice. The same could be said for student achievement. Often as teachers, we get excited about the journey we take with our students and we put off the idea of standardized testing because its overwhelming in so many ways: for us, and the kids. There’s a lot of pressure to perform...Read More »
I'm not sure why I am surprised that it is Saturday ALREADY! I say it every time I have a week off... "where did the time go??" At the beginning of the week I think I have all the time in the world and then POOF... gone. Today we have an egg hunt and egg decorating on the agenda .. my husband has been prepping my son to find the "golden" egg. I'll hopefully have some pics to share next time. :) I wanted to quick share two "new" products. I put new in quotes because the first one I had on my blog as an idea and now it is all ready to go as a product! :) I've used this in my classroom all year and my students LOVE them! Plus it just looks super cute any time of the year! If you don't have brain breaks in your classroom yet, this little diddy would be perfect for you! It's easy to make, the breaks are SUPER QUICK to do, and it will get you out of the last 2 month rut! :) This is only $2 AND it is on sale right now! :) See it HERE Next up... This little pack is full of surprises! It even surprised me!! hehe... It has math, reading, writing (common core aligned) and some "fun" sheets too! Here is a look at some of the pages: Addition facts and money coloring Money match with alike and unlike coins- you can mix and match! There are 3 non-fiction reading passages! I love this one! :) And some FUN too! I can't wait to start using everything in this one Check it out HERE:) Oh and it is on sale too!! :) Which leads me to.... Sale ends tomorrow night! EVERYTHING is on sale... even all the new stuff! I also have a freebie for you that I hope you can use... This would make a super cute spring center or just a fun cut and paste activity (I have this in grayscale too!) Click HERE to get it. (if you do grab a copy pretty please leave me some feedback love!) Remember that gigantic sale I had a few posts ago? Well it ends TONIGHT!! Time to get in those last minute entries!! Finally, I will be giving away TWO of my new products- it will be your choice of either the brain breaks OR the Spring Surprises Pack!! Just leave a comment, tell me which you would like to win, and add your email! I will choose someone TONIGHT (10 pm central time- sorry to my email readers but this is a quick giveaway!). Have a GREAT day today and Happy Easter! Future posts: Huge giveaway winner and FUN with FLUENCY!! This will be several posts and lots of ideas!! :)
Here are 12 Self-Control TALK Conversation Starters to help you teach your child the concept of self-control.
Song Index
Modify your math program by differentiating math activities, and by having lots of hands on math centers practice for reinforcing core math skills.
Click Here to Download
Make a model of a seismometer using a shoe box, pen and a strip of paper and diiscover how scientists detect earthquakes.
This printable poster presents a 5 step calm down plan to help children learn to manage big emotions in socially acceptable ways.
*This post has been updated with new photos + freebies on June 10, 2024* Wow the year is flying by! I can't believe we are working on addition already! Read on to grab some ideas for teaching addition :) Addition Lessons: Day 1: On the first day I just introduce addition and tell them that addition is like composing numbers, we just use different symbols. Instead of using "and" and "make" we use "+" and "=". Day 2: On the second day we go over the learning goal and success criteria. The learning goal is "we are learning to solve addition sentences" and the success criteria is "I know I can do this when I can put the numbers in the number sentence together and say or write the answer." Then we play the game "Collect & Add". How to Play: Before you play hide small objects around the room (I usually use Easter eggs since we typically teach addition right around Easter and the kids love looking for Easter eggs!) 1. Have the students sit in a circle and put 2 hoola hoops in the middle. 2. Write an addition sentence frame ( ___ + ___ = ___ ) on chart paper or on the whiteboard. 3. Tell students that you will pick 2 students at a time to collect as many Easter eggs as they can within a set amount of time (start small, e.g. 10 seconds). 4. Demonstrate first with a partner (your teaching partner or a responsible student if you are on your own). First assign each person a hoola hoop. Press start on the timer and demonstrate how to go and find an egg, bring it back and put it into your hoola hoop. You may want to go over some rules such as walking feet only, you can only retrieve 1 egg at a time etc. 5. Keep collecting until the timer rings. When the timer rings have both players come back to the carpet. Count all the eggs in the first hoola hoop. Write the number in the addition sentence frame. 6. Count all the eggs in the second hoola hoop. Write the number in the addition sentence frame. 6. Solve the addition sentence by counting all the eggs. Write the answer in the addition sentence frame. Repeat as time allows. Make the time on the timer longer each time so that the equations get harder. Day 3: On the third day we play the "Collect & Add" game again as it's always a popular game and the kids often want a turn if they hadn't gotten one yet! Day 4: On the fourth day we start talking about addition strategies. I introduce all five strategies but we focus on "use your fingers" first. I tell them that we can solve addition problems by using our fingers. Then we watch "When You Add With a Pirate" by Harry Kindergarten. I model how to use fingers as the pirates read their addition stories and prompt the kids to follow along and practice too. Day 5: Next we talk about the strategy "count on". We talk about how sometimes we won't have enough fingers to solve an addition question and "count on" is a strategy we can use. I write some addition sentences that have a sum between 11-15. Then I model how to "count on" by putting the bigger number in my head and then holding up the number I'm going to add on and counting up. We practice this together a few times to get use to it. Day 6: Next we practice the strategy "use manipulatives". First we talk about different manipulative we could use for addition in our classroom. Some common suggestions are snap cubes, counting bears and linking chains. Then, I have the kids sit in a circle and pull out the big foam dice. Then I have a student come and roll the die and build the number with snap cubes. Then I have a second student come and roll the die and build the number with snap cubes. Then we write the addition sentence, put all the cubes together, count the cubes and write the answer. We repeat as time allows to practice. Day 7: Next we practice the strategy "draw a picture". I write this question on the board. ____ has 2 dogs. ____ has 3 cats. How many animals do they have all together? (I always use the names of the kids in the class in word problems. They get such a kick out of it!) Then I demonstrate how to draw a picture to show this problem. I draw 2 dogs and 3 cats and then we touch and count each animal to figure out how many animals there are all together. I do tell them that this isn't art class but a math strategy so it is ok if the pictures aren't very detailed. I want them to know that a quick sketch is just find :) Day 8: Next we practice the strategy "use a number line". First I write a number sentence on the board. For example I might write 5 + 2 = Then I show them how to put a dot on the first number on the number line (the 5) then to hop 2 spots to the left to get the answer. We practice this a few times with different equations. Day 9: On the last day we review all 5 strategies. I read them this question ____ has 4 toys and ____ has 6 toys. How many toys do they have all together? (Again I use names of the kids in our class for the blanks). Then I ask them "How can we solve this addition problem?" I have them give me the first solution. Then I ask them if anyone can think of a different way. I try to keep going until we talk about all or almost all of the strategies. Of course we practice, practice, practice during centre time too! Here are some of the addition centres we use to practice: Addition Centres: 1. My Book of Domino Addition I set out this booklet with a basket of dominos. I have the kids pick a domino, copy the domino onto the booklet and then write the number sentence to match. 2. Snap Cube Addition This one is popular ever year! The kids read the cards and snap that many snap cubes of each colour and then add them together! I put out some magnetic numbers so students can use them to record their answers with them! 3. Parking Lot Addition So many of my students (especially the ones that I have the hardest time engaging in academic centres) have been obsessed with toy cars so I knew this one would be a hit! Practice addition to five by parking the cars in the parking lot! 4. Pizza Addition The kids love putting toppings on a pizza to practice addition facts! They can simply pick a magnetic number from the tub, build the number, pick another number, build that number and then add the two numbers together and complete the addition sentence! Here is what I used for the toppings (but you can use whatever you like/have on hand that is a similar colour!): Pepperoni: Red pom poms Mushrooms: Mushroom shapes cut out of light brown felt Green Peppers: Green pipe cleaners (I just bent them to make them look like peppers you would find on a pizza) Olives: Black pony beads Pineapple: Yellow snap cubes Ham: Pink felt, cut into squares 5. Addition Town Help the builder build the buildings by solving the addition sentences and a tower with that many cubes on it! The kids love the idea of helping the builder :) 6. Counting Bear Addition I have the students roll the colour dice and the regular dice into the bin and build that many bears of that colour on the mat. Then they roll again and build the second number in the second colour. Then they add the 2 colours together and show me the corresponding number sentence. I set out both expo markers and magnets so that the kids could choose to build or write the numbers. 7. Add with a Number Line This is a simple centre to practice the strategy "Add with a Number Line"! The frog and bunny pointers make it extra fun as they can use it to hop along the number line ;) 8. Domino Add & Cover Another simple but fun way to practice addition with dominos! Students can be invited to pick a domino, add the two sides and place it on the sum! 9. Popcorn Add + Sort My kiddos love anything food related and this one helps students see that many equations can have the same sum! Simple print, cut and set out ;) 10. Roll, Add & Cover/Colour This has been a popular freebie for years! Students can play by themselves (roll, add and cover or colour until they fill up their board) or play with a partner and see who can colour or cover their board first! You can grab this freebie by clicking here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vD403BNdyq3nZ0fSlhea0M5aDDKUaY0E/view?usp=sharing or on the button below 11. Addition Word Problems I only put these our if we did the word problem as a whole group first or we do them in small groups! It's a great way to combine fine motor practice (pencil/glue/scissors skills) and addition at the same time :) 12. Addition Flashcards I typically use these for assessment but I have also put them out at a table with a variety of manipulatives and recording sheets and some students really love it! There are flashcards with sums to 5, sums to 10, sums to 15 and sums to 20. This recording sheet is versatile and can be added to any of the centres above that don't come with a recording sheet, if your students want to record their work! We add these addition strategy bookmarks to our math wall after the strategies are introduced and students can take one to their table if they need a refresher on the different strategies they can use to solve addition sentences. 13. Pirate Addition Mini Book (Free!) My own little guy loves the pirate addition song (linked near the top of this blog post) so I made this pirate addition mini book for him to practice with! Students count the number of items in each box, record them in the addition sentence at the bottom, count all of the pictures and write the sum in the last blank! You can grab this freebie here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i4MXuz-iFH1IgGCwdr9MDDrb8yv3J30E/view?usp=sharing or by clicking on the button below! All of the centres you see in this blog post (other than the freebies) and more can be found in my addition unit on TPT. You can click here or on the images below if you are interested in checking it out :) If you prefre digital lessons + follow-up activities/centres I also have a Google Slides version! You can find that by clicking on any of the images below: I hope you were able to grab some ideas for teaching addition! What fun activities do you plan when you teach addition?
It is now time to add rests to our music. This is basically the same lesson as lesson 8 but it includes the quarter rests. The addition of the rest means there are a lot more options for grouping the notes in sets of 4. Just a reminder that the rest gets one beat just as the quarter note does. Whenever the children are reading and clapping music it is important that the rest be "felt" even though there is no sound. For this lesson you may want to add instruments for variety. I always told my kids that preparing for the instruments would make us successful musicians so we read and clapped the music first to be sure we were ready to transfer it to instruments. Once again you can cut the strips out without the words and let the children find the matching pairs. Then print and cut out individual notes and rests and let the children find new ways to group them into sets of 4. Use these to create a musical piece to play. I created 26 different groupings. Any of the groupings you create are in sets of 4 which means they are in 4/4 time signature - 4 beats to a measure. The children can play these patterns along with any number of songs that are in 4/4 time. Here are some suggestions: Yankee Doodle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CObFQznhls Rainbow Color song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt2DCGYzSsc Wheels on the Bus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nKBKPcycFE Row, Row, Row Your Boat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYLKEePMvIU Be Doodle Dee Dum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI9OaTJyg_Y Dance Myself to Sleep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQmut5GI7-k&list=AL94UKMTqg-9DC1_3UPjnhZVQhZ2NCqrzH Honker Duckee Dinger Jamboree https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdv5uuYrTKQ&list=AL94UKMTqg-9DC1_3UPjnhZVQhZ2NCqrzH
