Giveaway at Finally in First

Finally in First is offering this super cute math stations giveaway in celebration of her new FaceBook and Twitter accounts. Check it out and enter to win.

(my image uploader is going crazy and won't let me upload a pic)

Calendar Math

Calendar Math

Oceans of First Grade Fun is hosting a linky party on calendar walls vs. interactive white boards.

I've gone back and forth over the years as to have a concrete calendar wall or use my ACTIVboard. This year, I'm going back to the ACTIVboard and I'm cleaning up my flipchart.

This is a sneak peak:

Each day I will do a quick calendar and pattern activity, then each day has a special skill: Money Monday, Tally Mark Tuesday, Word Problem Wednesday, Time Thursday, and Fun Math Friday (misc.). I've linked the days of the week on each calendar to the corresponding day's page. They all link to the 100s chart then the weather page. The next page is going to be an index page of other prepared pages. I've got to clean up this file...it has a LOT of pages I've used over the years and I'm trying to get it streamlined so I can pull up the resources I need for a lesson quickly...down time is NOT good in first grade.

I will have a hands-on straw place value pocket chart and add the number of the day in school to a number line of some sort. I also might add a linking cube for each day in school...but the rest is on the ACTIVboard.

I've seen several people talking about the calendar booklets or journals. The year I used them I found they were SOOOooo time consuming. If I have problems with the kiddos not paying attention with calendar time this year, I might consider giving it another try.

Played around with it and this is what I came up with for an interactive calendar page (that students do at their seat during calendar time):

I tried to keep it simple. It has enough spaces for students to fill in the answer for the skill of the day and chart the weather for the entire month. They can also follow along on the 100s chart... and since we will be starting with counting, I put a 5/10 frame that can also be used as a place value mat. I can change that work area if I want to go along with skills (money, shapes, etc.) I plan on copying it front to back. I might copy off our monthly calendar as well for them to follow along, mark on, etc. If you like, I can add this page for a freebie (I'll change weather month to generic). **Uploaded to Google Docs...just click on either pic.

Station "Signs"

Here is what I've come up with to post as my station signs. Since my stations are in order around the perimeter of my classroom and I have a camping theme, the kids will "hike" through the stations. I will laminate these boots and also have some plain ones to put up in a path all around the room. At first I thought on the wall, but I might tape them down to the floor to be more authentic!

Click here if you'd like to use!

Math Work Stations

Ch. 5-Adding and Subtracting

Well, this is one of my MAIN focuses in 1st grade. To get the kiddos to internalize this skill! This year I plan on using manipulatives a LOT more. Some things I really liked about this chapter:

• adding name cards
• using linking cubes for story mats... just choose the right color to include for the theme (pink for pigs, black for bats, etc.--although I do LOVE thematic manipulatives, this is easy and inexpensive)
• I also have to work on getting my I CAN and TALK cards together--Love, love, love those ideas
• differentiate the activities in each box by color dots or some other system
• I LOVED the board game station and using them for fact practice

I created these very simple fact sort cards--free if you'd like them:

Ch. 4-Numeracy

I read another Stenhouse book called Number Sense Routines and it is available to read online as well as Debbie's book! It has some very useful information.

I do a lot with my calendar routine, but will be adding more this year. Some years I've let my calendar routine slip...(it CAN get monotonous can't it) but it is Soooo important for the kiddos to get that repetition. I plan on doing more with the 100 chart this year too, as well as the section pieces of it (frames with a number given and student must fill in 10 less above, 10 more below, 1 more to right, 1 less to left, etc.)

Getting Ready for Math Stations

I am so excited about starting math work stations this year. I devoured this book (entire text online for a short time here). I love Debbie's philosophy and ideas. But, I have a LOT to do.

1. go through all my math materials and sort & purge
2. reorganize into bins or drawered carts (like that idea)
3. map out my units and work stations
4. fit it into 60 minutes (ahhh)

I have done guided math groups before, but I think this is more my style and I am going to model it after the way I do my literacy work stations--I think it will help the kids catch on quicker and know my expectations. :)

Here are some of my ideas for organizing my math station time. 

• 2 students per station
• Numbered Stations set up in order around perimeter of room (my literacy stations are "set up", but math stations drawers/tubs will be taken to the location)
• 2 stations per day, visit all 10 by end of week

Schedule: (5 min. buffer for moving, etc.)

• 10 minutes: Calendar and Daily Routine
• Money Mondays
• Tally Mark Tuesdays (number study)
• Word Problem Wednesdays
• Time Thursdays
• Fun Math Fridays (misc. skills)
• 10 minutes: whole class mini lesson
• 2 15-min. rotations (while I monitor or pull students to work with)
• 5 minute share time

In the past, I felt I was just teaching them how to do the worksheet for the day and not internalize the skills they needed to learn. Even when I did guided math, I felt rushed and like I didn't get to give some groups the time they needed. With this framework, my math stations are meaningful extensions of our core skills.

I feel with repetition, variety, and the enjoyment of "stations" my kids will catch on and think more mathematically.

How do I plan on grouping my students? I'm glad you asked.

I found a marvelous site with an assessment piece and directions for administering it and grouping students along a math continuum. Exactly what I was looking for. All materials are available with a minimal amount of gathering items (all listed in the materials list). This site has awesome games, practice ideas, and resources for everything.

I do NOT plan on having a set rotation schedule where I meet with groups like I've done in the past. After I assess my kids, I will mark where they are on the continuum. I plan on monitoring stations, conferring with students, and pulling groups up as needed to reteach, give additional support and/or challenge.

(Update) Yes, I will meet with my groups with this schedule:

Oh, would you like the link?? Here it is: http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/ECAM.html

 One last thought: I've used a BIN before (Burning Issues and Needs) where students write comments (I liked..., I didn't like..., I don't understand..., Would you help me with...) on post-its and stick on the poster. I have NOT used it with math, but think it will work very well. Students don't have to put name/# on it unless they are asking for more help (so I know who to help). We'll see how it goes.

Brand NEW!

I am brand new to this blogging media.  I've had a class website for 9 years, but this is all new to me. My intention is to post information for my class, but also offer resources for other teachers. I hope you will be able to find something useful!