Book Talk Tuesday: Math for All Seasons

Yes I made it!  It's Tuesday and I'm here to link up with Mrs.Jump's Class for Book Talk Tuesday.

Today I thought I'd share this gem...

Click Picture to Check this book out on Amazon!

Have you ever come across this book?  This book is written by Greg Tang who is also the author of The Grapes of Math.  Unlike The Grapes of Math this story is geared for the little ones!  This book is filled with fun math puzzles to help build problem solving skills.   These fun riddles and lively pictures help kids to think about the many ways a problem can be solved.

Each riddle is displayed on a two page spread like this fall one.  Picture on one side and riddle on the other.

The riddles are season themed which makes this a great book to pull out at different times of the year.  

The large full page pictures make it easy for all to see when reading aloud and trying to solve.

After talking about each riddle and discussing the different ways to solve the problem you can check the back of the book to see if you solved the riddle correctly.  Tang includes explanations on how to solve each riddle.  Wouldn't this be a great book for students to explore with book buddies?  How fun!

What do you think of this book?  

Be sure to check out the linky and link up your favorite books too!

Book Talk... Wednesday?

I don't know about you but I love teaching math through literacy and that's why although I officially missed book talk Tuesday, I thought I'd share this book anyway...

Have you read it?  One is a Snail Ten is a Crab by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre is a wonderful book all about counting feet.  It starts with "1 is a snail"and continues on counting the even numbers by the feet of a person, dog, insect, spider, and crab!  Each of the odd numbers are created by adding 1 more (the snail) to each previous even number.  As I read the story I love to have students predict what animal/s they think will be next and share why they think this.  I suggest drawing out or printing large pictures with the animals that way if needed students can use 1:1 counting to double check responses.

After counting to 10 the story continues with skip counting from 10 to 100.  With each number two examples are given on how to create the number.  This provides students with examples of different ways to decompose numbers and the use of pictures makes the combination counting more concrete.

There are so many ways that this story can be used!  Here are a few ideas:

- As you read have students predict what animal comes next?  For example ask: What could 5 be?  Can you think of an animal that has 6 feet?  What two animals together can make 7 feet?

- Use the story to talk about the term 1 more.  After reading go back and break apart the odd numbers to show that they are a number and 1 more.

- Create a crab craft and number the feet from 1-10.  Have students cut off the feet and then put them back in order from 1- 10.

-  Paint crabs and practice skip counting to 100 by 10's by labeling each picture (10, 20, 30 etc.)

- Create large pictures of animals and have students arrange and combine animals to make a "total number of feet."  See if students can find different ways to make the same "total number of feet."  This would be great to do in groups :)

-  Have students think of other animals that have 1 foot, 2 feet, 4 feet etc.  Use this list to create your own class counting book of feet.

- Create a list of all the ways to make 10.  Include pictures so that students can count up the feet.

What stories do you use to help teach math concepts?

Measurement & Data Centers

Hi Everyone!

I hope that your week is off to a great start!  I'm thrilled because I finished up my next set of Centers to the Core.  This one focuses on the kindergarten domain Measurement and Data.  I'm really excited for these centers and just wish I had a class to use them in.  Don't worry I've already sent them to my mom and asked her to try them out haha.  She's my guinea pig for all my products at the moment, not that she's complaining.  Now if only I can get her to remember to take pictures; but first I probably need to teach her how to use her smart phone to do so (just playing, sorta).  This is a set of 15 centers!  Yes, that's right 15 fun activities that can be pulled out whenever you're in need of a center from this domain.  And who doesn't love measurement and data fun!

One of the centers I'm excited about is called "Mystery Sort."  For this center you'd prep it by sticking the included title label to a bag and then filling the bag with "some"  item that students should sort.  (This can be anything... buttons, plastic animals, food, counters, colored shapes etc)  Now I'm calling it mystery sort because I like students to know that there is NOT just one way to sort but many.  The Mystery bag label reads "There's not just one way to solve this mystery.  Show me how you sorted these items for a mystery sort award!"   When students go to the center they dump the bag and get to sorting anyway they want!  I think it is so important for students to explore on their own and this gives them an opportunity to sort how they see fit.  It also gives me insight to their thinking.  The recording sheet asks for students to draw out how they sorted and also asks them to attempt to write how they sorted.  For fun I've included a 1/4 sheet award that upon completion I can attach to the recording sheet and send home for parents to see.  It asks parents to ask their child about how they sorted too, which is fantastic because it encourages communication about student learning at home.  Here's a picture...

This set includes a great variety of activities including measuring length, height, weight, and capacity.  It also includes a few sorting activities and even a mini emergent reader called I Can Measure.  Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think!  Here are a couple more photos...

Happy Math Monday!

Word Problems

I just hate the horrified look on kids faces when you read aloud that first math word problem of the year.  You know, the wide-eyed, crooked mouth,and tilted head stance that clearly means  "I thought we were doing math?"  At the beginning of kindergarten this concept can be tough as little learners are just starting to learn about numbers and operations, not to mention that many of them are just starting to learn their letter sounds, yet alone read and understand a few sentences.  But the common core standards state that students should be able to solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem."  Yes, I know this is the "end" goal but many math materials start out day 1 with a word problem, so we begin to teach this concept straight away.

So what are some ideas for how to teach this concept?  

Well to start I like to discuss real life examples  of word problems that students solve each day without knowing it.  For example when they eat their morning snack they know they have 4 cookies, after they eat 1, they see they only have 3 left.  Or, maybe they are playing a card game and they have 5 cards, then they win 1 more so now they count and see they have 6 in all.  This simple fact makes the whole idea less scary and kindergarteners love to think of examples of how they solve word problems all day!  If you do this, I suggest creating an "examples in real life" chart where sticky notes can be added as students share out and then add to it as students make connections throughout the day.  Trust me, they will and it will bring a smile to your face.  

Also, I like many teachers, like to solve problems whole class style where a problem is written out on a large sheet and then together as a class we'd read through, understand, mark up, and solve a problem.  It really helps students to draw out the problem and this can be a fun way to get everyone involved.  Remember to share the pen.

And if looking for something a little different, acting the problem out is always a hit!  Read aloud a problem, then together with your class circle the key numbers, question, and math terms.  From these elements act out the scenario to solve the problem.  

Or maybe you're looking for something new?  How about math word problem backgrounds!  Well, a word problem background is a great way to help students solve and create their very own math word problems or math stories.  They can be used whole class, in partners, during small group work, or in centers.  Basically a math word problem background is just that!  A themed background that helps students to solve and create their own word problems.

Here's an example of a Fall themed one I made:

If you like what you see you can purchase the set in my TpT store. Click the picture below to go to my store :)

It includes: 
- How To Sheet
- 1 Fall Themed Background
- 24 Pre-typed word problems: 12 addition (A) 12 subtraction (S)
- 10 Apple & 10 Crow cut out counters
- 2 Student Worksheets (My Own Math Story)
- 1 EDITABLE task card sheet (to type your own word problems)
- 1 EDITABLE student worksheet (to create your own fill in math story)

Remember word problems don't need to be scary just practice, practice, practice, and of course have fun!  Do you have any fun ideas?

What am I up to...Centers to the Core!

It's Friday!  You've just finished up another busy fun week of teaching and you are on the verge of enjoying a relaxing weekend, but you have to finish planning and prepping for next week before the clock strikes 5 or at least that is your goal.  Your math center bins are scattered around you and you are filling away at what seems like record speed, but then you get to the last two boxes and realize you still NEED 2 MORE CENTERS!  Ahhhhhh, everything comes to a halt as you start searching for those last two activities.  

I know this feeling all to well and that's why I decided that I wanted to start creating sets of common core aligned math centers based on the main domains.  For me the purpose of these centers is to be standards based aligned and not "theme" aligned so to speak.  I wanted to be able to think of a domain, pull out a packet, browse for the standard I need, and BAM!  Have a center ready to go!  Perfect for those weeks when you just need 1 or 2 more activities.  So I decided to start creating sets of what I call "Centers to the Core."  These sets of math standards will focus on the kindergarten common core domains.  They don't correlate with any specific "theme" although some activities definitely could and they focus on standards from that domain.  My first domain set is now in my TpT store and focuses on: counting and cardinality.

Click Picture to see it in my TpT store :)

I made it so that the set includes a reference sheet which lists each center name, along with the standards the center meets, activity directions, and a supplies needed list for that particular center.  I wanted something that I could easily grab, look for, and find.

In this set I tried to include a few activities for each of the standards in this domain.  Here's a few of the centers that are included...

Alligator Treat K.CC.6

Count! Create! Draw! K.CC.1, K.CC.3, K.CC.4

Skip Count Hat K.CC.1

Pick & Fill K.CC.4, K.CC.4a

Pocket Full of Sticks K.CC.1, K.CC.5

The centers have recording sheets for students to fill in and they vary in that some use number cards, some use manipulatives, and some are just printables.  My plan is to start working on the next domain this weekend and then continue from there in the coming weeks.  Let me know what ya think?  

Enjoy your weekend :)

Math Monday!

Happy Math Monday!

Today I wanted to share a little bit about how I have run "math time"  in my classroom.  Each year I have taught I have had the joy of having to implement a new math program! Can you hear the fake excitement?  Well, I must say it was always a little overwhelming and as I browsed through each teacher manual it made me a a bit uneasy.  There is just so much to TEACH.  

How does one get it all in?

I think one of the best things I've learned is that as the teacher I need to make the decision to decide what is the best way to help my students succeed and sometimes that means that I don't teach every single thing in the teacher's manual.  (gasp) Instead it means teaching to the standards but being aware of how to do "double duty" and combine concepts.  It means to look at what needs to be taught, what my students need to learn, (be sure to use those observations and assessments) and to modify, adapt, add, and even subtract to best meet each child's needs. (and mine) And it means to incorporate fun, meaningful activities that will get these little minds engaged in learning!

Here's a look at how I ran my math time in First Grade:

10 Minutes: Number of the Day (Grab my Freebie)

10 Minutes: Introduction to New Concept ( I Do)

10 Minutes: Guided Practice (We Do)

15 Minutes:  Independent Practice (You Do)

  5 Minutes: Wrap Up/ Debrief

(I also had Centers at the end of the day which included some math choices)

*Download my FREEBIE for "Number of the Day" at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store!

Here's a look at how I ran my math time in Kindergarten:

  5 minutes: Mini Lesson

10 Minutes: Guided Practice

  5 Minutes:  Independent Practice (This is a Must Do then students move into centers as they finish)

20 Minutes:  Math Centers

10 Minutes: Calendar

Now if I was teaching this year one thing that I would love to incorporate is some type of Math Journal!  Math journals appear to be a great way for students to explore their thinking and express what they have learned not to mention of perfectly they tie in with the Common Core! I have seen so many ways in which they have been used including... 

1. Used as a Math Opening Activity: Problem of the Day

2. Used for Independent Practice Time after a Mini-Lesson

3. Used as a Closing Activity for Assessment & to Check Understanding

4. Used for Homework Purposes

I think that all four ways are fantastic! But for me... in kinder I think I would first try them as part of their daily instruction and have this be the place where students would do their "practice" on mini lessons from the day. Where in first grade I might use them more as an opening activity for a problem of the day for review and discussion. I'm currently looking up all I can about math journals and hope to create or find resources that I can use when I get my own classroom again. 

Here are some Math Journal links I enjoyed :)

1.http://www.kindergartenworks.com/kindergarten-teaching-ideas/math-journals-meet-common-core/

2. http://www.kindergartenkindergarten.com/2010/07/setting-up-math-problemsolving-notebooks.html

3. http://www.mrswillskindergarten.com/2011/07/daily-math-journals-freebie.html  

4. http://mrsshannonsclass.weebly.com/guided-math.html

5. http://missvanmarensfantasticfirstgrade.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/math-journal-tools-for-your-toolbox.html