Keeping It Light and Fluffy! {Marshmallow Multiplication}

Alright...has anyone else had one of "those" weeks! You know...the ones that haunt you and give you nightmares for weeks on end!  Well...maybe it hasn't been THAT bad but I honestly never believed in the theory of THE "full moon" until I became a teacher! The little darlings have been a tad on the crazy side this week. So during this "time of the month" {hey...we all have them right???} that they feel their hands always have to be moving and their lips just tend to follow, I find every way imaginable to put those hands and mouths to good use. Needless to say...just about everything on my lesson plans have been revised...and revised...and revised! Where is that little poster about pretending that it is on the lesson plan again??? {Riiiiggghhhtt! wink! wink!}

Thanks to the world of blogging, I did a little borrowing to create a fun activity to get my kids all into multiplication {as if they needed motivation...they have been begging and dreaming about this day...I SWEAR!} Abby over at "THE" Inspired Apple used this same concept to teach place value. It worked PER.FECT for multiplication as well! Thanks Abby for all of your awesomeness!

Here is how my little marshmallow multiplication lesson went down:

I introduced the concept of multiplication using a Brainpop Jr. video with the all too famous Annie and Moby. After the initial introduction, we used marshmallows and fruit loops to show how we can use repeated addition to solve multiplication problems. For each problem, the students used marshmallows to show the number of groups and fruit loops to show the number of objects in each group.

My little crazies sweeties at work! They truly are the most amazing students ever...even on weeks where they are a little off their rockers!

This is short and sweet tonight. Friday is so calling my name!!!

A BIG TGI {Almost....almost...almost...}F!!!!!!!!

P.S. If something doesn't make sense or you see a trillion spelling errors...I am so blaming it ON THE KIDS!!!!! Ha!

Gobble It Up {November Math Centers!!!}

Alright bloggy friends...by popular demand...Gobble It Up: November Math Centers are ready for all of those math lovin' kiddos in your classroom. If you didn't see my October post about Spooktacular Math Centers and how these little gems work, you can check that out HERE! 

These are BY FAR some of the easiest centers that I have ever incorporated into my classroom. It takes little preparation but provides a great amount of drill and practice for all of those basic math skills.

Here is a little look into the unit!

The Activities:

The Materials:

The Unit:



Stop by TPT and get your learnin' on! :)

This teacher is officially on FALL BREAK!!! So, the sound that you hear...is me shouting HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!! This is one tired girl who is CRAZY thankful for this nice little break! I will be back later in the week to show you what we have been doing to expand our knowledge of nonfiction text! I will be praying for all of you dear teacher friends as you brace yourself for a crazy HALLOWEEN Monday! I'm sending lots and  LOTS of energy and patience your way!  :)

Happy {almost} Halloween friends!

Mathlete Champions Unit

Hey Friends! So many of you emailed and asked about Mathlete Championships. I have compiled my resources and created a Mathlete Champions Unit. All 121 pages are ready for you to use {does it really take this much to get them to memorize these crazy facts?!?} Whatever it takes...right?!? It has worked so well for the students in my room. We are testing level 2 this Friday! Can't wait to see who gets their silver medal! If you are interested in this little resource, stop by my TPT store and pick up a copy!

Is anyone else having a cold, wet day? Oh how it makes me want to crawl in the bed for a good movie! I may just have to treat myself to that!!! :)

Mathlete Championships!

1 + 3 = 4....2 + 4 = 6....3 + 5 = 8....OH. MY. WORD! I am about 90% certain that I cheered my math facts in my sleep last night! We have been working tirelessly to memorize our basic addition facts.  I have designed a little schedule that only gives the kids until the end of October to have them memorized! It is a blessing and a curse having a 5th grade husband for a teacher....at the SAME school! Mostly a blessing...but the curse comes at times when he tells me things such as "Hope...they are in 5th grade and STILL do not know their basic addition facts!"  It is during these conversations that I have a mild stroke heart attack moment of pure insanity to take a deep, DEEEEP breath!  So...I am convinced that this "will not be my babies!" 

I have tried the timed test method with my little firsties in years past but just did not have much luck! Now, don't get me wrong, this is an excellent way to practice but just not one that committed the facts to memory!  PLUS...some kids would never make it past the 2nd level! So, what good did that do???  This year I am convinced to nail it...some way...some how...my kids WILL know their facts!

This year, I have decided to divide my facts up into three levels.

Level 1:

Doubles - You All Know These

In Betweenies {not sure of the spelling here, but it works}

When there is one number in between, you double that number to find your answer.

Example: 6 + 8 (seven is in between, the double of seven is 14...and there you have it!)

10 is My Best Friend

7 + 9 (Take one from the seven and make the 9 become a 10. 10 + 6 = 16)

Squish Rule

10 + 6 = 16 (Squish out the zero in the ones place and replace it with six ones!)

Level 2:

All Facts 0 - 4

Level 3:

All Facts 5 - 9

Every two weeks, the students have the opportunity to "beast" the level {in their words...not mine! I swear they keep me laughing all day!  Beast....obviously means do very well??? Ha!} Last week was their time to shine with level one. I am happy to say that every student passed level 1! Hooray! 

Maybe this success had a little something to do with the medals I promised them. Maybe...just sayin'...maybe! :)  As they pass each level, they are rewarded with a medal! Three levels = Three medals (bronze, silver, GOLD!) Now, up until Sunday night...this whole medal thing was a GREAT idea! I had searched high and low to find bronze medals. All I could find was gold. That is what I get for planning ahead...right?  It was on to plan B...make them! Here is what I came up with....

Our Bronze Mathlete Championship Medals

I made our championship ceremony and "banquet" {a.k.a. Cookie Cake} a BIG DEAL! They were ALL into it! They received their cards for level two on Tuesday and so many of them are begging to go ahead "beast" level two immediately!  It's all about creating that excitement...I swear it can work wonders for learning!

Our delicious championship banquet meal!  

How do you work on basic addition facts? I am dying for more ideas!!!! :)

Wheww....TGI{almost}F

Spooktacular Math Centers

Get ready…get set…for the easiest math centers you have ever laid your eyes on! Plus...the Halloween theme just adds that little fun factor! I am excited about these centers for three reasons:

1. There is little preparation invovled!

2. The students can complete the activities as many times as they want/need because each time they will be creating and manipulating new numbers!

3. These centers can last the entire month of October!

{What on earth will I do with all of my free time?!?}

As a teacher, I try very hard to create meaningful centers that require my students to apply new skills all while participating in fun and engaging activities. Independent centers are a great way to see a student’s application of skills.  Centers are GREAT! The preparation, however sends me right into fright! I love the thought of engaging math centers, but I do not love the thought of all of the preparation {even though they are so stinkin' adorable when you finish!!!} I had to find a way to have the best of both worlds. {the cuteness and the academics} Here is what I came up with...Spooktacular Halloween Math Centers! This unit includes 8 math centers that will have your students practicing basic skills such as addition, subtraction, place value and much more! The best part…the only preparation needed - cut out your students’ number cards {which could technically be cut by the students - depending on how type A you are} ;). I like to create the cards ahead of time, laminate them, and keep them from year to year! Seriously...that is all there is to it! The students use their cards for every center in this unit. In addition to all of that craziness, they can complete each activity as many times at the want/need because each time they will be creating new numbers! How much better can life get at the moment??? Ha! Sorry...I just love when I save myself time! Just in case all of my blabbering confused you...here is the prep. work one more time for all of you visual people! {Don't worry...I am one of you too!}

Here is a little glimpse of the eight centers included:

And the playing cards (large for teacher, small for students)

Annndd...a quick peek at a few of the response sheets.

Directions for each activity are located on the response sheets. During each activity, the students will be using their number cards to create and manipulate numbers. This means that the level of difficulty all depends on the student. They can create one, two, three or four digit numbers. Students can work in partners or independently to complete their centers. You can have 1-2 centers per week or introduce them all and allow students to choose which center they complete each day.These centers can easily last an entire month and are a great little change for the “spooky” month of October! I have added this little unit to my TPT store! You can stop by and pick it up as you wish!

Happy Fall Y'all! I am just lovin' this time of year!

A Little Math Pick Me Up

I generally enjoy teaching math {yes...I am secretively a math nerd}. I think it is just way too much when students explore and manipulate numbers and then have those huge Ah-ha moments! HOWEVER...and this is a BIG HOWEVER...there are two words that make my skin crawl {just a bit}! Dare I say it...problem solving! Why?!? Well...because that my friends requires some SERIOUS thinking!!!! Not that I mind thinking, but when you are trying to teach students how to think...sometimes things just get all jumbled up and I am about 99.9999% sure that my students are convinced that I am speaking Chinese...French... or some language other than their own! Maybe it is just me, but those baffled looks seem to say it all! Well...even though the job of teaching "strategies" to solve problems is a dangerous one...it MUST be done!

The other day, I was talking to one of my sweet teacher buddies {she taught second last year and has now moved to first...so basically we have switched positions...which means at this moment...she is my lifeline!} She shared a nice little strategy with me that she called P.S.A. She has been so gracious to allow me to share it with all of you!  The concept is oh so very simple and the kids are really loving it. Each letter stands for a step in the problem solving process: P = Identify the problem, S = Identify a strategy and solve, A = Answer and check. I loved the idea so I took it and ran as fast as I could back to my room to implement this ASAP! I was desperate...what can I say? Here is what I came up with!

A Problem Solving Bulletin Board

{That I reference a zillion times during math instruction}

I also added place value...the other deadly killer! :)

Annnnddd...a few keywords here and there!

If only that nice little bulletin board would solve all of the world's problems! Of course it has to be taken one little step further. Along with the zillion times that I reference and remind and reference and remind, my sweet friend also shared an idea that allows the students to apply their knowledge and really attack word problems.

I call them Work It Out Problem Solving Folders:

I glued the three strategies to a file folder. After laminating the folder for durability, I cut it into three sections. Now...watch how it all goes down!  It is all about the step by step!

P = problem

Read and identify important information and keywords! Highlight the problem and decide what the word problem is asking you to find.

S = Identify the strategy that you will use to solve the problem. Write an equation and solve!

A = Answer and Check!

During this addition problem, the students used rounding to check and get a "ballpark" figure! {Sorry there is no picture! My camera died on me right as I was about to finish! I will add one later! You get the idea!}

We have been working it out now for three weeks! Their improvement has been remarkable! This strategy truly makes problem solving concrete and gives them specific steps to follow during each problem. It also shows them how much thought it takes to solve these problems {which is not always easy for these little people to grasp...bless their hearts} :). This unit is up at my TPT store and you can check it all out HERE!

Here is a little preview:

It's a Freebie Kind of Saturday!

To celebrate the almost completion of my classroom {HUGE sigh of relief} I have two little freebies to share with you today. Check back tomorrow...I will have lots of pictures to share!

The first freebie is a little piece of my Shiver Me "Time"bers Unit. This activity was definitely awarded "Most Popular" from my sweet little students. My kiddos absolutely loved it. It actually turned into a reward for finishing our math instruction early. Don't you just love when rewards can be academic...especially when the kids are begging for more!!! Love those moments!  I hope that your students can find as much enjoyment from this little activity as my students did in first grade! Click on the picture below for the free download.

Argh Have...Who Has?

Don't forget, you can pick this unit up at my TPT store right now! 

I have received several questions about the money sticks that I posted about yesterday. Just in case you missed it...here is a little picture to catch you up! 

Money Sticks

 Let me try to answer a few of the questions that I have received by explaining how I plan to use these sticks during my math instruction. Obviously these little gems will only be one component of my money instruction. Unfortunately, when the students must create a certain amount, the money sticks will not be of much help. I will be using the sticks during counting practice, possibly as a little warm-up during small group instruction (since they will be super easy to hand out) and most importantly as a center activity. Below, you can download a copy of several sheets that I have created that could be included in your weekly centers or math tubs. These are several activities that I will be having the students complete during math centers. You can use all of the sheets in one week or you can mix it up and give them something different each week depending on your focus.  By using the numbering system that I explained yesterday, you can easily check your students' work to identify mastery or to identify those students who need a little extra help. You can download these center activities HERE!

Enjoy these little downloads and hopefully they will save you some MUCH NEEDED time during the BACK TO SCHOOL CRAZE going on everywhere!

Check back tomorrow for some classroom photos...rock and roll style!!! I will also be posting my next unit Get "Reel" With Writing: Creating Award Winning Writers within the next few days. I hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend and resting up for the start of a new year!

Count 'Em Up...Money Sticks!!!

First, let me begin my expressing my excitement about having the opportunity to be one of the authors for Me and My Gang! This is going to be such a fabulous community of learners and I cannot wait to learn and grow from your inspiration! If you have not joined this community, head on over and become a follower!

So, for my first post, I just had to share one of the best ideas (pinterest inspired) that I have seen in quite some time. When I say the words "play money" what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Well, if you are a teacher, you are probably thinking about hearing it drop and roll all over the floor. Or perhaps you are thinking about the fact that each year, your stash of money dwindles away and you are always left wondering where ALL of those coins went. Or maybe you are even one of "those" teachers who has tried to pay for a quick soda and realized that you handed the cashier play money that you confiscated from a student during instruction! If you have any of those thoughts...follow me here...and wait until you see this idea!!!

Money Sticks...WHAT?!?

Are these not the greatest things since Diet Dr. Pepper? I am so SUPER excited about these money sticks and am already dreaming of how they are going to solve all of my play money problems. So much in fact, that I have already created 50 of them. So, if you are going to create money sticks...here are a few little tips that you may want to "borrow". :) 

I created baskets with 10 sticks each for easy center use or small group instruction.

I then labeled the sticks in each basket 1-10 (I am in the process of creating a recording sheet for a little center activity. I will post this little addition ASAP.

To keep the sticks from getting all mixed up, I labeled each basket with a number. I had five baskets, so I labeled them 1-5. I then labeled each stick in the basket with the correlating number on the back. For example, all of the sticks in basket 2 are marked with a 2 on the back. So, just in case they get misplaced, the students know exactly where to put the money stick. 

There you have it! I hope that this little idea that I picked up will help you as much as I KNOW it will help me this year! Now, head on over to check out Me and My Gang!

"Arrrggghhh" You Ready to Tell Time?!?

I am so excited to finally introduce a unit that makes learning how to tell time LOTS OF FUN!!!!  Shiver me "Time"bers is a nice little collection of all things TIME!!!  Sometimes, concepts of time and telling time can be a little bit of a challenge for many students. This pirate themed unit definitely gets the kids excited, pumped up, and ready for the challenge! Last year, they COULD NOT get enough of it!  I have added a few things to make this unit adaptable to first, second and some beginning third grade levels. Shiver Me "Time"bers includes games and activities that will challenge all of the little learners in your classroom. Many of the games offer a variety of levels and can be mixed and matched to create the perfect fit for your classroom. 

Here is a little sneek peak of Shiver Me "Time'bers which can be picked up RIGHT NOW in my TPT store! Don't forget...the SALE ENDS TONIGHT! So make sure to grab all of your last minute goodies! 

Have yourself a FAN-TAS-TIC weekend!!!

The Triple Threat!!!!! New Unit, GIVEAWAY and FREEBIE

First of all, I just want to say thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to all of my amazing followers! You have all been so sweet welcoming this new little blog into your world! You are all so AWESOME!

Camp Out...Number Style is finished and ready for action! I am so excited about incorporating a "camp" theme during our first few weeks of math. This unit includes basic number and place value concepts, application and practice...PERFECT for whipping those kiddos back into shape at the beginning of the year! :) Here is a little peek at what this unit includes! You can head on over to my TPT store to pick it up!  

One thing that I am a HUGE fan of is differentiation in the classroom! So, most activities include two - three levels of difficulty. You can see an example of how the unit levels work in this little "snapshot" of my math camp out called "Odd and Even Roast."

So, to celebrate my first bloggy unit and the opening of my Teachers Pay Teachers Store, I am hosting a little giveaway. I will be giving two lucky winners their very own copy of Camp Out...Number Style along with my upcoming unit Shiver Me "Time"bers which is a nice little collection of all things time! Time with pirates??? How can you resist?!? That means you will get:

How Can I Win?!?

There are 4 ways to enter and one extra way to earn another camp out FREEBIE!

1) One Entry for Following My Blog

2) One Entry for Following my TPT Store

3) One Entry for Reposting this Giveaway on Your Blog (You will also receive another little camp out freebie when you do this! So, when you comment...leave your email!)

4) One Entry for Adding Me to Your Blog Roll

Please leave a comment for each entry that you complete. The giveaway will end next Wednesday, August 3rd at midnight (for all of you night owls)!  I will announce the winner on Thursday! Good Luck!!!