Month-by-Month Math Centers!

What would we do without those special activities, things we can’t live without, must have staples that make us look like we know what we are doing? ;) You know…the whole “teach on…and pretend that it is on the lesson plan” way of thinking.  {A.K.A. the kids are always busy bees…including when the principal walks in for an observation}. :) In my classroom, I try to create fun yet meaningful staples that really keep the students engaged and interested all while mastering/perfecting standards-based skills. One of my must haves for each month is our classroom math centers. I have used them since first grade and they are oh so wonderful and save me oh so much time! It is so nice to have centers ready to go at the beginning of each month…for the ENTIRE month! {You can check out a post about my center setup HERE.} With my firsties, I used them as spiral review and for a little intervention with a few struggling loves. In second grade, they have made the absolute perfect early finisher activity to eliminate that whole “what can I do now” sort of thing! I plan on putting them to use immediately in third grade as we get back into the swing of things and refresh our memory from summer vacay!

Here is how they are setup in my classroom:

When the students finish an assignment, they choose an activity to complete {student choice…check!}. The activities are designed to challenge each student at their own independent learning level as they create one, two, three {or more} digit numbers {differentiation…check}. The best part…it is not necessary for the kiddos to have access to 1,000 different manipulatives! {Can I get an amen?} All they need is their recording sheet and a deck of cards {minimal preparation for the teacher…CHECK!}

So…needless to say…I love ‘em and can’t live without ‘em! They are perfect for helping students master those basic concepts that they can’t live without when it comes to math! I guess they have been a win/win in my classroom! Once the students are trained…they are the best thing since that quietest classroom pencil sharpener…which is pretty amaze. :) If you haven’t checked that out, you need to!

Now, for some more happy news! I have finished my month-by-month classroom math centers…for the Whole. Entire. Year!!!! Wait I think I need a few more “!!!!!!!!!!” So excited to have these ready to go for the kiddos {and for myself!} When using these centers, you can either follow the month-by-month units, or you can pick and choose units and incorporate them whenever they would fit best into your instruction! They can be used as center activities, homework, early finishers…and the list goes on. They do not have to follow a specific progression!

You can check them all out at TPT right now by clicking on the pictures below. 

The Newbies:

To match my beginning of the year Going for the Gold Unit!

  

  

  

The Whole Shebang:

   

   

   

Centers for the year…checked off and feeling so good! :)

Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend! So tell me…what are your “staples” that you just can’t live without?!?

Record Breaking Word Wall & Rock-n- Roll Freebies!

I have received lots of emails about classroom décor, so if you are one of those…this is for you! :)

Next year, I will continue rocking out with my Rock-n-Roll theme {with a few modifications here and there}. The kiddos LOVED it and well…it is just WAY too expensive to change room themes year after year! Can I get an amen?!? So, if you are also going to be rockin’ out in your classroom, here are a few resources that you can snag!

I just finished up my Record Breaking Word Wall Letters. Here is how my word wall is set up in my classroom:

As we learn new words each week in spelling/phonics, the words are added under the correct letter. It is a great resource for the students to reference throughout the year.

My new décor pack includes records for letters A-Z in both polka dot and chevron patterns to meet all of your decorating needs! :) You can pick up a copy at my TPT shop.

Of course, birthdays have to fit the theme too! You can also grab Beboppin’ Birthdays! This pack includes everything you need to make your birthday bulletin board, as well as other resources to help celebrate birthdays in complete rock-n-roll style!

And now for some FREEBIES!

Record Number Line {one of my faves}

 

You can click on one of the pictures above to grab a copy!

Here is how it looks in the classroom {ignore the sweet kids in front!}

ipod numbers {Use however you wish!}

Rockin’ Responsibilities: {This unit includes classroom helpers décor.}

  

Are you rock and rolled out yet? If not, I will definitely be back to share more rockin’ resources! Now…go enjoy the sunshine! :)

Currently…

I know…I am a little late…but better late than never!

So, so , SO excited that summer is finally here! I am even more excited that I am going to get to go meet some of my amazing blogging buddies in VEGAS! No, I don’t teach K, but I am still going for a good time! :) Then, my hubby and I will be going on a cruise for our 2 year anniversary! Everything else in between will be time spent in crafting, being lazy, the pool…you know…the good stuff!

Also on my list of “to-do” this summer…I must find a new name for this blog of mine! 2nd Grade Shenanigans really isn’t going to be so fitting anymore {sad day!}. I am trying to keep my ties to Shenanigans…but I can’t. think. of. ANYTHING! $100 to the person who comes up with the best name! Ok…not really…but if you have any ideas that can help a sista out…lemme know! :)

And finally, I posted a freebie from my Going for the Gold unit. Click on the picture below to check it out!

I am off to the gym. Love that I can do that whenever I want! Oh….HAPPY SUMMER!!!!

Going for the Gold!

Let me just say that when the Olympics begin, you may never hear from me on this little ol’ blog of mine! I am obsessed! Maybe that has a little something to do with this competitive nature that I’ve got going on here! Well, since the summer Olympics only come around every four years, I am going to do it up big in the classroom and begin the year “Going for the Gold.” 

This unit will be the perfect start for any grade level. It includes everything you need to get your sweet newbies motivated to make this their best year yet and inspired them to dream big!   You can check this unit out at my TPT shop right now! I know, I know…we’ve still got lots of time before the school year begins, but why not get ahead? Right???

P.S. If you decide to jump on the Olympic bandwagon, Hobby Lobby (does everyone live near one of these?) has all of their 4th of July decorations on sale and will be the perfect way to jazz up the classroom! Let’s hear it for the red, white, & blue! :)

What Olympic event do you like best?

Olympics 2012 & Must Haves for 3rd Grade {Yep…I said it!}

Well, the news it out! I am moving to third grade with my little loves! For those of you who are new…I have been with my kiddos since first! I am super excited about the move {minus the fact that everything must be NEW…once again!} My wheels are already turning as I prepare for next year! Now, let me make this clear! Usually, I beginning planning mid/end of July! Seriously…I squeeze every moment out of summer! However, this year, my super awesome parent volunteers are coming in next week to help out! Since I do not have anything left our current school year {we only have 2 half days left}, we are on the move for 3rd grade!

Although I am keeping my rockin’ theme, we will begin the year with an Olympic back to school unit! I went to Hobby Lobby today and all of their 4th of July celebration shenanigans are on SALE! Since we will be living the red, white, and blue dream, these decorations will be PERFECT to go all out…Olympic style! {LOVE the Olympics! Anyone up for a trip to London?}

Here is a peek at my new unit which I hope to have up sometime this week just in case you are trying to get a few ducks in a row before you head off into the sunset! ;) Actually, I must have it up if my sweet volunteers will be cutting and prepping! 

Here are a few activities that will be the perfect start to our year {even though I won’t have to think about this for another few months! Can I get an amen???}

I think that a glyph will be a great way to get reacquainted while throwing in a little data/graphing practice!

  

  

Go for the Gold and Let Your Light Shine Writing Activities

And for a little team building…

I can’t wait to share all of this with you!

AND….

SINCE I AM STARTING OVER….

YET AGAIN…

Here are a few must haves if you will be working with the thirdsters!

Cultivating Strategic Readers and Vocabulary on the Move by Amanda Nickerson {I have a feeling that I will become BFF’s with Amanda’s TPT store! All of her units are amazing…to say the least!}

Cursive Corral and Third Grade Common Core Vocabulary by Ginger Snaps

I hope that you are all having a great weekend! We are off to graduation! 2. MORE. DAYS! Yes! ;)