Sunday, November 10, 2013

Counting On (math strategy) and a freebie.

In my room, we have been spending a lot of time learning and practicing the count on strategy.  Most of my Littles can do this, but I still have a few that struggle with holding on to the larger number and counting on.  They are counting all.  Here's something that we are doing to practice this skill:
 
 
The big number cards came with my Math Expressions curriculum and they have the number on one side and the dots on the back that correspond.  I just used our whiteboards for the plus and equal signs. We start out by telling an addition story problems.  Then 4 students create the equation with the cards.  My Littles love to be the "one" chosen to solve the equation.  They must:


 
We also have been using this little game in our math intervention time this week.  It's called Odd and Even Sum Snakes.  One partner has even numbers and the other has odd numbers.  They take turns rolling 2 dice or 1 die and 1 number cube and add them.  When they use the number cube it is easy for them to practice counting on :)  Anywho, the idea of this game is to X-tinguish all your snakes with X's  :)  I laminate my boards and the Littles use dry erase markers.  Grab you free copy here!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Odd-and-Even-Snake-Sums-969920

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Odd-and-Even-Snake-Sums-969920
 

And Lastly, here is our finished schema chart about pumpkins.  After reading several informational texts about pumpkins, we added our new schema in the form of leaves.  The Littles seemed most impressed that there are in fact BLUE pumpkins.  They thought that was super cool.



Have a blessed week,

Saturday, November 2, 2013

November Currently

It's November!  That means it's time for a new Currently Linky party hosted by Farley.

Oh' boy fourth grade
Here's my Currently:


Listening:  The wind has been blowing like crazy all day!  I am so thankful that we haven't lost power.  But, I live in western WA and it is that time of year that this (and rain) happens a lot.  One of my facebook friends put it best:  Goodbye sunshine.  See you on July 5th. 

Loving:  I love TV.  My newest favorite is the show The Blacklist on NBC.  James Spadder plays bad oh so good!  He is a criminal mastermind that is working with the FBI to catch the worst of the worst criminals. 

 
 
 
Thinking:  My sweet hubby's birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year.  I don't know what I will get him.  Ideas?
 
Wanting:  Next week's lesson plans completed...no explanation need :) 
 
Needing:  Cooking breakfast on Saturday morning is a tradition in our house.  I don't do it any other day unless it's a holiday or my parents are visiting.  I also cooked lunch too.  Now, my kitchen needs to be tidied up.  I hate doing the dishes.  My hubby usually does them if I cook, but poor thing had to work this afternoon.  I'll get to it in a bit....
 

A Yummy Pin:  Chocolate Gravy...I know some of you might be thinking WHAT?!?!  I grew up in MS and I love chocolate gravy.  I love it on biscuits or dunking a doughnut into it.  It is really delicious!  This pin says that you could eat it with eggs...I wouldn't suggest it.  That sounds gross!  But, it is a great accompaniment to a wonderful carb of your choice.  Here's the link to the pin :)
 
If you grew up in the south you (should) know about Chocolate Gravy. All it is: 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, 3 Tbsp flour, 3 Tbsp cocoa powder, 4 Tbsp sugar, 1 cup milk, 1-1/2 tsp vanilla. Drizzle this velvety, sweet sauce over a hot buttered biscuit, angel food or pound cake or over a bowl of strawberries. Delicious!
 
 
Have a blessed night and enjoy falling back :)