Current inspiration and a *FREEBIE*

I don't know about you but the Sunday blues are hitting me on Saturday...Boo....Hiss!   I love my Littles, but I love being at home too. 

I finally typed up my lesson plans.  Even though I had planned out the gist of next week before winter break, it still took so.much.time!  But, who am I kidding, it takes a while each time.  I have the craziest schedule and piecing together what works takes time.  Math is the only solid block of time that I have without an interruption.  And, our principal has had a grand idea to switch that up at the end of January.  I am trying to be positive about the change, but it's just "one more thing" in a long line of responsibilities. 

Anywho, I thought I would share with you some things that have been inspiring or making me happy me lately on pinterest etc.

1.  This frame is adorable.  I am a MS girl living in WA and this makes my heart happy (and a little homesick).  I want to make one SOON!  {original source:  http://homeideasdeco.com/diy-picture-frame-i-love-this-going-to-make-frames-of-us-every-time-we-pcs-need-to-make-one-from-mo-and-germany/}

2.  I tried this *super easy* recipe this week for crockpot country style ribs. It was delicious and the Mr. approved mightly :)  {original source:  http://whatsfordinnerfran.blogspot.com/2011/10/crock-pot-boneless-country-style-ribs.html }

3.  This isn't an inspiration, but I love Taylor Swift and this mashup is crazy good!  I *puffy heart* love it!




4.  If you stuck with me for this long, I turned my next inspiration into a freebie for ya.  Such a simple idea.  I plan to use this as an "I'm Done" activity.  I am always looking for something easy and manageable for my fast finishers.  {original source: http://www.wellnurturedplantsandpillars.com/2012/07/17/summertime-math/ }

 

And my Freebie version for you can be downloaded from my TPT store.  Click *HERE* to go get it now.

 

 

Happy Teaching, 





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!

 

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,