Snow Days & TPT Sales

What's better than a snow day? 

Two snow days back to back! 

And A TPT sale is the cherry on top! 

I've been permanently attached to my couch for the 2nd day in a row and I am perfectly okay with that. Yesterday I decided to soak up the good vibes and be lazy. I napped, watched HIMYM, napped some more, and waited on the fiance to come home. I suppose today I will attempt to be productive since this weekend I am heading to Texas to see my girlfriend get married :).

Speaking of marriage, less than 6 months til I'm a Mrs.!! I am so excited, but even typing that makes me instantly think of all the things I still have to do before then!! It's been pretty fun planning so far but I cannot wait to wake up that day and see it all come together. And see Mr. Handsome's face when he see my dress :)

(Side note: Our engagement photos were featured on a blog!! Click the photo to see the feature)

In other news I'm trying to make some final decisions on my TPT cart before I checkout today and take advantage of their latest sale!

My entire store is on sale as well, so head on over and check it out!

Here's a clip of my latest math game in action. 

Be sure to click the "Store" link to head over to TPT and take advantage of such great deals, and support your fellow teachers!

Hello September! Bring on Fall, math centers and freebies!

I can't believe it's already September. I can't wait until it actually begins to feel like Fall. I'm trying to refrain from pulling out all the decor and scented candles! I forget how much time really flies when school is back in session. I'm sooo grateful for this 3 day weekend! But I admit it makes me wish every weekend had that extra day! Lol

So I wanted to link up with the Currently linky but its a tad late for that, I'd be number 3295 hah. I love those linkys but that one tends to fill up so quickly. So I wanted to blog but wasn't sure what to write about until an Instagram buddy gave me inspiration.

I posted this photo and @mirandalarayne (who's an awesome TN teacher BTW, follow her on insta and twitter!) Asked about my math centers. I am still working them in with our new curriculum but they have been going well so far so I'll share what works for me!

*Side note*

This summer I went to ITeach1st and was able to see one of my faves Reagan Tunstall present about her math centers and guided math layout. Although I couldn't implement my math centers in the same exact way her presentation did inspire me to use math centers in my classroom. I've used them in previous years but I'm trying to improve that area this year. Below is a link if you would like to see some of her post about guided math.

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Number talks/ Spiral Review

I I begin my math lesson every day with number talks or a problem of the day. This is a countywide initiative where I teach so number talks and spiral review problems are provided by the county. This takes about 5-10 min. 

These half composition notebooks are where we write our problem of the day. I added labels.

Mini Lesson

Next we begin our lesson. As I said earlier we have a new math curriculum, and I'm definitely still getting used to it. Our lessons seem more broken down with this new program. Because of this latley I have strived to have a 20-30 min mini lesson whole group. This is when we review vocabulary, refer to habits of mind and habits of interaction, try out concepts on whiteboards and engage in discussions or partner talk about our math. It may also be a time to show a video that demonstrates the concept.

Centers

If we have a new center I introduce it before I give the rundown for the day. I demonstrate the activity whole group.

Then I let them know their centers for the day. We use the MATH acronym but I've seen others use BUILD or STACK. I prefer 4 rotations for our time frame. Each center has a basket with the corresponding letter and an activity inside.

M- Math Facts

These are centers like flashcards, number order games, number recognition activities, addition & subtraction Facts

They were playing roll and color. Roll the big foam dice, color the number. First to fill their row wins.

A- At my desk

This is where the student is typically working on something independently. It may be a worksheet or some other type of activity. Last week our activity was filling in blank 120 grids.

T- Teacher's Choice

I use this center flexibly. If it is a newer concept and I want to review with all group members I may have them come to my small group area. If I know of some friends that need reteaching I may call them to my table while the rest of the group practice skills on computers or at a center in the T basket.

H- Hands On

This is where the students do something, usually with manipulatives, that tie into the recent lessons. This may be modeling addition or subtraction problems. playing with a large 120 grid, etc. 

Setting up to play "How Many Am I Hiding?" A game to practice finding missing addends.

Other Details

The length of centers can vary depending on the time remaining in my math block but I usually like at least 10-15 minutes for each. If necessary I could also limit the number of rotations. Two long rotations on day 1 ( ex. 20 minutes) and two long rotations on day 2.

I get the games and activities from a variety of places including the materials my school/ county provides, TPT, pintrest ideas, etc. I store games and centers by standard so its easy to know what games apply to what lesson.

 This year I want to improve by incorporating some reflection and metacognition time at the end of the lesson, I just want to look into how to do so effectively. We have a TDG math lab coming up so that will give me some time to consider it. 

I hope that was helpful to someone! And if you have questions feel free to ask. Since you hung in so long, why not snatch a freebie? Here are some labels to use for math centers. I use a set with magnets on my whiteboard for rotations and a set on the corresponding tub or basket. Maybe I can grab a pic with them Tuesday...anyways

(Click the picture to be taken to the freebie in my TPT store)

Enjoy your weekend!

I've already been enjoying mine!

Book Study - Strategy 4 Games

Well I'm a little tardy for the party with this chapter! But better late than never right? :)
Linking up with Queen of the First Grade Jungle
 

So strategy 4 was all about games which I am a definitely a fan of in the classroom. I try to throw them in whenever they can be effective and get the kids involved or moving around. The chapter starts off explaining how games can be beneficial at any grade level. They can help the students gain understanding and also motivate them to learn and show what they know! The instructional activities area contains a variety of game ideas and resources.

 

 

My math centers usually include a game like this one seen below that I created this summer. (Available in my TPT store of course!)

 

 

 

They also loveddddd hopping from seat to seat recording greater than or less than equations with this cute game by Adventures in Kinder and Beyond

 

 

 

 

Another suggestion was a game called "Loop" that most of us refer to as "I Have, Who Has". There are tons of free versions of it online!

 

 

I also enjoy quick little brain break games if we are about to transition or need a refresher. A favorite of my students is when I call out an adjective or describing phrase and the kiddos must find something matching the criteria within 15 seconds. Ex. "Yellow" or "Something with corners". I give them rules ahead of time like no running, no disrespecting someone else's items, etc. Then I have a few students share what they found and we return to seats or the rug for learning.

 

I could definitely broaden my use of games throughout the topics though. I tend to focus on math and literacy. But utilizing vocabulary game suggestions from this book in science and social studies would reach two goals at one time! Gonna be looking into that :)

 

This chapter once again just gives me a new angle to consider when reflecting on my teaching. "Where can I incorporate a useful game?" is a question I should be asking more often! What are your thoughts? Feel free to share and have a fantastic weekend!

Hello October! :)

I went from two posts in a weekend to no posts for a month! Shame on me! lol So sorry but school has been jam packed with Open Houses, Conferences, etc.

(Speaking of conferences, head to my TPT "MsMcGaha" to grab this Conference form freebie!)

Plus I am a grad student and man have they been cranking up the work! But I have been thinking about my blog often, just no time!

So here's a few classroom pics...

Decomposing Game "Shake and Spill"

More "Shake and Spill"

 

Math Anchor Charts

We Lovedddddd "Diary of a Worm" and "Diary of a Fly". We enjoyed gummy worms after answering comprehension questions :)

Plant Foldable

Inside of the plant foldables.

 

Our clover plants in during the first week.

A sight word activity (a freebie in my TPT store)

We began working with owls towards the end of September. We drew and labeled them.

 

Now back to enjoying the beginning of my fall breakkkkk! Happy Sunday yall.