Making 10 Cards

I made "Making 10" cards. I laminated cardstock, then added beads on a string so they can slide like an abacus, as they find ways to make 10, similar to a rekenrek.


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Composing

Here's a pocket chart I cut into half. Then, I used tape to create a ten frame. We use it to compose and decompose in math centers.

Also, I flash a number card and the students use counters and their own ten frames to make that number.


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Rainbow to 5

My kids loved this, from http://littlestscholars.blogspot.com/2012/03/ways-to-make-5-rainbow.html. We also completed the "Rainbow to 10."

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Valentine's Day Counters

As math manipulatives this Valentine's week, we are using old candy hearts. I sprayed them with hairspray to keep bugs (and kindergartners) away!


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Toilet Paper Number Line

Today we used toilet paper to count to 100. Seriously. Anything to get them excited about counting over and over again...



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Hula Hundred Chart

We are working our way towards the number, 100, in math. I made this chart to replace my store-bought one hanging in my classroom. The children will be responsible for writing in the numbers. "Hula" was the best word I could think of to match our ocean theme, that also started with an "h." Maybe we will hula while we count!


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More Anchor Charts

I know I have posted some of these anchor charts before. They are from last year. Rather than drawing all new charts for this year, I put Post Its over the facts. As the children brainstormed ways to be a good illustrator, I would pull off their ideas. Luckily, the Post Its are transparent. Any new ideas were written in.




Charts we haven't discussed yet... www.thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com has great ideas! :)




Here are new Anchor Charts we will be creating this year:
Labels (idea from www.thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com)
Sounding Out (segmentation/turtle talk)
More and Fewer
Zero
Rhyming








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October Math Center

Here is a counting center, using pumpkin seeds and a cupcake tray. The children work in pairs counting seeds to match the numeral written on the pumpkin. It's easy to swap out the numbers for different themes/seasons. You can even use math facts. Happy fall!


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Counting On and Composing/Decomposing

I made a class set of ten-frames and laminated them to practice "counting on" from ten. We have also been using them when breaking down numbers.



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Anchor Charts

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Coins

As money review, I got a coin purse and put some coins in it to help refresh some memories. My aide will let the kids "buy" items around the classroom for a penny, nickel, dime, or quarter. They are so excited! It's the best method we've tried!











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Alphabetical Order

During centers, the children were asked to make the alphabet using cookie cutters. When the alphabet was completed correctly, it made an AB pattern.


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Office Overload

My office is currently in shambles. Boxes, bags, and piles cover my floor. I have been back to school shopping for my classroom.

I have also been sorting, counting, and organizing our consumables. We will have THREE teachers in the fall, instead of our previous two. I brought the boxes home so I could count them, bundle, and label the chapters with the teachers' names on them. Then, we had a lot of random extras from previous years that had been cramping my storage room.

Here are the chapters for my class. I keep them at home.

The Muncher!

At our most recent staff development day, "The Muncher" was introduced. I loved it! It is a trash can disguised as a monster. I use it in small group. As the kids correctly identify a flashcard, they give The Muncher a high five and then feed the flashcard to him.

Occasionally, I'll give The Muncher a nudge to make him jump at the children. Very exciting!

He has very sharp teeth, which gobble up letters, high-frequency words, and numbers!

Math Manipulatives

One of the best tips for using math manipulatives in the kindergarten classroom I received in undergrad, is always give your kids time to play with them BEFORE you attempt to teach. It alleviates distraction. They even started making letters out of the cubes (note: the "I" above)!

Commotion in the Ocean

At Art Center, I keep this sign to remind children the steps to complete their art projects. Usually, it keeps them independent. The pieces are velcro, so as art projects change, I just swap the steps.

Here the students are told to write names first, then paint!

The Ocean theme is my favorite! As always, you have to keep lessons integrated, so I am incorporating math patterns in art!

Kid's favorite.

I drew goggles and a snorkel and used the riso to make copies on sturdy construction paper. This is a very difficult cutting task for a kinder, when cutting out the eye window. They wear these on their heads for the rest of the school day. In the journals, the children wrote about what they would want to see in the ocean with theeir goggles.

Water Table Center.

I put TONS of soap in there and some fake ocean life. Another favorite!