Category Archives: Math | Science | STEM | STEAM

Math resources and Science products for including STEM and STEAM into the classroom.

APRIL 25 is WORLD Penguin DAY!

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I know..It’s April

How can it be WORLD PENGUIN DAY?

via GIPHY

I don’t make these up… 🙂

To celebrate

WORLD Penguin Day (APRIL 25)

some bloggy friends and I have “LINKED” up to

give YOU some FUN and exciting ways to celebrate with your

students and your families!

Here are just a few penguin resources to get you started!

Thank You PINTEREST!

 

It's time to get the gardens started. You might get your hands DIRTY!

Get YOUR Hands DIRTY in the GARDEN!

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GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY IN THE GARDEN!

The SUN is SHINING!
The birds are “chirping”.
My chickens are laying EGGS!
It’s almost SPRINGTIME folks!

It’s time to plant the garden!

We gotta get ready!
So …how?
What do I do first? Then? Next?
( Sound familiar? )
We in NORCAL are ready to…
GET OUR HANDS DIRTY!

We have 3 raised gardens…
Grapes growing on the white fence.

The garden behind the white fence.

And an extra large garden.
The windmill for looks, in the garden.

The windmill in our garden.

 Yes…We have our own windmill.
( NO..it does NOT pump water…BUT IT LOOKS SO COOL!)
A twelve-foot sunflower grew in our garden.

Our twelve-foot sunflower in the garden!

Last year… 12 ft. tall SUNFLOWERS!
The garden has vegetables growing.

Our garden has tomatoes, onions, corn, and peppers.

Corn, tomatoes, garlic, onions, tomatillos, cilantro, peppers,
green beans, squash, pumpkins, grapes
Our garden has sunflowers beginning to grow.

The sunflowers are beginning to grow in the garden.

In the beginning…(sunflowers)
The little kids love the garden worms.

Our granddaughters found worms in the garden.

And our helpers…
Our granddaughters  &  grandson   LOVE DIRT!
Best friends with WORMS!
(Put your coffee grounds into your garden…worms LOVE THEM!)
The black chicken helps in the garden.

The black chicken is in the coop.

The white chicken likes the garden.

The white chicken likes to eat the vegetables from the garden.

We also have 2 chickens…
Snow white (Black..I know…SNOW WHITE has BLACK HAIR)
and Rapunzel (  She used to have yellow feathers..)
Granddaughters named them…
Thank You, Disney!
We also live in the suburbs…NO FARM!
We just grow what we use & use what we grow!
So Valentine’s DAY is usually the “day”.
START YOUR SEEDS!

Plant your garden!

HUH?
How? Where?
HUH?
We use seed starter kits.
( Lowes, Home Depot, etc)
Seed starters help us get the plants for the garden.

We start the seeds for the garden in small starter kits.

We put one seed in each “pot”, water daily,
and keep in the sun…
INDOORS!
(Usually on MY kitchen table for a while). 🙁
As the seeds sprout…we move them into a small greenhouse outside for acclimation.
The greenhouse helps get out garden plants started.

A small hothouse helps the small plants grow.

As the seeds gain height and leaves…
We plant them in the gardens.
We try to plant/ sprout / acclimate/ plant in the gardens
at different times.
That way we always have produce ripening.
I also have herbs:
cilantro, parsley, basil, rosemary, chives, mint
growing year round.
This year we are trying something new.
( In addition to what we already have..)
We can plant our vegetables in the straw bales.

Straw bales for the new garden.

Straw Bale Gardening!
Researching it now.
Looks promising!
(I think I may propose this one at school too).
Great for growing plants in a small space!
A NEW garden!
OK..then what?
We have ALL of this summer produce!

What do we do with it?

(You can only eat so much…so fast!)
Well…
Hubby cans!
(Yes…HE  CANS!)
* This year SANTA brought him a new pressure canner!
Happy hubby…Happy  wife! 🙂
We can our produce from the garden.

After we harvest, we can to preserve our produce.

Peaches…yummy!
We made tomato sauce.

We made sauce from the garden tomatoes.

Salsa, spaghetti sauce, tomatoes.
ALL kept in storage for WINTER!
And me?
I dehydrate…I dehydrate WELL!
Dehydrated garden vegetables.

We dehydrate the garden vegetables.

Our garden produce is preserved.

Preserving fruits and vegetables.

I Love my dehydrator!
My new LOVE is
PERSIMMONS!
Orange persimmons from the garden.

Persimmons can be preserved.

I can’t wait to dehydrate them this fall.
Persimmons to snack on…ALL YEAR LONG!
YUMMY!
And ALL from the gardens!
According to 2018
2018 US Farmer's Almanac

The 2018 US Farmer’s Almanac

IT’S  TIME  TO  PLANT!

According to FARMER folklore,
The farmer’s timetable for planting is:
“When you can put your bare behind on the soil
& it is WARM…
time to plant!”
I haven’t actually tried that…
I  think I will wait for a little more SUN and make a good GUESS!
It’s almost time!
Get your gardens ready..it’s time to
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY!  🙂
The farmer and his wife.

The farmer and his wife.

If you are looking for a fun gardening unit for your CLASSROOM…
*click on the FREE PREVIEW..:)
Robby Rabbit's Garden

Robby Rabbit’s Garden

Click  HERE to see the new packet.

 

Check out some more  GARDEN fun from 1stgradefireworks:
To see the SUNFLOWER UNIT
click  HERE
Teach your students about seeds with SUNFLOWER SEEDS A Plant Unit

Sunflower Seeds plant unit

How many times do YOU ask..WHAT TIME IS IT?

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WHAT TIME IS IT???

How many “times” today have you been  asked…
WHAT TIME  IS  IT???

Clock, time, happy clock
For me…
WAY  TOO  MANY!

And so…
WE  TEACH!

Hour hand.
Minute hand.
O’clock.
Thirty.

And OVER…And OVER…And OVER!

Judy clock for asking What Time Is IT?
Big ones for WHOLE Group. 
Little Ones for Small / Independent Practice.

(Practice  MAKES   Perfect!)

To help out…

I have created a
MUCH   NEEDED  Packet.. 
for ME AND  For YOU!

WHAT TIME IS IT? 1stgradefireworks

Snowman clocks for What Time Is It?

Time cards for WHAT TIME IS IT?

Snowman time header cards

snowman, time , black & white cards

Clocks for WHAT TIME IS IT?


These games will help my kiddos practice
Hour & Half-Hour
in 
MULTIPLE GAME  Formats!


Those who like SORTING…SORT!
Those who like a MATCHING GAME…MATCH!
Those who like to write..WRITE!

And so we work..we play…we practice!

And then…

WHAT  TIME  IS  IT??

RECESS!  LUNCH!  TIME TO GO HOME!


Time to the hour and half hour

  
Check out my WINTER Pinterest board!
LOTS  of Winter GOODIES!

WINTER IS WONDERFUL

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Winter.
Snow.
Jackets, mittens, scarves, & snowboots.

I am NOT an expert on SNOW!

I live in NORCAL.
Wine country. 

Not a lot of snow here.

My students LOVE to learn about WINTER!

Our favorite theme.


ELA  AND  MATH  CENTERS

English  Language  Arts

Contractions

VERBS

MIXED UP SENTENCES

WRITING…MAIN IDEA  &  DETAILS

MATH


Math Mountains
Missing  Addends

MAKING  10  STRATEGY
PLACE  VALUE

Guided Math..MAKES MY DAY!

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Guided Math.

YES..I have said the words.

GUIDED  MATH.
GUIDED MATH  MAKES  MY  DAY!

 Why?  Why you ask…

 I love the small group engagement that comes from grouping students into “teams”. I can reach them at their level. I can group them with others who have “like” needs. 

 THEY feel so empowered. They feel so GOOD!

 BUT..another small group.
MANAGEMENT can be “terrifying”!

I have found the “TRICK” that makes MY life 
SO MUCH EASIER!!!

I use magnetic paper to print my posters and pdf's for calendar time.

MAGNETIC PRINTER PAPER

Yes…it came from AMAZON…But I have NO AFFILIATION..just like their stuff!

  HOW DO I USE IT?
I made a MATH FOCAL WALL
(Thank You Keri Brown & Brenda Frady)

and printed them on MAGNETIC PAPER..
yes, in my REGULAR Printer (toner not ink).

 NOW…YOU CANNOT use a whiteboard marker on
magnetic paper.
YOU MUST COVER IT.

 So HOW DO I “COVER” IT???

 REPORT  SLEEVES…to the rescue!

 Cut them apart into rectangles.

 Tape on top!
VOILA!

 Eraseable …MAGNETIC..FOCUS WALL

 I put it on my side whiteboard.

 I LOVE IT!

 Here’s the final result(s)…

 SO  HAPPY!

 This helps me get the CALENDAR PORTION of my
Guided Math started.

 Then..my kiddos begin
MATH MUST DO’s.

 Then, I can pull small groups of kids for 
MATH!

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!
Clear REPORT SLEEVES
taped at the top! 🙂

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!

Using magentic paper when printing, allows you to instantly change content on math walls!
Be still my heart..
MATH  FOCAL WALL 
with 
MATH MUST DO’s!!

I am LOVIN’..Magnetic Printer Paper!

Next…I am printing my
First grade math concepts for whole group, small group, and independent practice.
Independent MATH center
MAGNETIC! 

🙂

Happy Fall…Bring it ON!

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September is almost GONE!
October will be here soon.
And then…NOVEMBER!

Then comes  SANTA!
Ok…I  regress…

I like FALL.
But…I LOVE  CHRISTMAS!

So to get ready for FALL…
Think leaves, scarecrows, pumpkins, LATTES!
Sweaters, boots, scarves, mittens!
Soft, fluffy blankets.
Fires in the fireplace.
Hot cocoa by the fire, READING A BOOK!
HURRY!  HURRY!
I AM  READY!

Here are some fun ideas to help YOU (& ME)

If YOU need anymore FALL ideas…

Stop by  


Are YOU ready?

(And then…BRING ON SANTA!)
🙂

Have YOU Heard? REALLY??? AM I the LAST to know???

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I feel left out!

HOW did I not know…???
I just found out that

ORIENTAL  TRADING

has a 
WEB SITE 

JUST FOR TEACHERS!

OMG! 

LIFE  CHANGING!

The “go to” website for class sets of

ANYTHING…

pencils, erasers, crafts, party supplies, etc

NOW…has

TEACHER  SUPPLIES!

Bulletin board materials, pencils, book marks,STEM activities, etc..etc..etc…


Learn365  is  AMAZING!

The WONDERFUL people at ORIENTAL TRADING
sent my students  SOME  GOODIES!

*disclaimer…I was compensated in classroom materials for this blogpost.
 BUT…In my opinion,
 I believe this is a wonderful site 
for teachers when purchasing classroom materials.

My students have
 3 new STEM tubs
 for Problem Solving!


Jumbo Lacing Beads

WHO doesn’t LOVE to make PATTERNS, 
practice stringing beads, 
and work on fine motor skills
 of putting a bead in a string?

My kiddos LOVE this!

Yes…primary kids still need patterning!  🙂

Foam SHOES for practice TYING SHOE LACES!
WHAT A HIT!

It’s a LIFESKILL..not all students have.
Great practice!
These are sturdy & REAL!
Love them!


And their ABSOLUTE
FAVORITE!

Learning Resources® Gears! Gears! Gears! Movin’ Monkeys™ Building Set

STEM  at  it’s  BEST!

They build a rainforest THAT MOVES!
The monkeys MOVE!
The forest MOVES!
They control it through the movement of GEARS!

WOW!


We have only been in school for a week…
but I have already had kids ask
if we can get THIS out again!

WINNER! WINNER!

So..I feel very fortunate to have this wonderful
donation to my class!

GO NOW! Get your STEM ON!


and now YOU know!

I hope I will NOT be the LAST to know again!

Happy Back to School!


The day the BOYS found…DICE!

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My boys have found…DICE!

I must THANK the Dollar Store & Target $1 Spot
for making their “dreams come true!”

I Love to have games in my classroom!
We PLAY LOTS of GAMES!
 I once had a parent ask me if ALL we did was play games….
each day her daughter would go home & MOM would ask..
” What did you do at school today?”
Daughter….”Oh, we just played games…”
YES!  BUT…
We play MY games…
games that reinforce concepts I am teaching!

So, today,

MY BOYS  FOUND….DICE!

Their world has changed FOREVER!
I have small dice, large dice, EXTRA LARGE FOAM DICE! LOTS!
We are working on beginning addition…
( YOU know where I am going with this!)
Roll…..ADD….Color!

We got out the dice games & had a ball!
Here is my FALL DICE GAMES…
7 games in one packet!
So CHEERS to games 
that make learning FUN!

What games do YOU play
 in your classroom??? 🙂

WOWZA! I’m on a ROLL!!! OK..Time for a NAP!

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I am on a ROLL!!!
Working on updating & revamping some
 FALL GOODIES!

Stop by & give me some LOVE!

(WOW! …I need a nap!)

 HUGS! 🙂

1stgradefireworks
Fill in the missing number.
Task Cards for Guided Math Centers.

Sweet Rhymes.
Match the cone to the ice cream scoop that rhymes.

September Preview/Review GAME!
Assess for FALL concepts!
Fun AND INFORMATIVE!

Missing addends in FALL task cards!
Guided Math center activities.

Sight Words Flip book!
HFW fluency practice.


Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To
Halloween Edition.

Fall themed packet includes:
-Fall vocabulary : syllables
-Graphic Organizers
-Writing Paper
-HFW Matching Game
-ABC Order
-Poem
-Pocket Chart Cards for Poem

WHEW!
Hot around here.

I hope YOU are taking it easy,
resting and playing…

 Soon enough, 
we will be getting ready for BTS!

How to SURVIVE …Back to School Night!

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Oooooo…the dreaded 
 “PARENT’S ARE COMING!”
  Night!
AKA…Back to School Night
We ALL get nervous speaking to a room of parents!
(Wear  good  deodorant, use a breath mint , and  wear  comfy  shoes!)

So..THEY are coming. The parents. The kids. The Grandparents! 
THEY want to know ALL about YOU
and WHAT you are going to do for THEIR child!

Breathe…  SMILE….breathe, again.
And tell them.

I AM GOING TO TEACH YOUR CHILD…
WITH YOUR HELP!

 (I will discuss what “papers” I have for them in another post.)

Today’s tip is about getting parents to
 sign up for everything you need!

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE!

I work in a Title 1 school.
Most parents DON’T WANT TO COME SEE ME!
So I have to make it very “inviting”. 
I tell the kids to “drag” their parents to talk to me.
(Not literally!) Two hands!
I give stickers
 to kids
 who “hand” their parents the BTS night NOTE!

And then…


Have Food!
A bowl of apples, a plate of cookies,popcorn, 
 Mini bottles of water!

CHOCOLATE CANDY!

They will come for food!


Even though parent conferences are MONTHS away..
MAKE a chart of dates & times YOU are available.

I give BRAG Tags to kids when their parents come & send a THANK YOU to the parents, the next day!

 HAVE THEM SIGN UP FOR A CONFERENCE!

(You will send a reminder note as it gets closer..let them choose first!)

If you do

REMIND

 ( iphone app…get this now!)

Have them get out their phones,
type in the number…text your class code…
and  VOILA!
Class parent contacts..DONE!


If you have any WISH LISTS, or things you might need..
HAVE THEM SIGN UP TO PROVIDE CLASSROOM ITEMS
( We can always use glue sticks, expo markers, tissues,etc)

AND  LAST…

If YOU want volunteers for classroom work , parties, field trips, etc…
HAVE THEM SIGN UP!

This is the ONLY night they will ALL be in YOUR classroom!
USE IT!

Sometimes a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE…is a good thing!

Talk about your reading, writing, math and behavior expectations. 
Talk about what they can do to help.

YOU GOT THIS!
Here are some suggestions available at:

Good Luck!
Have FUN!
Breathe!
YOU DID IT! 🙂