Category Archives: Math | Science | STEM | STEAM

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

Informational Writing

This week we did some EXCELLENT WRITING!

I have to be honest…I have not taught ALL of my SCIENCE standards. And yes, animal classification is a standard.

Somewhere, I have a new Science series, but my new ELA series takes up most ALL of our day…& Math… so, as any good teacher ( who LOVES science & writing) would do INTEGRATE!

We wrote informational writing about animal classifications!

And then we PAINTED them!

Living things…yaadaa. yaadaa. yaadaa…NO!

WE WROTE ABOUT REAL ANIMALS!

My EL’s had a hard time with the new vocabulary, (Thank You Project GLAD), we did new academic language, made charts, filled out graphic organizers, did shared writing, sloppy copies, and a final draft!

We had to edit for spelling, handwriting, complete sentences, punctuation, AND IT HAD TO MAKE SENSE!

All of that in 5 days!

AND THEN….. They got to make a “tear art” bear head.

( They HATE tear art… “Can I PLEASE use my scissors?” “NO!”)

Simple…tear construction paper, glue to small paper plate, add ears (with torn paper..they need FUR too), add eyes, nose, & mouth.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/351843789621516644/ — Tear BEAR!

As a culminating activity, we painted out animals & added our reports for sharing. ( see above)

SO….here are the units we used to RUN the MARATHON!

Animal Classification from 1stgradefireworks on TpT — Animal Classifications

Enjoy! Check it out on my TPT store!

Word Work

Guided Reading

Balanced Literacy

Low-Stress December Math Centers

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This will help your math centers for December!

I don’t know about you, but I have WAY TOO MANY things going on in December!

I want my classroom to run like a “well-oiled” machine…independently.

I need to ASSESS, read with kids, check those who need “help” are getting it, and TEACH!

( Makes me tired looking at this!)

MATH. It is like a GIGANTIC ROLLERCOASTER!

Somedays they are UP…they know it ALL!

and the next day, they are down, down, down,

( can’t do ANY math!)

WHAT HAPPENED?

They need practice. DAILY practice.

Daily math center practice with both addition and subtraction math facts.

Kids love to play games. I want them to practice math facts.

Hmmm

Games + Practice = SUCCESS

Here you go! My newest BFF.

Addition and Subtraction Math Task Cards to 20…Winter Edition

464 Task Cards

and

20 Math Mats for Sorting

You can PRINT individual Math Sorting Mats

( There are 21)

or… You can PRINT 2 to a page and save INK & PAPER!

Teachers LOVE CHOICES too!

Need MORE Practice math Centers? I’ve got your BACK!

Place Value Sorting Cards

Do your kids need extra help with place value? How about a sorting activity? Place Value True or False?

If you are NEW to MATH Games, this blog post might help:

Math Games & Activities for December

Ask for help, don’t get too much on your plate, it’s ok to say “NO!”

Check out my December:

Are You a Helper Elf?

December in Room 3

How to Have a “NO STRESS” December

Enjoy, the holidays, stay safe, keep yourself healthy, and have fun!

Stop by in 2022 and say HI!

Wendy

1stgradefireworks

$guided math data$

Using Math DATA for Guided Math Groups

2 Replies

How do we use MATH data for Guided Math Groups?

I teach MATH.

I “think”

I teach math well.

BUT..

HOW DO I KNOW IF THEY “GET IT”???

How do I know if they have mastered ( or internalized )

the concept,

BEFORE THE TESTING BEGINS???

Students work with technology during Guided Math groups.

I mean…it’s NOT..

I REPEAT…NOT

always about

THE TEST!

But.. my kiddos WANT to do well!

Even in First Grade, they KNOW!

They KNOW TESTS COUNT!

Whether or not we like tests or don’t,

TESTS COUNT!

And so..

How do I know if they are ready?

How do I use Guided Math data to help students?

Students work with manipulatives during guided math .

Boy counting place value cubes during guided math.

I have a district purchased math curriculum

I am required to teach.

We use Expressions.

Math Expressions is my district curriculum.

I have a pacing guide from my district to use as a “tool”

to
Keep ME on track.

Mostly to ensure I have taught the required concepts for

THE TEST!

I am NOT a fan of WASTED WORKSHEETS!

SOME…I LIKE!

SOME…I DON’T!

So …now what?

I NEED DATA!

SHOW ME WHAT YOU KNOW!

And so..

THEY DO!

Here is my Lesson on

ADDITION using 3 digits:

Whole Class math lesson with photo

Whole class math lesson with groups.

Independent math practice during guided math groups.

Independent math becomes data for guided math groups.

Differentiated math. The data becomes our groups.

So.. NOW WHAT?

Now I have LOTS of DATA (Student information)

to put students into

guided MATH groups!

I have noted students who need scaffolding in:

number sense

subitizing

numbers beyond 10

addition

grouping numbers

writing numbers

expanding numbers

place value

shape recognition

AND ALL OF THIS..

with 2 pieces of white paper & some crayons!

But…

in the next few weeks

when we

“TEST”

My kiddos will “GET IT”!

I know they will!

If YOU need any help with

MATH PRACTICE…

Check out …

MONKEY MATH

Monkey Math

Monkey Math preview

Monkey math centers

for GRADE 1

See how I use it HERE and HERE

AND

BUGGY MATH

Buggy Math for Second Grade

For GRADE 2

See how I use it HERE

I also have MORE MATH Products…

Math Talk. Math Discussions.

Math Talk for Math Discussions

Sticks and Stones Place Value

Sticks and Stones

Thanks for following!

Here’s a FREEBIE for YOUR TIME! 🙂

ks and Stones

FREEBIE…Strategy Book for Making 10

- math games

- dice

Morning Meetings

ENJOY!

DO you Garden? A little or a LOT?

2 Replies

What does YOUR garden look like?

Do YOU garden?

My hubby is a gardener.

I mean HE LOVES TO GARDEN!

We have raised garden beds.

A few of them.

And we have PRODUCE!

One week’s harvest!

Check out these posts for more about MY

FARMER – Without – A- Farm!

Get Your Hands Dirty!

Secret of Life

Meet the “Little Ones”

I need to APOLOGIZE…

Me? Not “love” to garden.

I “like” to garden.

I love to HARVEST.

I love to eat.

I don’t like to WEED.

I don’t like to sweat.

Fingers dirty? It’s OK.

As long as I can WASH THEM…SOON!

Love my new GLOVES!

Amazon.

So we plan our garden.

We grow seeds on our kitchen table.

We start them indoors,

so we can move them

OUTDOORS!

He reads OLD FARMERS ALMANAC.

As a teacher,

I want MY students

to learn to grow their own food.

I want my students to LOVE to garden!
We planted a GARDEN!

We will plant tomatoes, pumpkins, Swiss chard,

& lettuce in our raised garden.

The garden flowers will go on either side of the planter.

Now to help you in the classroom…

Sunflower Seeds

Robby Rabbit’s Garden

Check out my

Learn All about Plants

Pinterest Board.

1stgradefireworks Robby Rabbit's Garden Orange

Robby Rabbit’s Garden. Complete CCSS Grade One unit for Reading, Writing, and Math.

Planting and Learning About a Garden.

How do YOU garden?

Games for Assessments? Are they CRAZY?

1 Reply

Can I really play a FUN game to ASSESS?

Oh YEAH!

We have been playing ( YES…PLAYING)

fun games this month!

And guess what?

I can use them for assessments!

( Do I hear OH YEAH!)

Sorry …my WBT is going to my head!

My new SEPTEMBER game is both.

It’s a game & assessment.

I use the foldable game cards as a

September PREVIEW & REVIEW.

What Am I? September assessment game

Red cards. September assessment game

What Am I? September assessment game

I start the month with the cards to see what my kiddos know…

DO I HEAR KWL???

Then I can plan for the month depending on what they DON’T KNOW!

At the end of the month..REASSESS!

Another GAME!

Use DATA for review in small groups.

(WOW!!! I think I am getting this down…sarcasm)

It’s only taken me 27 years..sarcasm

( Some of us have been teaching this way for years!)

Shhhh…don’t tell anyone

Those “young PHDers in Education” may feel sad.

They think they have created something new..

The education pendulum has swung again!

Smile, nod your head,…and teach!

Do I hear an “OH YEAH!” 🙂

Using Math Data for Guided Math Groups

Leave a reply

I teach MATH.

I “think”

I teach math well.

BUT…

HOW DO I KNOW IF THEY “GET IT”???

How do I know if they have mastered ( or internalized )

the concept,

BEFORE THE TESTING BEGINS???

I mean…it’s NOT…

I REPEAT…NOT

always about

THE TEST!

But.. my kiddos WANT to do well!

Even in First Grade, they KNOW!

They KNOW TESTS COUNT!

Whether or not we like tests or don’t,

TESTS COUNT!

And so…

How do I know if they are ready?

I have a district purchased math curriculum

I am required to teach.

We use Expressions.

I have a pacing guide from my district to use as a “tool”

to
Keep ME on track.

Mostly to ensure I have taught the required concepts for

THE TEST!

I am NOT a fan of WASTED WORKSHEETS!

SOME…I LIKE!

SOME…I DON’T!

So …now what?

I NEED DATA!

SHOW ME WHAT YOU KNOW!

And so…

THEY DO!

Here is my Lesson on

ADDITION using 3 digits:

So.. NOW WHAT?

Now I have LOTS of DATA

(Student information)

to put students into

guided MATH groups!

I have noted students who need scaffolding in:

number sense

subitizing

numbers beyond 10

addition

grouping numbers

writing numbers

expanding numbers

place value

shape recognition

AND ALL OF THIS…

with 2 pieces of white paper & some crayons!

But…

in the next few weeks

when we

“TEST”

My kiddos will “GET IT”!

I know they will!

If YOU need any help with

MATH PRACTICE…

Check out …

MONKEY MATH

for GRADE 1

See how I use it HERE and HERE

AND

BUGGY MATH

For GRADE 2

See how I use it HERE

I also have MORE MATH Products…

Math Talk for Math Discussions

Sticks and Stones

Thanks for following!

Here’s a FREEBIE for YOUR TIME! 🙂

ks and Stones

ENJOY!

Wendy

Holiday Literacy\Math Games and Activities and a FREEBIE

1 Reply

Are YOU planning for December?

Get your first-grade math games & activities ready for DECEMBER!

Are you ready for holiday first-grade math games and activities?

Do you have your holiday reading and writing centers ready for December?

Do you need help finding them?

Easy Prep? High student Engagement?

I have HELP FOR YOU!

This ROUND-UP is to help YOU get organized,

NOW!!!!

The FREEBIE is at the BOTTOM!

KEEP READING! 🙂

Get your guided math centers ready to go!

Math games and printables prepped, organized, sorted.

Students can’t wait

for the exciting activities

to help them get through DECEMBER!

Do your kids need extra help with place value? How about a sorting activity?

Place Value Sorting Cards True or False?

How to help your students practice greater than and less than with game activity.

Greater Than Less Than Holiday Edition

Math Fact practice activities for December

December Fact Families

10 more and 10 less task cards for math games using the hundreds chart! Fun game!

This Elf is NOT on the Shelf

Now it is time for those literacy

( reading, writing, phonics, word)

centers!

Are YOU ready?

Literacy activities and games for reading, writing, and grammar for December.

The Elves are Working Overtime

Helping students read using Word Trees. Reading activity for fluency practice.

Sight Word Trees Holiday Edition

And for a FUN combination of Literacy and MATH…

The Winter Wonderland BUNDLE!

More games and fun activities to help your students practice grade-level standards in a highly energizing way! What a fun way to support learning through the HOLIDAY season!

Winter Wonderland Holiday Literacy & Math BUNDLE

Reading, writing, phonics, grammar, sight words, place value, task cards, and student practice pages to support learning through DECEMBER!

Winter Wonderland HOLIDAY BUNDLE

Do not forget to take care of YOURSELF!

Get planned and prepped for December

and then enjoy the season!

Laugh, giggle, give hugs & high-fives.

The holidays are for making memories.

MAKE YOURS!

Here are some posts that can help YOU, too! 🙂

When do YOU put up YOUR Christmas Tree?

What Does Read At Home Really Look Like?

Don’t Blink!

Balanced Literacy

Happy December! Take Care of Yourself and ENJOY IT!

THANK YOU for hanging in for this LONG POST!

Here is a FREEBIE for YOU!

Click BELOW

Holiday NOUN, VERB, & ADJECTIVES

Holiday Noun, Verb, & Adjectives

Wendy

UPDATE! Math Practice for the WHOLE YEAR!

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Really?

Math practice…DONE?

For the WHOLE YEAR???

YEP! YEP!

Math Practice …Common Core Aligned

Daily skills for kiddos to practice!

My newest packet requires..

NO LAMINATING!!!

Really?

I mean REALLY? YES!

I Mean NO! NO LAMINATING!

HOW? Tell me HOW?

First…Print the cards on paper or cardstock.

I choose…FLUORESCENT!

Pink, green, blue, orange , & yellow!

BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT

I have Black walls ( Wal Mart Twin Sheets!)

LOVE THEM!

Bright cards LOOK GREAT!

So how do I put them on the walls?

Sheet Protectors!

Cut them to size….

( I added tape to the bottom of some to make a “POCKET”)

and

VOILA!

To see the whole wall….

Close your eyes! READY??

Love Love Love it!

Here is a preview!

And here is the best!

The kiddos use this printable

doing 4 sets a day, for 5 days

AND THEN…

take the cards out of the pockets…place a new card in front…

AND DO IT AGAIN!

New card…same skill!

Here is the student printable:

YOU SEE?

LOTS of Practice…Little teacher WORK!

Work Smarter….NOT HARDER!

Now available at 1stgradefireworks

WINTER IS WONDERFUL

3 Replies

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.

WINTER IS WONDERFUL!

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

WINTER IS WONDERFUL

Guided Math..MAKES MY DAY!

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Guided Math.

YES..I have said the words.

GUIDED MATH.

GUIDED MATH MAKES MY DAY!

via GIPHY

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!!!

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!