
Category Archives: Math | Science | STEM | STEAM

The “WEE” Little Ones are a’WATCHIN … What time is it?
What TIME is it?
It’s McBLARNEY TIME!
What TIME is it?
…until CHRISTMAS!
What TIME is it?
When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.
…kinda gross.
What TIME is it?
It’s McBlarney TIME!
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.
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!
Enjoy! Check it out on my TPT store!
Low-Stress December Math Centers
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:
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
Using Math DATA for Guided Math Groups
How do we use MATH data for Guided Math Groups?
Students work with technology during Guided Math groups.
How do I use Guided Math data to help students?
Math Expressions is my district curriculum.
Keep ME on track.
Now I have LOTS of DATA (Student information)
to put students into
guided MATH groups!
DO you Garden? A little or a LOT?
What does YOUR garden look like?
My hubby is a gardener.
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!
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!
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.
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?
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
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
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…
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
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
Check out …
for GRADE 1
See how I use it HERE and HERE
AND
For GRADE 2
See how I use it HERE
I also have MORE MATH Products…
Math Talk for Math Discussions
Thanks for following!
Here’s a FREEBIE for YOUR TIME! 🙂
ks and Stones
ENJOY!
Wendy
Holiday Literacy\Math Games and Activities and a FREEBIE
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!
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!
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?
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
Wendy