How to use addition and subtraction math task cards.

Math. I said it!

Does the word “MATH” make you giggle, or grumble???

If you teach TK – 6th grade, you teach addition and subtraction.

It’s never-ending.

Teach. Practice. Practice. Practice. Reteach. Over and over.

The numbers change. They get bigger.

But the skills and strategies don’t change.

The vocabulary changes ( occasionally), for example:

3 + 4 = 7 … Is this “all together” or “in all”?

Is this a math “sentence” or a math “equation”?

I have taught them ALL.

Our newest math program has first graders using the yellow and red foam counters on day 1.

And, they need to “discuss” with their partner HOW they got their answer.

First of all, some can’t count yet, and they won’t “discuss” their mathematical thinking

with students THEY DON’T KNOW! Not yet!

Now I get the idea. Just a little FAST!

Shouldn’t we allow them to “explore” the math counters first?

Some were poking them with pencils. flipping them in the air, and yes..one student chewed on the foam counter. Ewwwww.

And so, I am S L O W I N G things down, a bit.

To help my “littles” with addition and subtraction we are EXPLORING the math manipulatives first.

Then we will discuss routines and procedures for using them.

Last, we will use them to create math experiences.

Add some skills and strategies, and VOILA! We will have mathematicians!

To help my littles with beginning addition and subtraction to ten,

I have created some Math Task Cards using our WONDERFUL foam counters, and ten frames.

Math Task cards with ten frames

I have included Addition Task Cards,

Addition and Subtraction Task Cards with ten Frames

Subtraction Task Cards,

Addition and Subtraction Task Cards with Ten Frames

And student work pages for accountability.

Addition and Subtraction Task Cards with Ten Frames

Check out the video:

92 task cards for students to practice addition and subtraction with Ten Frames.

For the WIN! I may use this for guided math centers, interventions, and/or independent practice. We shall see!

Check out the other goodies for MATH CENTERS:

Think ADDITION to help you SUBTRACT

Halloween Math Fact Families

Pool Party Number Bonds – 232 Task Cards

Number Bonds help students work on number sense. Part Part Whole, Addition and subtraction, and mental math skills.

Math Vocabulary Tools for Success

Math Skill & Strategy Cards for Preview, Review, Minilessons. 6 Cards per Page. 36 math “tool” cards for scaffolding and support.

I hope this helps YOU with planning

Back-to-School math lessons for your students. Here’s to a great 2022! Check out all the goodies in my TPT store and here on the blog!

Lots of FREEBIES! Have a great school year!

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Wendy

Are your students ready for CENTERS?

1 Reply

How to add games for independent centers!

We have been in school for 4 weeks. I know…we began JULY 31! I spend 3-4 weeks working on whole class routines & schedules. Then we spend a week or two working on centers ( without me actually taking reading groups) so I can monitor HOW they are doing during independent centers. AND THEN????

We begin INDEPENDENT CENTERS without the teacher!!! WHAT??? Yes!!

Release the KRACKEN!

Release the Kracken

And yes..we begin small group reading.

I used to call it GUIDED READING.

But I have added Guided Reading Skills & Strategies.

Sometimes, we work on words. Sometimes we work on skills.

Sometimes we read. Sometimes we write.

I use my assessments to guide my instruction.

I know WHO needs WHAT.

So what are the other kids doing?

MUST DO’s & May Do’s.

And this week..enter their FAVORITE CENTER SO FAR!

( Yes…in their WHOLE LIFE…as they say!)

Here is the FUN game for centers!

And they are LEARNING! WIN! WIN!

Short vowel dominoes

SHORT VOWEL DOMINOES

294 CARDS! WOWZA!

294 domino cards for short vowel practice. Domino games can be differentiated by vowel sounds, picture cards, or word cards. Fun activities for student learning. Games help students stay engaged while practicing short vowel CVC word families.

They LOVE THIS! They beg for more time! Get your WORK done so you can PLAY!

YES! I love it when a plan works!

And so here we go!

Small groups for me..independent centers for them.

WIN! WIN! All around. Check out the video!

Helping FIRSTIES become Better Writers

2 Replies

Can First Graders become BETTER WRITERS?

Hello everyone!

My name is Wendy McCarty.

I am the creator behind…

1stgradefireworks

I create classroom and homeschool materials

that engage young minds and help the teacher to support instruction.

You can see my products in my TPT Store:

1stgradefireworks

Today’s Topic…

Writing in First Grade

Now… I wish I was PERFECT.

I wish my kiddos were PERFECT.

There are NO Perfect PEOPLE!

NO Perfect KIDDOS.

No Perfect.

Now that we have gone there…how do we get close?

We get BETTER!

Better Readers.

Better Speakers.

Better Writers.

Better..Better…Better

( My Mantra )

HOW?

We write EVERY DAY.

Usually..more than once.

We write about our day in school

…things we like

…stories we have read

…new words we have learned

…new thoughts we have had

etc.etc.etc.

I try to do a mini-lesson on a strategy.

I add new vocabulary. In CONTEXT.

We make connections.

We expand our thinking.

We TALK!

And it can be noisy.

It’s OK.

Sometimes LEARNING is messy.

And loud. And busy.

It’s OK!

We do writer’s workshop.

My kids write.

AND they LOVE IT!

HOW?

Give them paper, pencils, markers, colored pencils, etc…

Give them…TIME!

And … LET THEM TALK!

My classroom is NEVER quiet!

Talking

about writing,

during writing,

and after writing.

TALK, Write, Create!

Are they perfect?

NO.

Is that OK?

YES!

*(Update)

I have added new

VOCABULARY BANNERS

to my

Writing Center.

Fall Vocabulary Banners for WRITING

The banners

help my

beginning writers

( HOW DO YOU SPELL…..??? )

and my

EL students

(LOTS of VISUALS )

See how I use the

VOCABULARY BANNERS

Here.

For WRITER’S WORKSHOP

If you need a starting point...

Monthly Writing Pages

WITH

VOCABULARY Helpers

at the

bottom of EVERY PAGE!

I LOVE TEACHING!

I am currently headed into my 27th year teaching…ALL of them in first grade!

My kiddos ask me “WHY don’t YOU ever GRADUATE to Second Grade?”

I tell them

“First Grade is IN my HEART!”

You can follow me at:

https://1stgradefireworks.net

https://www.facebook.com/1stgradefireworks

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/1stgradefireworks

https://www.Instagram.com/1stgradefireworks

https://www.pinterest.com/1stgradefirewor

Follow me: TPT FB IG Pinterest

1stgradefireworks

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.

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

Planting and Learning About a Garden.

How do YOU garden?

The Dreaded BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!

2 Replies

How to get ready for the

“PARENTS ARE COMING!” Night!

Screaming Child

AKA BACK-TO-SCHOOL Night!

We ALL get nervous speaking to a room of parents!

I can speak to a group of first graders all day every day…but a roomful of parents?

My palms sweat & my brain “freezes” up!

(Wear good deodorant, use a breath mint, and wear comfy shoes!)

So..THEY are coming.

Today’s tip is about getting parents to sign up for everything you need at Back to School Night.

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE!

I work in a Title 1 school.

Most parents DON’T WANT TO COME to 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…

Number 1

Have Food at Back to School Night.

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

CHOCOLATE CANDY!

They will come for food!

I also put the Class DOJO sign-up link on a BIG POSTER

NEXT to the FOOD! Eat, text, and make the teacher HAPPY!

Number 2

Even though parent conferences are MONTHS away…

MAKE a chart of dates & times YOU are available,

AND HAVE THEM SIGN UP FOR A CONFERENCE at Back to School Night!

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

Put out sticky notes & pens for those who want to write it down AND

a poster to remind parents to TAKE A PICTURE WITH THEIR PHONE of the conference chart, to remind them!

Number 3

If you have any WISH LISTS or things you might need…

HAVE THEM SIGN UP TO PROVIDE CLASSROOM ITEMS and/or to VOLUNTEER for ANYTHING

at Back to School Night!

( 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!

So.. Just a quick reminder

Rewards for students whose family attends. DANGLE the CARROT!
Bring FOOD and/or drinks.
Have ALL Sign-UP charts READY

DOJO, Conferences, Wish Lists, Volunteers, etc.

4. Breathe, bring water for YOU! Smile.

For more info on BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT:

Good Luck!

Who wants to win a $100 TPT Giftcard? ME! ME! ME!

HELPERS…How do YOU Choose them?

3 Replies

I want my kiddos to HELP!

I am NOT your MAMA.

I am NOT your Grandma,

AND

I AM NOT YOUR MAID!

We ALL work & play in our classroom.

If you work here, you are a part of our TEAM.

AND ALL team members HELP!

So HOW to

“Share the JOBS?”

Make it a

CHOICE!

I don’t

CHOOSE

daily helpers.

I let them choose what they would like to do each day.

Here are my helpers:

I write their names on

a cardstock strip.

I use a 12″ X 36″ pocket chart.

P ocket Chart

I have

2 Clean Up Crew members,

2 Ball Handlers ( for recesses ),

and

2 Tech Teachers ( make sure laptops

are charged OR plugged into a charger.)

1 line leader,

1 door holder,

and 1 messenger.

9 helpers each day.

My NUMBER 1 RULE-

If you are NOT quiet and in your seat when the morning

BELL RINGS…..

YOU CANNOT BE A HELPER

THAT DAY!

( Don’t be Tardy…or NOISY!)

My kiddos LOVE it!

(I’m HERE & I’m QUIET!)

Hahahaha

and then…

I ask the next person on the card…

“_(susie)___ “, would you like to be _( ball

handler)_ or __(tech teacher)_”

( Go straight down the pocket chart…)

Until ALL the jobs are filled for the day!

They like having a CHOICE in their day!

and then…

I don’t have to do the JOBS!

And…I LOVE THAT!

Making A LIST and Checking it TWICE!

IS SANTA ON HIS WAY?

Is SANTA on his way? In JULY?

NO! I am checking MY list.

My Back to School LIST!

And that list get LONGER, every DAY!

My Back to School is next week.

In my district ( a modified traditional calendar) we start at the end of JULY!

No tears for me…we are off the first two weeks of OCTOBER! I LOVE FALL BREAK!

And so first, I make a list – A LONG LIST!

Thank You @createteachshare

Teacher To Do list@createteachshare

Here is how my list begins…

Clean teacher desk
Clean students desks
Number each workbook ( I put numbers on EVERYTHING!)
Get student materials ( books, pencil holders -FILLED, & other things that stay IN THEIR DESKS) on their desks. We will go over them the first day.
Number homework folders, Read at Home folders & books
Tear out & runn of homework for the first two weeks.
Clean out & check literacy & math centers.
Purge ANYTHING I have not used in two years! YES!!!!
Find my teacher tools.
Check technology… after updates…check technology. After call to district office…check technology AGAIN! Finally works! UGH! I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with technology!
Schedule teacher PD meetings. ( 5 days before kids come..starting tomorrow!)
Write Lesson plans for the FIRST WEEK! ( don’t go further…things WILL change.)
Update list.
Unpack the 10 boxes of NEW Science Curriculum. Inventory. Find missing pieces. Inventory again. Store? Stack in a corner.
Add to my list: Unpack science curriculum & go through it. Plan?
Make sure resources on the WALLS are for Back to School ( Not END of School). Update.
Are class lists ready? I need to ADD names to numbers!
Make a LIST ( alphbetically, of course) of students by first names. (WOW! I have an “extra” student on my list…boy will that mess up my alphabtical list. TEACHERS: YOU GET THIS!)
Don’t care that my alphabetical student names will be OUT OF ORDER! 🙂 Breather!
Cross things OFF list. ( After you have added MORE) I know. It’s LONGER than when I started. It’s OK. Ths kids won’t know!
GO HOME EARLY! Relax. Take a walk. Pour some wine. Hug your family. It’s a job. The kids will be there ready or not. THEY won’t care if I didn’t finish ALL of the ANCHOR CHARTS I want to make. ADD that to my LIST!

Classroom 2022 Making my LIST!

Classroom of 2022. Making my LIST of things to do!

Classroom of 2020. Making my LIST of things to do!

My list is long.

BUT… The kids are coming to see YOU! They will look around and SMILE AT YOU!

The smiling, happy teacher who gives giggles, grins, hugs, & high fives!

They want to know they are safe & happy. And so are YOU!

Finally, don’t forget…your list will come & go. Smile. Breathe.

And Love them! That’s what we do.

I don’t need to add that to my list. It’s ALWAYS there!

Happy Back to School. Enjoy it!

Leave me a comment & let me know how it goes!

Wendy 1stgradefireworks

How to Prepare for a Successful Reading Workshop in First Grade

2 Replies

Reading Workshop

“Creating a Community of Readers”

When I teach reading, I don’t want my students to stop and ask for help.

I want them to have the skills to be independent readers.

I want them to be problem-solvers.

So, I am…

How to create a community of readers

Keep reading for a FUN FREEBIE

Freebie for Followers

How?

What do you do BEFORE reading?

*Frontload any vocabulary that may change thinking, distort comprehension, or is unfamiliar to them.

Take a picture walk. Cover the words.

Make them use visual cues in the story.

Have them make predictions

PRIOR to reading.

After reading, check their predictions.

When you finish reading, do something!

I LOVE this!

After reading..then what?

DO SOMETHING!

Reread it for NEW information.

Retell it to yourself or a friend.

We use our 3 fingers to retell.

I love this part…DIGEST IT!

Just as a good meal…when you are finished, appreciate it.

Think about it.

ENJOY IT!

You are NEVER done!

When you finish…read more!

My kiddos love to stack ALL of their books on the left..

as they finish reading a book…

place it in a pile on their right.

Keep reading!

Their goal is to

Good readers use

their EYES!

“SCOOP” up words (phrases)

with your eyes.

When reading, put 3-4 words together

and read the phrases!

*GREAT time to teach

prepositions & prepositional phrases!

Always reread text

Always, always…reread!

You will see more, read more, and understand more when you reread a story.

Read it to a partner, a

parent, or a friend.

The same book can sound new

when you are reading it

for the second or third time!

So there you are…

GET READING!

Remember…

When in doubt…

ALWAYS make it

BALANCED LITERACY

For more early literacy

reading and writing resources

Check out

1stgradefireworks

Click HERE for

FUN FREEBIE

Freebie for Followers

Signature

Getting Ready to READ in SMALL Groups

1 Reply

AKA… After I assess them, NOW what?

SMALL GROUPS!

small group table for reading

We are back in school. I spent the first few days going over schedules, routines, set up, clean up, etc.

As the week went on, we got better.

Now, it’s time to introduce content. I need them to start working so I can ASSESS.
ASSESS for WHAT?

Assess for READING!

First grade is ALL ABOUT READING!

Small groups are leveled so I can reach each student at their level and help them become

BETTER, INDEPENDENT READERS!

HOW? How do I know?

ASSESSMENTS!

Assessments drive your instruction.

DATA. What DO they know? What DON’T they know?

All of this data becomes the source of my instruction.

If I have a concept that a LOT of them don’t know…. whole class lesson!
RETEACH THE WHOLE CLASS!

BUT, if only a FEW are missing a skill or strategy…SMALL GROUPS!
Reteach it during small groups.

OK. HOW?

How to Group Students for SMALL GROUP reading. 1stgradefireworks

Assessments drive your instruction for small groups!

I use MULTIPLE ASSESSMENTS.
Curriculum, DRA, Running Records, BPST, Core Phonics Survey,

Letter sounds/names, blending, segmenting, sight words, etc.

PLEASE… DO NOT sit a child down and assess for more than 15 minutes!

Better to assess over DAYS than HOURS!

You want to know what they truly know.

I put ALL of my data on a spreadsheet,

I like to see ALL of it together.

THEN WHAT?

Look for patterns.

Do they know letter names & sounds?

6 kids are “inconsistent”? GROUP THEM FOR practice!

Small intervention group with letters, whiteboards, & pictures.

Your first small group is ready to go!

Missing sight words?
BAM! Small groups for sight word practice, reading with the teacher, writing sight words in sentences, and more sight word practice.

Fluency? Do they “robot read”?
Another strategy small group! Fluency practice. I read. You read. We read. I read. YOU read. WE read.
They need to hear YOU for fluency & intonation practice.

Here are some “helpers” for small groups that I found on PINTEREST!

Effective Grouping for Small Group Instruction – Learning with Mrs. Langley

How to Use Small Group WarmUPs with MissDeCarbo.com

What is a BALANCED LITERACY CLASSROOM? 1stgradefireworks

Check out BALANCED LITERACY HERE!

So.

Assessments
Decipher your data. (Look for patterns).
Make your small groups.
RETEACH
Practice
Reassess
Regroup students ( keep groups fluid).
Again. And again, And again!
Watch them GROW!
SMILE. You are great! 🙂

If you need more help…

check out these posts for MORE information:

Balanced Literacy

Book Clubs- Reading

Writing

Math. I said it!

Is this a math “sentence” or a math “equation”?

Shouldn’t we allow them to “explore” the math counters first?

To help my “littles” with addition and subtraction we are EXPLORING the math manipulatives first.

I have created some Math Task Cards using our WONDERFUL foam counters, and ten frames.

Share this:

How to add games for independent centers!

And yes..we begin small group reading.

So what are the other kids doing?

And this week..enter their FAVORITE CENTER SO FAR!

They LOVE THIS! They beg for more time! Get your WORK done so you can PLAY!

Small groups for me..independent centers for them.

Share this:

Can First Graders become BETTER WRITERS?

Writing in First Grade

We get BETTER!

We do writer’s workshop.

Share this:

I “like” to garden.

So we plan our garden.

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!

& lettuce in our raised garden.

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

Now to help you in the classroom…

Check out my

Pinterest Board.

Planting and Learning About a Garden.

How do YOU garden?

Share this:

How to get ready for the

“PARENTS ARE COMING!” Night!

AKA BACK-TO-SCHOOL Night!

Today’s tip is about getting parents to sign up for everything you need at Back to School Night.

Have Food at Back to School Night.

AND HAVE THEM SIGN UP FOR A CONFERENCE at Back to School Night!

HAVE THEM SIGN UP TO PROVIDE CLASSROOM ITEMS and/or to VOLUNTEER for ANYTHING

at Back to School Night!

Share this:

Share this:

I don’t

CHOOSE

daily helpers.

I let them choose what they would like to do each day.

9 helpers each day.

They like having a CHOICE in their day!

and then…

Share this:

IS SANTA ON HIS WAY?

My Back to School LIST!

And so first, I make a list – A LONG LIST!

Here is how my list begins…

My list is long.

BUT… The kids are coming to see YOU! They will look around and SMILE AT YOU!

Finally, don’t forget…your list will come & go. Smile. Breathe.

And Love them! That’s what we do.

Share this:

Take a picture walk. Cover the words.

Make them use visual cues in the story.

Have them make predictions

PRIOR to reading.

After reading, check their predictions.

I LOVE this!

You are NEVER done!

Good readers use

their EYES!

Always, always…reread!

Share this:

AKA… After I assess them, NOW what?

SMALL GROUPS!

Small groups are leveled so I can reach each student at their level and help them become

BETTER, INDEPENDENT READERS!

BUT, if only a FEW are missing a skill or strategy…SMALL GROUPS!Reteach it during small groups.

Your first small group is ready to go!

Fluency? Do they “robot read”? Another strategy small group! Fluency practice. I read. You read. We read. I read. YOU read. WE read.They need to hear YOU for fluency & intonation practice.

Share this:

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

BUT, if only a FEW are missing a skill or strategy…SMALL GROUPS!
Reteach it during small groups.

Fluency? Do they “robot read”?
Another strategy small group! Fluency practice. I read. You read. We read. I read. YOU read. WE read.
They need to hear YOU for fluency & intonation practice.