Monday, February 24, 2014

Math Thinking Patterns and CUBES strategy

Hello Everyone!
We have been working hard on word problems in math and using our thinking patterns (Some-Some More, Some- Some Went Away and all the organizers that go along with those) to help us solve. I love that our district supports and encourages us to teach about thinking patterns.  I did not learn this way of solving math problems when I was a kid, and always had trouble with math.  We simply learned to memorize facts. I want my students to have many many more options when working on math!
 Well, I finally got around to making some mini posters as reminders for the kids as they practice trying out thinking patterns and for using the tried and true CUBES strategy as a way of getting through a word problem. C- circle the numbers, U-underline the question, B-box the key words, E- eliminate unneeded information, S- Select thinking pattern and Solve.   Today we got out the life size replicas of CUBES (you know how much I love a life sized math activity!) and the kids got small snap cubes. I decided to make them in certain colors,(Kids gotta have those rainbow colors!) and have the kids follow what the cubes said using that color marker. It really helped in organizing our thinking!  
Here are some pics!




After going through the word problem together, the kids were able to practice using their CUBES and thinking patterns on some other stories. Here are a few pics of some of the Thinking Pattern Mini Posters. the entire packet includes 15 different posters.











And a pic of the CUBES mini poster:


If you think you might be able to use these, I am sharing the printable download.

I hope my kids learn to love math!  I know I am going to do my best to help them!
Til next time!
Thanks for stopping by for a peek!! 
Take a second a leave a comment. Am I on the right track with this whole blogging thing?  Do you want to see something different? Less of some things, more of other things?  I am here to help and share!!
Joyfully!
Nancy







Saturday, February 22, 2014

Hats off to George and Abe

Hello Everyone,
We finished up our study of presidents this week. We loved learning about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Throughout our studies, both important men became like friends.  We learned some amazing things about the childhood of each and some interesting little tidbits about when they were adults.  We had fun comparing the two even though they lived many years apart.  They had so many similarities and, of course, so many differences.  
We loved that they each wore hats...each for different reasons, but both wore their hats with pride!
While studying Washington, we discovered that he wore a tricorn hat as did many of the soldiers of whom he was the general. Many soldiers wore little trinkets on their hats. Washington often wore a feather. 
While studying Lincoln, we discovered that he stored notes and other important papers in his tall black stovepipe hat.  
We, of course, had to make hats to go along with our studies. Here are some pics!




Looooove the "clean socks" addition to our brainstorming!!


  


Gotta run!! Very full weekend!!  Hope yours is going well. Thanks for stopping by!!
Joyfully!
Nancy


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Boot Scootin' Learnin"

Hello Everyone!
So sorry it's been a while since  my last post. I have been busy working on a wedding for my dear friend's son.  It is going to be beautiful!! I almost wish I would have chosen party planning as a career, but then again, I would have missed out on all this teaching fun!!
The end of February and early March are wonderful times in Texas.  We always spend a lot of time learning about our state. I decided to create a unit to go along with our already integrated reading and social studies curriculum. I wanted some math, writing and even some science, so this is what I came up with.  I do plan on adding a bit more, but we want to get started with all the learning next week, so I had to quick publish and get it ready.  






a compound word activity







2 different versions of this game- one a bit more challenging

Grab a bag of beans from your pantry!! :)







As you can see there is a huge variety of activities with a western flare. You can pick and choose from over 80 pages and use what works for you!  If you are at all interested and would like a printable

I can't wait to show you how some of the hands on visuals turn out!  
Well, I know this was short, but I've got a ton of decorating to do!!  Love it!!

till next time...
Thanks for taking time to take a peek!! I appreciate you!
Joyfully!
Nancy

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Math Smart Hearts!


Hello Everyone!
We have had some great math learning fun already this week!  We are focusing on addition and subtraction to 20. In honor of Valentine's Day coming up, we created a huge Smart Heart to use during a mini lesson on how facts can be related and how to show the many ways to compose and decompose 20.  We took a long rope and strung 20 little heart shaped "slinkies" (Dollar Tree) on it.  We set the rope down in a heart shape and then took turns moving the hearts from one side to the other and showing a number sentence each time. It was a good hands on visual mini lesson! Then the kids got to make their own Smart Heart using fuzzy sticks and beads.  They loved recording their own number sentences and sharing with friends!  The math talk I heard between friends was clear, precise and complete.  Great job, kiddos!! Here are a few pics!












Personal sized Smart Hearts!!




Math talk!











We heart our Smart Hearts!!!


Okee Dokee!  Gotta Run!! Got to get ready for the sweetest day!!
Have a great rest of the week! Thanks for stopping by!
Joyfully!
Nancy










Saturday, February 8, 2014

Historical Figures, George and Abe

Hello Again Everyone!
I wanted to quickly share our upcoming Reading/Social Studies Integrated Unit.The next couple of weeks will be focused on some of our presidents. We put together a little unit to help celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and February is the perfect month to learn through reading about these historical figures! Here are a couple of pics from our unit!












Make a tricorn hat! A fun hands on visual!!











Hope this helps you make some integration with your curric!!
Have a fantastic rest of the weekend!!
Joyfully!
Nancy