Thursday, October 16, 2014

Fall Fun with the Virginia Teacher Bloggers



Got together again with my Virginia girls for a freebie blog hop!

One thing I have liked about blogging is meeting different people.  It's especially nice to meet people close by that you can connect with in person as well.  I'm glad I found my group of VA folks who like to chat and support each other in our teaching adventures.

Growing up in Alaska- can't say I experienced much of "fall".  It generally snows well and good by the first of October.


Ain't that sweet?

bllllllpppppphhhhhttttt!  I've been enjoying the 70ish temps this week.  Regardless of the rain.  And I do like the colors.  Allergic to it all of course, stuffed up more than the soon to be Thanksgiving turkey- but I still like it.

Even in October, we're introducing new routines in second grade.  Today in Math I just added in a station for starting to count coins.  We've got to get up to two bucks in change by the end of the year, so I'm starting us off with hitting the twenty-five cents mark in the next two weeks.  Today was just about pennies.

I've been taking a graduate class in teaching number sense on Monday's, and learning a lot about concept of number and counting and the hierarchy of math development.  Pair this with giving some AMC assessments and discovering a group of kids who can only conceptualize up through the number 6- and I'm thinking "How do I fix this?"

Today I made up a quick twenty-five frame set, printed it on card stock and slipped it in a sheet protector for the kids.  We rolled the die, added on the pennies, and talked about how much we had.

Level One I called it- told them today only pennies.  Next week- we add in nickels for level TWO.  OOOOOO! They all said.  Level twoooooooo!!   #teacherninja

Sounds too simple, eh?  Twenty-five pennies.  Try it.  Go watch how many of them try to count them by ones.  even after they have told you that one filled in row is always five.  And that the whole rectangle is one ten.  Out comes their finger.  Poke poke poke.  Or they know I'm looking and they try to count with their nose.  This is when I have to cover up a bit with my hand and remind them - "Wait!  How many is in just one row?"  Then we try to work on "and add two more".

Overall, I was pleased with the work we did today.  I found out a lot.  Some kids surprised me with how well they did.  Others baffled me that they struggled.  Some did exactly what I expected them to do, but after working with them a few miutes, tried on some heavier strategies for adding on.

So I came home tonight and decided to spiffy up my twenty-five frame board and give it out as a freebie.  LUCKY YOU!

I'm reprinting this new one on card stock and then slipping it in the sheet protector sleeve for my kids tomorrow.  The sheet protector is my go to when I don't have time to wait in line at the laminator.  I'm super lazy that way, I know.  But, it does have the added bonus of being able to be put in a handy-dandy binder when I'm all done though.

Here's some video of me chatting up some kids playing the game today.  And, yes, super awesome that the kids at the table just behind are completely NOT doing what they are supposed to be doing.  Sheesh.  Oh, well.  Photographic evidence now.  I can just follow them to every station tomorrow....






Click the picture to go get the free download.





16 comments:

  1. I could not wait to read your post. You have got the blogging flair, Heather! We definitely need to get together soon!

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    1. Aw, shucks! But yeah- I'd like to get together with you girls again soon as well! Morale seems a bit low- time to bring in the wine.

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    1. Thanks- there are a couple of great clip artists out there doing a bang up job making glitter products. All the sparkle without the mess!

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  3. Heather, thank for including the videos of the game. If a picture is worth a thousand words - how many is a video worth!
    Peggy at Primary Flourish

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    1. Thanks, Peggy! I have been enjoying taking the videos as well and reviewing them later. And I agree with you- seeing them play the game is so much more helpful than whatever directions I could write!

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  4. Since I'm a visual learner, I appreciate the fact that you are always including video examples in your posts! Plus, it makes me feel like I'm hanging out with you in your classroom, which I know would be a total blast! Love your post!

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    1. Come be my co-teacher! We'd tear that school down! I've been liking doing the videos because the lazy part of me thinks I can get away with writing less *smirky smirk*. But then I can review them for myself and reflect more on what I'm doing. win-win.

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  5. I really like this game. I think it will work well with my students and it is a great way to combine number sense with money.

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    1. Thanks, Caitlin. I'm noticing a big difference in my kid's subitizing skills since we started.

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  6. This looks like a great game! I love the videos! Thanks for sharing them.

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  7. You are always so funny! - I love reading your "stuff!!" Thanks so much for posting this. We have been working with ten frames to help gain more number sense. I will adding this to my bag of tricks! :)
    Leslie
    Fashionable in First

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  8. You are a hoot! Love the game and will definitely use this in my small groups!

    Haley
    Owls & Lessons, Etc.

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    1. Let me know how that goes! And I'll let you all know when I get the next game board done. My kids are ready to transfer pennies for nickels.

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