Getting Ready for Groundhog Day and a Freebie!

That groundhog had better not see his shadow! I've never been more anxious for warmer weather! I love a surprise snow day here and there, but I am so ready to get out of the house and see my kiddos tomorrow! It's been absolutely frigid so I've mostly been hibernating inside, although I did venture out today to do a few errands. I have also kept busy cleaning, creating, and finding cute ideas for Groundhog Day on Pinterest.

Here are some adorable treats I found for my Groundhog board!

I never get to pack a lunch for a little one anymore, but this was just too stinkin' cute not to share! It falls under the too cute to eat category!

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Now this one, I may make for my class to enjoy on Monday!It looks like chocolate pudding with crushed Oreos on top, some almond slivers for ears and chocolate frosting dots on a Nilla Wafer for a face. ADORABLE!!!!

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With Groundhog Day on a Sunday this year and so many days home due to the cold, I won't be able to spend an entire day devoted to all things brown and furry, but I thought my Pins would be good to keep for another year.

 I also spent my work at home day updating and expanding this Groundhog Day Pack!

It includes activity pages, reading passages, poems, writing pages and more in color and printer-friendly black and white. 

A craft is also included for a fun shadow puppet. If the weather is nice, I take my class outside with their puppets to see if our groundhogs see their shadow. We also use them at recess and they make shadows on the wall near the lamps and in front of the overhead projector lamp! They love this! I only had old tracers for my little guy and so I made new patterns to include in the set as a craftivity to double as a writing peeker too!

There are also pieces that can be used to create a large class graph on a whiteboard, on butcher paper or on a bulletin board. Kiddos can add their yes/no card to the graph. There are title posters and header cards for the graph because it's got to be cute! While each child comes up to cast their vote, the rest of the class can tally and later graph the data collected on the recording sheet.

One of the items in this pack is a fun word search. You can download this little hurry up spring freebie here! 

I hope you can use it with your class!

Well... Hi Ho, it's off to work I go... tomorrow for sure! 

Have a great end to your week!

Math Activities for Second Grade Using a Set of Cards and a Freebie!

What can you do with a card set of numbers 0-10? Maybe more than you can possibly imagine for good, simple math fun! They can be used for addition, subtraction, comparing numbers, even/odd practice, place value and more! 

I made a set of number cards for each of my students to use for various math activities and partner games. I like them better than a deck of playing cards because we don't have as many face to cards to take out and sometimes you just need a ZERO! 

If you like, you can download this FREEBIE set from my dropbox for your kiddos to use by clicking on the image! 

The file includes a list of some easy peasy activities to use in the classroom. Read below to see how I used them!

Cards in Action

For a cute and colorful set, I printed mine on colored cardstock and laminated them. I store them in library pockets from Creative Teaching Press and keep them in this cute box from the Target Dollar Spot. 

 Some activities start with a shuffled deck turned upside down in a draw pile. 

We lined them up in order from greatest to least and then turned over some to show only odd numbers.

Next, the students had to show a two-digit number that was even.

The cards went back into a pile and then they were asked to flip up three cards. The task was to show the greatest number with those cards. It got tricky when those zeros turned up. Zero is not nothing! Zero is something!

Elbow partners had to work together and compare numbers to see who made the largest. 

 When a ten was turned up, it lead to some great discussion regarding place value to the thousands place.

 Hmmm...what to do with that zero?

 The rule was set that it can't be taken away. 

  Yes, that works!

Next, four cards had to be turned up. The students could create a double digit addition problem of their choice and record it and solve it in their math notebook. Next, they were asked to rearrange some or all of the cards to create a different problem in which the sum remained the same (most saw that it could be the turn-around), and again in a way that would result in a different sum. 

 The next challenge was just that, but it was such a great one for getting the kiddos really thinking. 

I called out a direction to create a two-digit subtraction problem where regrouping would be necessary. This is a new concept that was only recently introduced.

One student showed this problem. They were on the right track with the digits in the ones place but failed to look at the entire problem. This was a great opportunity for questioning.

 This student got it right away!

  Another student made a model using his pencils to help himself to better see tens and ones in columns as he had seen on many practice papers. Because he had trouble with the concept of regrouping, I was able to pull out another card from my teaching set of extras to use as an overlay to demonstrate what we had done days prior when we decomposed cubes stacked in towers of ten. 

I cannot wait to get the cards out again!

 My students love all card and dice games, basically, any opportunity to get away from a worksheet and so do I! 

In just 15 minutes, we had a wonderful math review and I learned so much about my each of my students and where they each were in their mathematical thinking and skill. 

Enjoy the freebie! Hope you can find some great ways to use the cards with your class!

Math Talks in the Elementary Classroom: Everyone's Talking About it!

How many of us have felt this way during math class? I did, especially when it came to high school math!

We all know a strong math foundation starts early.

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While the kiddos were home today, teachers participated in a wonderful professional development day for school improvement. 

One of our goals, as we begin to select a new math series for the elementary level, is to see which programs include math talk and rich tasks. Until one is carefully selected, each classroom will be doing more to incorporate these best practices.

What exactly is Math Talk? 

 Math talk is a short daily routine in which the teacher presents a problem and asks questions to help the students communicate their problem-solving approach, develop computational fluency using strategies and to improve their mental math skills. 

This description is from Math Solutions:

Math Talk

The Importance of Math Discourse and Common Core State Standards

Math Talk aligns with the Common Core State Standards by promoting the use of dialogue and conversation to explore mathematical thinking. Math Talk provides students an opportunity for deeper understanding through communication. Individually or in groups, students articulate and defend their ideas and analyze the reasoning of others.

Why Math Talk™?

Using communication in the classroom to represent, explain, justify, agree, and disagree shapes the way students learn mathematics. Classroom dialogue engages students, encourages them to learn more, and allows for the exploration of ideas, strategies, procedures, facts, and more.

Learn More!

Maybe you too have heard about it, but haven't quite taken the leap to working it into your busy day! To read more about Math Talk and for more information on how to get started in your classroom, you can download a free PDF from Math Perspectives.

I am going to work on adding more Number Talk time into my daily schedule as part of my morning meeting. It will be 15 minutes well-spent!

 Here are some ideas for 2nd Grade:

Add a 2-digit number and a single digit number (17 + 5)

Subtract a single digit from a multiple of ten (50 – 4)

Subtract a single digit from a 2-digit number (62 – 6)

Add two 2-digit numbers with and without regrouping (23 + 17) before and after teaching the algorithm.

Subtract two 2-digit numbers with and without regrouping (72 - 18) before and after teaching the algorithm.

Money problems (How much is 2 quarters and 4 dimes?)

Multi-step word problems or problems involving irrelevant information

Missing addend problems

Subtracting numbers from 100 (100 – 44)

Adding numbers to 99 or 98 (99 + 24)

Guess my Number

Tomorrow, I plan to use a three card flip activity. We will set the procedures and expectations for math talk time then go on to generate ideas using math talk. The question will be simple~ What can we do with these three numbers?

When I locate my file for these cards on my school computer, I will share them with you! 

The 8 Standards for Mathematical Practices are all about Problem-Solving! 

Math Talk time can include many of these!

Number Talks on Pinterest

In the meanwhile, while I do my best to focus more on math talks...

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Ha!:)

How do you do number talks in your classroom? 

A TPT Sellers Journey and Thank You!

My jaw dropped the last time I checked my sellers dashboard! It's absolutely amazing to think that 10,000 items I have created are being used by teachers all over the world!

My dear friends and followers, I thank you for supporting me on this roller coaster of a journey! I posted my first store item, several years ago, never thinking I would actually even sell it! My store name was created on a whim, and I've often thought of changing it, but now it is part of me! My TPT business has grown and blossomed thanks to all of you. It is now a second job and I devote several hours every evening, after teaching all day, to creating and improving items available at my store.

When I say "roller coaster", it's because it hasn't always been an easy road. I have had my share of frustrations over remarks left in feedback after being so proud of a creation (which were hard not to take personally). I've made some occasional seller mistakes as all newbies do, and have also had quite a few hiccups in item sales along the way! Sometimes I feel like my plate is so full it is spilling over onto the ground and that there isn't enough time in the day to be the seller and blogger I aspire to be, but your support, friendship and encouragement keeps me plugging along and here I am! 

I don't often share personal information on my blog, but as a busy single parent "bringing home the bacon, frying it up in a pan" and raising a teenager to become a fine young man (proud mom moment), this bit of extra income has been a blessing. It has enabled me to work a second part-time job without leaving my only child home alone, to keep and maintain my beautiful home that was built on a two-person income and be able to provide for my child with the little "extras" that he deserves. For this, I will forever be grateful to you and to TPT! 

This giveaway has ended. 

Hugs to all of you for helping me celebrate!

 You're the best! :)

Teachers Notebook Giveaway~ Hurray!

Yay for a snow day giveaway! This one is really easy! I'm giving away my newest Arctic Animals PowerPoint to 3 lucky winners at my Creative Lesson Cafe shop at Teachers Notebook! Just click on the link and head on over between now and January 11th to enter to win!

To see this item at my shop, click on the picture!

While you are there, you may want to check out some of the other amazing items on the giveaway page for winter-themed products from other super shops! I just entered to win some I'd like to have for my classroom too!

Arctic Animals PowerPoint

Enough already!Another big blast of winter and an arctic air mass is heading our way. There may be a snow day on the first day back from break! Good grief! What do I do when a massive winter storm is approaching? After stocking up on groceries, filling up the tank and other responsible stuff, I finish a PowerPoint about arctic animals!

January, especially in snowy states, is a great time of year for an arctic animals thematic unit. I plan to use this powerPoint as a "big book" to project onto the SMARTBoard as we go through our unit. 

I purchased some gorgeous photographs to include for 15 of the fascinating animals of the arctic circle. Each page contains some interesting facts and also describes the adaptations that make each of these creatures well-suited for the harsh environment in which they live.

Here's a look at some of the slides included:

To see and read more at my store, click on any of the images. 

This new item is 50% off for the first 24 hours! If this is something you might like for your class, you can grab it up at a great price! 

Usually friends, I would ask that you do the snow dance for me or put that white crayon under your pillow or whatever superstitions might give us a snow day, but I've had enough time off and will save my favor for another occasion! :)

Classroom Printables for the New Year Linky

Happy 2014 everyone! I hope that this new year brings all of you good health, good times and everything that you wish for!

The new year is the perfect time to reflect and make changes both personally and professionally! I am so excited to start some new activities and routines with my second graders! 

It's great when students can be up and moving about, working independently and engaged in fun and motivating activities. It is a lot to manage correctly, so that is my goal! My focus is to include more of these types of learning activities for the rest of the year.

I made this new Scoot activity to go along with our upcoming penguin theme! The kids will be scooting around from desk to desk working without seeing it as work!

Many teachers have trouble accessing a colored printer, so this one is made in black and white and color! 

 I think they are going to love it! I can just imagine them parading around the room like little penguins!

There are also many printables in this Tacky the Penguin pack you might like to go along with a winter penguin unit! Kids just love wacky Tacky!

See this post for more on Tacky and a freebie too! 

Click on the images for each if you'd like to read more in the store! 

You can pick them up on sale right now! 

Graphics from the Pond, Glitter Meets Glue Designs, Kimberly Geswein Fonts

As much as I am not a big fan of dittos, often there just needs to be that piece of paper to hold the students accountable for their learning, to assess strengths and weaknesses, and monitor that the learning goal has been achieved for documentation purposes.

I think it is crucial to spend time teaching my students how to work accurately and efficiently on pencil and paper tasks, because the majority of their learning activities in the upper grades still take that form.

Sending home that piece of paper also helps me to communicate regularly with parents about the learning activities that the students are participating in during the school day! I cannot always trust that parents are asking or that 7 year old students are explaining it well! :)

As so....I LOVE printables that are meaningful pieces of paper not busy work dittos!

Link Up!

I found a great linky for some fantastic COLLECTABLE PRINTABLES, I call them, at Positively Learning!

 Head on over and check it out when you have a chance! 

I linked up a pack that I use for student accountabilty for independent reading and small group instruction. This pack, geared toward younger learners, and my best-selling Reading Comprehension Companion, are my go-to printables for Daily 5 CAFE Menu and Guided Reading.

 All of these printable pages come in a printer friendly black and white version too! You can view more of the description here.

I can't wait to get down to business in the classroom, work on my goal and watch my kiddos blossom in the new year!