Math Problem Solving {Freebie}

We have a huge emphasis on our campus this year on math problem solving.  I spend a lot of time during the fall semester teaching my firsties how to solve math problems so that I can "set them free" to do it on their own in the spring.  I have found that teaching them a fairly simple process works well, although I have always done it verbally with them.  My group this year really needs visuals, so I decided to create a paper version so that they can refer to it while we are solving problems.  You can download it in English or Spanish through google docs!  I was thinking that I will cut out and laminate the steps, and then put them on a ribbon.  I will use a clothespin to show which step we are doing when we are solving problems whole group.  Another teacher friend of mine laminates all the steps together with a small space in between, and then folds them up and unrolls each step as the class completes it.  Also a very cute idea.  How do you do math problem solving in your classroom?

P.S.-- If you downloaded my free Johnny Appleseed unit in English or Spanish, thank you so much.  I am ecstatic that it has been downloaded over 2000 times!! Makes my week :)

Advice Please!

I got an email from my district today telling us that if we create a project on donor's choose, we will immediately get $100 donated toward our product.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  I definitely want to jump on this opportunity, but need some advice about what project to create.

I have some students this year that could really use some additional resources to help them with reading in Spanish {both at home and at school}.  So my question for you is:  Do you know of any great resources that would help struggling first grade readers in Spanish?  I would love any suggestions--  Ready, Set, Suggest!!

Daily Five Freebie {In Spanish}

Do you use the Daily Five in your classroom?  I LOVE it!!  I always start out the year with the I-PICK lesson about the importance of choosing a just right book.  In the book "The Daily Five", Gail Boushey and Jean Moser suggest using shoes to teach this lesson.  Just as you must choose the right style and size of shoe for your foot, you also must choose a book that is on your level and that you are interested in.  I love to bring in my husband's shoes {size 13, I might add} and trip all over the classroom to bring home the point.  I also show a flip flop and ask if I should wear it to work, a dress shoe and ask if I should go running in it, etc.  The kids get so into the lesson.

I have found, though, that the I-PICK acronym doesn't make much sense to the Spanish speakers.  I decided to brainstorm & came up with the acronym PIES.  It goes great with the lesson that I teach about shoes, and translates well into Spanish.  Click here to grab your very own copy in Spanish.  I love finding new Daily Five freebies in Spanish!

Johnny Appleseed Day

Did you know that September 26th is Johnny Appleseed Day?  We are looking forward to celebrating it in first grade by tying it in with our language arts curriculum.  We will focus on the book "Johnny Appleseed:  A Tall Tale" by Steven Kellog and will do several activities related to character traits and verbs.  I created a mini unit that we will be using with our students, and I would love for you to check it out in English or Spanish!  Oh, and BTW... its free :)  Do you have plans to celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day?

Whooo's looking for a sale?

Click here to check out the SALE!

Math Center Miracles

Organization is miraculous!  I finally feel like I have found a system to organize my math centers that really works for me in my classroom.  I use 16 bags based on the color coded acronym M.A.T.H.  This system allows me to do guided math groups while my students are engaged in centers, and is really not difficult to keep up with.  I leave many of the activities in the bags all year long, and switch some out every now and then based on the unit we are doing.  The kids LOVE math centers, and I do too.  I give them a choice of centers, but keep them accountable to do a different center each day  {I learned this the hard way after some students did the same center every.single.day }  I could go on and on, but in the interest of time, you can check it out for yourself here.  I have this pack available in both English & Spanish on my TpT store.  How have math centers been going for you?

Who doesn't love magazines?

This first week has been a whirlwind. In first grade, we start out in math by teaching the students that numbers are all around them. One activity the students do during the first week is to find numbers in magazines, cut out the pictures, and glue them in their math journals. For some reason, the kids LOVE getting to use magazines and my kids this year were especially into this activity. Here is one of the finished products:

I hope that your week with your kiddos went well!