Basic Operations

Do your students struggle with mental math? Are they struggling to solve basic math facts? Maybe they are using their fingers to add and subtract. The majority of my second graders are adding on their fingers. From day one, I saw four fingers plus three fingers=seven fingers. I know it's something they will get with time, but when you work with numbers bigger than ten, fingers don't work. We have adopted two new programs in our district to help our students become better at "mental math" and reteach the core of addition and subtraction. 

One of those programs is called Number Talks by Sherry Parrish. I was skeptical at first and thought this is just another lesson to add to my already packed out day. But, after I started it with my kids... I was AMAZED! It's so awesome to see how they think and figure things out! Check out this video of how it works in a third grade classroom (keep in mind, this is probably later in the year). 

Now I know you all want to try it! Grab your copy of Sherry's book from Amazon. 

Anyway.. I created a basic operations unit to help kids with some of the strategies. I based it off the other program we are using this year. It's great for reteaching and using in your intervention groups. Check out two of the activities below.

Shake, Spill and Sort: 

First to the Top:

I am using it whole group right now (because all my children need it), and I can see a huge change in my kiddos. Now, I only have about 4 who are using their fingers and we've only been doing it for a month! This unit is perfect for K-2, especially if you use it for small group/intervention.

Click the image below to grab your copy from TPT!

Keep in mind: This is part one. I am working on the next few units and hope to have them up soon! You will need red/yellow counters and some dice for this unit! If you don't have counters-- check out I Am Homeschooling to grab a free printable set! 

If you have time today, head over to The Mailbox and enter the Office Max and Office Depot $500 gift card giveaway! What teacher doesn't need money to buy more storage, pencils, pens, etc.?!

End of Year Sale!!

I am already thinking about what I will be doing at the beginning of next year. I am so excited about all of the goodies I have been fortunate to find on Pinterest! I have already started preparing materials and getting plans together for those first few weeks of school. I'm sure many of you are doing the same. So.... In honor of all my organized and well-prepared teachers, I am having a TPT sale! Head over there tomorrow (May 21st-May 23rd) to catch 15% off EVERYTHING. 

You will find my brand new Math Flip-Books for only $1.49, AH! 

And, you got to practice those numbers!! $1.70

Plus, you can go ahead and pick up this FREE vowel sort for end of the year practice!

Well, plan away my teacher friends :)

MATH FLIP BOOKS!!!

I am so excited to share these with ya'll!! My sweet kinders did so great with these! I originally made them with a construction paper flip-book where the kids had to cut out the headers and glue them on the front of the book, but decided it was way easier to print the book with the headers already typed on (hence what you see on the TPT copy).

My higher kinders were able to do these in their heads, but they still had to write their answers by each equation before cutting and gluing them into the flip-book. 

Some of my kinders wanted a piece of paper to draw out their work for help. This little boy loves to draw out every math problem, even if he can do it in his head! 

My lower kinders grabbed a handful of buttons and used them as manipulatives to help them add. This little guy knocked them out of the park! 

Since the Common Core only asks for adding and subtracting within 10, there are only so many equations you can do. This pack has 3 flip-books, with equations for each, inside. Two are addition and one is subtraction. I hope you can find a use for them in your kinder-class!

Click on either image below to grab your copy for $1.75!!

A little 1st grade fun!

I have a few friends who teach 1st grade and asked if I would make them some fun math centers for the end of May. I decided to make some Rainforest themed Math Centers for the Firsties. Summer reminds me of going on vacation and maybe visiting the zoo... Hence the rainforest theme.

If you want to purchase this unit (which I would greatly appreciate), head over to my TN store or my TPT store!