Saturday, March 30, 2013

Earth Day Mystery Picture

I am LOVING this long weekend!!! The sun is shining, snow is melting and I am getting so much done.  I even fought the crowds at Costco this morning and only ran into 4 students.  I love how their parents look into my cart to see what I am buying  :-)

I'm trying to get some of my April planning done and finished up my Earth Day Tens and Ones Mystery Picture.
 
I uploaded it to my TPT store on it's own and added it to my Mystery Picture Bundle.

If you have already purchased the bundle just head on over to your TPT purchases and redownload.

Before students color they need to solve.

8 tens 4 ones  84  

I had my daughter be my editor this morning and here's what her finished product looks like:


If you plan to use this activity as a math work station you can find a free "I can" card here.
 
I will send a copy of the Earth Day mystery picture to the first 2 followers who comment on this post.
 
Happy Easter!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Make It and Take It

I have linked up with Cynthia over at 2nd Grade Pad for a fantastic Make It and Take It Linky.
It's no secret that I LOVE math stations.  I also LOVE dice games.  I DO NOT however like the noise that dice make when they bounce (yes bounce) off the tables.

I'm going to show you a cheapo way to buffer that noise.

Start with a piece of felt and an ice cream container lid.  It could also be any other plastic container.
 
 
Cut out a circle from the felt to fit inside the plastic lid.  I use a little glue to hold the felt flat and then voila, you're done!
 
The felt makes the dice quiet AND the sides of the container act as walls so the dice do not fall out.
 
 
 
I tell my students that if the dice fall out they miss their turn :-)  Sounds mean, but it works!!!  I NEVER hear dice! 
 
Head on over to 2nd Grade Pad to find more Make It and Take It ideas.
 
Welcome to 2nd Grade Pad

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Bunny Trouble

I decided to use Bunny Trouble as a Guided Reading book this year with one of my high flyer groups.  They LOVED it!!
 
Afterward I introduced them to the activities from my Bunny Trouble Booktivities unit.  I stapled all the recording sheets into a booklet for each of them and VOILA they are set with a bunch of activities for the week.
 
Here's a few pics:
 
 


They've been begging me to work in their Bunny Trouble booklets.
 
Here's a peek at what's included in this unit.
 

You can find this unit at my TPT store

I'll send a copy to the first follower who comments on this post.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Springtime Adding 10 FREEBIE!

They tell me it's spring. 
I'm not seeing it. 
But we'll go with it.

Here's a little springtime Adding 10 math station freebie for you.
 
 
Students roll one dice, add ten and cover the number on their playing card.  The goal is to be the first player to cover all their numbers.

 
 
I have included an "I can..." card to help keep students on task.
 
If you would like a copy of this activity you can find it by clicking on the picture to head to my TPT store.
 
Since I know you love freebies as much as I do I have linked up with Charity at Classroom Freebies.  Click on the picture below to head on over and find out more.
 
Classroom freebies
 
Speaking of freebies, Cynthia over at 2nd Grade Pad has an amazing birthday giveaway on the go.  Click on the picture below to find out how to get your free copy.  You better hurry though tomorrow is her birthday and the giveaway is almost over!
 
Welcome to 2nd Grade Pad
 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

I Spy 2 Sounds of Y

I'm excited to say that I just posted my most recent I Spy word work activity!  We all know that as a vowel Y can be one of those tricky letters.  Sometimes it sounds like long e and other times like long i.  In this activity students need to get their magnifying glasses out and search for words then decide which sound they hear.
As you can see there are four pictures.  Hidden in each picture are 10 teeny tiny words.  Five have the long e sound (as in happy) while the others have the long i sound (as in my).  I have included a choice of 3 recording sheets to allow for easy differentiation.

My students get so excited when I get the magnifying glasses out.  I hope yours do too.  This activity is available at my TPT store.
As usual, I'll send a copy to the first 2 followers who comment on this post.

Happy searching!!!
 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Doubles Bump - Easter Style

Just a quick post today as I have had a C-R-A-Z-Y day! 

Are you looking for an Easter math station with no prep?  I'm putting this one in my math stations next week for a little extra doubles practice.
 
If you purchased this station previously go back and download again because I just added an "I can..." card.  I've decided that they are necessary in my math tubs.

This activity is available at my TPT store and would be a great addition to my Easter Math Work Stations.

As always, I'll send a copy to the first 2 followers who comment on this post (don't forget your email).

Monday, March 18, 2013

Easter Tens and Ones Mystery Picture

How would you use this place value activity?  I have used them for morning work, as a math station (you can find an I can.. card here), for early finishers and as a whole class activity.
My kiddos can't seem to get enough of these activities.  They love to see what the picture will be and I love that they are getting place value practice.  First, they need to find the number and then they color.  For example,
7 tens 8 ones 78
I usually copy the two student pages side by side on an 11 X 17 paper that way they are not flipping back and forth.
You can find this activity at my TPT store on it's own or in my Mystery Picture Bundle.
Would you like a copy of the Easter Tens and Ones Mystery Picture?  I'll send a copy to the first 2 followers who comment on this post.


Sunday, March 17, 2013

An Easter Freebie and a Lucky Winner!!

It's time for an Easter freebie!  I have a Doubles Plus One math work station over at my TPT store and guess what?  It's free!!
Up to four students can play the game at the same time.  They roll one die (or do you say dice?), double the number and add one.  Be the first to cover the card to win!
An "I can..." card is included to keep students on task and from asking "What do I do?".
Click here to be taken to my TPT store to download a copy.

I have linked up with Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies so you can find even more great freebies!
Classroom freebies
Now .... drum roll please .... we have a winner. I know that each of you who followed the Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop came away with some A-M-A-Z-I-N-G freebies.  But one of you is the lucky winner of $100 of TPT Gold.  That person will be able to have a wonderful shopping spree!  To see if you are the lucky winner head over to Ms. Fultz's Corner.
Ms. Fultz's corner
Enjoy the rest of your St. Patrick's Day!  I am anxious to get to school in the morning to see if our trap worked.  Imagine if we actually caught a leprechaun :)

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Easter Measuring

How about some Easter measuring?  I've got my Easter measuring math work station ready to go this week.

Included in this unit are 12 Easter themed pictures that need to measured.  Students are asked to estimate and record their estimate before they measure.  There are 3 non-standard rulers included.  Two different colored ones to laminate and reuse that allow for easy differentiation and a black and white ruler that students can laminate and keep is also included.  An option is to use a ruler for standard measurement.  You will also find an I can... card to keep students on task and focused.  This activity is available at my TPT store

As usual, I'll send a copy to the first 2 followers who leave a comment on this post.

There are only a few hours left to get your name in for the draw for $100 TPT dollars.  Click on the picture below to join in on the fun if you haven't yet!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend ... I intend to!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

St. Patrick's Day Measuring

My students are working on non-standard measuring this month.  For many students it is easy-peasy but for others it takes a little extra practice.  Here's a look at my St. Patrick's Day measuring math work station. 
Students need to measure 15 different St. Patrick's Day pictures.  I have included 2 different rulers.  You may choose to print the colored ones and laminate or have the students color and keep their own.  Of course if you are working on standard measurement a ruler could be used.  For an extra challenge students are asked to estimate before they measure.  There is an I can... card included so students have no excuse but to stay on task.

You can find this activity at my TPT store.   As usual, I'll send a copy to the first 2 followers who leave a comment on this post.

Here's a little freebie if you're interested.  It's an alphabetical order activity to go with the story There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover.  Just click on the picture to download a copy.
And don't forget, there are just a few days left to enter the Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop.  Click on the picture to get started.  You just might win $100 TPT dollars! The contest will end on March 17th so don't wait long!
 
 

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Fluency Builders and Caring for Cole

Like many of you I have a group of students that are struggling to catch up.  I have tried so many things to build their sight word knowledge and fluency and then I found this ...
Sight Word Fluency Passages for Reading Intervention by Christina over at Second Grade Sugar and Spice.

I decided to use it with this particular group at the beginning of each of their guided reading sessions. 

Here's how it works:

First, I review the targeted sight words. In this case it was said, use and there. Then, the student finds the words in a 'word hunt'. They LOVE using highlighters, but crayons work too. You'll notice on the page that there are 'growing sentences'. The student reads each of the phrases and when they get to the end of the phrases they color one of the happy faces. 
 Sometimes I have them use sound phones while I am working with one of the other students. (What did I do before I purchased those????)
I have each student in the group working on a different page.  This adds variety to the group and they can listen to each other read without memorizing what the said and just repeating it.
As a bonus there are even pre and post assessment pages included and a teacher tracking page.

For my own use I copied the pages I wanted for the next few weeks and prepared this supply teacher directions page ... because you just never know.  I put it in my group guided reading bin and now it's ready to go.
 If you would like to read more about this product head on over to Second Grade Sugar and Spice.  you won't be disappointed!  I couldn't help but notice this is Pack #1 - I'll be anxiously awaiting the sequel!

On another note, Karla over at Life in Special Education has put together an AMAZING collection of "Tried and True" resources.  There are over $160.00 worth of resources that can be yours for a $25 donation.  All proceeds will be used to help a young boy named Cole, the son of a teacher who is putting up a courageous fight against brain cancer.  You can read more about Cole by clicking on the picture.
Please consider helping Cole and his family.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Buttons - Spin (or Roll), Tally & Graph and a FREEBIE

As you know I LOVE Corduroy Bear and I cannot get enough of these graphics.  I just added a new math work station to my TPT store.
Do you prefer dice or spinners?  In this activity you get to decide.  Students either spin (or roll) and then graph and tally the results.  If you like both then you get 2 stations :)  I included 2 "I can..." cards so you will have the one you need.  You can find this activity here.




If you love Corduroy as much as I do you might be interested in my Corduroy Booktivities.
You can read more about this unit in this post.

Now for the freebie I promised you:
Click on the picture for a little greater than, less than practice AND if you missed my subtraction freebie awhile back click here.
 
Have a great weekend!!
 
Oh, and don't forget about the ongoing Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop - 15 freebies and a chance to win $100 TPT gold - it's a win win !!!  Click on the picture to get started.
 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Bug-a-licious Roll (or Spin), Tally and Graph

I am soooooo done with winter.  With that said I could not resist making a new spring math station when I saw the cute Spring Bugs graphics by Mel from Graphics From the Pond.  Aren't they adorable?
 
Here's a peek:
 
 
Spring is right around the corner and the bugs in this math station are perfect for capturing your student's attention.  Everyone loves choice, and since some teachers prefer dice, while others prefer spinners, I have included both in this activity.  To use this activity students roll (or spin) and graph the results. Then the information is used on tally on a chart.  I have included 2 "I can..." cards so you will have the one you need depending on which activity you choose.  If you like dice and spinners then there are 2 activities in this download for you.

I usually post in the evenings and give away 2 copies to the first 2 comments, but since I'm on March break let's see who's on their computer this morning.  I'll send a free copy to the first 2 people who comment on this post.  This activity is available at my TPT store.

While you're here.  There's still time to join in on the Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop.  You'll pick up 15 freebies and have a chance to win $100 TPT dollars.  Click on the picture below to get started.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Easter Math Work Stations

I know a few of you are looking for these math work stations and I have finally got them finished and edited.  I am a bit of a perfectionist so it always takes me longer than I think it will to get a unit created and posted :)  Anyway I hope you'll find it was worth the wait.
Included you will find 8 ready to use math stations. As always, each station includes an "I can..." card.
Here's a little peek:
 
 
 
The main focus of most of these stations is addition and subtraction, but there are a couple of number sense stations included too.  You can find this unit at my TPT store.  I have some errands to run today (whoever said March break was relaxing?) but when I return I'll randomly choose 2 people who commented on this post to get a copy for free.

UPDATE: My daughter chose the numbers 4 and 11 when I asked her to pick tonight.  I'll be sending it along shortly.

Don't forget about the ongoing Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop.  You can pick up 15 freebies and enter for a chance to win $100 TPT dollars.  Click on the picture below to start the hop.