Heading to Summer Math Centers

Do you have math centers in your classroom?

I have been doing them this year and my students LOVE them!

I wanted to create a packet that would be great for my students in math towards the end of the year, heading to summer.

So...

I created the Heading to Summer Math Centers packet.

I know, I know.  It is about time I worked on a new product. I finally was able to sit myself down and work on something.

This packet is 6 Common Core/Florida Standards Math Centers.  Use the math centers as a review of the concepts.  Make sure your students master these standards in a fun way.

Here is a preview of what all is included: 

Match the base ten blocks to the number.

Match the money bucket with the amount on the shovel.

Match the analog clock with the digital clock.

Match the fraction with the correct girl.

Greater than, less than, and equal to.

Measure summer items with the included ruler.

I can't wait to use this packet with my kiddos.  I know they will enjoy using them during their math centers.

I would love for you to check them out.

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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Update on Math Centers

Howdy!!  It has been a few weeks since I started the amazing math centers in my classroom.  I wanted to give you an update on my experience thus far.

Tub Center

So far, I am LOVING them!!  I can see where this is going to help my kiddos master the skills instead of just learning them for the test and forgetting.  

I have to use our basal book.  This has taken me some thinking about how I could still incorporate centers everyday plus teach the material in the chapter.  I think I have finally figured it out.

Here is a run down of my morning.

Students come into class around 8:15 to 8:30.  They start their calendar folder and/or start cutting out their work for their notebook. 

Right at 8:30 I begin calendar.  We do calendar until 8:45 with a short break in-between for announcements. 

Then at 8:45-9:15 we watch the video for our basal lesson and complete the worksheet that goes with the lesson.  (I was trying to complete the back at my guided math center, but 10 minutes wasn't enough time for all the groups.)  I try my best to get finished with the lesson and worksheet by 9:15.  Some days it works and some days doesn't.

Then at 9:15 or whenever we get finished with whole group math we go to our centers.

I have five centers that are now working.

1- My center

2- Tubs- games and various activities on different math concepts.

3- Computer- Xtramath

4- Notebook

5- IPads

This took my kiddos a little time to completely understand the math centers.  I thought it would be an easy transition since we do the Daily 5 "centers."  It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be but I do think it was because our schedule was off after we got back from break. (We had one full week, then a week with 3 half days.)

I kept on my kids about their centers and this past week when I looked out from my centers, I was amazed by what I saw.  All the students were engaged in their learning.  They were super excited about the centers.

As far as my center, I change it up to what we need to work on each day.  Sometimes it is reviewing for a test, learning the previous concepts better, incorporating more money, learn a new tub or whatever skill I see the kiddos would benefit from we work on. 

I know this is one time throughout the day the kids are really enjoying.

Did you know that you can use dry erase markers on a table and they will come off?  I was super scared at first but at the end of the day I just use a baby wipe and it turned all clean.  

My students thought this was the best thing ever to write on the desks.

This week, our weekly assessment started having the students respond to one of the questions on their test.  The sentence has to be a complete sentence.  We practiced writing complete sentences.  This one cracks me up so I had to get a picture of it.

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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Incorporating iPads and Beginning Math Centers, Plus Apps

Monday was our first day back after Christmas Break.  I was excited to start incorporating everything I decided to try after break; however I was sad not to be able to spend the whole day with my boys.



Since I was so lucky to get a class set of mini iPads I knew I wanted to start incorporating them into our day.  After researching and trying to figure out what would be best for my class, we started Monday using them.

I thought one of the easiest ways to incorporate them was using them for making words.  We always used our dry-erase boards to write out words with our spelling pattern, but using the Magnetic Letters App made it different and more exciting!  The kiddos loved changing the background and the letter colors.

The kiddos were 100% engaged with making words!  We also used the app Show Me to write some words using a stylist.  Unfortunately, the stylists were not working very well with our covers.  Instead some used the stylists and some used their finger.  Both ways the kiddos loved word work!!



This week I started my mission of incorporating guided math into my day.  I thought it was a perfect time to switch since we are just coming back from break and the following week is crazy because of the short week and half days due to the end of the quarter. 

On the first couple of days of the week, I was still printing and laminating some of the items I needed for my new math centers.  I wanted to start the process of teaching my kids what to do even though I wasn't completely prepared.  I decided to put the kiddos into different groups so they would get some practice at math centers.  Since I didn't have everything prepared yet, I just used what I could to do this.  

Here is a break down:

1} Teacher Center - worksheet from basal

2} Computers- Math Facts in a Flash (our school purchases this every year)

3} iPad- Teach Me First Grade

 I love this app.  It works on sight words, handwriting, addition, and subtraction.  It keeps track of the student's progress and the students earn stickers.

4} iPad- Smart Cookie Math

This app is wonderful!  It works on addition and subtraction fluency.  A Common Core standard!  I use this to help with our Smart Cookie Math program.

5} iPad- My Piggy Bank

This app is such a fun way to practice money.  My students kept asking to play this.  I ended up purchasing the full version because of how excited my kids were to play this. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday I continued these math centers.  I showed them how I wanted them to clean up and then stand once they were ready to switch.

Thursday I had the Math Chart prepared to share with the kiddos.  I showed them how to use the chart to know where to go.  We practice using the chart on Thursday with the previous centers.

Then on Friday I had everything ready and prepared for the math centers I really want to use. (Thanks to my intern for helping me get all prepared for this adventure).

Here is a list of what my kiddos are really going to do for Guided Math:

1} Teacher Center - worksheet from basal

                                     

2} Computers- Math Facts in a Flash (our school purchases this every year), some weeks students will work on Xtramath.

3} iPads- Various Apps 

4} Math Notebook

5} Math Tubs- On Friday, I went over two of the Math tubs the students will have a choice that they could do during their tub center.  I plan on introducing the other ones on Monday.

It was so exciting seeing my vision of these math centers play     out.  I saw that the students were excited about math and completely engaged in what they were doing.  I know over time this extra effort into math will have a big pay out.  My students will definitely master what they need to for first grade!

Have a Wolfelicious day!

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Math Centers, Behavior Chart

Math Centers and My New Behavior System

My class participates in Math Centers some days after our math lesson.  If we have time after our lesson to complete our math center then we do it, if not we wait until we do have time.  Right now I have 18 students so I have 9 different math centers.  I know 9 centers sounds like a lot, but by having 9 centers I am able to have two students at each center.  I love having only two students at a center.  They stay on task better and the noise level stays low.  I switch my center periodically throughout the year.  If I notice the students are having trouble with a certain area, then I will make sure I place practice materials for that area in our centers.  Here are some of my centers:

Pattern Block Patterns

The students are using pattern blocks to make patterns.  These two students chose to work together on one pattern.  

Pattern Block Patterns

Cube Patterns

 This center is working on patterns.  The students are making their own pattern using cubes.  

Cube Patterns

 Sorting Bears

These students are working together to sort the bears.  They chose to sort them according to their size.  The students also could have made patterns with the bears.

Sorting Bears

 Counting

This center the students have paper plates with number 0- 20 written on them.  The students have to place as many manipulatives for what number is on the plate.  The students count the manipulatives for their plate and then they switch to make sure their partner counted out the manipulatives correctly.

Counting

 Counting Fish

Each fish bowl has a number on it.  The students then place as many fish on the tank as the number that is written on it.

Counting

 Counting Buttons

This center the students have paper plates with number 0- 20 written on them.  The students have to place as many buttons for what number is on the plate.  The students count the buttons for their plate and then they switch to make sure their partner counted out the buttons correctly.

Counting

 Pumpkin Counting

These are Jack-O-Lanterns from Halloween.  On each one I wrote a number.  The students put the number of crafts sticks in each pumpkin as what is written in it.  After both students fill one, they switch and check each others work.

Counting

 Counting Puzzle

 Students put together the puzzles by counting.

Counting

 Fruit Patterns

Students get a zip lock baggie with rubber fruit in it.  They make patterns with the fruit.

Fruit Patterns

 During the math centers, I walk around making sure the students are on task and checking to make sure they understand the concept at their center.  This also would be the time if someone needs extra help I would be able to help them.  Again, I usually don't have time to do these everyday, just when we have time.  I also switch the centers as needed throughout the year.

My New Behavior Chart

After some thought, I decided to change my behavior system in my classroom.  I have always used the green, yellow, blue, red system in my classroom.  What I didn't like about that system was the students that were always doing their job never received any recognition.  Yes, I would praise them but I wanted something more.  I wanted something that would motivate even my best students to behavior even better.  When the students start on green and green is the highest color, there was never any incentive to try harder because they were already at the top.  With this new system, thanks Pinterest), it motivates all students.  All the students start on green every day, but with the new one students can move up or down the chart.  Moving up the chart is for better behavior when moving down the chart isn't.  Here is a picture of my chart. 

Behavior Chart

Since I have a Snoopy sports theme room I adding sayings to my 'good' colors to go along with it.  Here is the order:

OUTSTANDING!- You're a Champion!

GREAT JOB!- You're an MVP!

GOOD JOB!- You're an Allstar!

Ready to Learn- You're a starter!

Slow Down

Think about it

Parent Contact

The colors are a backwards rainbow.  Again, everyday all students start on green (Ready to Learn).    By making good choices they move up and making poor choices they move down.  I explained to my class that purple and pink are really hard to get and most days only a couple of students will be on them.  I stressed how difficult it would be for them to get these colors to motivate them to behave.  I told them when I see someone going above and beyond what they have to do is when I will have them move up.  Once a child gets to pink for the day, they receive some 'bling' to go on their clip.  They also received a certificate saying they made pink today.  After a child received 5 pieces of 'bling' then they are going to get a different clip and color red.  This will continue throughout the year.  I started this new system a few weeks ago.  My students are really liking it and I have noticed my kiddos that already behaved trying even harder to get to pink.  They really think the 'bling' is cool and the little certificate they get.  If you are looking for a new behavior system, give this one a try.