Number sense involves being flexible and fluid with numbers. We’re always hearing about how important it is for our students to have good number sense, but do you really understand what that means for your students? In this post, I’ve outlined the aspects of early number sense and tips on how to support your learners in the classroom. Subitizing Subitizing is the ability to see small amounts without having to count. For example, many students can quickly recognize 3 objects sitting in a group, or the number of dots on a
5 Activities to do with Rekenreks
Are you interested in using rekenreks with your students, but you’re not sure how? A few years ago, I was in the same boat. I had been to a math training that used rekereks and I couldn’t wait to use them in my classroom. I made a class set out of cardboard and proudly brought them to school. Except I had no idea what to do with them! I had learned a game or two, but needed guidance with how to teach my students about them. In this post, I’ll show
3 Ways to Improve Number Sense
Do you have students who are struggling in math because of under-developed number sense? Do your students lack a solid understanding of how numbers work? In this post, I will share 3 things you can do to help these students increase and improve their number sense. Teach with Problem Solving It is critical that as teachers, we shift from the traditional practice of modeling “how to do math.” Mathematics instruction is much more effective when we use a problem-based approach (Van De Walle & Loven). Allowing students to struggle with
Teacher Appreciation Gifts and Printables
Teacher appreciation week is coming up! While it’s nice to feel appreciated, I love this week because I enjoy doing little things to show appreciation for my teammates and my own kids’ teachers. Here are some easy, cute gift ideas that you can throw together in a snap! Redbox Rental Code- I am obsessed with gift cards you can buy online! Forgot a teammate’s birthday? Need a last-minute gift? Redbox to the rescue! You can buy a promo code for a rental here. Bonus points if you attach it to some
Ideas for the End of the School Year
The end of the school year is approaching. Everyone is talking about being “done.” The students, the teachers, the parents. But when there is still a month of more of school left, being done is not an option! But there are many things you can do to keep your students engaged, motivated, and excited about coming to school. End of Year Countdowns– These are becoming more and more popular each year. Just pick a theme or format, and you and the students do one fun activity each day during the
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for the Classroom
Are you in search of the perfect mothers’s day gift for your students to make? Whether you prefer to go simple or all-out for Mother’s Day Gifts, this list is bound to have something for you. 1.Hand Print Mason Jars- I made these last year with my students. They take a little bit of prep beforehand, but they are easy and a huge mom-pleaser! Just spray paint mason jars at home. Use craft paint to paint your students’ hands and press them gently onto the jar to create the stems. Then
Free Printable Play Doh Valentines
Do your students love Play Doh as much as mine? These valentines will be a hit! Click the image below for the free download! To insert the mini can of Play Doh, just use an exacto knife to cut an X in the center of the heart, and then cut one more slit through the X. Pop the Play Doh right through the front. Simple, fun, and adorable! Enjoy!
Snow Math and Science
Winter is here! In many places, winter brings that cold, white, fluffy stuff–and weather or not you’re a fan, snow can be a highly motivating learning tool. Who doesn’t want to play in the snow? But it doesn’t need to be snowing outside your door in order for you to capitalize on this opportunity. All you need is some ice and a good blender! To create “real” snow, just fill up a good blender (I use a Ninja) and turn it on high. It will turn into perfect, packable snow!
Kindergarten Pumpkin Activities
Fall is my favorite time of year. So many of my favorite sights, smells, and treats–especially pumpkins! Every year, we explore pumpkins to learn about them like scientists. We read books about pumpkins, and we learn about the pumpkin life cycle. Better still, I know that these explorations are memories that won’t leave my students any time soon. We explore pumpkins first by observing them in different ways. We pass around a pumpkin and use our five senses to describe its properties. What color is it? What shape? How does
Seasonal and Holiday Handprint Writing in Kindergarten
As a kindergarten teacher, I love all things cutesy and crafty and hands-on and fun. My own son is in kindergarten, and I adore when he brings home things that he created. But I know how hard it is for us to spend instructional time on things like painting these days (I mean, how does that address the standards and yada yada yada…) So I created hand print writing pages that would allow my students to get messy and address the standards at the same time. I am planning on