Word Problems

The CC Math Standards state that first graders represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.  That's what's happening in my classroom with my themed word problem units and I LOVE it!  Here's a peek at a couple of the pages we worked on for February...

I was lucky enough to get CGI Math training from my district.  I am sooooo glad and so are my kiddos!  I am amazed every time we do it!  Here's why:

1.  Kids are totally engaged

2. Kids interact

3. Higher level thinking  (yes!)

4. My kids learn to explain their thinking and share their ideas in front of the class using the doc. cam and microphone.  Cute as can be!!

5. If someone is stuck, they get up and walk around to see what others are doing

6.  It's magical to watch them manipulate math tools

I had some math manipulatives but I wrote a grant to purchase more.  Each table gets to choose from a variety of tools to use to solve problems.

You can check out my February word problem packet at my tpt store.

Tell Me Something Good!

Happy three day weekend!  Whoot!  Whoot!  
I'm joining Jennifer's linky!  Head over to Rowdy in First Grade and join the fun:-)
Here's the scoop...you have to tell something good that's happening at school and at home.  So, at school I'm thrilled getting really excited about the Common Core Standards.  Is that weird??  We are a little behind but we're getting there:-).  Higher level thinking???  YES!!  Can't wait to check out the new testing that will be coming down the road.
What's good at home???  Gotta say...EVERYTHING!  I'm a happy camper these days.  I got to SKYP with my son tonight so that was the BIGGEST thrill of the day.  Also saw the movie "Silver Linings Playbook".  And I have the day off tomorrow!  I'm going to try one of those burlap painting crafty thingys.  I'll post a pic if it turns out presentable:-).

Gotta Luv Target!

My hubby always drops me off at the door in front of Target and goes to park the car.  It's a routine:-).  He knows where to find me when he comes in....THE DOLLAR BINS!  There's always something I need in there!  Luckily, hubby has stopped asking for explanations of my purchases. It's cheap entertainment after all, right?  Here's my goodies from last weekend..

Of course a polka-dot magazine holder is a MUST!  Check out the cutie post-its!  Where else can you get 100 Day certificates for $1??  Nowhere!!  

Take a break from football to go shopping and you don't even have to leave the house!!  Check out the TPT Super Sunday Sale!  My store is 28% off!  Stop by and have a look!  Don't forget to use the code "SUPER" at checkout to get your discount.

Stop by Jason's Online Classroom for a great linky with lots of stores having SUPER sales!

New Sub Product

I have had such luck with my first grade sub tub packet that I decided to make one for second grade teachers too!  One recent reviewer of the first grade product said "My sub said I had the best sub folder she's ever seen".  I love that it's helping other busy teachers!  Check it out by clicking on the pic.

A Little This...A Little That

We are heading into the end of January!  WHAT!!  How is that possible!

I sent Progress Reports home last week.  I got all of my DIBELS assessments done!!  Can I get a whoop-whoop!!

It's all about penguins in my class this week.  Wednesday is Tacky Day!  WHAAAAAAT'S HAPPENING!  Ha!  I love that penguin!!  I'm so sad that I have to go to a CCSS training that day and have to miss the FUN with my kiddos:-(.  Pity party.  Boohoo!

I do artsy crafty things on Thursday afternoon and Thursday at lunch I was still thinking about what I wanted to do.  Then I remembered the totally cute symmetry penguin I saw on Pinterest a couple of nights before.  OH YEAH!  I whipped out the black and orange paint, cut some paper and we were in business.  I simplified the process and the look a bit from what I saw on Pinterest.  Here's some samples of these little cuties.

Little Dudes

Little Gals

And for the creative ones...Macaroni Penguins!

Click here to see the original article about these little cuties


I watched Mary Poppins with my little girl (she's 22) today!  OMG...such a great movie!  I may have to show it to my class the next time they earn a popcorn party!  BTW...to earn a popcorn party my kiddos have to build two Mr. Potato Heads.  They earn parts by getting good reports from their pullout classes (PE, computers, library, lunch).  My class LOVES this!  At our Winter holiday party some little siblings came into our class and without knowing the importance of Mr. Potato Head, they started playing with him.  Holy Cow!!!  It was just disastrous!  I had to reassure the class that we would put all of the pieces back on the potato and I wouldn't make them start over!  Hahahaha!  I forgot all about it but when I came in to school the next morning, I noticed that Mr. Potato Head had been put back just as he had been before all the terror the day before!  Hilarious!  Kids take these reward things very seriously!!

I got this idea from 2nd Grade Rocks on Pinterest <3.
Click here to see the original post

Off to work on some new products for TPT!  Hope you will stop by my little store and have a look:-)

Time for a Linky!!

Richi over at Ribbons, Recipes and Rhymes is having a linky.  She created some cutie pie penguin clip art and shared it so we could create some penguin products.  I'm linking up to my new Writing Silly Penguin Sentences packet.  Check it out:-)  Oh...I forgot to tell you, it's a freebie!!

Make sure you check out Richi's blog:-)