A TpT Trick or Treat Grab Bag

Who doesn't like a treat?  I love a treat, especially when it is free!  In this weeks TpT newsletter, they shared a link to a great grab bag of free products!  Click here to check it out!

In addition to all of these treats from TpT I wanted to add to the sweetness!  (I can't believe they didn't include of of my fun and spooky freebies... just kidding!)  It is a cute way to practice 3 addend addition.  Grab it here!

I actually did this work sheet wit the students before I taught 3 addend addition.  I told them I found this really need worksheet, but wasn't sure if they could do it!  I told them I knew they were great at adding 2 numbers, but could they do 3?  Of course they were up to the challenge!  I let them work for a while to figure it out, then we discussed the strategies they used.  This made it soooo much easier to teach this skill with the math series.  Hope it works as well for you!

QR Taks Card Freebie!

Anyone who teaches K/1 knows getting those little guys to work independently and stay on task while you pull small groups is a VERY daunting task!  Today I tried a new independent practice activity with my kiddos and it was AMAZING!!!  I just had to share!

Ever since I took my firsties on a QR code gingerbread scavenger hunt they have be QR code crazy!  Every time we see one they want to scan it!  Task cards are also all of the rage right now and a great way to encourage independent practice and staying on task.  I have seen several printed task cards students complete and then scan each card to check the answer.  These sound fabulous for upper grades, but I envisioned half of my class just scanning the answers and copying it (after all they are QR crazy!)  Well here is my solution and I am sharing it with you all to try for free!  Click here to grab it.

So here is what you do.  First download the file and follow the printing directions.  It takes no time at all.  I made the mistake of laminating my cards, the glare from the laminate interfered with the scanning. Make sure you have a QR scanning app on an iPad, iPod, tablet, macBook...  Show the kids how to scan a code.  Then demonstrate how to record their answers on the answer sheets.  I had my students do this as a part of their Super 6 Daily Differentiation.  They were in groups of 3.  When they completed their 12 task cards, they would come to my table and scan the answer key QR code and self check. 

I knew in theory this should have all worked pretty well.  I figured the first graders would require quite a bit of help the first few times, but eventually they would get.  Boy was I wrong!  They all took to it immediately and better than I ever envisioned.  They were fully engaged, on task, helping each other out if needed and LOVING it! 

Check out this quick video of my students in action!

I plan to make a few more of these this weekend.  I would love to hear what you think about them! 

I am linking up with TBA's Friday Freebie!

Five for Friday and a Freebie!

It is finally Friday! I'm doing my Friday Freeze Dance!!!!  Speaking of the favorite freeze dance, have you tried the extended freeze dance.  I press the pause button to extend the freeze time.  (This is purely for my enjoyment to watch, give it a try!)

1. My eggs are incubating, we are on day 4 of 28ish.  I can not wait for this weekend when I should be able to candle them to see how they are doing.  I have to turn them 3 times a day, so it is a good thing I live close to school.  Next week, I will have pics of what is going on inside!

 2.  We have had so much fun in class guessing what will hatch from the eggs.  You can see from the list below, we started with a long list of possibilities!  We have learned about the eggs of all these animals by reading and researching.  Today we have narrowed down our possibilities to a chicken, duck or a turkey.  (They are really ducks.)

 3.  What time is it?  This week we were learning about measurement.  Unfortunately, our current math series doesn't include time.  However, our standardized test and Common Core does.  Here is a quick assessment I am using, grab it free here.  It is a Friday Freebie!

4.  We are celebrating poetry month.  I love Ook the Book!  I read it to the class, then we tried out hand at writing a poem as a class.  Then, the kids tried their own hand at it!  They amazed me with their poetry, they love it.  Now in their free time, they are writing poetry too!

5. Ready for a crazy week coming up!  Next week is FCAT week.  (If you are a Florida teacher or parent, that just sent a shiver up your spine!)  Even though my firsties don't take it, our daily schedule is changed for the week.  My kiddos don't do well when their routines are changed.  In addition, both of my girls take the test this year!  We also don't do outside recess during this time so that the upper grades have the quietest possible testing environment  I need indoor recess idea!!!  Please share in the comments below!

Beat the Monster Freebie

I am sad to see Sunday come to an end and really wish I could get my hour back!  I am not looking forward to getting up in the morning.  Here's hoping for a fabulous morning!

It is hard to believe, but in just over a week my little blog will be 1 year old!  I love blogging for several different reasons.  I have connected and met so many wonderful people.  I learn so much from all of the other teachers in the blogging community.  It has also really challenged me to do my best, learn new things and share with others.  I am busy now getting plans together a celebration for you!  Look for more details next Sunday!

I love creating PowerPoint presentations to use with my kids for drill and practice.  I find them to be great for practicing Math facts.  This is one of my students favorite games.  As the addition problems flash up on the board, the class tries to quickly answer the problem before the monster makes the answer appear.  If the class gets it first, they get the point.  If the answer flashes up before the class answers, the monster gets the point.  The kids love the challenge.  You can try it with your class by downloading Beat the Monster Addition 0-5 free.

 

If you like it and want more please check out the complete set at my TpT or TN store.

I am linking up with Manic Monday, make sure you check it out for other great freebies!

March is Coming

Hi, I am Teresa and I am addicted to Candy Crush Saga! 

Oh my goodness, I have wasted so much time this weekend with this silly game.  I know I am wasting time and have so much to do, but I can't stop!!!  I have been working on this post all day in between Candy Crush sessions.  If you have not tried this app, DO NOT DO IT!  (at least I warned you)  OK now to the actual information you really came for!

It is hard to believe February is over this week and March is coming in full speed ahead!!!  With March comes one of my favorite themes, Dr. Seuss!  I love how excited the kids get when they can read one of these books all by themselves.  I have so many great things that go along with this theme, but the copyright issues prevent many of them from being posted on TpT.  I will try and share what I can with you directly though my blog, so follow me or check back often.

The first thing I would like to share with you is a Cat in the Hat color by number 120 chart activity.  First the students find 10 less, 10 more, 1 less and 1 more of a list of numbers.  (I use this sheet as a quick assessment too.)  Then they color in the list of numbers to reveal a surprise.  There are even a few challenge questions for the kids.  So grab a copy here.

I am going to link this post up with Manic Mondays (at midnight tonight) on www.classroomfreebies.com .  Make sure to check it out several times during the day.  I am sure there will be some great freebies!

Uncovering Numbers to 120

I am so excited to have finally finished my biggest and best unit yet (I think so anyways...)  We are teaching to the Common Core standards but unfortunately our textbooks don't quite match!  The biggest change, and a tough concept to get is going to 120, instead of stopping at 100.  This unit includes everything you will need to teach, practice and assess the Number and Operations in Base Ten standards for the 1st grade Common Core.

This unit includes:

•Common Core Standards
•120 Chart
•Working with the 120 Chart (10 pages)
•What comes next? (4 pages)
•Solving Story Problems (2 Pages)
•Working with Tens and Ones (5 pages)
•Comparing Numbers < = > (3 pages)
•Unit Assessment (4 pages)

3 Center Activities
•Number Sense Tic-Tac-Toe
•Greater Than Gator Game (game board and 50 cards)
•Number Sense Clues Game (game board and 50 cards)

I would love to know what you think!  I am going to give the unit away to the first 3 people to comment and the 10th person  (Don't forget to leave your e-mail)!  I also have a few pages included in the FREE preview of this unit on TpT and Teachers Notebook.  The unit will normally be $4.95 but until January 21st and January 22nd it is only $2.

November... What a Month and a Math Freebie!

Oh my November just began and the time is flying!  We are lucky enough to have the entire Thanksgiving week off, but that means I have two weeks to teach regular curriculum, election Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving!  Oh Wow!  How will I fit it in?  

I am thankful for Teachers pay Teachers!  I love making things and sharing them with people.  I also really love the great time saving resources other fabulous teachers make and share!  I know I have found some great things lately.  

I am paying it forward, here is a cute math Freebie with the Common Core 120 chart.  Students will be number detectives and fill in the missing numbers.

Click here to grab your free!

I better get back to figuring out how to fit it all in.