Happy to Be Back!

I am so happy to get back to blogging! I took some time off during the holidays to spend more time with my family, but fully intended to start back once school started in January. But then my student teacher came.  Without getting into all the details, let's just say it was a long 5 weeks for both of us, and ended with the decision that maybe teaching wasn't her calling after all.
Now that my class is settled back into our normal routines, I can spend more time planning, creating and blogging!
My district started a new fact fluency program this year.  Each grading period we have focused on  2 strategies to develop fluency with addition and subtraction facts.  We have been using this book as our primary resource:
                                  


One of my teammates mentioned that her students needed more practice so I made an activity this weekend that will help our students practice doubles and making ten, the two strategies we are focusing on this grading period.  Click the label below the picture if you would like a copy.

Gnome Facts for Doubles and Making 10

Now I need to spend the rest of the weekend preparing to lead some staff development for my team on Monday.  I'm presenting some tips and techniques for using our Smartboards and other technology tools.  Technology in the classroom is something I am passionate about, and I love sharing with others, so it should be fun!

October Fun

I love October!  Even though we really don't have a "real" fall here in southeast Texas, I still get excited when the calendar turns to October.  I grew up in Pennsylvania so at least I have my memories of autumn leaves and crisp, cool days and nights!  But Halloween is still Halloween, and it is one of my favorite times of year!  For the next few weeks we'll use pumpkins, bats, spiders and all kinds of spooky things to help motivate our little ones to learn and have fun at the same time.
Last year I made these math games to add to my stations.

Click here to download the games.

My class last year loved learning about bats. Cara Carroll at The First Grade Parade has some of the best bat ideas.  I can't wait to do this Venn Diagram and bat fact activity.


Gail Gibbons has some great non-fiction books for this time of year.



Happy fall, y'all!  There's a bag of candy corn around here with my name on it so I am off to indulge!
Carol