Snack on Solid Shapes!

Hi all! This is Mary from Sharing Kindergarten.

I am so excited to be guest blogging all about math today.
Math is one of my favorite subjects to teach because

I feel it is so natural to integrate math into
other elements of my curriculum.
I also can move at the pace my class needs
because Math builds on each other. 

This week, I taught my sweet Kinders all about solid shapes. 

{Click here to go to my Pinterest board about shapes! 

I have activities, videos, and other ideas included here}

 On Friday, we created solid shapes
using mini marshmallows and toothpicks.
I used an example on each table for my students to try to create.
Below is a picture of the purple table 
creating a triangular pyramid.

I found that once a student created the shape with their
toothpicks and marshmallows, the others could easily copy.
I had lots of extra hands around to help!

The best part of this activity is that it forces my students
to think about the flat shapes inside the solid shapes. 

We created cubes, rectagular prisms, triangular pyramids,
and a regular pyramid.

I allowed each student to eat their marshmallows
when they made two different shapes.

 After lunch, we had a special math snack.
I found several items at my
grocery store that are solid shapes.

We put them on a plate for each student to explore.
THIS makes it more real for each student.
We talked about the sphere, which was Trix cereal.
We also talked about what other
types of foods are spheres.

We found out apples, oranges, cheese balls (like cheese puffs),
and many more items are shaped like spheres.
Then, the students got to eat some of their spheres.
I brought up biting them in half to make a half sphere.

Then, we discussed cylinders. We reviewed the shape,
then I asked them which food was a cylinder on their plate.
This one was easy - marshmallows.
I used big marshmallows because we used the little ones before.

Again, we applied this shape to other foods.
I mentioned cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving...
still shaped like a can and all! 

* I also use Combos here, but I couldn't find them this time.

Now that you see the process,
I will tell you the foods we matched to each shape.

We had two cone shapes- baking morsels and Bugles. 

Cubes where caramel pieces- each student got one.

Rectangular Prism- Starburst candy

I walked around to assess students while they snacked. 

Almost every single student in my class
could name and describe each solid shape!

I hope this has given you two ideas to help teach
solid shapes to your students.

I hope you stop by my blog to say "HI!!!"
and follow me on my many FUN
math activities with my little learners. 

What other food items should I add to this "solid shape" list?

Mary Amoson,  Sharing Kindergarten http://sharingkindergarten.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten

A Visit from Mrs. Hodge

Hi y'all! I'm Elizabeth from Mrs. Hodge and Her Kindergarten Kids! I would like to take a moment to thank Penny for allowing me to guest post on her blog today! This is so exciting!!!

I get excited when I talk about math, but this hasn't always been the case! Believe it or not, I was horrible in math when I was younger. I've made a vow to myself to never let a child "just skate through" like I did! I try hard to really relate math to my each of my students. I believe that if they can see how it is used in their everyday life, they are more likely to be engaged in the lessons during class.

Looking forward to school starting soon, I have decided to try something new this year! I'm going to implement math stations into my schedule. This summer I read the book, Math Work Stations by Debbie Diller, and I'm ready to dive in!

I already do The Daily 5 in my classroom so I feel like adding math stations into my classroom would be a perfect fit! What I love most about this system is that my teammates and I will no longer need to switch classes to level out for math---instead, the work stations have you differentiate for all of your students so you can keep your own students and still meet the needs of each learner! Not to mention, the teacher gets to meet with small groups daily! You can really tailor your small group session to the needs of those few students.


I also love this concept because it allows each student to really focus on each skill at their level.  We've all had those students who are really strong at one concept, like patterning, but weak at another, like money. By having one station that focuses on one skill but it is differentiated on 3 levels, really allows each child to work at their own level every time.  No child is forced to stay on the same level for all of the station boxes.


I've organized my manipulatives and I feel a lot better by knowing exactly what I have available to me. (Knowing what you have to work with is half the battle!) I was able to throw out old clutter, purge doubles of things and label stuff to keep. I have also stocked up on my actual math station boxes.  I have chosen to go with these scrapbook storage boxes, which can be found at Michael's and Hobby Lobby--and they are usually ALWAYS on sale so you can get them for as low as $4.99!

I also have settled on my rotation chart looking something like this! I will probably put the names of the kids on Velcro so I can move them easily when need.

(Click here to go to the original source for the chart)

Now, I need to get busy finishing the activities that I'm going to put inside!

If you missed the great book study done on this book last summer, click here to go to Mrs. Wills Kindergarten original post. I learned so much after I followed each blogger's journey, chapter by chapter, through the book!

If you haven't yet, I'd love for you to hop on over to my blog and become a follower! That way you can keep up with my kids and their progress this year! I am confident that math work stations will be a huge success in my room!  Do you use Math Stations in your room? How does it work for you?

Huge hugs to Penny again for allowing me to crash her blog for the day!



Mrs. Hodge and Her Kindergarten Kids
mrshodgeandherkindergartenkids.blogspot.com

Teachers...don't forget to check out the Back to School sale at Teachers Pay Teachers! You can find lots of great deals today and tomorrow! (August 12th and 13th!) And you can get my Four in a Row game for only $1.44 with the promo code BTS12! Thanks! 

Welcome Debbie Clement!

Friends, today I am thrilled to host my friend, Debbie Clement!  She is a phenomenal author, illustrator, performer, teacher, and all around fabulous educator!  I know you will enjoy her contagious enthusiasm as much as I do!  :)

OH HAPPY DAY!! It's my turn to share here.

What fun. What delight! I have the honor of contributing a guest post today -- thank you for the opportunity, Dr. Penny.  It's a thrill to introduce myself to new readers. Let's get this party started! 
  

Let's start with some basics about me: I LUV'd math growing up. I was super good in fact. I won oodles of math-derby contests. Chalk at the black-board, who can solve the problem first was a strength. I was great at long division and I was super capable all the way to AP Calculus! 



Seeing these 'old school' flash cards took me right back to that chalk-in-hand adrenalin of beat the clock speed racers. 

My favorite-factor set!!

Somewhere along the line, my delight with finding the 'right' answer evolved to the appreciation for the open-ended exploration of the Arts. Somehow as an adult I notice myself seeing math all around me. In shapes and patterns. I explore those geometric relations now in fabric as quilt work. 

              


My songs are full of metrics, patterns even sculpted algebraic equations. After seeing the picture book "Pattern Fish" at the library, where in reading the text the child is asked to solve for X, I wrote and recorded a little dittie I call the "Pattern Song." The lyrics in the first verse unfold: "Knees-tap, knees-tap, knees-tap, knees.............. and after a sufficient pause even young children fill in the blank, solve for X and hit-the-beat with the word: TAP!



Its an honor to be invited to make school visits. I get to come for a day -- or sometimes two -- and my plan is to share my 'story' with the children in your room. My goal is to encourage your students. Inspire them. Delight them. Sing with them. And yes, explore patterns in the midst of music + Art.  

For the last 16 years I have used the motto, "Have guitar, will travel." From those early classroom visits and staff development presentations I went on to record my original songs for the classroom onto 7 CDs. They're known to my fan club as, "Debbie's Ditties."  At this point I've recorded over 100 original songs! Most recently I have added the layer of being an 'Author and Illustrator,' as I have turned 3 of my songs into traditional picture books, acting as author, illustrator AND publisher! These little projects of mine have taken me on some amazing adventures. Can I have a whooop-whoooop? 

Long Island, NY Collaborative Kindergarten Project

My favorite thing in kindergarten visits is to bring my original quilts and we compare them to the presentation of the images in the printed traditional hardback books. When the students see the quilts and the open books they *finally* connect the dots that I'm the one who made the book. Often times the children have created art projects in response to my work. LUV LUV LUV LUV LUV seeing it!


My story is a compelling one. I am the poster child for 'do-what-you-love and amazing opportunities will present themselves'. I could ramble on and on about:

• my two European adventures to present concerts and presentations to the children of our troops stationed abroad PLUS my day in Reggio, ITALY
• my other two books and classroom responses to those works 
• taking out a loan on our house to get my first book into your hands 
• being a two-time Breast Cancer survivor with a zest for living
• my quest to get my blog connected to a wider world
• my travels giving keynotes and workshops across the country.

Based on the enthusiastic response of children to my visits, I would encourage you to pursue creating an 'author' visit when ever possible. No doubt you have a local dignitary eager to make a visit. Check SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) for a possible local candidate for your consideration. My goal for the new school year is to create Skype author visits for classrooms too far away from my itinerary. Let's use the technology available to make excitement unfold in your room!!

My own blog of my travels into schools around the country and around the globe is over at RainbowsWithinReach. My newest claim to fame is that I am editor-in-chief over at the collaborative blog PreK+K Sharing where we have about 35 authors contributing one article each month. I throw down the welcome mat for each -- when you have the opportunity to hop over for a visit. Small world. I've gathered up the very best contributors.

The number one article on my blog is one on Organization in the Classroom, people seem to really appreciate the photos from my travels into oodles of classrooms. My article over at PreK+K with the most views is one I wrote on the distinction between Process + Product in Children's Art.  It seems that the old art-teacher in me is quite opinionated. 



I get to give the keynote for the state of Arkansas this fall and Tennessee next winter. Lots of other conferences from FL to OH are getting the details worked out as I type. Wouldn't it be awesome to meet in person? Until then please follow my blog(s) or my growing Pinterest collection, where 19,500++ of your peers have already got a jump on you and my ever-growing pin-boards!



Let me close by offering an opportunity for you to look over my shoulder at a kindergarten school visit in Amityville, NY as we started off our time together in their school gym. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of children everywhere. 

-- Debbie --

***If you ever order from my website, please use the promo code "great" and receive 10% off your order. That should pay for the shipping. 

Can you name that number?

Hi all!! I am Caitlin from Kindergarten Smiles! I am so thankful that Penny has allowed me to come share with you today! 

This summer I have spent a good amount of time going over the Common Core math standards. There are a couple things I am surprised about--patterns and time are no longer required in Kindergarten; however, for the most part I am very excited to fully implement these new standards in my classroom. 

I think Common Core is giving us the chance to slow down and REALLY teach children numbers and their meaning. Students will come out of Kindergarten with mastery skills that will allow them to succeed in math throughout their schooling. 

I wanted to share with you a math game that you can play with your students in a small group. This game will help your students recognize and count numbers 1-100. You can also use the number cards in various ways:

-Have students pick a card and start counting from that number  

  (K.CC.2)
-Put numbers in order 1-100 (K.CC.1)
-Use number cards 1-20. Have students draw a card and count out 

  that many unifix cubes (K.CC.4)
-Use number cards 1-20. Have students draw a card and write that 

  number 3 times (K.CC.3)

I can go on and on.....Click the picture below to grab your FREEBIE! 

Another BIG thank you to Penny for giving me the opportunity to guest blog today :) I hope you will come visit me over at Kindergarten Smiles!

Timez Attack

Hi! I am Melissa O. from Transitional Kinder with Mrs.O and I'm so excited Dr. Penny has invited me to be guest blogging here today. :) I am currently a Transitional Kindergarten teacher but I have also taught 1st grade and spent 7 years as a Technology Specialist teaching 1st through 5th graders. 


One thing I have noticed in teaching different grades is that students in all grades need help with their math facts. This is true of kindergarten students who need to know simple addition and subtraction facts through every grade into upper elementary and middle school where many students struggle with multiplication and division facts. 


Today I want to share with you an AMAZING educational game that can help students in all of these grades (and adults too) master these facts, Timez Attack.

TimezAttack began as a game to practice times tables and I first found Timez Attack over 4 years ago when I was a Technology Specialist; and it gets more amazing every year. My school was a part of the study mentioned in this video that shows just how cool AND valuable TimezAttack is. Take a look.





Isn't it AWESOME? I have many games for my own kids that are not as fun as TimezAttack but cost a lot. This is free, doesn't take a lot of time, and actually works to increase math fact knowledge and speed. The creators of the game take you through the research on the game, how install and set up the game, and how to play the game. Big Brainz has wonderful tech support and you can tell they really just want all of our children to succeed.

Now just the multiplication is wonderful and helpful for second grade to upper grades so I have been sharing TimezAttack with my friends that teach those grades.  I know many of you are thinking, "I teach primary age students who need to understand basic addition and subtraction so I can't use Timez Attack with them, can I? 


Well now you can, because TimezAttack now allows students to practice all 4 operations; Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division! When you start the game students pick what they want to practice and the game begins with a pretest. Based on the pretest the student is automatically sent to the level they need to learn. As the student plays the game they are getting introduced to a certain math fact, guided practice with the fact, then assessed on the facts the have been working on. 


The assessments are just as fun as the rest of the game and give data to the student and teacher. The best part is the game data is online so students can use any computer, even from home to play the game! If you want to just try out the game download the game by clicking the picture below. To play click the School button on the top green menu then select California, Pittsburg Unified, Stoneman Elementary. The teacher password is believe and the student password is dolphin. Please use the Default Class to play around and be sure to comment here or at my blog, Transitional Kinder with Mrs.O. Thanks for reading! 

Cuisenaire Rods in the Classroom

Hi Friends! I'm excited to be stepping aside today and letting my good friend Sally DeCost from Elementary Matters take the lead.  She has a great post about using Cuisenair Rods for addition and subtraction practice. I hope you enjoy reading her post!  Be sure to visit her blog when you are finished here! 

Hi!  I'm Sally from Elementary Matters!  I'm thrilled to be guest posting for Teach the Math!

Brain Research tells us that being physically involved with the learning process helps learning. It also suggests that use of color helps make connections.  Teachers know that kids (and adults) tend to key into color, and children love to use manipulatives!




With Cuisenaire Rods (see picture) the white rod, the smallest, is one cubic centimeter.  (This is the same size as a standard base ten block.) The longest rod is orange.  When the children put the rods by length, they make a colorful "staircase".   (See picture.)

The children can then assign values to each rod by color based upon the relationship of the other rods.

Wouldn't your
students love to dig into these?  Mine do!

The first few times the children use the Cuisenaire Rods, they should be given opportunities to figure out the value of each color.
Once they've mastered that (and it doesn't take long!), they're ready to combine the Cuisenaire Rods to create addition and subtraction facts.


I like to start with sets of ten, since our number system is based on ten.  It's good for them to know those combinations of ten!

Since the orange rod has a value of 10, this picture shows 9 + 1 = 10.   It also shows 1 + 9 = 10.  It also shows 10 - 1 = 9 as well as 10 - 9 = 1.

What fact family do these blocks show?  7 + 3 = 10, 3 + 7 = 10, 10 - 7 = 3, and 10 - 3 = 7.  

This one shows 6 + 6 = 12 and 12 - 6 = 6.

The Cuisenaire Rods can also be used for multiple addends or even multiplication. This could be 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 or 3 x 4 = 12.

When it comes to storage, the containers the rods come in are tricky for the kids to put away.  I put my Cuisenaire Rods into a container much easier for little hands.

I made these center sheets for the students.  I prefer the children work with partners on activities like this since the conversations they have help the learning.  If you run these off back to back, you can make two sided, half size papers. Click on the image on the left to download the file.



For a whole set of sheets like this (For families 6 - 20), click here:

I've also found a link for online Cuisenaire Rods!

I hope your students enjoy learning math facts with Cuisenaire Rods as much as mine do!

A visit from Grade School Giggles!

I love it when friends stop by!  And today you will get to meet my friend April Nolan from Grade School Giggles. Welcome, April!  She has a fun math game to share with us!  I know you will love it!  


Hi! I'm April from Grade School Giggles and I'm thrilled to be guest blogging for Dr. Penny today. Her blog focuses on math, which is one of my favorite subjects. Building strong foundations in math is essential if we want our students to be successful. So, I wanted to share a way that I help my students have fun learning math.


Students love playing and teachers love engaged students. Games are a great way to create a classroom where students are actively and passionately learning. After a skill has been taught and modeled, games are a great way to practice the skill to gain fluency.

   

I especially love games that require minimal prep time and don't have a ton of pieces to keep up with. One of the favorite games in my classroom is 4 in a Row. There are a lot of versions of this game out there. This one uses two dice and practices addition facts with sums to twelve. You can grab a copy by clicking on the picture. It includes the directions and game board. You just need to add the dice.


I hope your students like this game as much as mine do. If you want to check out more of my freebies and classroom ideas please stop Grade School Giggles. I'd love to see you there.

Blog Swap and Hop

I wanted to give you all a heads up about what will be happening on Saturday (June 30).  All my fantastic blogger buddies have arranged a Top Teachers' Blog Swap and Hop!  I will be guest blogging over at a friend's blog and another friend will be guest blogging here at Teach The Math! It's top secret who will be where, but you will love the post my guest blogger has ready for you!


I am super excited and can't wait to see all the great posts! It will be like Fruit Basket Turnover for blogs. Be sure to check in on Saturday and follow the hop. I will have a link to all the other teacher blogs which are participating in the hop. Most bloggers will be focusing on back to school ideas and activities. And as usual, many will include a freebie in their posts! (I have a free math game ready to go!) See you on Saturday!