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! 

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!

It's just a number!

So, I've had the big birthday and got to enjoy a little quiet time at the beach with my hubby! Having such a big birthday prompted me to do a little reflecting on the things I've learned along the way. Naturally, that led me to think about all the fun I've had teaching kindergarten over the past 25 years.


Of course, I'm speaking entirely from a biased point of view, but I truly feel I am part of the greatest profession ever! There is nothing quite like seeing the look of wonderment in a child's eyes when new learning "dawns" on them. And who doesn't love the excitement of the back-to-school rush!


Since 50 is the theme of the day, I decided to list the top 50 things I love about going back to school. I hope you will join me and comment on a few of your own favorite things!

1. planning, pinning, and checking out the dollar store for new finds
2. wasting the entire first day back in your room reconnecting with friends
3. that first faculty meeting...getting all the details straight
4. the new plan book that is filled with nothing but possibilities
5. the inspirational speaker on institute day and the so-so PD that follows
6. getting your desk all organized, knowing it won't last long
7. replenishing your stash of Advil and chocolate...for emergencies only
8. thumbing through all your idea books for creative new ideas to try
9. getting your copy of The Kissing Hand ready and the hand-outs copied
10. having plenty of coloring sheets ready in case you run out of things to do
11. pencils sharpened and stacked neatly in their little jar
12. painstakingly double and triple checking your first welcome letter to parents
13. nameplates perfectly centered and affixed to each desk
14. the slight lingering smell of Lysol spray and fresh linen candles
15. the new pot of ivy that makes your desk look all homey and inviting
16. the countdown of days still left of summer
17. the countdown of days until next summer
18. the lessons you've carefully planned, that you won't look at again
19. wondering where you will stash all the extra supplies they bring
20. the excitement and sleepless night before school starts
21. the last few quiet minutes before the flood gates open
22. seeing the fear/excitement/wonderment in their eyes when they first walk in
23. those awkward smiles on the first day of school pictures
24. persuading the parents that everything is okay and it's time to head off to work
25. the tears...from the children and their mothers
26. the excitement/panic when the door finally closes and they are "all mine" 
27. wondering how in the world you will fill the day ahead of you
28. trying to catch an older kid in the hall to deliver your notes to the office
29. going through the little remember their name mental exercises
30. hearing all the strange new pronunciations of your name
31. the unmistakable smell of a just-opened box of brand new crayons
32. reviewing how to line up, walk in line, stay in line, behave in line
33. counting them one more time to make sure no one has escaped
34. trying to explain lunchroom procedures to kids who have never been in one
35. taking a deep breath before walking into the lunchroom
36. passing out plates, praying they won't drop them on the way to the table
37. passing out lunches, seating them, and keying in their code...at the same time
38. opening 20 packs of ketchup and 20 cartons of milk
39. finally sitting down to eat with only 6 minutes left in the lunch break
40. hoping what's left of their lunch ends up in the trash and not in the floor
41. wearing something you had for lunch somewhere on your clothes
42. already dreading lunch time tomorrow
43. that panicked feeling just before the last bell rings 
44. searching your room one more time...just in case you left someone behind
45. making sure they ALL get on the right bus or in the right car
46. finally getting to take a bathroom break!
47. forgetting about just how little they know in August
48. thinking about how far they will have come in May
49. praying for each child and the mountains they will climb this year
50. the mandatory after school nap that will help you recover from the exhaustion of today and increase the likelihood that you will show up tomorrow

Now, it's your turn! What tops your list of back to school memories? I'm sure I've forgotten a few, so please comment and add your own! We've all been there and we can all identify! Thanks for reading and playing along!