Fall Ideas!!!

Now that fall is in full swing we wanted to share a few great ideas.  First off student love to play and learn so well through play!  So why not try some great fall themed games to add to your units!  These games can focus on helping children learn the necessary skills that are required of them.  We have a great Counting Apples Game!  Game is for partners to play and there are two different options, one option is for simple number identification and the second option is for simple addition.  We also have a great game for a Halloween theme called Monster Mash!  This game would remind you of your "war" game.  It focuses on numbers 0-21 and consists of Sets of Cards (6) - This many sets of cards allows you to play with several different groups of students. Each set has their own monster theme to add even more fun to the game. This way kids get to play with a different monster on different days. 

We also have monthly math homework with themes for the upcoming fall months.  They are great packets for the kiddos to work on their math with word problems, drawing, and coloring.  

There are also a few lessons that are available. The lessons include different math and literacy activities.  They also have art projects, snacks, songs, books, movement activities and finger plays.  You don't want to miss on these.

 

Morning Job Board

I have a 9-10 jobs the kiddos have to do each morning when they come into the classroom.  I have it posted on the bulletin board with a number and a corresponding picture.  Early in the year it has a couple of jobs,but weekly I start to add a job.  It takes the kiddos about ten minutes to do all jobs, but just to keep them focused I have" free time" as the last job.  There have been times when free time must be set up at a different time in my day because of a schedule, but I never omit "free time"  in a day.  It is fun to watch the kiddos get right down to business.  I have even had parents in the class say they set up morning jobs and bedtime jobs at home just like this!  The time I set up for morning jobs and free time is about 40 to 45 minutes.  Our day begins with Morning Jobs!


Morning  Jobs
1. Empty your school bag
2. Put away your BEE book  (parent information binder)
3. Drop any mail into mail basket
4. Hang up school bag and jacket
5. Choose your lunch preference
6. Choose milk preference
7. Morning sign-in binder
8. Estimation jar
9. Math card – Question of the day
10. Monthly Math journal-check this out with teacher
11. Free time

Free Time, Sign in Sheets, and Math Journals can be found in our TPT store!  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Bin

Money, Money, Money!!!

One thing that is challenging for Kindergarteners is recognizing and differentiating between coins. Anyone who teaches money knows that kids have a hard time differentiating between coins especially the quarter and the nickel!  So to help with this I have a money chart that I utilized in my classroom.  When I first introduce money in the classroom the kiddos have a hard time!  This chart makes it easier for kids to work on their money skills.  I use different games and activities to work on money and the kids can refer to the chart when playing these games or activities.  The chart is mobile and I move it all over the room.  I would recommend a money chart to anyone who teaches money!

I also have money games available in my TPT store.  Check out the skeleton unit with the most recent money game!http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skeletons-Dem-Bones-899170

Sale!!!

Come by our TPT store.  Everything is 20 percent off this weekend!  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Bin

New Products in My TPT Store

I just posted a new activity.  It is a great job for the students to do as a morning job or centers, sequencing numbers and letters of the alphabet. I had several colored sets of letters and numbers and kept them in a plastic stackable drawer.  Often the kiddos played the games in the hall outside my classroom and lined them up along the wall.  When the kiddos sequenced the numbers they would line them up 1-10

below that 11-20 and the third row 21-30.  Below are the directions for...

Alphabet Cards

Uppercase & Lowercase

Number cards

1-50

Alphabet Cards Uppercase & Lowercase - Number cards 1-50 is a sequencing activity for each student in the classroom. Run each set of cards in a color. Separate the number cards from the alphabet in sandwich bags. By having a variety of colors children who work next to each other will not get their cards mixed up.

Alphabet cards are sequenced uppercase with the matching lower case below.

Number cards
Sequence numbers 1-30 early in the year, add the cards 31-50 later.

Another activity is the October math journal.  I love using math journals.  It is just another way to work on problem solving at a young age.

It has been a whirl wind month of August!

Baby Cade is doing great and growing like a weed.  My partner and daughter Chanda has been busy with Cade and learning all that it takes to be a new Mom.  I have been busy getting up some new products.  With school just beginning  I have put out a couple of activities I hope can help in the classroom.

Math Journal for September

The math journal for the month of September is great for problem solving with the kiddos.  It goes along great with Everyday Math in  " What's my Rule".  This activity is the stepping stone to playing the board game "Guess Who".

The kids love these activities, so get those brains working and solve the problems.

Another activity is the Cowboy/Cowgirl theme.  It was such a high energy theme for the beginning of the year, especially when the kiddos could be outside and use all the facilities to enhance the activities.  I also liked it during Halloween because it was a great unit for fun and costumes.  Check into both, I think you'll like them.

I have one tip for all teachers.  

With the cost of materials and the time to make or purchase them, I strongly recommend purchasing your own laminater.  I can't tell you how much money and time I saved on my own laminater.  I purchased it a Target, but I know you can get it at Walmart and a other places.  I am able to buy the laminating sheet in two sizes 8x11 and 8x17.  The laminating sheets are about $15.00 for a box of 50.  It is my favorite and best purchase.