School's Out For Summer

Today marked the end of the school year as students left for summer vacation. It was also the beginning of a new tradition at our school. As students gleefully marched their way to the busses, staff lined both sides of the sidewalk, blowing bubbles, waving streamers, and cheering for the kids. As the last child boarded and the bus engines roared to life, everyone cheered like it was the start of a NASCAR race. Small hands and smiles waved goodbye and the school year came to a happy end. As teachers and staff walked back to the building, many spoke about what they were going to do next year on this day... Some mentioned more bubbles or streamers, others said they would write messages with chalk on the sidewalk for the kids. I also realized that I am looking forward to seeing those small smiles return in a couple months. To me, this is the measure of a good school year.

St. Patrick's Day Math Game

This math game helps students convert 1's into 10's with a Shamrock / Leprechaun theme. Players go around the board by rolling dice and collecting silver coins as they land on Shamrocks around the board. Players collect the number of coins listed on each Shamrock. When a player has 10 Silver coins, he/she trades it in for 1 Gold coin. Once players have 10 gold coins, the first player to get to the castle with their Gold is the winner. Look out for the Leprechauns!

I plan to use plastic coins from Oriental Trading Post but I also made a paper version. Players collect Shamrocks and trade them in for gold coins. You can just print these from "Alternate Pieces and Boards"and cut them out. Another alternative is to use pennies and dimes.

Download Game Here

Alternate Pieces and Boards

Dr. Seuss Addition to 100

This game is based on another called "Race to 100" by Christina Bainbridge. I just modified it slightly for Dr. Seuss's birthday. The game helps teach students to add on to a large number. I have students that are having a difficult time with this concept use a 100's chart to help them visualize starting at one number and hopping ahead by the number rolled on the dice. You can use any type of dice starting with 6 sided, to a ten sided dice that shows ten's (10, 20, 30...), or dice with 5s and 10's. It just depends on what skill you would like them to work on. Enjoy.

Download Here

Greeting and Purpose

I am inspired every day by the talented and creative teachers that I work with, who openly share ideas which put fun new twists on learning. These artist-teachers help children learn with a sprinkle of imagination and a large dose of hard work.  Through this blog, I aspire to improve my own abilities, to create and share some of my own ideas for learning, and to find my own voice on this, my First New Journey.