Porridge graph

This year during a study of Fairy Tales, we tasted porridge. I used instant Cream of Wheat, sugar, water and a crock pot. I added very hot water to the crockpot according to the package directions.  I added the packages of instant cream of wheat and sugar. (I don't know how much,  but sugar not just a little bit. Yum! Yum!) I let is cook while we read a version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Probably 10-15 minutes. Then we tat tested. Here is our graph.

                                    Data from any graph can can be evaluated in Many ways. 

                                          This time, we totaled the number who like or do not

                                         porridge and used the greater than and less than symbol

                                                         To represent that.

Great books for Math concepts.

Technology has a mind of its own! Today at my session, the technology would not cooperate. I shared some favorite books that connect to math curriculum. I am listing pictures of many of them here in case you were unable to get the information dawn and or couldn't see well.

Gobble, gobble Crash a barnyard counting bash.

This is a great counting book. Chaos is instigated by the turkeys. When the ruckus continues to wake up the farmer . . . Look out!

Hugless Douglas has several books now. I love how the sheep stick to him.

It would be great to use with beginning addition and subtraction or counting. Look for a future post with a Math work mat of Hugless Douglas.

The concept of "one more".

This book calls into questions what kids think they know.  It is a wonderful conversation starter. 

This is a wonderful book in the Click Clack Moo series. In this book the animals are preparing to go somewhere together. There is a great twist at the end! I won't spoil it for you. You will have to read it yourself!!!!

Creative Cornerstones

     Today was a wonderful day! I was able to network with many kindergarten and pre-K teachers at the Creative Cornerstones through the Franciscan University of Steubenville. My presentation was only half day this year. Wow was that different! The participants were so incredible! I got wonderful feedback and learning suggestions or ideas.
The session was entitled "Not so common, Common Core Math".
What a wonderful way to share the ideas that work in my classroom!
It was a very rewarding day!

Creative Cornerstones 2014

Once again this year I am excited to be presenting at Creative Cornerstones near Cleveland, Ohio. I will be teaching on Sunday for half day. The session is:
Not So Common, Common Core Math. Pre-K and K
Join me there!!!
Registration opens in February.

Reading websites

This comes from the "Really Good Stuff" blog. 

(I would have provided a link, but it would not work. Sorry).

 I will have to check out these sites. We use Starfall and Tumble Books. One year I used "We Give Books", but the others are new to me. I will have to check them out. 

Christmas Presents for Students

This year I decided to make my kids dry erase boards out of melmac plates as their Christmas Present.

I had a great time dying the socks. I let them sit over night to get really colorful before cutting the rubber bands and  rinsing them.  Each sock is attached to the plate with ribbon and ties tight. 

Inside the sock is a dry erase marker. 

I used glitter bubble paint to write the names. Be sure to plan ahead for this project. The names take a few days to dry. 

Many kids returned from our long holiday break talking about the dry erase boards. I think they were a real hit!

One suggestion, be sure you are able to drill through the plates BEFORE you spend a lot of time on this project. Thick plates are very tricky!

Thanks Dad!!!!!!!!!

Daily 5

This is my first year using Daily 5 in my kindergarten classroom. This week I tried a new organization system for my Daily 5.  I felt like I needed my kiddos to be more involved in the transition to each daily. So I organized it in my pocket chart. Each of my groups is heterogenous. Each group has a helper (or two). This is the designated person for their questions or problems, so I am not interrupted during reading groups. It has been a very important part of my center structure in past years. This year I also am including helpers in my Daily 5 structure.

Here are a few pictures of Daily 5 in my room today.

Word work-water paints

Word work-The kids call this "packages". I cut letters in different fonts from various product boxes like cereal, boxed mixes or games. Students find the letters to make words they are learning. 

Read to Self

Listening to reading with Tag Readers

I will post more Daily 5 ideas as they progress.