Learning Strategies In My Pocket

It has been a very long time since I have been able to blog stalk and even post anything.  Life has made it very difficult to sneak away and get all the wonderful ideas from fellow bloggers.  We have been away from our cozy home for more than a month and hopefully will be returning soon.  My son is doing wonderfully with all his therapy and preschool for a few hours a week.
 
Luckily I did get some wonderful deals on Cyber Monday from so many of you.  I am so very thankful for the number of first grade bloggers because this year more than ever I have needed emergent reader materials.

Anyway I thought I would share with you some things I have been using lately because of the pressures of being new to the Common Core Standards in math.  With only two weeks left before break and assessments when we get back, I have been using some great strategies that you may already know but have forgotten about.

Pocket Words
I have been using pocket words for sight words.  I give the student a word that they practice through out the day.  I decided to use it with the geometric shapes and attributes that they need to know.  On Friday I gave them a picture of a quadrilateral and on the back they wrote their attributes.  Four sides and four angles.  When the students need to use the bathroom or when they are lined up, I'll ask a student to tell me about their "pocket shape."  I had students wanting to amaze me with their geometry brilliance even if they didn't have to use the bathroom.

Mental addition and subtraction
This is another standard I'm getting more comfortable with.  When the students are also lined up I give them an equation:  280+10= .  They need to talk to a shoulder buddy and give them their answer.  I then call on a student to give their answer and explain how they got their answer.  It is short and sweet and we get to practice while we wait in line.

I hope to post more often and add some freebies.  Also finally have a giveaway for the Holidays!

quadrilateral 

Blog withdrawl

I have really missed blogging but like all of you I have been really busy.

I finished my Masters! Yeah ME!

We are now in our third week of school, I have a great class. I have some challenges ahead with differentiation but I'm glad I have this blogging community to help.  I have started the Daily 5, which will probably be the Daily 3 in my class.  I wish I would have done this sooner.  My school is the only one in the district that isn't SFA  (Success For All) and we will probably be one next year.  I'll enjoy it while I can.

My son was just diagnosed with Autism so my husband and I are learning all we can to help our little man. We are continuing early intervention with speech and are on a waiting list of occupational therapy.    We appreciate the little things that others take for granted. Such as a real hair cut without a melt down, it went really well.

Lollipops are great to keep in your purse.

My hope is to share some pictures of my classroom.  My room is a huge reflection on the wonderful ideas from this rocking community.  I am LONG overdue for a giveaway so if you have any suggestions for what kind of prize you would love to win leave me a comment.    

P.S.

This year we are rolling out National Geographic Science, the Common Core Standards for Math.  We are using Expressions for Math.  I'm a visual learner so I was mega happy to find this on You Tube.  Hope it helps someone else with those daily routines.

Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas!: $25 Gift Card Giveaway for 200+ Followers!

Great giveaway!


Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas!: $25 Gift Card Giveaway for 200+ Followers!: "This isn't just a $25 Gift Card to WALGREENS, it can be school supplies for your own children, supplies for school, cases of Diet Coke, cand..."

Advice for New Teachers Linky Party

Join in the advice for new teachers linky party!




My advice would be:


1.  Get to know your office and custodial staff.  Having a great rapport with them has helped when something comes up and is needed at the last minute.

2.  Team up with a grade level buddy.  They will keep you informed on annual happenings and school culture.

3.  Save your weekends for yourself, family and friends!  I got this one from a veteran.  I have tried to follow this and stay late on a designated evening.

4.  If something isn't going like you planned, don't worry, the students don't know that!  You will workout the kinks.

5.  Get enough rest and eat right to keep those little germs at bay!

It also helps to teach the students to wash their hands when needed and to sneeze into their elbow.

Best of luck during this first year!

In your teaching program they might have shared this.  Have plenty of support at home and work and it will be a blast!

Be positive and enjoy your class!

Primary Graffiti: Data Notebook

Primary Graffiti: Data Notebook: "Win it before you can buy it!  I'm prepared to upload my Data Notebook to TpT.  I want to giveaway two copies before the sale on Monday.  I ..."

Create●Teach●Share: It's a Post-It Party {and Giveaway}

Come join the party and enter the giveaway!

Create●Teach●Share: It's a Post-It Party {and Giveaway}: "Giveaway ends Sunday, July 31st. A winner will be announced on the 1st of August!"

Yearn to Learn: Holy Cow It's Giveaway Time

Don't be left out! She is giving away her task card collection.

Yearn to Learn: Holy Cow It's Giveaway Time: "Holy cow, I've been so busy hosting my Blog Mixer Linky with 90 entries so far that my 200 follower mark snuck up on me. So I guess it..."