Counting Collections in the Classroom

I really need to spruce up the Counting Collections in my classroom. Right now, the kids just count random things that I have a lot of. I need to put different collections together like I have done in the past. I've just been real busy or too tired (haven't we all) to get it done.

Here is an example of a few kids doing Counting Collections in my classroom.

This student has counted her sticks. Now she is writing her information and answering questions in her journal.

This student is also writing in her math journal.

This is what it is supposed to look like in the journal. This is posted on the wall for the students to refer to.

This student is almost finished. She had one more step (numbering the sticks) before she could turn in her journal.

Math CGI Problems in the Classroom

I've taken some amazing pictures of my kids working in the classroom. What I am most proud of is how kids are learning to problem solve in math. I love watching their minds work when they are solving a problem. I really love when the kids get to share with the other students how to solve problems. It is a lot of fun asking questions to get the kids to clarify their answers. The kids are learning to pay attention when their peers are speaking, because they know they might be called on to restate what the other person said. Here are a few pictures:

This is the first time we tried this type of problem. It's called a Join Change Unknown, where the change is the number that the kids need to find instead of the ending number. We spend a couple of days on this problem.

One of my students using snap cubes to attempt to solve the problem.

Another student taking a different approach.

One of my students using the Elmo and the SmartBoard to explain his answer.

Another student explaining her answer.

And one more student explaining her answer.

This student had to put in his own words what the other student just said.

Dropbox

I am in the process of getting permission slips signed from parents allowing me to use photos of their children on my website. I have been meaning to do this for a while, but was just now able to sit down and create the form. I will send it home tomorrow and hopefully (fingers crossed) get to post pictures of my students working this weekend.

Until then, I just realized that I have said nothing about an app/feature that my colleagues and I use all the time. I'm less of a fan of it than they are; however, it does have its advantages. It's called Dropbox. (www.dropbox.com)

Dropbox is an app that you can download to your computer, laptop, or iPad for free (unless you need more storage, then you can purchase it.) Drobpox is like a big sharing file. I can put items into Dropbox, and invite people to view those items. Only the people that I invite can see them. Our team (first grade) uses it to share information and keep the things we need instead of using a flash drive. I can also create a file and invite my the parents of my students to visit the file. I can even add pictures of my students working.

So give it a try. It is beneficial, once you get the hang of it.

Until next time...

Introducing: Loki (a Guinea Pig)

I purchased my new classroom pet yesterday. And I have to say, he's pretty awesome. He's going to be a lot more work than I ever imagined. But, he is definitely adorable. He's getting used to me, and is even tolerating my dog pretty well. The only thing he has not figured out is how to go up the ramp to get his food. I put him on the second level last night, and he was still there when I returned while later, having eaten all of his hay.

I just moved his hay ball down to the bottom level, and he went to work on the hay immediately. I also moved the food bowl from the top level and set it on the bottom. As soon as I walked out of the room, he knocked it over. I think he will eventually come around to using the ramp; he's just not comfortable with it.

Oh, by the way... his name is Loki. Yes, named after THAT Loki. And I am pretty sure I named him aptly, seeing that he is going to cause mischief. He was the only one left in the pet store. I have held him a few times, trying to get him used to me. He nibbled my hand the second time I held him, but it didn't hurt and he didn't draw any blood. Thank goodness.

So, without further ado:

There's Loki, in the upper-left side.

He's hiding in his igloo. He sleeps in the igloo, and is supposed to go up the ramp to get his food and snacks. My dog, Mara Jade, is peeking in on the left side.

I moved the hay ball to the lower level, since Loki hasn't figured out how to go up the ramp.

Just a picture from a wider angle.

Another picture.

Aerial view.

Classroom Pets

"Pets in the Classroom" (http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/) is an organization that will help you purchase a pet and items to setup the pet in the classroom. After the pet has been purchased, you can also apply yearly for a sustaining grant, to help pay for the items you need for your pet. Here is my story so far:

Well, I've gone and done it now. I will be getting a classroom pet. What was I thinking? One of my Facebook friends posted a link on her page at the beginning of July. I was intrigued, but not really enough to act on it. Then, the more I thought about it, the more I thought that I would like to give it a shot.

Two weeks ago, I went to the website to apply for the grant. Now, keep in mind that I was thinking about getting a fish. Low maintenance (maybe), not a lot of attention needed from me. Something changed my mind when I was filling out the application, and I decided I wanted to get a guinea pig. Those are cute, I thought, and they are diurnal (play during the day), unlike hamsters which are nocturnal. I also imagine putting the little furball in a plastic ball and letting him run around the classroom.

Today, I received my acceptance letter with my coupons. I decided that I needed to do my research (yep, I did everything backwards.) Apparently, guinea pigs are social, meaning they need lots of love an attention... daily. I am not supposed to leave it in my classroom over the weekend (it needs routine and can get lonely.) Oh, and I shouldn't put it in a ball because it can hurt itself. They chew a lot, and like to be held. Awesome. Apparently I have decided to adopt a small child.

I am still excited about starting this new experience. I will just have to change my approach to what to do with my pet. I will either go shopping tomorrow or Sunday, and get everything together to take him or her up to school Tuesday. I cannot wait for my kids to see the pet. I want them to be involved in his care.

Once I get everything set up, I will post some pictures! Wish me luck. :)

"Teacher Kit," "Class Dojo," and a request...

What an amazing first week of school! Full of ups and downs. I thought I would end this great week by telling you about two apps that I use... and by making a small request!

Teacher Kit is a free app that allows you to store information about a student. And by information, I use it to store contact information: parents names, email addresses, and phone numbers. There is also a feature that allows you to send emails to everyone for whom you have an email address. I use this as an additional way to contact my students' parents and give them information. As of yet, not everyone has signed up for Remind 101, so I use Teacher Kit as an additional tool. There is also a feature that allows you to keep notes (like behavior.)

You can set it up online at http://teacherkit.net/

I am fairly new to Class Dojo. My colleagues have been using it for the past week, and I decided to jump on board. It was really easy to set up on my home computer. I typed in all of my students, and the app gave them each an avatar. I added a couple of positive and negative behaviors. Now, I can simply select a student and select the appropriate positive or negative behavior. There is also a feature that randomly selects a student. The class will not know which student is selected, so they will not know which student I am giving a "point" to or taking a "point" from. Now I just need to align the point system with my existing classroom behavior chart.

Another cool feature is that every student is assigned a code. I can print out the students code (which I will do Monday) and send it home to the parents. The parents are allowed to register for the website and view their student's behavior daily!

Check it out at http://www.classdojo.com/

Personal request: I will be participating in Arkansas' Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. For the first time ever, I have signed up to help with fundraising. If you would like to contribute, please visit http://arkansas.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/LIT_ArkansasAffiliate?px=14541304&pg=personal&fr_id=3485

Thank you!

Present Me! A web video

There is an awesome website called Present.Me wich allows you to record presentations and send them to others. I can definitely use this in my classroom. Check out my video presentation!

https://present.me/view/86559-a-demonstration-of-present-me