Content Specific Alphabet

This year, I changed schools. I was bummed that I left my math Alphabet at my old school. Ok, all I had to do was print another one, but you how it is at the beginning of school ---There is a million and one things to do. So this is how this idea was born. I decided to let my students create a math alphabet for my classroom. I gave each student a letter and asked them to find a math word beginning with their letter. Then, I told them to to illustrate the word they selected. I was so pleased with how this activity turned out, I plan to do this every year.

If you would like to do this activity in your classroom, You can print the letters or write them by hand. If you want to have it done for you, you may purchase my Blank Alphabet set I created in TpT store.
 

Unity and Civil Rights Movement

We have been studying the Civil Rights Movement for several weeks. My students have had some thoughtful discussions. I am so proud of the love they have show to one another all year. Today, during a teachable moment, we decided to investigate the various hues of skin in our classroom. What a beautiful picture of diversity. I am proud of how far we have come in the last 50 years, and cannot wait to see what positive changes are in store for the next generation.

Free Decimal Number Line

I love letting my students create a decimal number line during our fraction unit. My students work together as a group, they color each decimal from zero to one. This helps them visualize the decimal in relation to the whole. They attach the colored decimal squares in order on a piece of 3 inch receipt paper. Click here to get your FREE decimal Number Line.



I also have a version that may be printed Decimal Number Line available in my TpT store. After students create their own number lines, I like to have this version for the neatness and accuracy. 

Division Freebie

I know many of you are teaching division with partial quotients right now. I have always found it helpful if my kiddos have a graphic organizer to keep their numbers straight when first learning this skill. Click on the pic below to get your free partial quotient division graphic organizer.

In my TpT store I have a set of division printables that great for instruction and assessment. This set is available with and without an answer key box at the bottom of the page. My student find an answer box helpful when self correcting. They tend to identify and correct their own mistakes when using an answer box.

Easy Way to Get Students to Pay Attention!

Imagine your students wanting to increase their vocabulary knowledge and actively listening to every word you say. Sounds like something out of science fiction, right?  I thought so too; until I started playing a simple game with my students.

This game is quick and easy to implement. Simply select a word frequently used by you and your students---such as good. Then, create an anchor chart of the synonyms of the word you selected. Whenever students hear you say the word or one of its synonyms, they should immediately say “ding, ding, ding.” Students will be allowed to toss a soft ball around the room until it drops or until a specific time limit is met. The student that says “ding, ding, ding” will begin the game. I also have a rule that if the ball is thrown to someone standing the game is over. My students love this game!! I have even had students comment how intently they are listening to me now.

I also have some other synonym and antonym resources available in my TpT store. 

For this synonym writing resource students write a story about a picture using at least 5 words from a word box. Afterward, they use a provided thesaurus, to select synonyms for the words they select. One of my students asked me if she HAD to change the her word because it wouldn't make sense. Let me tell you my heart melted. That it the exact type of thinking I desire!!!

 This set of antonym bump games are a hit with my students!

My snowball fight games are an all time favorite!!