Differentiation Station Creations

Learning Ideas, Teaching Resources, Free Printables

“Hooray for Collaboration” Giveaway!

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The “Hooray for Celebration” Giveaway begins tomorrow at 12 AM!!  This is an amazing collection of wonderful products from some very talented teachers and artists.  There are 46 awesome teachers and artists that donated for this giveaway.  I am awed by their talent and generosity.


                                                              a Rafflecopter giveaway     
                                                       

 

                                                               a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
If you missed it, you should go back through previous posts.  I have been highlighting each of the awesome teachers and products that will be in this giveaway.  I will be highlighting the rest of the teachers during the week of the giveaway.  I hope you will join us to celebrate collaboration on 1/13-1/20.  You will be so glad that you did!!!

Making Ten Frames More Concrete + Freebie

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I love ten frames.  They help students build a number sense around the number ten.  Through use of the ten frame, students begin to view numbers in terms of the relationship to ten.  A full ten frame is automatically ten and when any of the dots are missing, it will be less than ten.  They are great for building a student’s confidence in mental math. 

I also use 5 as a benchmark.  I teach students to recognize that there are five whenever the top row is full.  They are then able to count on from 5 without counting each dot.

Although ten frames work wonderfully for many students, sometimes just using the ten frame on paper is not enough.  I have had several students who needed to fill a ten frame with actual objects.  I first tried using a ten frame on paper and having the students place manipulatives within each square.  However, the concept still did not seem to click for them.  They needed an actual ten frame that they could pick up and that would only hold one object in each box.

I needed something cheap and accessible.  I came up with using an egg carton.  I cut off two of the cups and the top and I had and instant ten frame.  I spray painted or painted mine, so they were more exciting. 

I started making a math version of my alphabet scavenger hunts.  It includes ten frames, numerals, and object cards up to 20.  Students are able to move around the room to find numerals, ten frames, or to count penguins. Students trace or write the numeral, add circles to a ten frame, or identify the sum of an addition sentence. Students can use a wand to really focus in on the numbers or objects.  You can pick up a FREE set of penguin focus wands here.
I wanted to be able to extend that learning with the egg carton ten frames.  I set up a center with egg carton ten frames, the penguin ten frame cards from the scavenger hunt (you can use any ten frame cards), some manipulatives, and some crayons or markers.  Students would draw a card from the pile and recreate the ten frame in the egg carton. 
 I reinforce that building the ten frame is just like reading.  You start at the beginning (on the left) fill up spaces all the way to the end of the ten frame and then return to the beginning on the next line. 
You can use any type of manipulative.  In the picture above we used ping pong balls.  They fit perfectly into each egg carton space.  We have also used puff balls, cotton balls, unifix cubes, little seasonal erasers.
After the student counts the circles in the ten frame and fills the ten frame to match the card, they will find the matching numeral on the extension worksheet.  They will then recreate the ten frame, by drawing circles.  The reason I love this activity is that it gives students an opportunity to learn with their hands.  They are able to physically build the number, before being asked to represent the number on paper.   
The egg carton ten frames are not only useful with students just beginning to learn about numbers and ten frames, they can help students who need more concrete learning experiences.  They are very helpful for students who learn through hands on experiences.
A student that I worked with in second grade was struggling with the concepts of ten and ten frames.  He needed to truly grasp the concept of ten to be able to move on to identifying tens and ones when working with expanded form and larger numbers. 
We went back to the basics.  We worked with our ten frame egg cartons and you could see the light bulb go off!  By physically putting a manipulative into each part of the egg carton, he began to see that filling it up made a ten.  We worked a lot on how many more would he would need to create a “full” ten.  This helped in so many ways.  He began to use the ten frame as a benchmark for 10 and he was able to identify 5 and use that as a benchmark. 
Eventually, we used the egg carton ten frames as base ten blocks.  I ate a lot of eggs, so we would be able to have at least 10 sets of ten frames.  Using these egg cartons as base ten blocks, allowed him to physically fill each space and realize that he was creating a 10 each time he filled an entire egg carton.  Any left over manipulatives were “ones”.  By giving him an opportunity to kinesthetically fill the “tens”, it made the learning concrete and more meaningful.
He was able to use these egg carton ten frames to identify tens and ones, to aid in addition and subtraction, the list goes on and on.
I just wanted to share this idea that has made learning so much easier for many of my students.  It is an inexpensive way to get students to interact with ten frames on a more concrete level.  AND, it’s fun!!
Leave me a comment below and let me know what has worked for you to make your teaching more concrete and hands on.  Do you have an experience where you could see the “light bulb” come on for one of your kiddos?  Leave your email and next week I will choose one lucky comment and send you my penguin math scavenger hunt or my snowball addition unit.  Both are hands on and get the students moving.  I can’t wait to see what you all have to say!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Penguin-Math-Scavenger-Hunt-Numerals-Ten-Frames-Counting-and-Cardinality-1048185

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snowball-Addition-Addition-to-20-Number-Lines-Missing-Addends-Common-Core-1018066

Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

 This post is part of the Math Madness Linky hosted by Teaching Momster!
To find more posts about ten frames click this picture:

Grab an MLK Freebie and More!

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 The “Hooray for Collaboration” giveaway is almost here!!!  This may be the first time that I want to race through a weekend to get to Monday 🙂
 
I wanted to share some more of the wonderful stores and products that will be in the giveaway.  After you get a sneak peak at all these awesome products, you get a freebie at the end of the post!  A little something to use when talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. and equality. 
 
We are coming up on the 100th day of school.  If you win this prize, Scissors and Crayons has you covered!  This is an awesome 100th day of school math and literacy pack.  I had the pleasure of previewing it and it is AMAZING!  There are so many different types of activities and opportunities for hands on learning. 
 
Nancy Prather donated Small Moments: Writing Personal Narratives.  In her own words, “Small moments is one of my favorite units to teach.  I find that I am able to get my second graders to stretch a moment in a way I never thought possible.”  After seeing her unit, I can see why.  She includes student examples, posters, graphic organizers and so much more.
 
Andrea Crawford brings us Snowflake Flurries: Sight Word Game Bundle.  This bundle includes 5 games with all the Dolch sight words.  This fast paced game will leave students asking to play time and time again! Students identify sight words from the sight word lists on snowflake cards. But when a “Flurry” card is shown, game play changes. You can use this as a small group game or a literacy center.  Such fun!
Brittani Black donated an adorable groundhog’s day emergent reader that also includes counting practice.  Who can resist those cute little groundhog graphics!
Beth Silverfarb has some quality winter addition and subtraction games.  Kids can have fun practicing math facts while playing these seasonal games!  This set includes 2 addition and 2 subtraction game boards for both games for a total of 8 game boards.
Create-Abilities brings us a creative and FUN set of multiplication fact fluency games.  Fact fluency is one of the most important steps in laying a solid mathematical foundation. It helps students become automatic with the fact knowledge which can free up more space in their working memory. Fact fluency also helps to lessen confusion in higher-level math concepts. Connect Five Math Multiplication Fact Fluency game includes games boards covering facts 1-12. They are separated by individual facts (1’s, 2’s, 3’s etc.). There are also 3 game boards of mixed facts as a review.
I’m so excited for Little House on the Prairie’s Penguin Pals: Math Games!  She has 9 different versions of the ever popular Bump games.  I am also super excited for her “Penguin Panic” games.  These games are new to me and look really fun!  She added lots of skills that you can include in your game.
The Traveling Classroom is offering a “Winner’s Choice of any non-bundled item”!  You can pick to your heart’s delight.  I searched through Dinah’s store and made my choice.  It is now on my wish list 🙂  Take a look at Dinah’s store, but even more check out her FB page and blog.  She is leading an amazing life!!!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Spy-Sight-Words-With-Matching-Wrist-Bands-and-Three-Games-867068
Magischool is offering a wonderful mix of math and ELA winter centers.  It is a mix of printables and cards that can be used in a variety of ways.  To top it all off, the clip art is adorable!
One more sneak peak today!  This one is from Linda Post of The Teacher’s Post.  She has donated a fabulous Valentine product.  I can personally attest to the creative, fun, and attractive layout of this product.  I bought it last year and got hours of use out of it.  This was a student favorite.  My son even wanted to play it when he got home from school!  That is the best advertisement for a fun game 🙂
 
 
This is a preschool, kindergarten, or for any child that is working on counting and recognizing numerals.
 
If you are discussing Martin Luther King, Jr. and equality, here is a wonderful addition to your classroom.  Students can hunt around the room for Martin Luther King, Jr. and other images of peace and equality.  At the same time, they will be practicing their counting skills and their ability to answer the question, “How many?”  Fun, active, and best of all- FREE!!!  Click on the image below to get your freebie.  I always love your feedback and requests!
 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Celebrate-Equality-Count-and-Write-the-Room-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-1053179

More Sneak Peaks at the Giveaway Prizes!

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It’s time to introduce some more amazing teachers and products that will be in the “Hooray for Collaboration” Giveaway!

I was so excited when Lawren Christiansen donated to my blog!  I love her work and so will you 🙂  This set of January Word Work and Work on Writing is a  100 page packet that complements your Daily 5 Stations! This packet includes word work AND work on writing!
The themes included are: The New Year, Winter, Chinese New Year, and Martin Luther King Jr. 

Next, we have Engaging Elementary with Kindergarten Book Reports.  This product contains 11 pages of drawing/writing papers that help young students identify important parts of a story and make connections. They come at varying levels from just drawing a picture and labeling to having no drawing and just writing their thoughts to help differentiate lessons and provide meaningful uses throughout the entire year. They can be used with any story to help students process their thoughts and get them on paper.  I love the differentiation and versatility of this product!

 You can always use 120’s charts!  This packet is filled with: a 120 chart, 15 Fill-In the missing number pages, 6 Start the Count sheets, and 6 Number Puzzlers pages. You also get a blank Start the Count Sheet and Number Puzzlers Sheet to create your own.  Megan Huskins, from the Real World First Grade has tons of great ideas in her store!

 Mrs W has donated an amzing Valentine’s product.  This set of math centers is 97 pages long.  Valentine’s Day Sweet Treats Math Centers – includes 14 Centers and 24 Worksheets.  Not only is it adorable, but it is so practical, too!  This will be such a “sweet” addition to any classroom.

Fourth Grade Frenzy has donated a wonderful product!  This Character Traits product can be used with any novel or story. It includes: 5 mini posters, handout with a list of 68 common character traits, Venn diagram for comparing 2 characters, character analysis graphic organizer, character trading cards printable, 7 versions of a graphic organizer to list text evidence (same organizer with different pictures of kids and 1 with no picture), and a printable with speech bubbles to complete a quick and easy character activity with your class.  Love this!

Sight words are an integral part of learning.  Students can always use more practice in their sight words.  What better way to help your kiddos practice their words, than with a game!  Shanon Juneau has donated a wonderful sight word game called Spot That Word Game.  Fun!

 I don’t know about you, but teaching the main idea, has always been a little difficult for me.  Now I am excited to introduce Virginia Conrad’s set of centers and activities No Clowning Around: Just Get to the Main Idea.  What a fun way to “get to the main idea”!  This makes me want to win!

Fun with Geoboards!  Karen Hester has donated Geoboard Task Cards – Fun with Area, Perimeter, Multiplication, Two-D Shapes.  Love the task cards that lead to my favorite- hands-on learning!  I just know your students will love this!
 
Hope you enjoyed previewing these wonderful donations!  There will be more to come…  Get ready for Monday 1/13.  That is the big day!!!
 

Tooth Fairy

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We had a major milestone in our house!  My son lost his first tooth 🙂

It was actually a really traumatic experience.  He was nervous to lose his first tooth, so he was guarding that sucker.  He would not let anyone near it and tried his best not to wiggle it.  Needless to say, his tooth got knocked out by an accidental football hit to the face by one of his friends.  Then, he thought that he swallowed his tooth!

My husband said that he could hear the screams in our front yard, through the closed front door.

We got him patched up and calmed down and managed to write a note to the tooth fairy.  Somehow, his lost tooth was found and placed in our special wish box.  Everything ended up being special and oh, so sweet.

Even better, was his face when he ran downstairs with his money and his letter from the tooth fairy!  I love it 🙂  Such a great start to the morning!!!

 

Now, I would like to introduce some more of the wonderful teachers who are donating to the big giveaway on Monday 1/13/14.

 

 The first teacher that I would like to introduce is Jennifer Drake.  I have had the pleasure of using many of her resources and they ROCK!  Her resources are right up my alley.  They are differentiated and FUN!!  She is offering a wonderful set of winter CVC worksheets for the giveaway.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-CVC-Worksheets-15-Sheets-for-Fun-Centers-Morning-Work-Homework-Etc-489281
If you are learning about the seasons, you do not want to miss KB3Teach’s Science Season Sort!  Easy for students to complete and aids them in developing their fine motor skills.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Seasons-Sort-Science-Centers-966398

This time of year, a lot of us are teaching long vowels.  If you need anchor charts for short and long vowels, look no further than Common Core Connection.  She’s donated a set of wonderful anchor charts for each vowel.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Charts-for-the-Sounds-of-A-E-I-O-and-U-1023003
One more for today!  If you teach 3rd grade, you do not want to miss this!  Jamie Sears from “The Diary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher” has wonderful product “3rd Grade Language Flaps for Interactive Notebooks”.  These flaps are a wonderful resource to use in your interactive notebooks! Students glue the flaps in their journal. They can write a definition on one side of the flap and examples on the other side.  Each flap includes a title, an I Can statement and the 3rd Grade Common Core Standard.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/3rd-Grade-Language-Flaps-for-Interactive-Notebooks-854302
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday! 
If you get a chance, take a look at these wonderful products and stores 🙂

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