Differentiation Station Creations

Learning Ideas, Teaching Resources, Free Printables

Interactive Play Dough Mats: Bubbles!

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http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Play-Dough-Mats-Counting-Centers-Games-Printables-Bubbles-1652752
Kids love working with play dough!  It makes practice with any skill turn into a game!  I have a bunch of different themed play dough packs, but my daughter requested a set of bubble play dough mats.  I decided on a bubble bath pack!  You pick it up here.
 
There are two components to each set of centers:
Interactive Play Dough Mats
Students will draw cards with numerals, ten frames, or addition sentences. Students will create play dough on their mat to represent the numeral, numbers on the ten frame or addition sentence. Students will complete an extension worksheet after using this center. Extension worksheets include: counting and writing the numeral, drawing the correct number of themed objects when give a number, drawing the correct number of themed objects when given a ten frame.
 
Use manipulatives, dry erase markers, or play dough to represent the numerals, ten frames, or addition sentences.
Ten Frames and Numerals 
Addition Skills
There are bunches of prinatbles that can be used in a center, or as an extension activity.  The printables will reinforce the skills that students practice with the play dough mats.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Play-Dough-Mats-Counting-Centers-Games-Printables-Bubbles-1652752

Interactive Play Dough Mats with Numerals
Students will identify numerals and add the correct number of themed manipulatives, or use play dough. Complete extension activities in representing a number of objects with a written numeral, use one-to-one correspondence to count out a specific number of objects and draw a pictorial representation of those objects, and trace and write numerals 1-10.

Use manipulatives to trace the numerals.  Students will count out the same number of ducks.

 Students can use a dry erase marker to trace the numeral. 

 Students can count out the duck manipulatives to represent the number.

 Students can use play dough to create the numeral.  This is great for tactile and kinesthetic learners.  They can build the numeral and trace the numeral.  

Students can also use play dough to create the same number of ducks or bubbles.

 There are tons of printables to extend their learning!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Play-Dough-Mats-Counting-Centers-Games-Printables-Bubbles-1652752

Tons of fun!

Have the students color in the ducks, as they count each one.  This will help with one-to-one correspondence.

 A bunch of choices for tracing and writing numerals 1-10.

Hope you enjoy this pack!  I am giving one away tomorrow morning.  You can leave a comment here for a chance to win!  Have a great weekend!  You can pick up the pack, here, for 50% off for the next 48 hours.


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Math Manipulative Round Up!

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I am a huge believer in hands-on learning.  Students are able to become active participants in their own learning through using manipulatives.  They are able to learn by physically handling and manipulating objects to explore a concept.
I love using manipulatives with math concepts.  It really transforms a concept into a concrete learning experience.  Young children and kinesthetic learners really benefit from showing the concept and bringing it to life.
Math manipulatives do not need to be expensive.  You can look around your own home and classroom to create some simple and effective manipulatives for your math lessons.
Here are some fun posts on DIY math manipulatives from me and some amazing bloggers:
Greater Gator

Addition Machine

New and Improved Addition Machine

Decomposing Monster from Crayons & Cuties in Kindergarten
Composing Monster from Crayons & Cuties in Kindergarten

 Play Dough as a Manipulative

Reindeer Romp: Addition and Subtraction

Hope you found a manipulative that works for you!  I would love to have you leave me a comment with any fun math manipulatives that you use with your students.  I love DIY projects and would love some new ideas to make the math concepts come to life!
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Pumpkin Mania!

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I love fall!  The crispness in the air, the pumpkin patches, and cozy scarves.  I especially love watching your children explore the wonder of pumpkins.
 
In our house, baking soda and vinegar/lemon juice reactions are a huge draw.  The kids can NEVER get enough of the fizzing and exploding.  They love watching the differences in the reactions, as well, as playing in the goop.  I decided to add the wonder of fizz to the fun of pumpkins.  Such a hit!
 
We started out by mixing baking soda, food coloring, and a little bit of water in a bowl. 
We mixed until the consistency was firm and packed like a snowball.  This one needed a little more baking soda.  Notice that it is pretty watery.
We just kept adding baking soda, until we had the perfect pumpkins.  We made a batch of orange baking soda and green baking soda to make our pumpkin patch.
The kids had a ball shaping their pumpkins.  They used so much great mathematical and scientific language, while creating the pumpkins.  We discussed liquids, solids, larger, smaller, taller, shorter, and so much more.  It provides a gold mine of language opportunities.
We created our pumpkin patch in our homemade sensory table.  This is an awesome, portable table that is easy to transport and to store when not in use.  You can see the directions here.
The kids also talked about the life cycle of pumpkins.  You can see that they created pumpkins that are still green.  We were able to talk about how the pumpkins progress, as they grow.
Next, we got out the vinegar and lemon juice.  I had some fun ketchup and mustard squirters, so we filled them up with the liquid.  Yellow was lemon juice and red was vinegar.
Here is a reaction to the lemon juice.  The kids loved describing the bubbles that were produced.  You could definitely create a Venn diagram to chart the differences and similarities in the two reactions.
Here is a reaction to the vinegar.
As the exploration went on, they poured larger amounts of the liquids on the pumpkins to see a larger reaction.
Here they are pouring vinegar through a funnel into the middle of the pumpkin.
  I provided a variety of tools and the kids came up with their own experiments.  Ones that I had not even thought of trying. 
  This made for a huge set of bubbles and the fizzing even came back up through the funnel.
 I would definitely recommend trying your own pumpkin patch fizz!  Every step of this activity was enjoyable and created so many opportunities for cross-curriculum exploration.  I have so many ideas for the next time that we try this experiment!!
Even better is all the sensory fun!
We also tried played with my Pumpkins Interactive Play Dough Mats.  Great for differentiating needs in math!  Get your copy here.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pumpkins-Interactive-PlayDough-Mats-Counting-Centers-and-Games-Printables-898700
We used the play dough mats in a variety of ways.  They used play dough to form the numeral and create pumpkins to match the same number on the mat.
 Here, we used pumpkin manipulatives and dry erase markers to do the same thing.  The student drew ten circles on the mat and then covered each with a pumpkin manipulative.  It allowed her to use one-to-one correspondence to match the numeral 10.
 There are cards included in the pack that have numerals, addition sentences, and ten frames.  Here, the student drew a card and represented the addition sentence with two colored sets of pumpkins.  Then, they used a dry erase marker to record the answer on the mat.  I use this as a partner game.  One partner draws a card and represents the equation or number of objects.  The other partner double checks their work.  Then, they switch.
 Here are a few of the fun printables that are included in this pack.  Students will read the numeral and draw the appropriate number of pumpkins on the hay stack.
 There are a bunch of differentiated worksheets that allow students to trace and fill in the numbers 1-10, depending on their ability.
 In “Hit The Hay”, students count the pumpkins on the hay bales and write the matching numeral in the box.
 Look for more pumpkin activities in the next few days!!  I have some amazing games from Crayons, Cuties & Kindergarten that I can’t wait to share!!
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Apples + Freebie!

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I love fall!  Even though it is still August, I can taste that fall crispness coming.  Nothing says fall like sweet, crisp apples!

I put two of my favorites together, apples and play dough, and cooked up some juicy fun!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Apples-Interactive-Play-Dough-Mats-Counting-Centers-Printables-1353686
I started out by making up a batch of play dough.  We made two types of play dough.  The first was a new type for me.  I got the idea from Crayons and Cuties in Kindergarten.  You can see her awesome post on coconut play dough and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom activities here.
The coolest part of this recipe is that it has only two ingredients: conditioner and corn starch.  We used Suave Apple Conditioner, so the play dough would spell like delicious apples.  You use one cup of corn starch and 5 tablespoons of conditioner.  You need to make sure to stir well in between each addition of conditioner.  You can see the directions in pictures on Jenn’s post.
We added food coloring to the play dough to make green and red apples.  Our hands did get dyed when using the food coloring, but it doesn’t get on your hands once the dye is mixed in.
Notice the green hands 🙂
 Here is our red dough.
 This play dough has a very different consistency than regular play dough.  My son and daughter kept asking for the apple clay.  It almost feels like cloud dough.  I kept the dough in the fridge and used it for several days and then tossed it.  It definitely does not last like play doh!
We got our play dough recipe from Jenn, too!  She got it from the Imagination Tree.  This is an awesome recipe, because 
#1- It lasts 6 months
#2- It’s no cook
#3- It takes 4 minutes
#4- It LASTS 6 MONTHS!!

Click here to get the play dough recipe from Imagination Tree!
We added food coloring and cinnamon for an apple pie kind of smell.
Now for the fun!  We broke out the play dough mats with numbers.  The kids used the dough to form the numbers.  Great fine motor activity, as well as, practice with number formation.  I always have them “trace” the number after they create it on the mat.  It is a very tactile experience to run your finger over the bumpy play dough.  It also helps them get familiar with the shapes of each numeral.
For each number, they also made the corresponding number of apples on the tree.  We practiced counting with one-to-one correspondence after they created the apples.  
My daughter and her friend switched mats and they “checked” the other’s apples.  This was a great way to have them use one-to-one correspondence and hold them accountable for their work.  Plus, they loved being the teacher!
I also have apple manipulatives in the pack.  We used these along with the play dough.  I hot glued foam to the back of the apples.  This makes them easier for kids to manipulate.  
One child would make the numeral with play dough.  The other would trace it and count out the same number of apples.  

We talked about how many apples were in the tree and how many fell down.  The kids seemed to get a kick out of this!
I also have some blank tree mats.  These are so useful!  We used them to tell story problems.  The kids used the different colored play dough to “show” the story.  
Josh saw 5 green apples in the tree.  Jeremy saw 5 red, ripe apples in the same tree.  How many apples were there all together?
 Here is another mat.  The apples aren’t quite in the tree, but they are on the mat!
They wanted to make the answer in play dough after they counted the apples.
Above, you saw the basic play dough mats.  Now, I want to show you the exciting part of these interactive play dough mats!  I have included 3 different types of cards: numerals, ten frames, and addition sentences.  It makes it very easy to differentiate for different students and ages.  I am able to use the same mats and games with my four year old and a 6 year old, by simply substituting different skill cards.
Here is an example of the numeral cards.  The cards are placed in a pile and the student will choose a card and represent the numeral with apples on the tree.  Fun, hands-on practice for a necessary skill.
There are numeral cards to 20.
Next, are the ten frames.  There are ten frames to 20.  Students will choose a card and create the same number of apples on the tree.  This is good for getting students comfortable with the ten frame format AND to show them that the same number can be represented in a different way.
A student created 15 apples on the tree.
There are addition cards included in the pack.  There are sums to 10.
We used two different colors of play dough to represent the two numbers in the addition sentences.  This can be used as a partner game.  One partner can draw a card and create the number sentence with play dough.  
The other partner can count up all the apples and create the number with play doh.  Then, they will switch jobs.
The numeral, ten frame, and addition cards can be used for:
Memory
Go Fish
War
The numeral, ten frame, and addition cards can also be used for a memory game.  Just select the specific numbers/sums that you would like your students to work on.  Place the selected cards face down and have students try and match a numeral to a ten frame, numeral to addition sentence, or any combination that works for your students.
In “Go Fish”, you would use two sets of cards.  Either print two sets of numerals, or use a combination of numerals/ten frames/addition.  Use the skills that your students need to practice.  Pass out 5 cards to each student and put the remaining cards in the fish pond.  Each student will ask another for the card that represents a number in their hand.  If the other student doesn’t have the card, they say “Go Fish”!  The original student will choose a card from the fish pond.  Play will continue until all the matches are found.
War is another fun game for children to play.  You can call it “SMASH!”.  This is played just like the original “War”.  Choose the combination of cards that you would like to use.  I often use ten frames and numerals together.  Students slap down their cards and whoever has the largest amount of “apples” wins!  If the students get the same number, they will put out cards for the letters in SMASH.  When they flip over the last card, they will see who has the largest amount of “apples”.  That number SMASHES the other!!  It’s a fun spin on War.
I have a free “SMASH” poster that you can use with the game.  This will allow students to reference the poster for the spelling of SMASH and give them a visual that the larger number wins.  Click here to get your free poster.
The fun doesn’t stop there!  I have included extension worksheets for students to work on the specific skills.  There are worksheets where students count the apples and write the matching numeral.
I was able to differentiate in a really cool way for students that need to trace the numbers.  I found these cool markers at Target.  They have regular markers that write in a normal color.  They include markers that are white.  When the students trace over the first marker, the color changes.  It’s so exciting and fun to kids.  I have 8 year old children that ask to use these markers for different activities!

 I wrote the numerals on the paper and my daughter traced them.  I had her count the apples first, so she was able to demonstrate her one-to-one correspondence to me and then wrote the numerals.

Another way to really have kids focus in on one-to-one correspondence is to have them count each apple as they dot with the bingo dabber.  This adds a very visual and kinesthetic component to the one-to-one correspondence.
There are ten frame extension sheets.  You can have students draw the apples, but why not use a bingo dabber.  It’s easy to see the separate apples and so much fun!
We also used bingo dabbers to represent the matching number of apples.
There are also addition worksheets for students to complete.  You can have them color or dot the apples in two different colors.
Hope you found some useful ideas to use with your kids and students!  Enjoy fall 🙂
If you would like to purchase Apples: Interactive Play Dough Mats click here.
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Interactive Playdough Mats

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The weather outside is frightful, so it seemed like a good day to play inside with playdough!  Since we can see the snow outside, we made snowballs and snowmen and all sorts of cold things from inside our cozy house.  We have been experimenting with all kinds of playdough recipes, but this is the one that seems to work best for us: http://www.playdoughrecipe.com/
 
We used the playdough mats and cards from my Interactive Play Dough Mats: Snowballs!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snowballs-Interactive-Playdoh-Mats-Counting-Centers-and-Games-and-Printables-974760
  We had a ton of fun picking a mat from the pile and making a “snake” to put on the numeral.  After the playdough traced the numeral, we used our fingers to trace the numeral.  It is great for little learners to actually feel the shape of the numeral.  Then, we made a matching number of snowballs. 
 Squished snowballs are better than no snowballs at all!

 
One thing that makes these mats interactive is adding the cards.  Students will choose a card from the pile (you choose the skill that you want them to work on) and build the appropriate number of snowballs, snowforts, or snowmen.  Here she is drawing from the numeral cards.
There are also ten frame cards.  Students can practice with the ten frame cards to help them build automatic recognition of the ten frames.
The fun begins with addition. If you are feeling adventurous, you can add two colors of playdough in your center.  Then, students can represent the two numbers with two different colors.
You can also use snowball manipulatives with the mats.  Students can draw the cards and represent the numeral, ten frame, or addition sentence with the snowball manipulatives.
When I am working with young students or students with fine motor difficulties, I always hot glue foam to the back of my manipulatives.  This allows students to have more success in grasping and manipulating them. 
 

Addition with manipulatives.
 
The best of both worlds!  Play dough and manipulatives.
After playdough, we used the cards to have a “snowball fight”.  This partner game is “war”, but sounds more fun when you call it a “snowball fight”.  We changed it up, by giving one player numerals and one player ten frames. 
 
You can also have a “snowball fight” with addition sentences.
I love all the games that you can play with a few types of cards.  We played memory with numerals and ten frames, but you could also use addition sentences and ten frames, addition sentences with matching sums.  The list is endless!

There are tons of printables to go along with the playdough mats, so you can keep extending the learning!
 
Next Monday, I am going to be holding my first Collaborative Giveaway.  It is going to be AWESOME!
There are so many wonderful teacher authors and artists that donated to this giveaway.  I want to try and highlight each one of their stores before the giveaway is over.
 
I’m going to start with one of my favorite clip artists.  You may recognize her work from the games above.  Sarah from Educlips is AMAZING!  If you haven’t seen her work, then you absolutely need to check it out.  She makes everything that she draws irresistible!  For this giveaway, Sarah has donated:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Clip-Art-Bundle-1034429
 
While we are talking about clip art, we can’t forget Glitter Meets Glue Designs!  This clip art is original and unforgettable.  If you love glitter (I definitely do!), then this is the clip art for you!  Here is the awesome art donation:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Magnifying-Glasses-Dipped-in-Glitter-Little-Scientist-Detective-Work-1034185

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