Vocabulary 4 Square

I'm always on the lookout for a great sub tub idea...  Last week my sub did a vocabulary 4 square sheet with the class to review the weekly spelling words.  The students worked with a partner to define a spelling word, draw a picture, and use it in a sentence.  Since we've been learning about nouns, verbs, and adjectives, they were all ready to try to classify their spelling word.

After working for a few minutes, the sub called the students back to the carpet and they all got a chance to share their work.  They were surprised that some words had more than one meaning.  Several of the boys defined the word "blend" as camouflage  and several girls defined the word in terms of cooking.  :) 

I am definitely going to to keep these sheets in my sub binder.  The sub said it was a great activity that kept the students engaged and was easy to facilitate.

Spring Math Game FREEBIE

My Spring Math Games pack is finally ready and on TpT!  This pack includes10 games and they are all so much FUN!  The kids had a blast "testing" this pack in the classroom!  I always get "supportive" comments from my students.  One little boy said to me, "Ahhh...I see what you did there, Mrs. G!"  I love it!  Some kids play the game and practice basic skills while others are able to identify the specific math strategies I tried to emphasize for each game.
 

Spring Math Games for 1st Grade

We've been working with visualizing (making mental pictures) during our ELA block; many students were able to see that visualizing is a good math strategy too!  We use the "ten frames in our head" to solve addition and subtraction problems to 20 fluently.

Students are also becoming more fluent at visualizing the hundred board in their heads as they add tens, ones, and decade numbers.

I have a great FREEBIE game for you today.  It's called "Bee Nice Dice."  A lot like candy land, students move ahead to the correct number space.  Each time they roll a die, they follow the code to add, double, triple, or subtract to make 4, 9, or 12.  The kids really enjoyed it.  I did get one bit of constructive feedback, though, that games could always use a "go back to start" and "loose a turn."  Oh well!  This game is a move forward game!  Download the FREEBIE and help your students get through the bee hive by following the number code.

If you enjoy the game, stop by my TpT store and pick up the whole pack.  Many of the games are great to play as a whole class and then as early finisher activity!  Thanks for stopping by!

ID Badge Verse - Matthew 22:37

Spring is in the air!  It felt so good to spend time outside today planting flowers and getting the garden ready for planting time with the kids!  My students have Spring Fever as well!  We are definitely ready to finally have some quality outside recess time!

As you work on creating awesome lessons that hopefully take advantage of the great outdoors, take a moment to download the new verse for the week, Matthew 22:37.  Have a great week!