Ten Frame Game

Here is the first of many games that I created, with inspiration from Debbie Miller's new book on Math Workstations.

Click  on Pictures to download!

I also included the Math Talk card to help students engage in more math language when working together.  

Coming Soon: Math Work Stations!!!!

I am creating tons of stuff to go along with Debbie Diller's new book:  Math Work Stations!!!!  

Going to a training today helped inspire tons of new ideas!!!!  I can't wait to share!!!!

First, how cool are these?!?

DecaDots!!!!

These are so going in my Ten-Frames Basket!!!!

I am also loving the Ten-Frames Card decks!!!

I also love this Box by Origo!!!!

Everything in the box is AMAZING!  If you have a math wish list, add this to it!!!  I kind of took it over and I am holding it Ransom from our Title 1 math. 

Free Ocean Animal Unit

I hope everyone is enjoying their last few days of school. 

I am excited, but sad. 

I was offered a job in "KINDERGARTEN" at my children's school.  The school is a block away from my house, so I can walk to school everyday with my own kiddo's.

The decision was difficult because I was going to a brand new school with new everything!

I prayed about it, and decided that I needed to be a mom first and then a teacher.  I know...shocking for all of us teachers.  We give everything to our students!

I am sad to leave first grade, but kindergarten is my passion!  I love it more than any other grade.

So...with that said, I may have to change the title of my blog.  Not sure what it is going to be....

Anyways, as a thank you to all of you guys for putting up with my MIA, I am giving all of you my first ever unit I made.  It is about 9 years old now, but it has some good stuff in it for K-1 classes.  It is black and white, so it will be easier on ink.  :)

Download Ocean Unit Here

Serious Hate Mail for Teachers?!!!!

Sorry guys that I have been MIA.  Life always throws you curves, but nothing more than I can handle. 

 I just wanted to post a little hate mail.  :)  Seriously...at poor teachers, non the less!

I don't mind publicly displaying her information because she has chosen to attack poor little old me.  Unfortunately, it is a strike against all of us in our profession.  This comment (I guess) is on my post back in December on how I taught my class (who suffers from generations of poverty, violence, and low economic status) to use proactive and kind words with each other, instead of being reactive and using violence.  Silly me for teaching social skills to my kiddo's.

The entire contents of the email are displayed for you laughter and conversation!

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 11:31 AM, Louise Owens <thewinebabe@gmail.com> wrote:

At least you refrained from saying that your proactive manners lessons would be the funnest thing you are doing from your class.
Do first grade teachers now have to use words that have been distorted beyond all comprehension by mindbendingly dull middle managers to teach manners?
Or would you advise your students to proactively avoid a sticky situation by punching the other kid in the face first.
No wonder kids are so dumb these days

(Comment as I read email: Not sure if mindbendingly is even a word?! 




My response:


On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 10:47 AM, kristen walsky <kwalsky@gmail.com> wrote:

YIKES!  It sounds like you would benefit from a Covey session.  We are a Franklin Covey school and our behaviors have DRASTICALLY reduced and quality of learning has increased due to the use of the 7 Habits.  I invite you to our school or even AB Combs in NC to see the proof in action.  My kids are not dumb, and we focus on proactive and positive behavior and learning.  No child is ever dumb, yet alone called stupid.  I am sorry to hear you have had such an unpleasant experience with your education  and what sounds like towards children. In fact, Covey Leadership teaches our students to not be so reactive in situations like this. I invite you also to go into a Kindergarten or First Grade class in your community to see how hard all teachers are working with children.   As teachers, we must pick up a lot of  skills that are not taught by parents. Children are our future, and we work hard to make them leaders, learners, and pleasant respectful citizens.

 

Dr. Kristen Walsky Ph.D 


Her response:

Wow. I am the mother of a 9th grader at one of the top schools in the country and am continually amazed, bemused and saddened at the lack of English skills among teachers.

 

Teach your children to think for themsleves and not mangle the english language to the point that I wouldn't be able to hire them as a bartender because they sound like backwoods hacks. 

Comment as I read email: Notice the grammar mistakes in her response.  (I taught middle school English, and could probably teach her a little too.  Themselves is spelled wrong and English should be capitalized)


I just had to share!  While I live in West Virginia, I have spent most of my life in Tampa, Florida.  I am proud to be fluent in Spanish, English, and backwoods hacks.  :)  


I guess Mrs. Owens you are truly in trouble!  I teach college, write books, teach children, and lobby for education reform.  What makes me chuckle is that I can't wait for one of my students to become your President!  Hee, hee!