Pattern Block Math Center, Anyone? =)

Buenas tardes, Damas y Caballeros! Lol. That's how I greet my little ones. I also tell them that men should be chivalrous at all times by always allowing ladies to go first. They had a bit of a problem with that idea at the beginning of the year, but now they are so used to it that they say, "Damas primero." as they direct them in the door. Lol. Their wives will thank me one day. =)

Back to business...
Sometime last week, I was looking for math activities in Bloggyland that I could incorporate into the Everyday Math Curriculum. We were on unit 7 which covers polygons and exploring patterns using pattern blocks. Many of the activities in the program involved the use of pattern blocks, but once the lesson was over that was it... it was over. I really wanted to find something that would allow their creative juices to flow and thought to myself "why not add these to a math center?" I know what you're thinking, "She barely came up with that NOW?!" Lol. You don't understand, this is my first year in first grade. Previously, I taught 3rd grade for 3 years and 4th grade for a few months before that. We didn't do math centers/stations in 3rd grade... it was all ISAT, ISAT, ISAT... DRILL, DRILL, DRILL.... Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. Lol. Centers for me are NEW.
Anywho, I did my usual "blog stalking" "nightly research" and came across this cool pattern block activity from Mrs. Wills Kindergarten. She shrunk some pattern block designs that she had come across previously and created a response worksheet to go along with it so that students had work to show, rather than just copy the design. When I saw her post I SCREAMED WITH DELIGHT thought, "Lucky me!" The only problem was.... have you guessed yet?... that it was in English. Lol. So, I took it upon myself to translate it AND, with her permission, post it to share with you all. =)


Click on the Document Below to Download the Pattern Block Activity Sheet in SPanish



Click the image below to get the patterns as well as the Original English Version of this activity from Mrs. Wills Kindergarten =)

Idea for Mclass Math

Here I go... again! Trying to keep up in this Bloggy World is tough... maybe if I spent less time blog stalking researching stuff for work, I'd have some time to share my thoughts and ideas. *SIGH* If only there were more hours in a day. ;)
Moving on... EOY MClass, DIBELS, and TRC Testing are JUST around the corner! I believe someone mentioned the testing window begins on the 30th of this month! OMG, Becky, I am nervous! I'm gonna start kicking everyone's rear into full gear (including my own). *SIGH* So much for watching trash TV Educational Programming. =(
Same book, next page.... given that the testing time is practically here (13 more school days), I've decided to share an idea that one of my wonderful coworkers shared with me. After all, sharing is caring, right? I tweaked it a tiny bit to suit my needs and wants, but the rest was 100% her idea (or at least I hope!).
Because number facts are the most weighed in MClass, we decided it would be a great idea to have students keep track of their Number Facts data/results with this Target Dollar Spot top-of-the-line pocket chart. They basically move their number up or down down the chart depending on how many facts they could solve in one minute. (For a thorough explanation, read below the pictures!) Seeing their number in the green zone gives them a sense of accomplishment and pride. =) I love seeing their little faces of excitement when they get to move up.... they're disappointment faces when they move down, on the other hand, break my heart. =(

Here is how it looks


Alittle bit of a close up


There is no particular reason for why the pocket chart itself is two different colors; I needed more pockets and the red chart was all I had. Basically this is how it works: I numbered the pockets from the bottom up with numbers 3-15 (I didn't use 1 or 2 because all my students can all solve more than 4 number facts). Numbers 1-6 are on a red card because at EOY (End Of Year) in MClass, solving 6 or less number facts is considered to be Intensive (far below benchmark). Numbers 7-10 are on yellow because solving between 7-10 number facts at EOY is considered Emerging. Numbers above 11 are on Green due to 11 being the minimum number of number facts needed to meet Benchmark at the end of the year.
As you can see, there are also blue and purple cards numbered from 1-27. These cards represent the students in my classroom; blue for the boys and purple for the girls. Every Monday, I progress monitor my students in Number Facts. Once the minute is up, I let my students know how many Number Facts they were able to solve. Then, they go to the chart and move their classroom number up or down depending on how they did that week. I'm hoping that by the opening of the testing window, most ALL of my students are at 11 number facts... I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. =)

Keeping Up With My March Resolution!

You read the title correctly! Who would have thought that, not only have I been able to keep my Pathfinder clean for 2 weeks, but that I would also be keeping my word on that Resolution, as this is my 2nd post in March?! Woot Woot! =) (I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is!) Lol.
It's been a crazy week at our School... on Monday we started our standardized state testing (ISAT... yikes!), so I've been out of my classroom every morning for the past 4 days proctoring for the 8th graders and let me tell you: I NEVER want to teach upper grades... Ever! Talk about a rough week! Sheesh! To top it off, there has been a terrible virus passing around our building and most of my misbehaved children were absent this week! It was like a vacation for the sub in my classroom! I'm sure I'll have 100% attendance next week... isn't that how it always works? Lol.

On a brighter note, thought this would be fun to do! My classroom is on board... hope you all decide to do it too, as it promotes the importance of fitness amongst our kids!



Click HERE to register your classroom and join us on March 16th

Not Very Good At This =(

OK, so as you all may have guessed, I'm not much of a Blogger. I've been so busy with all my IDEL, MClass Math, and TRC testing and Progress Monitoring that I've neglected my little Blog EVEN MORE! I know it's late in the new year, but you can set a Resolution at any time, right? Well, my resolution for the month of March is to Blog at LEAST once a week. Let's see how that goes! Lol.
As an apology to you, I will post a Freebie! I created this at the beginning of the year for my students' reading binders. It's an ABC chart that I use for Reading and Writing. It has REALLY helped my LOW readers and writers. I found all images through online searches. I know for sure there are some from ThistleGirl, but the others are random images found online. If you see an image that you created and did not receive credit for, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.
Oh, and before I forget, I was unable to add the accent to the capital "ñ", so before laminating them, add the accent to it! =)



Click HERE to Download the Spanish Alphabet Sound Chart

First First Grade Field Trip = Success!

Went on my first First Grade field trip today to our City's Aquarium and I was completely TERRIFIED! I'm talking NIGHTMARES, people! LOL. I dreamed that one of my bad listeners went to pet a shark and it gobbled him right up! LOL. Thank God it was just a dream; I was stressing! Don't get me wrong, I've been on field trips in previous years, but NEVER with firsties! They sure give you a run for your money! Holy Guacamole!!! I'm exhausted, but relieved that ZERO students were lost (or eaten by sharks! Lol.) in the process! Woot woot!! Because we had such a successful field trip, I'm in charge of planning the next field trip and would love suggestions as to where to take a group of first graders that is both fun and educational at the same time. Chicago has a bunch of amazing museums and a wonderful planetarium, but these places are always SOOOO PACKED! Would love to take them somewhere low key.
Please Leave a comment with your wonderful ideas!

Giveaway!!!

I have got to get better at this whole blog thing! I don't want to be a once a month blogger, but that's what I've become.
Note to self: Get yourself together!!! Lol.
Anywho, as I was doing my usual Thursday "Blog Stalking", I came across an amazing giveaway! A Cupcake fore the teacher is giving away a $10 TARGET GIFT CARD! Woot! Woot! I LOVE Target, but we seem to have a love/hate relationship. I go in there for toilet paper and come out having spent over $100 bucks... happens all the time! Does this happen to you too? I wish i had some sort of cure for this, but sadly, I don't. =(
I'm sure $10 would help you... so go check out her blog at:

Good luck, Everyone!

Veteran's Day!

So grateful to live in a Country with such honorable men and women that serve and protect us! We are truly blessed!
In honor of Veteran's Day, I created a worksheet for my kiddo's which they filled out only AFTER reading a Veteran's Day book. I have to admit, I had to read the book 3 TIMES, so it was definitely a bit of a challenge for them! I guess I could have made it a little easier by making it a cut and paste activity for this time of year being that they are still in the beginning stages of writing, but my expectations are HIGH! We're reaching for the stars, BABY! =)
Click on the title of the link to download.

Una Celebracion Especial