End of Year Emoji Day

As the end of the school year approaches, I am always looking for ways to keep my students engaged and learning right until the last day.  This year I decided to create some activities featuring emojis to do just that.  I was inspired by the idea after Scholastic sent me some emoji themed bookmarks with my last book order.  The students loved them and were so excited because they contained those little smiley faces.  So I decided to host an "Emoji Day" to hopefully capture some of their excitement and help with the countdown to summer break.  Who knows, I may even stretch it out over two days!

To build some excitement about the upcoming emoji day, you can ask your students to dress all in yellow and black.  Then decorate your class door to greet them as they arrive in the morning.  During morning meeting show them some of the activities they will be completing during the day.  I also bought some emoji themed props to help set the stage for the day.  I found a kissing emoji at my local dollar store and I was lucky to grab these emoji themed buckets in the 50% off section of Walmart.  They will be great for holding the materials for each center.

I find this time of year it is important to change things up and try adding something different from the usual routine.  I am going to have students collect different emoji collector cards as they finish each activity.  This will work great as a motivator for students to finish their work.  These collector cards can then be kept in the student's wallet to take home at the end of the day.  I may add string to each wallet and students would be able to wear them as a necklace during the day.  I think it is important to let students be creative.  Give them a blank t-shirt or iPhone sheet and let them create what they thing the next emoji should be.

I think it is important to also keep practising math, reading and writing skills right up to the end of the school year.  My students slide back over the summer and I want to make sure I am doing my best to slow down this process.  Having students roll an emoji dice to practise graphing skills and reading all about emojis is a great way to keep students learning.  Did you know that there are 69 new emojis coming soon?  Did you know that there will be a curling stone, T-REX, and gloves?  I had no idea before doing a bit of research.  I also want my students writing everyday and adding some emojis just seems to make reluctant writers want to pick up their pencil and get started.

Finally, this time of year is all about making memories.  Students can make an emoji booklet which highlights some of their favorite things on one side and then collecting the autographs of their classmates on the other side.  What a great keepsake to look back on in the future.  If hosting an "Emoji Day" sounds like something you would like to try, you can find these activities here. 

Embracing the Elf Activities

Hi everyone, I hope you are surviving the last few weeks before Christmas break with your students.  It is a hectic time for teachers as we try to keep our students engaged during the day and then work to finish all of our Christmas home projects at night.  Even though it is a tiring time, I love teaching during the month of December.  If your students are anything like mine there is a lot of talk in our classroom about the Elf on the Shelf, his or her pet reindeer or pet dog.  I like to capitalize on my students' interests when teaching.  If they are engaged it makes my job so much easier.  Here are some ways I have embraced the "Elf"

 Math

I am currently teaching data management and pictographs.  To help keep my students interest I decided to put cards with a picture of a boy elf, a girl elf and a reindeer pet in a brown paper bag.  Students take turn drawing the cards out of the bag and using tally marks to record their results.  The students then use their data to make a pictograph.

There is something about using the Elf that suddenly causes all my students to want to see who is hiding in Santa's Bag.

If you think the "Elf" might help you teach pictographs, you can get it here

Language Arts

If you haven't ordered the book "Memoirs of an Elf" from Scholastic you should.  My students love the story and it is a great book to get students writing about Elves and their adventures.  

I love giving students hashtags and having them write about the "Elfie" they made.  Below are just some that I have used with my class.

If you own the book and would like this writing activity, you can get it here.

To help your students write about the Elf and answer that popular question "How do you spell?", you may want to download this FREEBIE.

Hang in there, only ten more days until a much needed break!

Back to School Labels

Hi everyone, 

It is Jane Feener here again to share some labels that I have been making for my class as part of my back to school preparations.  Do you like to label everything in your class?  I sure do.  I just find for me it makes everything run a little bit smoother.

  

Do you use a math workshop model in your class?  I have been experimenting with it now for the past couple of years.  I am still learning and working on improving how it works in my classroom.  I know different teachers have different acronyms they use but I like to use the MATH acronym.  This year I have invested in scrapbook paper storage containers from Michaels.  I got them on sale which was a bonus.  I used a smaller tub last year but I found I could not always fit all the materials I needed in them.  Here is what they look like.  I still have to finish setting up the T and H tubs.  My M tub is for "Math Facts".  I will put games and activities that help my students master their addition and subtraction facts in this container.  I usually change them out each week and I also try to use seasonal activities to help keep my students engaged.  This math tub contains a Welcome Back Bump game made by Sunny Days which you can download on TeachersPayTeachers (TPT) for free here.

The A tub contains math activities which students can complete independently "At their desk".  This is the one area of Math Workshop that I struggle with because if this activity is not something your students can do independently they will be at the small group table interrupting the small group lessons.  I will be focussing on creating independent activities complete with answers keys and help cards to hopefully solve this problem this year.  My first unit is Patterns and if you teach patterns you might like to give it a try as well.  You can find it here.  If you would like these Math Workshop  labels for your containers you can download them here.

Have you heard about Tidy Tubs?  I love to have students create something to show their learning, however, this can be a messy endeavor in the classroom.  I am not sure where I learnt about using tidy tubs, but if it was from one of you please let me know because it has been one of the best things I have introduced into my class.  I bought four clear plastic tubs (shoe box size) and I printed off my tidy tub labels and hot glued them on to the side.  Every time we do any kind of activity that requires cutting paper my helpers jump up and run to get the Tidy Tubs.  They place them on each group table and as students work they put their scraps in the tubs instead of on the floor.  At the end of the activity the helpers empty the contents of the Tidy Tubs into the paper recycling bin and place them back in their designated spot.  If you would like a copy of the Tidy Tub labels you can download them here.

How do you manage your word work?  I have found what works best for me is to use a storage cart with each drawer labelled so that students can easily find the materials they need.

If you would like to give it a try, you can download my labels here.  I hope some of these labels might help you with your organization as you prepare to head back to school.

Fraction Fun & Some Freebies

Hi everyone, It is Jane Feener back again to share some of my ideas on how to teach fractions.  When I first started teaching I found my students always seemed to struggle with fractions so I went looking for ways to help them master this skill.  In this post I hope to share some of the fun ways I have taught fractions over the years and include a few freebies to help you and your students.

The first thing I always try to do is give students lots of hands on experiences with fraction pieces and examples found in their everyday life.  I talk about chocolate bars, cakes and of course pizza.  I also think it is very important to teach students the vocabulary associated with fractions.  Words like numerator and denominator need to be taught early.

Fractions Booklet

Provide Visuals

I am a very visual learner and I always like to show my students lots of pictures of fractions.  One way I do this is by displaying anchor charts and posters in my class.  Here are some great anchor charts I found on Pinterest.  I am not sure who made them so if you did email me so I can give you credit.  My students say thank you!

I display fraction posters on the math focus wall for the whole time I am teaching fractions to provide my students with a variety of representations.

Fraction Posters

Use interactive math notebooks.

A few years ago, I was introduced to interactive math notebooks and I love them.  If you haven't given them a try you should.  What I like about them the most is that students find them engaging.  They love making them their own and they don't seem to consider solving fraction problems in this format work!  I love that students have their very own fraction reference guide that they can to refer to when they get stuck on something they are working on.  If you decide to give them a try make sure you teach them about how to use white bottle glue correctly.

Fraction Interactive Notebook

Make it fun.

And finally, I try to make learning fractions fun.  I like to have students make craftivities to represent various fractions and complete solve the room type activities to practice using what they have learned in class.  

 A fractions lapbook is great for students to use as a reference.

You can get this Solve the Room
 freebie here.

I have even made assessing my students knowledge of fractions fun by using fraction assessment sticks. You can get them here if you would like to give them a try.

I hope some of these ideas help you when teaching your fraction unit.  

Christmas Countdown Fun and some FREEBIES

With seven days to go to the Christmas break, I am pulling out all the stops to keep my students engaged and learning at this exciting time of the year.  Over the years I have set up a number of ways to countdown the days to our break.

1.  Secret read alouds

Each year I order some new Christmas books from Scholastic using my bonus points and then I wrap them up in Christmas wrapping paper and put them on display.  Each day after our recess break I pick one student to open one book.  My students get so excited to see which book is hidden behind the wrapping paper.  This year I also ordered some books that come with a CD which can be played while a student holds the book.  I really love the few minutes break you can get when a CD is playing in your class during this time of year.

2.  Chocolate Advent Calendar

Each year I buy a chocolate advent calendar (peanut-free of course) for my students to use to count down the days to Christmas.  My students have all been given a number in the class.  I use the numbers to help with distributing supplies and books at the beginning of the year.  On the day of each student's number they get to look on the advent calendar and find their number and then open the door to receive their chocolate.  For example:  student #1 gets to pick their chocolate on Day 1.  If their number falls on the weekend they get to open their chocolate on Monday.  Some days I forget about the chocolate calendar but my students never do.  They know their day!

3.  Elf on the Shelf

Whether you love him/her or not, it is a part of many students Christmas traditions so I have decided to embrace the elf and use it to my advantage.  I find the Elf is a great motivator for writing.  I find even my most reluctant writers will always want to write in their journal about where the Elf was hidden and what he/she was doing.  One of my favourite activities is to have students design their own Elf and write about what makes a good one #santahelpers #toptoymakers.

This is also a great companion activity to go with the book "Memoirs of an Elf" by Devin Scillian and Illustrated by Tim Bowers.  I think this is now one of my favorite read alouds and my students love that the elf is texting and taking "elfies" instead of "selfies"

You can check out my Take An Elfie unit here!

4.  Christmas Solve the Room 

Students find it harder to sit this time of year so I try to get them up and moving every chance I get.  Students love working with a partner to move around the class and I love that they are still practicing their math.

Christmas Place Value Solve The Room

If you teach multiplication and division, try this freebie with your students to see if they would like participating in a solve the room type activity.

Operation Christmas Multiplying and Dividing Whole Numbers

5.  Gingerbread Ornaments

Applesauce and ground cinnamon mixed together make a great parent present.  Grab my recipe here.  Students have to measure the ingredients so it is a great way to sneak in some math at the same time.

Waiting to be decorated with some glitter and a ribbon!

6.  Reindeer Cam

Indoor recess or lunch play is just a bit easier when you have the Reindeer Cam playing.  My students love watching the reindeer move around the field.  It seems to keep their attention while they eat.  Check it out by visiting the Reindeer Cam.

I hope some of these ideas help you to countdown and plan for the busy few days before the Christmas break.  Happy Holidays to you and enjoy your time away from school!

Jane Feener

Multiplication Strategies 101

How did you learn to multiply 2-digit by 2-digit numbers?  If you are like me there was only one way and that was the traditional algorithm.  I was never shown another way until I had to teach it to my fifth graders.  I remember reading the following statement: "I can demonstrate, with and without concrete materials, an understanding of multiplication (2-digit by 2-digit) to solve problems.  I remember thinking how am I going to help my students understand this process when I was only taught one way myself.  After a lot of reading, I not only found many great ways to help my students with learning this skill but I found that very few of my students chose the traditional algorithm as their go to multiplication strategy.  Read below to discover some of the ways I now teach 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication and which one became my students absolute favorite!

Array Method

Students make an array using base ten blocks to model the numbers.  They then divide the array into four parts that are easier to calculate.  Finally, they add the four products to get the answer.  My students love trying to figure out my mystery arrays.  You can find these interactive math notebook resources here.

Box Method

Some teachers prefer to call the array method the box method as well.  After modelling many problems using the base ten blocks, I like to move to the box method.  It follows the same method however,  I find it speeds up the process.  Students draw a rectangle and divide it into 4 parts.  They label the box showing tens and ones along the sides.  They then multiply the numbers and add the answers altogether.  I find providing students with small white boards and markers is a great way to teach this strategy.

Partial Products

Some of my students experienced difficulty with this method at first but with the scaffolding provided by using boxes as a guide they soon mastered this method.  The important thing to remember to stress when teaching this method is how to record the numbers.

Lattice Method

This method may look complicated but it is really not that hard once you learn to draw the boxes.  This method has become my students absolute favorite method to multiply.  Even my students' parents loved it once they saw how it was done.  I found watching YouTube videos was the best way for me to master this one.  You can see how it works by clicking here.

Traditional Algorithm

I still teach my students how to multiply using the traditional algorithm as this is the method most of their parents will show them at home or understand from their school days.  I have found that by teaching all the other strategies first it gives my students a much better understanding of this method.  

I have found that by letting my students have the choice as to which multiplication strategy they understand the best and then using it to solve multiplication problems has resulted in increased confidence and accuracy when multiplying.

I hope this helps you to master multiplication strategies of 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication.  Maybe the lattice method will become your new favorite way to multiply!

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

Hi everyone, I can't believe another school year is coming to an end.  Where did the year go?  At the end of the year I always look at some of the things I am doing in my class and I decide what worked and what I might want to change for next year.  I decided today to share a few of my favorite classroom purchases and management ideas from this year.

1.  Ikea picture frames.  

I bought these cheap picture frames last year at Ikea while I was in Florida on holidays.  I made numbers to go in the frames and placed one of them on each group of desks.  They were so easy to see and they made it easy when I wanted to call a group for  dismissal at the end of the day.

2.  Monthly storage bins

I found these great plastic containers at my local Walmart and felt they were just the right size to store extra materials for my monthly themes.  Anything that doesn't fit into my binders goes in here.  They are especially great for storing games and seasonal centers.  My May/June one is empty but not for long!

3.  Word Work storage

I love having all of my word work centers stored in one location in the classroom.  I have the drawers labelled and it helps students when it comes time to clean up.  They know exactly where everything goes.  You can get a copy of the labels here.

4.  Personalized stamp

The students at my school are given agendas to record their homework in each day.  Years ago I used to go around and initial with my pen each student's agenda which proved to be quite time consuming.  Then I read about a teacher who purchased a personalized stamp through Vistaprint.  Three years later and I am still using the stamp I had made. After student's record their homework,  I come around to quickly check their agendas and stamp them with my personalized stamp.  It has been a huge time saver for me. 

5.  Class helpers

Over the years I have had many different ways to pick the student helpers.  Many were way more complicated than they had to be.  This year I wanted to keep this routine simple.  To do this I simply typed my class list twice on a sheet of paper (I reversed the names on the list the second time I typed it) added some clip art and laminated.  Then I attached two paper clips and each morning we just move the paper clips down the list.  Easy peasy!

6.  Magnetic sleeves 

Another great purchase I made this year was to get some magnetic sleeves which can hold papers and attach easily to my magnetic whiteboard.  I use one to hold all my extra memos that student may need if they lose the originals.  I also like to use them to hold answer keys for sheets we may be working on.  I put an answer key in the pouch and students go up to the board to self check their work.  

I hope some of my favorite things from this year can help you as you plan ahead to next year.  I would love to hear about some of your favorite things in your classroom.  I am always looking for new and easier ways to do things in my class.

  If you still need an activity to finish out the year you may like to try my School Year in Pictures accordion booklet.  I am planning on having my students draw a picture in the photo frame and then write about the picture on the next page.  It should make a nice keepsake for them to look at in years to come.

School Year In Pictures

Feel free to drop by Teachers Pay Teachers store to check it out.