What's in my math toolkit? and a FREEBIE

Teaching math to firsties requires a lot of hands-on manipulatives. Kids at this age are learning concepts that I didn't learn till much later. Therefore they need concrete learning experiences to understand the concepts full. Here are the things I have found useful when teaching math.

Unifix Cubes have so many uses! 

Base 10 Blocks are essential for teaching ones, tens, and hundreds and how to regroup.

I glued magnets on these to demonstrate on my whiteboard.

100s Chart is essential for counting and teaching adding and subtracting tens. Also great for teaching about odd and even numbers. 

For the kids desks:

Pocket Chart: 

Purchase the Chart Here: Hundreds Chart

Get the cards in my store: 100s Chart Cards

Dominoes are a great math tool. I stick with those that add up to 12. Here are just a few ways they can be used.

2-sided counters are great for teaching probability and for when you are adding.

These are giant magnetic ones in 10 frames for modeling. 

Find them here: Jumbo Magnetic Foam Ten Frames with Counters

Popsicle Sticks & hair tie rubberbands are great for teaching about bundling a group of ten. 

Here is a traditional abacus:

and some homemade ones.

Mini-Erasers are fun counting manipulatives.

Also in the picture above is a whiteboard paddle. These are great for the carpet for students to hold up so I can quickly check their answers. We use the larger white boards too. 

Playing Cards:

What other math manipulatives do you use?

The activities you see above can be found in my Headfirst math curriculum. Click below to see it in my store.

Click HERE to download the Sampler FREEBIE!

Click to check out the Bundle and Units 1-4:

February - We're Going on a Learning Hunt! and a FREEBIE

Write the Room is a fun and engaging activity. This includes full-color cards. This one I entered my own words. 

It also includes color cards without backgrounds to save on ink. This one is a premade hunt on addition facts. It also includes the option to print in grayscale for those without color printers. 

Click below to see in my store.

February Write the Room

Write the Room FREEBIE

Grinch Day 2018

Grinch Day is a fun day we have on the last day before winter break. We do a Grinch theme all week and then have our festivities on the last day of the week. We decorate the halls the night before. Kindergarten does a Polar Express Day so that is why the floor has train tracks. 

 

Our counselor used the overhead projector to trace the buildings and then the kids colored them in. 

The kids made the decorations for the trees.  

We rotate the classes around to each 1st Grade classroom. Each teacher does a different Grinch activity. In this class, they make Grinch Bags. 

Here they are making big Grinches.

In this class, they played Pin the Heart on the Grinch.

I played Holiday Bingo in my room. We cut and glued the bingo pieces on first and then played. You can purchase it in my store here:

Holiday Bingo

We always have a snack room when we do special days. This teacher helped students make Christmas trees with ice cream cones, green icing, M&Ms, and sprinkles.

See it on Pinterest here: Christmas Tree Treats

Another teacher made Grinch Dust. The idea is that you sprinkle it on the lawn to keep the Grinch away on Christmas Eve. 

Click here to see it on Pinterest: Grinch Dust.

The last room made a Grinch Card.

Click here to see it on Pinterest: Grinch Card.

We even had the Grinch come for a visit! 

This is me and the Grinch!

Finally, we watch the movie in our high school auditorium and have a Grinch snack.

Here is my 1st Grade Team. I am the first on the left. It is always a fun day! 

This is a fun Grinch Center that we did during the week. Click here to see it in my store!