Place Value Drop

Well hello there people! It has been a hot minute since I have sat down to BLOG. True, sit down, and type it out blogging. I could sit here and tell you everything that has been crazy, but do you really want to know? Probably not. Totally okay because I probably would stress myself out too rehashing this crazy time in life, when I can be celebrating how blessed I am-no matter what! 
Think positive-live positive right?

So let's jump right in! This little post is all about place value. If you teach place value-specifically tens and ones, this game is for you! It also incorporates expanded form as well, so getting them to really count out and add the two places together. 

Materials needed: 

-popsicle sticks (small or medium) I used medium in my game
-sharpie
-place value chart (tens and ones)
-recording sheet (you can grab it pre-done HERE) (you can also have them record in their math journals as well. Teacher preference!)
-snack baggies to store the sticks

How to make:

*Using popsicle sticks (medium size is what I used) make ten dots on one side and one dot on the other. Do this for each popsicle stick until you reach 10 sticks. (that is considered 1 set)

 
* I store each set in snack size baggies and put in a tub for math station.

* Make copies of the recording sheet (double sided) You can laminate the recording sheets or put them in dry erase sleeves. You can also have your kids do it in their math journal if so desired.

How to play:

* Students get a bag of place value popsicle sticks, recording sheet and/or dry erase marker/pencil. In a handful they drop the sticks in their area. They sort the groups of ten and the ones. They write how many groups of ten and how many ones on the   recording sheet. Then to extend they expand it on the  equation lines below.

· Ex: 60+4=64

* They repeat this until time is up or sheet is full. If using dry erase they can erase and do it again. It can also be played with a partner.

Watch a quick video in action:

Want to grab the game resources? Click HERE 

See! Super simple to make and the kids love dropping the place value! 

Have a BLESSED week! 

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God."

1 John 3:1

Book Bites Episode 4-Not Yet

If you are just now discovering my little blog and have no idea what Book Bites is then head over to the overview HERE to get a background of this little venture. You can also view the overview video HERE! 

Now onto Episode 4! 

Not Yet

by: Lisa Cox & Lori Hockema

** The video will have more detailed information about all these ideas below- this is just a quick sneak peek**

Access the full video Episode 4 HERE or HERE

Overview: Lorisa faces challenges of her day with her younger brother looking up to her. She demonstrates what a growth mindset looks like. She has big dreams and an attitude of positive thinking that is going to take her into the future with all kinds of possibilities. Lorisa models that there is purpose even in the mistakes. 

Teaching points:  Growth Mindset, Perseverance

Teaching Resource Companion: can be found HERE on my TPT store

Here are some examples of this sweet book in action!

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook to get notifications of when new Book Bites Episodes are happening! You can also access all of them on my YouTube channel!

Have a BLESSED week!

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 
Romans 12:12

Expo Back to School Gift Tags

We are not quite back to school yet, however, we are so close I can smell the crayons! If you are looking for a fun and easy little B2S gift for some coworkers then I have got you covered! 

Materials:

-Expo markers

-Ribbon

-FREE tags here

So the great thing about this little gift is you get to decide how over the top you want to be. If you have more people to shop for and you are on a budget you can divide up the expo packages or give someone a whole package! Totally your call! 

 Here is an up-close look at one of the tags! 

Each tag has a little open space to write something brief or just sign it! 

There are 3 different versions of the tag. 

Seriously that is it! Easy right? 

I hope you can find a use for them. 

You can grab the FREEBIE 

HERE

Have a BLESSED week! 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Matthew 22:37

Trash Your Troubles-an emotional support system for the classroom

Are you looking for ways to promote a growth mindset in your classroom that will support behavior, promote positive peer relationships, and foster open communication between you and your students? Maybe you need a simple go between for you and your school counselor? Then maybe Trash Your Troubles is for you! 

What is Trash Your Troubles?

Creating a safe environment for kids is so important for todays classroom. We have fabulous school counselors to turn to that do a phenomenal job supporting teachers and kids daily!

What if we also helped in our own classrooms as well?

I saw this little trashcan at the Dollar Tree and the idea just hit me. 

I am sure you have heard of “burn” therapy. You write down your worries etc and then burn the paper essentially releasing it from you. Now I have personally never done that, but this idea is along those same lines.

If a kid is having something that is troubling them they can write it down, wad it up and throw it away in this little trashcan! 

Now this does not at all take the place of a kid seeing the counselor if needed. It would just be an easy way to sort of give them a therapeutic way to deal other than keeping it bottled up. Some troubles may be as small as “_____ took my pencil.” or as big as a true bullying issue that maybe the child is not confident speaking up out loud yet. This also does not take the place of the teacher being an active observer of your kids and open communication.

The kids can write their name if they want to so then the teacher can see who might need to talk or it can be just a quick jot from a child to release their thoughts. The teacher can check the trashcan a few times a week or as often as they want or need to.

Establishing a solid and trusting relationship with your kids is also very helpful and important with this as well. So the kids feel comfortable writing their name so you could help with any problems they may have or need to refer to the counselor.

You would also need to set expectations for when they can use this: not during teaching time, etc. As the teacher you could decide what works for you and your classroom. I would also recommend putting it somewhere they can access it easily but also somewhat private.

Just copy the template onto colored paper, cut and set near the trashcan!

The thought is truly to open communication within your classroom and include an extra option of having kids share their thoughts, worries, struggles in a safe manner. It might also be beneficial in that first step between you and the counselor if needed! 

Sound like something that might be useful to you? Go grab the template HERE:

Have a BLESSED week!

"Jesus never asks us to go where he hasn't been."