1-2-3 Come Do a Place Value Christmas Tree With Me

I am so excited to share my latest place value craft that I just finished. 

As you know, studying place value can be a bit tedious for some students, so I designed this "decorate a Christmas tree" craft, to put some “Woo Hoo!” into practicing place value.

Creating a super-cute PVT (Place Value Tree) is an especially fun activity for your students, and a nice alternative to worksheets; making it that “extra special something” you can do for the month of December.

Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable, and make an outstanding bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included 2 posters to help decorate.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the results definitely have that “Wow!” factor, as mixing math concepts with an artistic twist is truly interesting.

The packet is very versatile, with lots of creative options for your students to choose from, which not only results in a nice variety of Christmas trees, but allows you to diversify your lessons.

A place value tree appeals to a variety of ages and abilities.

The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a Christmas tree that will have a two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Keep things simple for little ones and limit the number of decorative pieces and options, while challenging older students to create a bigger value for their trees.

The sample on your right uses "ones" blocks for ornaments, with a tree trunk made out of two, "10s" rods; giving it a total value of just 32. Perfect for students working on two-digit numbers.

The sample on the left, has a value of 769. This tree has no trunk (However, there are 4 trunk options to choose from), while the 1st tree, at the beginning of my post, not only has a 100-block trunk, but a decorative tree stand pot as well. Notice the "holly berry" is a ones block.

A 10s rod can also be a fun decoration. Make them look like a peppermint stick, by coloring an AB-AB (red-white) color pattern with a red marker or crayon.

Check out the last sample tree at the end of this article, to see how I made a 10s rod look like a candlestick, with a ones block glued on diagonally, for a "flame".

I had an absolute blast designing my samples, so I can safely say, that I think your students will also have a great time making their own place value Christmas tree. 

Thirteen tree patterns, 4 stars and 2 angel tree toppers to choose from; plus  endless ways you can mix and match the ones, tens and hundreds block ornaments, provides a lot of variety to your classroom's creations, making for an awesome display.

Once children have finished their place value tree, they figure out how much it is “worth”.

Solving this “mystery math” problem is also a ton of fun.

I’ve provided several worksheet options that will help students figure this out, as they practice and reinforce the various concepts of place value.

I've put a worksheet next to the matching tree in the photographs below.

Choose which worksheets are most appropriate for your kiddos. 

Each of the 3 is different enough, so that you can do all of them. 

"Showing" their math of how they came up with their total, and explaining any conversions that they had to make, is a simple way to assess comprehension too.

The half-page worksheet on the left, is great for practicing a variety of  math skills associated with place value.

Picking a partner and comparing their tree with a classmate's, provides practice with "greater, less than and equal to", math standards as well.

A worksheet can also be part of your display. 

Students can write their total on the star or angel tree topper, or so that the place value really shows up, you can run off the 6 different elf tags, for children to write their name and the value of their tree on; placing the tag next to their Christmas tree on your bulletin board. 

I've also included several present patterns, if you'd like to add some gifts under the tree.

These are decorated with a ones block in the bow, a 10s rod on the ribbon, or a 100s block as a gift tag. 

The trees look pretty with a black, blue or purple, construction-paper background, with the gifts glued underneath.

 There are also several whole-group activities for graphing, data collection and analysis as well.

Limited time? This makes a super-fun homework assignment.

Another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVT in a small group of three, which will divide up the work and expedite completion.

Here’s a fun challenge: Give the small group a total tree value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a "Sweet Tweet"; which is an interesting and fun way for students to practice writing. 

Students color, cut and glue the bird to the top of their writing prompt paper, then each day (for 10 days) they jot down (tweet) something sweet that they've done. (After all, Santa and the elves are watching & very interested in this information!)

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

'Tis the season for attending all sorts of activities, so time to go see the school Christmas play. Three of our 10 grandchildren are old enough to be in it this year. 

Wishing you a delightful December, filled with many memorable and love-filled moments.

"Christmas, gives us time to pause and reflect on the most important things around us." -David Cameron

1-2-3 Come Practice Place Value With Me

Put some “Woo Hoo!” into studying place value, by creating a super-cute PVP (Place Value Pumpkin).
This is an especially fun activity for your students and a nice alternative to worksheets; making it that “extra special something” you can do on party day or for October math practice.

Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable and make an outstanding bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included 2 posters to help decorate, as well as header cards that show the total value of the pumpkin.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the results definitely have that “Wow!” factor.

The packet is very versatile with lots of creative options for your students to choose from, which allows you to diversify your lesson.

Appeals to a variety of ages and abilities.
The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a pumpkin that will have a two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Keep things simple for little ones and limit the number of pieces and options, as they create a Place Value Pumpkin "head".

Challenge older students to add arms and legs which will add to the total value of their pumpkin, as well as increase the cuteness factor. I’ve included hats, gloves and shoe patterns too.

Once children have finished their PVP they figure out the value of their pumpkin.

I’ve provided several worksheet options for students to complete, as well as a whole-group activity.

Pick which of the 3 worksheets is the most appropriate for your students. 

Each practices a variety of place value math standards.

On the one pictured here, students write the various forms of their number. Students also pick a partner and compare and contrast their Place Value Pumpkin Pal with another classmate's to practice even more math standards.

Pumpkin head patterns take up a full page, so there's plenty of room for creating a nice sized Place Value Pumpkin head.

To show you how tall these creations can get I took a picture of my husband's personal favorite next to a ruler.

Limited time? This makes a super-fun homework assignment, or another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVP in a small group of three, which will divide up the work.

Here’s a fun challenge: Give the small group a total pumpkin value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number.

Create extra pizzazz and 3D pop, by giving students the option to add wiggle eyes, glitter, a pipe cleaner vine, bow, rhinestones, or a pom pom topped cap.

I had an absolute blast using all of these "extras" in my samples.  They really added that "finishing touch".

Today's featured FREEBIE is also perfect for Halloween party day. 

It's an "oldie but goodie" that I created a few years ago before I honed my computer graphic skills, but my kiddos absolutely love cutting out a "Spooky Spiral", which look pretty awesome swirling and twirling from the ceiling.

Well that's it for today.  So happy to be done with this whopper of a packet chock full of so many fun options.

Time to take a much-needed break. Despite crashing temps from 70s to 50s it's a pretty day. 

The sun is shining and fall has definitely arrived.  Wishing you a joy-filled day.

"Piles of leaves; Crisp autumn breeze; Pumpkin pie; Oh My!" - Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some Number Recognition Activities With Me

Because my Young Fives absolutely love making and collecting “Itty Bitty” booklets, I designed a set for each individual number 0-10.

I call them Itty Bitty booklets because there are 4-pages on a one-page pattern, making this little book “just the right size” for small hands and pint-size attention spans.

The booklets are a real time saver for me, as once students have completed one, there’s no need to repeat directions. Children feel empowered and can get right down to business.

Cutting on the dashed lines helps strengthen finger muscles and dexterity, while collating their booklet practices sequencing and counting.

You can start with zero, or save that booklet as a little something to do on a “Zero the Hero” Day, as you count up to 100.

I’ve designed the pages in such a way, that you pick the pattern pages most appropriate for your students and “design your own” Itty Bitty booklets, this also makes it easy to diversify your lessons.

You can keep things very simple and make just the 3-page booklet with a cover, (first worksheet) or add as many of the other 9 page options you’d like.

The booklets are great for morning math, an independent math center, or homework, and work well for a math journal, interactive notebook or portfolio.

I've included a pocket as well as labels if your students have a math journal.  During "Back To School" sales when supply stores are offering 15 cent notebooks as loss leaders,  I stock up so my kiddos have a notebook for a variety of things.

Easy-peasy for me, fun for them, and everything's organized in one place. Notebooks are an excellent way to show progress at conferences and at the end of the year students have a nice keepsake. 

Students color and tape the "pocket" to the inside of their math journal, then tuck their Itty Bitty booklets inside.  You can also opt to put them in a small, manila envelope. 

I've also used smaller envelopes that I buy at The Dollar Store. Students glue one to a section of their notebooks that feature work on that specific number, then tuck that Itty Bitty booklet at the bottom.

There’s enough variety so that you can also make extra booklets. For example, there are 2 “color me” pages which feature all of the numbers.  One is a selection of cute "number people", the other depicts children holding a number.

Pick one for your initial Itty Bitty booklet, then make an extra “color me” booklet with the other pattern pages. Instead of featuring just one number, this Itty Bitty booklet would showcase all of them.

Since the pages are small, coloring is simplified and not overwhelming. My students often ask if they can do more than one page at a time.

Another idea for an extra booklet, is to make an “Amazing Numbers Maze Craze” booklet, featuring all of the number mazes. As with the color booklet, I’ve included a cover for this extra option. 

The mazes would also make a fun math center.  Laminate a set and have students complete the mazes with a dry erase marker.

These extra options are wonderful tucked in your sub tub, something for struggling students or early finishers.

Besides the booklets, I’ve also included a “Snap To It!” Snap or Unifix Cube math center activity, where children use one of the 2-on-a-page worksheets as a reference, while putting cubes together to make that number. 

I have my kiddos count how many cubes they used.

A mini matching page is an option for their Itty Bitty booklets and has children working on patterning.

There's also a set of jigsaw number puzzles. Run the pattern off on 4 colors, laminate and trim.

Sort the puzzles so that each puzzle includes all four colors, then keep each one in a ZipLoc Baggie in your math center. 

There's also a mini page option for students' Itty Bitty booklets.

Today's featured FREEBIE is another way that my students enjoy practicing numbers and counting.  

These bubble dot numbers can be used for individual worksheets (there are  2-on-a-page for quick printing) or add the cover and make into a number booklet.

Students use a bingo dauber to dot the bubbles counting as they go. They can also choose two crayon or marker colors and fill in the dots showing an ABAB pattern.

Make an extra set to use in a math center where students can place objects on the dots counting as they fill up the pattern.

Students can also sequence the cards.  Make an extra set and cut them in half or quarters and use as puzzles.

Another idea is to color your own set with school or classroom colors then laminate and use as anchor charts or flashcards. 

Well that's it for today. thanks for stopping by.  

I've finally survived a terrible cold, so need to tackle a long (oh my gosh am I behind) to do list.  Wishing you a productive and stress-free day. 

"The future of the world is in my classroom today!" -Ivan Walton Fitzwater

Show Me A Pattern

A quick way to whole-group assess patterns is with these “High Flying” kites.

Run them off on a variety of brightly colored construction paper.

Students cut them out, punch a hole in the bottom and tape on a yarn tail.

Pre-cut a variety of brightly colored “tail” strips so that students can show you ABAB, ABCABC, AABBAABB, ABBA, AABAAB etc patterns.

Students raise their hand when they have completed placing a pattern on their kite string.

Afterwards children can choose a particular pattern that they like, write it on their kite and glue the strips to the string.

Mount them on a bulletin board, or hang them back-to-back from the ceiling for a super spring decoration in the hallway.

They look great hung in a row at the top of the wall as a pretty border as well.

Make it a special keepsake by having students glue their school photo to the kite.

You can also turn this into a partner game by using the pattern cards.

Students choose a partner, flip over a pattern card and see who can make that pattern the fastest. 

The one who does so, gets to keep that pattern card. When all of the cards are gone, or when the timer rings, the one with the most cards is the winner.

Click on the link to view/download Pattterning With Kites

Be sure and pop back tomorrow for another teacher tip.

Do you have one you can share?  I’d enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com Or…feel free to leave a comment here, especially if you use one of my ideas!  Thanks in advance for your time.