1-2-3 Come Do Some Pumpkin Math With Me

I'm really enjoying fall.  Love the wonderful weather, and the leaves are just starting to turn here in Michigan. 

I've had a few requests for some simple pumpkin games that teachers can use as an independent center. Several visitors have also asked for some pumpkin-themed number word activities.

With that in mind, I just finished the cute Pumpkin Fun Number Packet. It's 22 pages, and includes a seed counting game, where students match the stem with a number on it, to the pumpkin with the number word on it. 

From there, students count to find the matching "pumpkin guts".  These are circles with pumpkin seeds on them from 1-20. 

To make the game self-checking, write the number on the back of the seed circles and pumpkins. 

If you want, run off copies, so that students can make their own Counting Pumpkin Seeds booklet. They glue the stem to the pumpkin and then staple the edge of the seed circle so that it flips up. 

I've included a cover for them to staple to the front.  This would involve quite a bit of cutting, so you may want students working on this for several days, or simply have them do numbers 0-10. This is a nice fit for Daily 5 word work.

For more practice matching numbers to their number word, I've included 2 trace and write worksheets.  These are great for early finishers, your sub folder or homework.

A slice of pumpkin, is another worksheet, where students trace and write the number and dot that many seeds in the appropriate section.  When they are done, they color the picture.

There's also a "Show Me The Number" activity.  These can be done as a separate table top worksheet for your math block, or run off and staple into a booklet and have students work on a new number each day. 

Before you work on any of these activities, I suggest reviewing numbers and number words. 

I've included a set of pocket chart cards and a poster to help you.  Students can refer to them as they work independently.  

Click on the link to view/download the Pumpkin Number Fun packet.

For another pumpkin-themed number word game click on the link. 

This one helps strengthen finger muscles, as students use clothespins to make matches. 

Seven Pumpkin Games is  another FREEBIE that reinforces numbers. 

As a teacher, I incorporate games because my students really enjoy them, and I can cover a variety of math concepts, while helping them improve their "life skills" at the same time. 

If you want to work on higher numbers, click on the Pumpkin Math packet to practice numbers 1-120. 

You can cover quite a few Common Core State Standards with this "Let's Count Pumpkins" packet, which includes an easy reader where students read, trace and write the numbers, plus circle them in a sequence. 

To cover more standards, children circle capital letters, add end punctuation to the simple sentences, plus count the pumpkins in the group/set and color the puffy numbers as well.

The packet also includes trace and write worksheets for counting from 0 to 120, plus skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's.

Click on the link for a larger set of pumpkin number cards, that you can use in a variety of ways: pocket chart cards, a number line, games such as "I Have; Who Has?" and Memory Match; plus students can practice making up equations, and showing greater than or less than.

Finally, if you use 10 frames with your kiddos, I've made a pumpkin-themed 10 frames set. 

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting. 

I'm off to the dungeon (also known as my basement) to haul up some autumn decorations.  Wishing you a fabulous fall.

"It might be hard at times, but hard is not impossible." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do A Few More Coin Activities With Me!

I had quite a few requests for some specific coin-related lessons, so I made time to get these designed, as I think many others will find them helpful as well.

The ever-popular 10 frames packet collection, has really grown!  I think I've covered all of the monthly themes, but am happy to make others. 

Karissa, from California, says she has collected them all, and wondered if I could make some with coins on them for her kinders.  

I've included 10 frames for pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, plus extra tiles of each, so you can run off and use them as manipulatives.  Using real pennies would also be fun for your kiddos.  Click on the link to view/download the 10 Frames Coin Packet.

Connie, in Delaware, teaches preschool and wondered if I had any coin games?  I liked to use dice to help my Y5's  subitize, (Quickly identify how many in a group, without having to count.) so I designed the Coins On A Roll dice game. 

Simply run off the coin bookmarks.  Students pick a partner and take turns rolling the dice.  If they roll a one they color in the penny.  If they roll a two, they color in the second coin, which is a nickel and so on.   However, if someone rolls a six, they lose their turn. 

The first child who colors in all of the coins on ther bookmark is the winner.  This game also provides a teachable moment to review ordinal numbers as well.   Click on the link to view/download the Coins On A Roll dice game.

Quite a few teachers asked if I could make some worksheets involving coins.  Many of them were required to send homework home and several needed something for early finishers to do. 

These are also great for Daily 5 word work or a sub folder.  Click on the link to view/download the 10-page Coin Worksheet packet.

I also had several homeschooling moms and teachers who were looking for some crafts with a coin theme, so I  re-designed the coin dangler. 

My Y5's enjoyed making the "Money Matters Mobiles."  They looked wonderful swirling and twirling from our hallway ceiling. 

They're also an easy way to review sizes (small-medium and large) as well as the circle shape, and provide great cutting practice too. 

I opted to add the paper dollar to the top and cut out my students' school picture, so they could glue it over Washington's face. 

My report card standards only required my Y5's to know the penny, nickel, dime and quarter, but I've also included templates for the half dollar and dollar coins as well.  Click on the link to view/download the Money Matters Coin Dangler craftivity.

Finally, Connie, from Oregon, really liked the Olympics flip for facts file folder activity, that was included in the Olympic writing packet and asked if I had one for coins.  I thought this was a wonderful idea, so I got right to it. 

File folder facts are a simple and effective way to introduce research to early elementary students.  Children search for interesting facts Online, choose their favorites, and then put them into their own words. 

As with the Olympic file folder, I've also included several pages of how to explain citations to your kiddos and provide links too. 

The Flip For Facts File Folders are a nice pre-cursor to writing a report.  Click on the link to view/download the Coin Flip For Facts File Folder Packet.

Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN away.  As always, if you too have something you're looking for, simply drop me an e-mail at: diane@teachwithme.com and I'll see what I can do.  

 "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education!" -Mark Twain

1-2-3 Come Do Some More Valentine Activities With Me

I had a special request from Iesha, in Michigan, for some 10-frame cards with hearts on them.  Since this was also on my "to do" list, I got right to it.  

All of the new 10-frames packets include extra tiles, so that students can use them as manipulatives to make groups/sets to match the number on the cards, sort the tiles or pattern with them.  Click on the link to view/download the Valentine 10-Frames packet.

1-2-3 Count Valentines With Me compliments the cards, as this easy reader booklet is based on a 10-frame and covers all sorts of standards. 

Students read, trace and write the numbers and number words, circle the number in the sequence, dot that many spots on the 10-frame, then cut and glue the appropriate picture showing a group of that many. 

The new "Count With Me" booklets, also have students add end punctuation to the simple sentences.  Each packet also includes several worksheets. Click on the link to view/download the 1-2-3 Count Valentines With Me packet. 

When I'm diddling around designing, an idea sometimes happens because of the adorable graphics done by really creative artists, like Laura Strickland (mycutegraphics) and DJ Inkers. 

Why Do I Like You?  Let Me Count The Ways... was one of those ideas. D.J. Inkers clip art of a  little boy and girl holding a huge heart, simply begged to be filled with something. 

When I taught high school, my students enjoyed a variety of poetry that I shared with them.  How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning,  was a personal favorite. 

I thought this would make an interesting writing prompt for students. Just incase you'd like to share the original poem, I've included it in the packet.

Instead of love, I substituted the word like.  Students can choose to complete the prompt for someone they are close to, or to promote friendship and build self-esteem within your class, have students choose a classmate.  Students write things they like about that person, or things that person does that they like etc. 

To jumpstart your students' creative minds, make one about your best friend, sister, brother, husband or wife to share as an example.  I've also included a bookmark in color, that teachers can fill out for each student.  Write the child's name on the heart and then list a few things of why you enjoy having them in your class.  Click on the link to view/download the How Do I Like Thee? Valentine Writing Prompt packet. 

I didn't have much time to design more valentine crafts this year, but I did want to make a few valentines that your kiddos could make and take home to their families. 

Moms especially LOVE the cute "paper love" keepsakes that their child makes at school.  With that in mind, I designed the "Blow A Kiss!" keepsake card. 

The original idea came from "Life Is Sweet."  She painted her baby's hand and pressed it on some paper for grandma and grampa.  Here's my version:

Run off my template on white construction paper, or for more pizzazz, print it on regular copy paper and then have students trim and glue their card to their favorite color.

Students pick a partner and take turns tracing each other's hand.  For PK kids, have a room helper do the tracing and cutting.

Draw a little tab at the base of the palm, so that the hand has a "hinge" and then cut out.  Glue the hinge to the back, of the bottom of the card, so that it flips down, to reveal the sentiment. 

I made a page of lip tiles (kisses), so that students can glue their "kiss" to the middle of their flopped over hand.  For that finishing touch, add a school photo and some glitter.  Click on the link to view/download the "Blow A Kiss" Keepsake Valentine Card.

Another quick valentine craft is a simple positive-negative reverse picture.  My Y5's were always amazed when they folded the half-heart template, cut on the solid line and then unfolded a whole heart!

Most of them didn't even realize that they were cutting a heart out, and I didn't spoil the "surprise."   I loved their excited exclamations over this scissor "magic."  

Turn this into an interesting writing prompt for older students:  "Half of me enjoys _______ and half of me enjoys ____________."  I had a lot of fun writing a sample for you that will help to explain the lesson. 

For more pizzazz, I cut my photo in half and arranged it on my "heartwork."

To get in some keyboard practice, have students write their rough draft, and then type up their final copy and mount it on construction paper.  Completed projects make an awesome February bulletin board. 

Click on the link to view/download the Folded Heart Writing Prompt Packet.

Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN away.  I hope you have a simply spectacular Valentine's Day! 

"The educated differ from the uneducated, as much as the living from the dead." -Aristotle

1-2-3 Come Do Some More Columbus Day Activities With Me!

I had several requests for some 10-frames to use on Columbus Day, and quickly whipped them off this morning.   Click on the link to view/download the 10-frames packet for Columbus Day.

While I was putzing with the Columbus clip art for the 10-frames, I decided to make a set of alphabet cards that you could also use for your Columbus Day activities.  

I always liked to have extra centers and games for my kiddo's to do on special days, especially when I didn't have the time to do something specific.

 Hope you enjoy them.  Click on the link to view/download the Columbus Day Alphabet Cards.  I've also included a list of things you can do with the cards, including games.  

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and an interesting Columbus Day!  

"If you have made mistakes,  ---there is always another chance for you...you may have a fresh start at any moment you choose, for this thing we call failure, is not the falling down, but the staying down." -Mary Pickford

1-2-3 Come Make Some 10 Frames With Me

Thinking about numbers using frames of 10, can be a helpful and easy way for students to learn basic number facts. A 10 frame is a simple graphic tool that allows people to  “see” numbers. They will help your students with number sense, place value, patterns and relationships, as well as subitizing.

While researching 10 frames, I found a wonderful 10 frame game your students can play.  There's no reading involved, a voice tells you what to do. The four games that can be played with their applet, help to develop counting and addition skills. Children can independently play: How Many, Build, Fill and Add.  Click on the above link to hop on over.

I also took a look at YouTube to see if I could find some quick explanations.  There's a  Ten Frame 4-minute video that does a nice job. Click on the link to pop over. For a 1 minute 10-frame explanation click on that link.

Since I planned all of my teaching around various themes each month, I decided to make 10 Frames featuring the most popular ones I could think of.   Working on the same procedures can get a bit boring, but if you switch things up with different 10 frame templates, students will get excited to continue practicing skills.

There are a lot of ways to use these 10 frames.  They certainly enhance number sense.  They also help students subitize:recognize at a glance, domino and dice patterns without having to count the dots. 

Besides the obvious uses, I've also made a set of numbers, number words, and math symbols ( plus, minus, equals, greater and less than) so students can make equations and play a variety of other games. i.e.  Match the 10 frame to the number card, or number word, to play a Memory Match game, or play "I Have; Who Has?"  

To practice subitizing, use them as flashcards to see who can call out the correct number first. They are also nice in a math center, using manipulatives and dry erase markers to fill them in.  To make manipulatives to add to the 10 frames, simply run off extra pages of the 10-filled 10 frame and cut them into squares.  

I'm in the process of making some for each month, and started with September.  I just finished apple 10 frames, owl 10 frames and pirate 10 frames.  Click on the links to zip on over to download these freebies.  I also have pumpkins, leaves, scarecrows, frogs, stars, bats, spiders, dinosaurs and bees in the works, to round out fall, before I begin ones for winter.  If there is a theme that you'd like 10 frames for, shoot me an e-mail and I'll add it to my list, and let you know when I've completed it. diane@teachwithme.com

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others might enjoy.  My "Pin It" button is at the top.  If you'd like to take a peek at all of the awesome-educational things I spend way too much time pinning, simply click on the "Follow Me" heart to the right.

"My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance, but understanding of illiteracy, because some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than some college professors." -Maya Angelou

1-2-3 Come Work With 10 Frames With Me!

Ten frames are such a visual help for little ones.  I find that most of my kiddo's are visual and kinestetic learners.  I provided pictures and examples of things and plenty of math manipulatives, so they could do a lot of hands-on fun.  At first, children think that these are just toys; they later learn that the "toys" are wonderful learning TOOLS to help show and demonstrate math concepts.

I tried especially hard to design things with little boys in mind, as their attention span as a Y5 seemed quite a bit shorter than the girl's.

Anything to do with trucks was always a hit, so when I was fooling around with what could appropriately hold a 10-frame, that would be exciting to a boy, but fun for girls too,  a semi truck came to mind.

You can print off one and laminate, to use as a "teacher-led" instruction manipulative. Simply put it up on your white board, and using a dry erase marker, fill in a new number or equation each day.  By writing these on Popsicle sticks, and letting students choose them, you can keep track of what you've already covered.

Call on a student to make X's or bingo dots in the correct number of boxes. Using 2 colors to SHOW the 2 numbers in an equation, is extremely helpful. Make an extra 10 frame semi truck and put it in your Math Center, or if you are able to make an entire class set, allow students to choose the colors for their truck and add their school photo, so that it looks like they are driving their semi.

Younger students can work with single numbers to 20, while older students can work with math equations to 20.

This is a quick, easy and fun way to whole group practice and assess understanding.

I've also included 2 ten frames in one of the trucks, so that you can work with numbers greater than 10 and less than 21.

Click on the link to view/download the 10 Frame Math Semi Truck Activity.  

If you're looking for more 10 Frame activities, click on the link to zip on over to that category of freebies.

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything that you think others will find helpful. My "Pin it" button is at the top.  If you'd like to see all of the other cute educational ideas I PIN, click on the "Follow Me" heart button to the right.

"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it!" -Moliere

1-2-3 Come Make A 10 Frame Booklet With Me!

I've had quite a few requests for more 10 frame activities, so I designed this 10 frame packet that can be used in a variety of ways.

Print the pages, laminate and use them as anchor chart posters or large flashcards to refer to and do group activities with.

I incorporated quite a few math concepts along with the 10 frames. 

Students put an X on the appropriate number in the group/set.

They trace and write the number and number word however many times you want them to, and count that many dots and identify the pattern in the first 10 frame.

In the second 10 frame, students make that many marks, bingo dots, or place that many stickers in the boxes.

Children also circle that number in the sequence, and then add +1 more to the number, to get the next number.

Besides whole group-oral math activities, you can make several sets and put them in a math center. 

Students can complete the pages with a dry erase marker. 

Children could also use manipulatives instead of markers to fill in the ten frames.

Students can play games by choosing a partner and playing "Speed" to see who can complete the 10 frame booklet the quickest or simply sequence them in order, seeing the +1 factor, as they go.

Make a workbook for each child. For your math block or a quick tabletop lesson, students can work on a page a day.

When everyone is finished, read the booklet together to review the math concepts, as well as the various aspects of reading.

Click on the link to view/download the 10 Frame Activity Packet.

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.

My "Pin it" button is at the top.

"Teachers spend hours working on lessons to capture their students' attention, but all a little spider has to do, is crawl across the window screen." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Work With 10 Frames With Me!

My Ten Frame templates, 10 frame booklets and activities have been top downloads since I designed them, so I wanted to make a set of 10 frame cards that you could easily cut into puzzles, for a fun way to review a variety of Common Core lessons.

You can also use the bottom set of cards for assessments or a math center.  Simply print, laminate and have students fill them in with a dry erase marker. 

Run off copies and do a number a day.  Students keep their work and when all 20 number "worksheets" have been done, they collate them and have a nice review booklet to take home and share with their families.

The completed top cards can be used as flashcards, an anchor chart-border, and quite a few games. 

There's a 2-page tip list of what else you can do with the 10-frame cards, and I've also included a page of greater and less than cards, as well as "kaboom" bomb cards to play even more math games.

Click on the link to view/download the 10 Frame Puzzle Packet.

If you're looking for more 10 Frame Activities click on the link to zip on over to that section of my website.

You'll find 30+ ten frame 1-2-3 Count With Me booklets, a whopping 101-page Ten Frame Monthly Packet, lots of ten frame templates, and a super helpful set of number posters that include ten frames.

Simply scroll down to see everything that's offered and choose whatever helps you.

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find worthwhile.

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." -Joseph Chilton Pierce