Share and Prepare: I Love My Letter and Number Shoes

Happy Thursday everyone! I know that many of you teachers out West have been working in your classrooms and getting ready for the new year! I can't wait to see pics of your classroom and how the beginning of your year is going!!

This is perfect for me! We head back to school mid-August, and time is just a'tickin' away!! In order to help get ready for the upcoming school year I have lined up with Once Upon a Classroom: A Teacher's Tale. She is hosting a summer linky where we can all link up and share our favorite back to school products and help each other prepare for the new year!!

So far I have been able to share my Color the Room pack, which helps kinders get used to the rules and routines of Write the Room without actually having to write anything.

The second activity I shared was another beginning of the year Write the Room activity called Which is Which? where students must differentiate between a letter and a number.

I decided to stick with the Write the Room theme for this week's Share and Prepare! After my kinders have used the above activities to practice how to complete Write the Room activities, then they are ready to move on to different styles of Write the Room. 

As I imagine is the same in every kindergarten classroom everywhere, my kinders each year fall in love with a certain blue-furred, sneaker-wearing, singing star of a super cool cat!! You all know who I'm talking about!! My kinders can't get enough of those Pete the Cat books!! I created a letter and a number activity based on our favorite story!

'I Love My Letter Shoes!!' is a Write the room activity where students are matching up the uppercase and lowercase letter pairs, or 'letter buddies'. The recording sheets are broken up so you could either put up all of the alphabet posters and staple the recording sheets together for students to work on finding the entire alphabet at once, or you could put up the alphabet in chunks and work on one recording sheet at a time. 

Students will have a recording sheet with capital letters on it, that match the posters you will hang around the room. Students must find the posters that feature the capital letters on their recording sheet. Once they locate a poster, they must decide which is the correct letter buddy, or the matching lowercase letter. Students are to write that letter on their sheets and color the shoe on their recording sheets to match the color of the shoe above the correct letter buddy. So for example, if a student was looking at the 'Q' poster, they would find the 'Q' on their recording sheet and write the lowercase 'q' on the lines and color the shoe orange, since it is the orange shoe that the 'q' is under.

To go along with my theme, I also created an 'I Love My Number Shoes!!' Write the Room activity! For this one, students have a recording sheet with a numeral in a box with a shoe. Students must search the room to find the poster that has the set of dots which match the numbers on the recording sheets. There are more cards than you need for one week because each number (that can be) is represented in two different ways using black and red dots. DO NOT PUT ALL OF THE POSTERS UP AT ONCE!!! Choose the recording sheets you want to use and then put up the matching number posters, remembering to only put up one combination per number. This way you can use this activity two weeks in a row with different ways to represent the numbers. Great way to help improve that number sense!!

If you would like a copy for yourself they will be 50% OFF ALL DAY today!! Just click on the images below!!!  <**That means you can get them both for $2.50!!!> <***My newest creation Animal Alphabet is also 50% OFF all day today! You could get ALL THREE activities for $5.00!! I doubt they will ever be available like that again!> 

**OR** You could try your luck with the Rafflecopter below! Enter to win BOTH of these packs, and use them in your classroom during the first few weeks of school. Nice, easy Write the Room activities to help kiddos get used to the process!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Swing on back to Once Upon a Classroom: A Teacher's Tale to see who else has linked up to share their favorite beginning of the year products and activities!! You can link up to share yours, too!!

It's not too late to link up for Spotlight Saturday! It's a Teacher's Show and Tell of favorite products, activities, resources, ideas, dollar finds, organization tips, classroom decor, and anything else you about your classroom that you want to share!

Tomorrow's The Last Day!

Happy Thursday! I know some of you are all done with kiddos today, some of you will be done next week, and others <like my district> have at least three more weeks of kiddos. If you are wrapping up your school year, I hope you have an AMAZING summer! If you still have some time left, keep your chin up! The end is in sight! :-)

If you've been following along with my posts this week, you have heard about my GIVEAWAY! I have been asking for opinions on how many activities people would like to see in a packet that would last a month. I've heard a lot of different opinions, everywhere from a pack of 5 activities to a pack of 10 or more. So far the pack I am making has 12, which should be PLENTY of activities to give you a month's worth of choices. Here is a sneak peek of another activity in this packet.

Another activity included in this packet is the Spin and Dot Pandas. This activity uses spinners and BINGO daubers, which my kinders LOVE! I got a class set at The Dollar Tree, and they lasted all year and then some! If you don't have daubers, you can have your kiddos use highlighters or even markers and crayons! There is a black and white set were kiddos can use the daubers or highlighters. There is also a color set that can be printed and laminated and used with counters at a math center.

This activity includes 2 sets of spinners. The first set has 2 spinners, and focuses on the numbers 1-10. These numbers are shown as sets represented by fingers. Students spin to get a set and then search for that numeral on the rainbow panda mat.

Once students get a number from the spinner, they then search for the matching numeral on this panda mat. Once they find it they cover it up with a counter (if you're using the B&W version, they can use their BINGO dauber to mark their numeral). You can use this as a Math with Self activity, and also as a Math with Someone activity. If using as a Math with Someone, make sure each kiddo playing has their own color of dauber. Once they have covered up the board, they can compare their totals.

Each activity in the packet comets with a quick check assessment, and this one is no exception! After completing the spinner activity as practice, students can then demonstrate their understanding by completing one of the practice pages. Students are to count up the number of fingers on each set. Then they need to figure out which numeral matches the set and glue it in the box next to the picture.

The back of the quick check also has a sequence of numbers with some missing. Students will need to count up the fingers shown and write the numerals for the missing numbers.

There is another set to this activity that focuses on the numbers 11-20. The reason for two sets is so that you can better differentiate for the needs of your kiddos. I know that some of my kiddos need extra practice with the numbers 1-10, while others are ready to move on to higher numbers.

For the two spinners that deal with the numbers 11-20, I used ten frames to represent each set. Students use these spinners exactly the same as they use the first set. Spin to get a set and then count it up.

The panda mats for the second set have a mixture of numbers from 11-20. Students cover up the bear that has the numeral that matches the set they spun. Remember that there is a black and white set of these activities too, and that kiddos can use BINGO daubers with the black and white sets.

There is also a quick check for the numbers 11-20. Students count up the amount shown on the ten frames and then find the matching numeral to glue in the box.

On the back of this quick check is another number line with some digits missing. Students should count up the amount shown on the ten frames to help them determine which numerals are missing, and then they should write the missing numerals in the boxes. These quick checks can be used as an assessment grade or you can use them as a way to quickly determine if your kiddos understand the concept or if they need a little more help with it.

This is just one of the activities I'm including in my packet. To read about more of the activities, just scroll down through the past few posts to read more! Tomorrow is the LAST DAY you have to enter the giveaway! It is super simple to enter! Just follow these simple steps:

1) Follow my blog by clicking on the pink Bloglovin button underneath the Follow Along heading located on the right hand sidebar of my blog.

2) Leave a comment answering a question for me. How many activities would you like to see in a pack that says it will last a month? Is there a generic theme that you would prefer to see so you could use it during the times you're not working on a set theme?

See how easy that was?? Hurry up and enter my GIVEAWAY, I really want you to win! I've worked really, really hard on this packet and I can't wait to share it with all of you!!

Have You Entered Yet?

Hello everyone! I hope you have been enjoying your weekend! I know that some of you are down to the single-digit countdown for the last day of school! I hope things go smoothly for your last days or weeks!

I am taking today to give you another little sneak peek into my newest product, Panda Parade Math Activities! Did you know that you can enter my giveaway and win your own copy? Read through till the end so you can find out how to enter!

Another activity included in this packet is a color memory game. Students can use this activity independently or with a partner.

There is a set of rainbow panda cards with matching colored borders. The colors used are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, gray, black, brown, and white. You can differentiate this activity by having students match the rainbow pandas to their matching color word by having them use color cards or black and white cards.

You can have them use the cards where the color words are typed out in their matching color with colored borders. This could be for kiddos who are having a hard time recognizing their color words by sight.

For kiddos who are able to recognize their color words by sight, you can have them use the color word cards where everything is done in black and white. I always encourage my kinders to use their resources to help them recognize the words if they don't know them, which means they will look around the room for our color word wall and use that resource to help them identify the color words.

I included this little easy reader to help you determine if your kiddos can recognize their color words by sight. You could have your kiddos complete this independently after playing the memory game, or you could use this during a guided group time.

This little book has students working on their numbers 1-20, counting up sets, and recognizing their color words. On each page is the same sentence, with 'panda' being the only non-sight word, and they can help determine the word by using the picture. Also on each page is a set of pandas, a blank space to write the numeral for the set of pandas, and a color word to trace.

Students should count up the set of pandas and write the number on the line. Then they need to read the color word and use the correct color to trace the word and color in the pandas on the page. You can pick and choose which pages you want to include in the book. If you have students working on the numbers 1-10, just use those pages. Other kiddos might be ready to tackle the numbers 11-20. Once you have finished working with the book, students can put it in their Daily 5 Book Boxes so that they can read it during Read to Self or Read to Someone rotation time. My kinders get SO EXCITED when they have books in their Book Boxes that they can read themselves. This little book can be completed independently as well, and that way you can determine if they are truly able to recognize their color words by sight as well as their ability to count up sets and write the correct numeral.

I have blogged about a few of the other activities in this packet too! If you want to read about the activity were students are counting up sets, click <here>. If you're curious about the 10 and some more addition activity, click <here>. So are you wondering how to enter? It's SO EASY!!

1) Follow my blog by clicking on the pink Bloglovin' button on the right hand side underneath the heading 'Follow Along'.
2) Answer a question for me by leaving a comment: If you are looking to buy a packet with a month's worth of activities, how man activities would you want to see in the packet? Would you want an equal amount of Math with Self and Math with Someone, or does that matter? Is it helpful to have the Common Core Standards on front of the packet, or do you not need to use CCSS? I would LOVE to hear from you!!

More About the GIVEAWAY!!

It's finally Friday, yay!!  I know how exhausting this time of year is, so I know you're looking forward to the relaxation of the weekend! Some of you are done school for the year next week, and many others during the last week of May. I hope the last few days and weeks of school go well for you all!

I wanted to give you another sneaky-peek into the packet I am GIVING AWAY!!  Yesterday I showed you the Counting Up Pandas activity, and today I'm going to talk about another of the activities included in this packet.

This activity has students adding on to 10 in order to find teen numbers. They will complete the addition equation to get their teen number, and then locate that teen number on the playing board and mark it off.

Each student gets one of the frames above. I created them so they would fit two to a page, all you have to do is cut them apart. I included number lines at the bottom of each frame in case your kiddos use those to help them solve the problem. If you kiddos don't use those, just cut them off the frames before you laminate them.  Each frame begins with the number 10, and students draw cards from a pile to determine how much they need to add onto 10.

The cards go into the box on the frame, and then students use whatever resources they need to solve the problem. They can use the number line provided, or you could put out different manipulatives and white boards for students to use. I like to use those pretty colored plastic counting bears I have, and I also encourage them to draw a picture on the whiteboards. Whatever they need to help them solve the problem, they should be able to use. Once they have solved the problem, they write the sum on the frame. If you aren't able to laminate the frames, place them inside a plastic sheet protector. Students can still use a dry erase marker on them and then erase.

You may want your students to use this color version of the game board. Either laminate it or place it in a plastic sheet protector, and then allow students to use it. Once they solve the number sentence in their frames and get their teen number, they are then to find it on the playing board and cover it up. If I have students playing in pairs each of them uses a different colored counting bear. If they're playing by themselves, they have an assortment of colored counting bears to choose from. You could have them use any small counter or manipulative to cover up the number when it's found.

There is also a black and white page where students can use BINGO daubers or highlighters to mark off the teen number once they find it. Each player should have their own color, but if playing alone it doesn't matter. If playing together, once the board is filled up, students count their dots to compare them to their partner's.

Finally, students can complete a quick check assessment that you can use to determine if they understand the concept of creating teen numbers by adding on to 10. Students should look at the teen number that is the sum of each number sentence. Each sentence begins with 10 and then asks students to determine how many stalks of bamboo to add to the 10 to get the teen number. So for the number 15, students should color 5 stalks of bamboo so the sentence reads 10 + 5 = 15.  This is a double-sided quick check that can easily be filed into a student work sample folder.

Remember that this giveaway is super easy to enter! Here's all that you need to do:

1) Like my blog by clicking the pink Bloglovin' button on the right hand side underneath the Follow Along heading.

2) Leave a comment answering one of the following questions: How many activities would you look for in a packet that says it has a month's worth of activities" Would you want an equal amount of Math with Self and Math with Someone activities, or would it not matter? Do you prefer to have the Common Core Standards on the front of the packet so you know what skills and concepts it addresses, or does that not matter? Can you incorporate animal-themed activities into your classroom, either with a unit you are currently working on or to fill up space between holidays and season changes?

I would very much love for you to follow me and enter the giveaway! This giveaway will run until Friday, May 22, midnight EST. I will announce the winners on Saturday, May 23. Good luck!!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Happy Tuesday everyone! What're you up to today? I'm reclining with my foot up after my laser surgery treatment yesterday. Doctor's orders, 48 hours of elevation to help the healing process! I was able to get a few pictures of the laser equipment that is used during my treatments.

Here are the oh-so-stylish safety glasses! I wore a pair and so did the doctor, to protect our eyes from the laser beam.

This is the laser machine. I know it's blurry, sorry about that, but if you look behind the machine you'll see the laser wand. It is connected to the machine and is what the doctor waves over my ankle. First on the outside until it gets too hot, then moves to the top until that gets too hot, and then on to the inside, and when that gets too hot goes back to the outside of my ankle. It's not a long process, no more than ten minutes. Yes it does burn, but when it gets uncomfortably hot the doctor moves the laser to the next spot.  The whole laser process actually is not that bad at all.

Did I tell you that I've been working on a new activity?? I've been working on it steadily for a few days, and it feels good to be making things again!  I've been able to just about catch up on leaving feedback on TPT items I've purchased and have been commenting away on the freebies I've downloaded....since August 2014. That free download column is going to take me a while to conquer, but I am steadily working on climbing that mountain!

Anyway, I've been working on a packet of match activities with a panda bear theme. I'm trying to create activities that can be placed at Math with Self or Math with Someone Centers. I wanted to include enough where teacher's could get a solid month's worth of activities. I was thinking 5 activities would last a month, but then I got to thinking maybe it needed to have the same amount of Math with Self and Math with Someone activities.

What do you think would be best? How many activities do you think should be in a packet to last all month long? Should there be an equal amount of activities that students can complete on their own as there are activities where they can play with a friend? Leave me your honest opinion, and you could win a free copy of this packet when it's finished! <I'm not finished yet.> Does having the Common Core State Standards on the front of the cover help? What would you like to know about it before you bought it?

1) Follow my blog by clicking on the pink Bloglovin' button underneath the 'Follow Along' heading on the right hand side of my blog.
2) Then, leave a comment below that answers one or more of the questions above. Don't forget to include your email in case you are chosen as a winner! Thank you so much for your help, I can't wait for your feedback! :-)

   I'll have the contest up until Friday, May 22! Make sure to pay attention to my Facebook page and blog on that day when I announce the winners! If you win, you'll get the packet of activities as soon as it's finished and can have it in your resource files for next year!!