Maths Tools Exploration

At the beginning of the year, I like to take out five different maths tools and have students spend some time playing exploring with them. I choose five at a time because I usually have five different table groupings. I put one tool on each table, we "explore" for 10 minutes and then we all move as a group to the next table to explore the tools on that table in a round robin fashion until we have been to all 5 tables. Then we do it again the next day. I might change out one of the tables for another manipulative so that all of the maths tools we have become very familiar to the students straightaway.  For instance, I noticed that the color tiles didn't have a lot of appeal to the students this year. I will replace the color tiles with Judy clocks-- which in all likelihood won't be one of the favorite tools either. At the same time, students know what these tools are used for and will be able to use them appropriately when they are needed. The Base 10 blocks, the geo-blocks and the pattern blocks are always popular and the students really need time to play explore with them before I ask them to use them.

This is important for many reasons: #1. To have the students become familiar with the tools and what they can do. #2. Playing is how children learn--- yes, even in Second Grade! They are still young learners. Allowing them to play legitimately, actually gets rid of the desire to play with them. By the time we begin to use them to REALLY solve maths problems, they will have had their fill of "playtime" and be able to get down to work with the manipulatives. #3. Familiarity allows children to "think outside the box" in using maths tools to solve problems. Thinking "outside the box" is usually the goal whilst solving problems as creativity is the most essential traits needed. As Einstein said, "It is impossible to solve a problem on the level at which it was created". I want my students to be creative and persistent problem solvers.  Here we are on our first day of "Maths Tools Exploration".

  Geo-blocks

Base 10 blocks



Color tiles



Cube-a-links


Pattern blocks

Sno-Cone Social

Were YOU able to join us for our annual Sno-Cone Social? It was AHHHH-mazing! Our school secretary, Mrs. Duncan, went all out this year and we had a lot to see and do and GET!!!! 

Didn't make it? :(  

Lucky for you, I took a few pictures... Here's what you missed:

Here we have our new librarian, our Reading Interventionist and our Art Teacher making Sno Cones. Nurse Jill Has her back to us (unfortunately). Ms. Harris a 2nd Grade teacher andMrs. Gragg (Kinder) are in the photo as well.

                             The Pflugerville Fire Department brought out an engine for the Windermere community to look at ... and we even got to climb into the truck! They also used their engine to announce a few raffle prize winners but alas, I was not one of them! But, YOU could have been a winner...

The Pflugerville Police Department was there.

AND  we had two very special guests, 
Elsa and Anna!!

They had their audience transfixed by their hit, "Let It Go". They also stayed for pictures and to sign autographs. 

Costco was there offering membership discounts...

The Girl Scouts were there signing up girls for the new year...



Hmmm... How did I not get a picture of HE Buddy, the Mt. Playmore table,  and Barnes and Noble? 

Well, they were there too, with goodies and information. (I scored... just saying')




At any rate, a good time was had by all and I hope YOU can join us next year as we once again host our annual WPS Sno-Cone Social!

Meet the Teacher

It was so incredible to meet ALL of my students and their families tonight! So many big smiles and so many hugs! I can already tell that we are going to have an incredible year together! Princess Peach is very excited that FINALLY someone will be around to read to her! Peach misses the classroom as much as I do each summer. Sleep tight everyone! I can't wait to see you tomorrow!

QR Codes

According to Wikipedia, QR codes stand for "Quick Response" codes. QR codes are a matrix barcode first developed for the automotive industry for fast readability and the large amount of data that can be contained within them. You probably feel more familiar with the UPC barcodes on groceries but I am sure you've seen at least a few QR codes in magazines, museums and at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. To use QR codes you need to have a QR code reader app installed on your smart phone or iPad. I have i-nigma installed on my phone but there are many available and most are free. You might want to install one if you don't have one already since we'll be using QR codes this year for many things. Some of the ideas I have already are: scavenger hunts, animal facts, a classroom tour, writing, and math facts. I have no doubt that the students will come up with some clever ideas on their own after we use them a few times as one of my goals this year is to integrate technology into the curriculum in ways that students can easily replicate and improvise. QR codes are fun and a bit like "spy stuff" for kids. That's always a great learning hook! ;) To get you started, here's the QR code that is outside our classroom door. Click on the QR code to find out more about me!

Room 205

Here it is folks... This is where the magic happens... but it doesn't happen looking like this...

I'd better get to work...

Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students!

Hey y'all... Are YOU ready to be AWESOME?!??!!?!?!?!?




Yes, I SEE my students and all they can be... and I can't wait to meet you!!!

Dang! When will school start?

Introduction: What is Remind?

Classroom Library

At long last!

The classroom library is ready for patrons! After my lovely 5,234 mile road trip, I just knew I had to bite the bullet and "git 'er dun" as my A&M friends are wont to say. I meant to organize this last summer but obviously, that didn't happen... (Just an FYI-- I GROSSLY misjudged the extent of our classroom library!) This was a project that I thought would take perhaps two days but which actually took 5 days and needed the assistance of friends, as well! We have A LOT of books in our classroom library. The frightening thing? I purchased 98% of them... However, there are astounding statistics that correlate the size of the classroom library with reading achievement. The classroom library is an investment in my students that is truly worthwhile.

Now, all complaining aside, I am VERY happy that this project is complete. I know the students will love it. One of the powerful motivators for this project was that last year the library regularly was in such disarray, that I would see students WALKING on books that had been thrown down or tossed aside! I cannot tell you how much that bothers me! It certainly does not teach children the importance of books and how to treat them. With this new system, the books will be circulated in and out for variety every nine weeks at most. Each individual book is labeled with the name and number of the book bin it belongs in. The books are sorted by subjects or authors. I relied upon my experience as a teacher to decide which topics my students would most likely use and sorted accordingly so that it will be easy for them to use. But that's not all! (Are you wondering when this blog post morphed into a QVC advert?) Since the bins are not out all at once, there will be gaps in the numbering and students will have to figure out where the book bin is based upon their knowledge of the numberline! HAH! Take that, you TEKS! (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills-- the concepts and skills we are required to teach.) That's what I call hands on practice!

Bwahahahaha!


Ninja teacher strikes again!