2-D Shapes

This was our first week back from Spring Break and we have been reviewing our 2-D shapes.  After they all had a good understanding of the attributes we practiced making our own shapes using toothpicks.

This project used a ton of toothpicks-about 30 per student-so make sure you get the big box.
It also used a ton of glue ;-) which is to be expected!

This was great for the kids to do because it's different than drawing or using pattern blocks.  It really challenged them, especially the hexagon.

If you want a copy of the shape labels, click on the picture below.  Some of my kids could squeeze in the 2D Shapes header, some couldn't-it really didn't make much of a difference to me.

Next we made Shape Monsters-which they loved!  I let each student pick whatever shape they wanted and then they had to trace their shape onto construction paper.  They turned out really cute.

After they made their monster they had to write about it.  They had to tell me what shape they chose, how many side and corners that shape had, and also give me a real-world example of that shape. 

Both of these ideas were from Mrs. Wheeler's page-if you'd like a free copy of the Shape Monster sheet, head over to her blog.

Have a great weekend!

Easter Activities!

One of my favorite books to do at Easter time is The Easter Egg by Jan Brett.  Her books are always full of good messages and the pictures are, of course, beautiful.  After we read this story I give each student a very large white egg which they get to paint however they choose.  I use a 12x18 piece of white construction paper for each egg.  They really love this project because they get to use their watercolors which we don'st use all that often.

 

 This is a spider web egg - can you see the cute little spider hiding at the bottom??

After their egg is complete I have them write about their egg.  Some students choose to describe the way their egg looks-others like tell me a little story.  

They really make a bright, colorful display in the hallway :-)

For a fun Easter math activity we spent an afternoon sorting jelly beans.  I used just the old fashioned Brach's jelly beans and filled a little cup for each student.  I think it took me 3 bags and I have 23 students.  At this point in the year they have done a few activities like this and are used to a format that is similar for our daily calendar math pages (click on the link to grab them for FREE), so they are able to do this fairly independently (silent cheer)!

Of course, once they have finished I like to look over it briefly but then, finally, they get to eat their jelly beans.

Click on the picture for a FREE copy of our two-page Jelly Bean Sorting sheet.

All in all it was a nice way to end our week before Easter and Spring Break!!

Math Games

We love playing math games!!  This is a great game for the beginning of school but one that they love doing all year long.  It's called Reach for the Stars.  I cannot take credit for coming up with this game but I did re-create and change the game sheet just a little.  

It's a partner game where the students need two dice.  Partner 1 rolls both dice and adds them together - then colors a box on their side of the game board that matches the answer (ie. if they roll a 3 and 1 they color in a 4 box).  Then it's Partner 2's turn.  The first person to reach a star in the middle wins!  I have them continue to play to try and fill up the remaining squares.

They absolutely LOVE this game.  They love that they get to work with a partner and that they can use markers or crayons to color in their boxes instead of pencils (which we always use in math).

Here's a free copy.  Hope you enjoy using it in your room!

Calendar Math

One of the ways I like to start our day is by doing Calendar Math.  It is a great way to incorporate so so many different things: spelling, counting coins, days of the week, proper nouns, etc.

I make each student a Calendar Math Booklet that we fill out every day.  They get a new one every month.  We all bring it up to the carpet and fill it out together on the Smart board.  Before you know it they can fill it out without help; little Smarties :-)

By the middle of the year I switch to the harder version and I allow them to fill it out independently before we come to the carpet.  Then we go through it quickly as a class.

Here is a link to download it for free.  I hope you can use it with your class.  

Fraction Pizzas!

Last week we finished our unit on fractions.  We made these cute little fraction pizza posters to hang up.  In first grade we really just touch on the basics of fractions but this activity was fun because it lets me differentiate a little.

Then as a final activity we actually made real fraction pizzas.  We used English muffins, sauce, cheese and pepperonis.  The kids were so excited to make their own mini pizzas.  

They REALLY enjoyed their creations!

Here's the note I send home for parents who have volunteered to send in something for our pizzas. 

Calendar Math

This year I started incorporating a more involved calendar math time.  We always discussed our calendar math but now I have the students write about it as well.  Last February I attended a seminar given by guided math guru Dr. Nicki Newton and she said that it was critical to have this be a part of every student's day.  

After using it for about a week or so they have picked up the routines and get started as soon as they hit the carpet.  It is a great way to reinforce written skills as they practice writing the days of the week and the month and but it also increases their math awareness and ability to manipulate numbers in a variety of ways.  

This is the sheet I use, click on it to get a free copy!