Fun in First

A Teaching Blog by Jodi Southard

Back to School

First Grade Math Curriculum and a FREEBIE

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How do you feel about teaching math?  I have to be honest and say that it’s not my favorite subject to teach.  However, I think my problem is that I feel like I am constantly struggling to find ways to supplement our math curriculum while still keeping it fun and engaging.  A couple of months ago, I started planning and organizing what I would want out of a math curriculum for 1st graders.  I am actually really excited about teaching math now.

This 1st grade math curriculum includes whole group lessons, small group activities, games, intervention materials, digital resources, and much more.As of right now, I have two units completed and available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Unit 1 is all about Number Recognition and Counting and Unit 2 is about Base Ten and Place Value.  Addition and Subtraction within 10 is coming next.

Thank you to ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers for partnering with me on this blog post. I received payment, trade, and or products from ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers in exchange for promoting. However, all opinions stated are my own and I only promote brands and products that I use and love. This post also contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links.

This 1st grade math curriculum includes whole group lessons, small group activities, games, intervention materials, digital resources, and much more.Each unit includes 10 lessons for instruction along with many supplemental activities.
Each of the 10 lessons include:
• Math Chat – Math Discussion Questions
• Brain Warm Up
• Whole Group Mini-Lesson
• Small Group Practice
• Take Away Ticket – Perfect for checking for understanding.
After 5 lessons, you will find:
• School-Home Connection
• Additional Practice Pages
• Spiral Review
• Intervention Materials
• Interactive Notebook Activity
Each unit also includes a Unit Assessment.

★The Math Chats and Brain Warm Ups for each day are also in an included digital version that can be displayed on your classroom projector.

Since the two units I have available now are geared more towards the beginning of the school year, I wanted to share a FREEBIE with you that will eventually be available in a future math packet.

This FREEBIE is from the new First Grade Math Curriculum packets from Jodi Southard at Fun in First.These Add and Clip cards make a great independent center activity for your students.  Print them on colored cardstock or laminate for durability.  I used Astrobrights paper in Lunar Blue™ and Rocket Red™ for these cards, but you could use any of your favorite colors.

The students will add the equation.  Then, they will place a clothespin onto the correct answer.  If you want these to be self checking, place a small dot on the back where the correct answer would be.

Click HERE to download this FREEBIE.

Here are some more pictures from Unit 1 and Unit 2.  If you love the colors, this variety packet from Astrobrights is a great option.

This 1st grade math curriculum includes whole group lessons, small group activities, games, intervention materials, digital resources, and much more.This 1st grade math curriculum includes whole group lessons, small group activities, games, intervention materials, digital resources, and much more.This 1st grade math curriculum includes whole group lessons, small group activities, games, intervention materials, digital resources, and much more.This 1st grade math curriculum includes whole group lessons, small group activities, games, intervention materials, digital resources, and much more.Be sure to follow my Teachers Pay Teachers store to be updated when each unit is available.

My Morning Routine

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My morning routine with my first graders has definitely evolved over the years.  I have always used some type of morning work, but it wasn’t until about 4 years ago that I became really intentional about my morning work.  I wanted to create something that allowed my students to hit all of their important reading and math skills.  A couple years ago, I created my Differentiated Morning Work for my students.  I love that it reviews so many 1st grade standards, and it truly helps to ensure that I am teaching all of the concepts.Slide3

This year I also decided to implement morning tubs into our morning routine.  I wanted to give early finishers a chance to explore classroom manipulatives and add some STEM activities into our day.

When students come into the classroom, they hang up their backpacks, turn in their LION books and begin working on the morning work paper on their desks.

Morning Work

At the beginning of the year, the students need a lot of guidance with their morning work.  However, I am always amazed at how quickly they can become independent with these.  When the students are finished with their morning work page, they turn it over on their desks because we go over these together later on in the morning.

Then, the students can go and get their morning tub.

Slide1

I have assigned groups of 3 to 4 students per tub.  Some mornings all 4 students make it to the tubs, other mornings breakfast or morning work may take longer and only 1 or 2 students end up using a tub.  I leave a group at a tub for 3 days, then I rotate.  So, I will only have to change tub activities every 18 days.

Slide10I want the students to be able to use plenty of hands-on activities in these tubs.  For this first round, I have placed the following items and activities in my tubs.

1. Legos – The students have to make their names using Legos.

Slide6

2. Play-doh – The students have to make 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional shapes using Play-Doh.

3.  Shape Templates – Students draw a picture using the geometric shape templates from our Everyday Math series.

Slide7

4. Jenga Blocks – The students have to build a shelter using Jenga blocks.

Slide5

Slide12

5. Color Squares – Students use colored squares to build a tower.  The goal is to build the tallest tower possible.

Slide96.  Dice – Students roll two dice and write a number sentence on the dry erase board.

Slide8I am excited to continue adding new things to the tubs this year.  I can change these up and use a variety of STEM activities as well as reading skills.  I think these will be a great addition to our classroom.

Slide4After reading The Brown Bag Teacher’s take on Morning Tubs, I knew I wanted to give it a try this year.  I love that I am still able to incorporate the morning tubs with the traditional morning work.

Do you use traditional morning work, morning tubs, or a combination of both?

 

Getting to Know Your Students

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Building relationships with your students is so important.  As teachers, we have a huge responsibility to not only educate our students, but to build real relationships with them.

Getting to Know Students PicTo me, this is my number one joy in being a teacher.  I absolutely love to build strong relationships with students.  I like to get to know their likes and dislikes, their interests, and their families.  These relationships are SO important!

Getting to Know Quote

So, how do you build strong relationships with your students?

TALK TO YOUR STUDENTS AND LET THEM TALK TO YOU.

I understand how hard it is to fit everything into your school day.  We have so much learning that needs to take place, but I cannot stress enough the importance of giving your students the chance to talk and tell their stories.  Do I let my students tell me stories all day long?  Absolutely not, even though some will try.  Instead, every morning during Morning Meeting, I give students the opportunity to share.  If I have a funny story or something to share, this is the time I do this as well.  Students LOVE learning about their teacher.

We also do a Question of the Day during Morning Meeting.  These always lead to amazing discussions, and you can learn so much about your students.

Discussion Questions

ASK THE PARENTS TO TELL YOU ABOUT THEIR CHILD.

Obviously, no one knows a child like their parent(s).  I always send home a questionnaire and a request for a letter so I can get to know each child from a parent’s perspective.  As a parent myself, I love this for my own children.  It is so nice to be able to tell a teacher about my child’s unique qualities, interests, and learning style. (Click on either of the pictures below to download this FREEBIE.)

General Student Information Page PicGeneral Student Information Page Pic1

PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO SHARE ABOUT THEMSELVES.

This is especially important at the beginning of the school year when the students are all trying to get to know each other.  I love to do All About Me Bags the first week of school.  I send home a paper bag with each student, and they have to place 5 items in the bag to tell about themselves.  They love sharing these with their classmates.

Slide2We also create flipbooks during the first week to tell about each student and what they hope to learn during their 1st grade year.

flipbook

TAKE NOTES ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS INTERESTS AND HOBBIES.

As much as I’d like to say I can remember things, if I’m being honest with myself, I have to write down EVERYTHING!  I like to keep a notebook handy to write down little fun facts about my students.  I write down any sports they play, teams they like, favorite movies or tv shows, etc.  This allows me to share their interests with them.  “How was dance class last night?”  “Are you excited to watch the Colts play this weekend?”

I created this fun editable note taking sheet if you’re interested.

Getting to Know Papers

GREET YOUR STUDENTS EVERY DAY.

Every morning when your students come into your classroom, greet them.  Whether it’s with a high five, a hug, or just a smile and a “Good Morning,” make sure you acknowledge they are there.  Can you imagine if you walked into work, a meeting, or a party, and no one acknowledged you?

smile todayWhat are your tips for building a relationship with your students?

How Teachers Feel After the First Day of School

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Today was my 15th first day of teaching.  I think it’s a little like childbirth.  We have to forget how much work it really is or we may not come back to do it again.  So, how do teachers feel after the first day of school?  If you’re a teacher, you can probably relate to many of these.

1. “Did I accidentally swallow a piece of sandpaper, because my throat is killing me?” 

2. “I think I would rather walk barefoot into a public restroom than put my heels back on!”

3.  “Do you think I can get away with wearing slippers to school tomorrow?”

4. “5:00 is a reasonable bedtime tonight, right?”

5. “Does coffee come as an IV drip?”

6. “I need bigger paper.  My to-do list is too long.”

7. “Sure was nice over the summer when I could go to the bathroom whenever I needed to.”

8.  “My heart is so full!”

What are you thinking after your first day?

Welcome Back Letters – With a Twist

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Do you send Welcome Back to School letters to your students before school starts?    I LOVE taking this opportunity to welcome my students to my classroom!  As a parent, I also love it.  My two girls anxiously await their letters each year.

Last year I added something special, and gave it a technology twist.  I have had amazing feedback from teachers everywhere wanting to do this for the coming school year, so I wanted to share it with you again.

Welcome Back to School Letters by Fun in First
Have you heard of QR codes?  I’m sure you have seen them around because they are on almost everything now.  I decided to add a QR code to my Welcome Back letter.  The QR code is linked to a recording of me reading the letter to my new students.
Go ahead…try it out.  If you do not have a QR reader on your phone, you can download a free one in your app store.
So, want to make one for yourself?
Such a creative way to welcome students into your classroom for the following school year.
1. Download the app Cloud QR.  I believe that I paid $4.99 for the app, but it was worth it to me.  I will also be using this for other things in my classroom.
2.  Record your audio.  Click SAVE.
3.  It will automatically bring up your QR code.  Then, you can save the QR code directly to your phone.
4.  Send the picture to your computer and insert the QR code directly into your letter.  DONE!
If you would like to download the template from my letter, click HERE.  I have placed text boxes on the pages for you to type into, but you can delete the text boxes, move them around, or add new ones.  In this download, I have included Pre-K through 5th grade.  I also included a plain one to help my Aussie friends.
I love that this gives my students an opportunity to learn a little more about me as well as hear my voice.  It’s all about establishing those relationships with your students right from the start.
Want more teaching tips?  Make sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
*THE FOLLOWING IS FROM A PREVIOUS POST WHEN AUDIOBOOM WAS A FREE OPTION.  THEY NOW CHARGE FOR THEIR SERVICES.
1.  Download the AudioBoom app, and create an account.
2. Record yourself.
3.  Go to www.audioboom.com and login to your account.  You will find your recording.  Click on the “QR Code” tab.
4.  Download the QR code and save it to your computer.
5.  Insert the QR code into your letter.  Done!
 If you would like to download the template from my letter, click HERE.  I have placed text boxes on the pages for you to type into, but you can delete the text boxes, move them around, or add new ones.  In this download, I have included Pre-K through 5th grade.  I also included a plain one to help my Aussie friends.
I love that this gives my students an opportunity to learn a little more about me as well as hear my voice.  It’s all about establishing those relationships with your students right from the start.
Want more teaching tips?  Make sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome Back to School Letters by Fun in First

 

Back to School – Getting Things Done

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The countdown is on.  We only have two more weeks until school starts.  I went into my classroom on Tuesday for the first time this summer, and I swear I was just there.  I’m not real sure where this summer has gone!  I have to admit that I was a little slow to get motivated, but I have gotten a couple things accomplished.  I wanted to share some of my latest projects with you.

I finished the bulletin board outside of my classroom.  I used my Cricut to cut the letters from Astrobrights cardstock.
I added some tissue paper balls from Hobby Lobby for dimension. 
I also made this name banner for my desk. 
Staples donated some desks to our school last year.  My old desk had my name in vinyl across the front, but this one didn’t.  Many of my students were constantly trying to remember how to spell my name.  I knew that I needed to find a fun way to add it to this new desk.
I absolutely love how it turned out.  I just printed directly onto Astrobrights cardstock, and then cut a triangle out of the bottom of each page.  Then, I punched holes in the top and threaded my ribbon. 
I feel like I’ve made a huge dent in my classroom to get ready for school.  I printed off all of my first week of school items from my First Week of First Grade Packet.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-First-Week-of-First-Grade-Back-to-School-2619044
It is so nice to have everything I need ready to go for the first week of school.
When do you go back?