Doubles and Doubles Plus 1

Today we did a quick lesson/review of our Doubles and Doubles Plus One or as we call them Near Doubles.  We have practiced and practiced our Doubles Facts all year.  My little kiddos seem to have finally had their light bulb moment with Near Doubles.  Hallelujah!  Today we used a half sheet of newsprint folded hotdog, hamburger, hamburger style. Eight total squares.  I modeled the first two then gave them their doubles facts and off they went.  Even my "little strugglers" were off and running and did a fabulous job.    It was such an easy lesson but a great formative assessment for me. 

My modeling of Doubles and Near Doubles

Finished product


After walking around the room and checking everyone's paper I told them to give themselves a star.  This little guy got so excited he said "Look, I gave myself a bunch of stars".  Woo Hoo!

Laminating Sheets--Great Buy!

I love finding great deals and more importantly sharing those deals with you. 

Like everyone else out there I laminate all of my centers on my own little laminator.  I bought my laminator at Staples when they were having a great sale.  But the laminating sheets however, are another story.  They can be so expensive in the smaller packs. 

I have been using these sheets from Sams Club and I LOVE them.  3 Mil, 200 sheets per box and only 20.85 a box.   I've went through 2 boxes this year. 

OH MY.  But my little kiddos have loved all of their centers and I love the durability of the 3 Mil laminating.  The school laminating is so much thinner and our machine has gotten so old it bubbles and peels.  If you are a Sams Club member or have a friend who can take you...look for these.  Happy shopping!

Sam's Club Laminating Sheets

President's Day Unit

I have finally posted my President's Day Unit.  You can find it here on TPT or here on Teacher's Notebook.  Only $4.00.

It includes the following:

 1.President's Day Doubles and Near Doubles Sort
(reinforces the transition between vertical
and horizontal number sentences)
2.Stars and Stripes Less Than and Greater Than
3.Lincoln's Least to Greatest
4.Making History Ten Frame Partner Game

5.Games of Past and Present Social Studies Sort
(includes venn diagrams for a boy or a girl)
6.Inferences about George Washington
Inferences about Abraham Lincoln
7.George Washington Hard G - Soft G Sort
8.Abraham Lincoln Facts and Opinions

Each activity has a recording sheet. 

I was so proud of myself after printing, laminating, and cutting out the entire unit ready for President's Day.  Then I realized I haven't prepared anything for Valentine's Day. The life of a teacher.  Always busy. Never a dull moment. 

Never enough time in the day.  

 I've already let me little kiddos play the ten frame game.  One of my little boys went to D.C. over Christmas break and came back with a George Washington hat.  When he saw the game on teacher table he asked if he could play.  He thought he was all that and a bag of chips playing a George Washington game and wearing his hat.   So cute.

Have a great week.

Tammy

100 Days

Well we finally made it to the 100 Day mark.  I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by.  Several of my centers this week were 100 day projects.  The kiddos made a dalmation using 10 sets of 10 to make 100 dots.  They loved this activity.  Usually the glue creates a sticky mess but they did a great job this time.  I have a parent take home a hole punch and black construction paper to prepare for this one.

100 Day Dalmation.

Then we rolled a die 100 times.  I've done this activity many times and often get "I'm done" after they have played for 5 minutes.   Since ya'll know what a long attention span little firsties have...we take breaks and come back to this through out the day. I actually did it in the afternoon and had it waiting for them the next morning. 

Then we made GORP.  Granola, Oats, Raisins and Peanuts...or if you're from the south...Good Ol Raisins and Peanuts.  I borrowed the big bowl from a kindergarten teacher.  This thing is gigantic ya'll.  We borrow it from her all the time.  The kiddos know exactly where to go when you say "Go get Mrs. B's big pink bowl. 

Our goodies didn't include the peanuts but we did have; goldfish, fruitloops, cheerios, M&M's, popcorn, raisins, and pretzels.

Then they sorted by tens.  Some made neat little piles.   Some rows of 10.  And some just made a messy mish mosh of piles, but understood the concept so all was good in the world. 

 Then the best part we ate our snack.  Everytime you feed them it never fails you always hear "You're the best teacher ever".  Love little firsties. 

New Addition to the Happy New Year Unit

I have added four pages to my Happy New Year Unit on TPT.  If you purchased this unit please head on over to TPT to download the additions for free.  Just log into your account and there will be a blinking button showing the new download.  If you have any questions, concerns or difficulties downloading the additions please feel free to contact me. 

Have a great weekend.

Tammy

Love to Joplin Linky Party

As I sat tonight taking a deep breath from a full moon week and Friday the 13th, I came across Ms. Will's Kindergarten Linky Party.   It was so ironic because I was also watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition rebuilding in Joplin Missouri. 


Teachers in the blogging community are coming together to send units to teachers in Joplin.  You can link up here:

Love to Joplin Linky Party

Or you can send units directly to : edoennig@joplin.k12.mo.us

Erica, you, all of your teachers and your community are in my thoughts and prayers. 

Blessings,

Tammy 

A Happy New Year Sale, plus a freebie!

Can you believe 2011 is just about gone.   That means almost half a school year has flown by and there is still so much to teach my little kiddos.  To help you when you return  to the hustle and bustle I have included a little freebie below. It is a sequencing activity for Squirrel's New Year's Resolution.  A sweet little book from Scholastic's December SeeSaw book club.  Just click on the picture below.

Free Squirrel's New Year's Resolution Activity

I am also running a sale on my Happy New Year Unit.  You can find it on TPT or on Teachers Notebook.  Don't miss out, it only runs through midnight tonight.  

Thank you to everyone for visiting my blog.  This is such a fun adventure and I love sharing ideas with all of my teaching friends out there.   To my new followers THANK YOU.  It is so exciting to know you are interested in my latest updates and activities.  I will try to keep up and bring you more fun things to do in your classrooms. 

Have a happy, healthy and safe New Year.  See ya in 2012. 

Tammy