Monday Made Its--Math!

It's Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics...

Money Bags!

A couple of weeks ago I had an idea for an independent, differentiated money activity.  My idea was to put a bunch of coins in a money bag (selecting coins according to students' needs) and create a group of tasks that could be completed with any bag of money.  I decide to make cloth money bags and began to search for some fabric with dollar signs... While looking online, I stumbled across a Bank Robber Money Bag tutorial.  Well, it was a little more than I had planned on doing, but they were so darn cute that I had to make some (with black and bright colors, of course). I also adapted the size of the bag for my needs.  Here is how they turned out!

I had the tasks floating around in my head and finally got them put together. You can get these task sheets in my TpT store by clicking the cover below!

Be as creative or as simple as you want with your money bags...

Problem Solving Discussion Fans

I created some problem solving discussion fans to help guide my students' discussions with one another during independent work time.  Rich math discussions are an important way students learn, and these discussion do not always need to take place in a whole/small group, teacher directed setting.  Students can pair up and use discussion fans during guided math rotations, center/workstation time, at the end of a day's lesson, etc.  I am always amazed by my students' thoughtful discussion!  Teachers can also keep a fan handy during whole or small group time.

Get ahold of a copy of my Problem Solving Discussion Fan in my TpT store--includes suggestions for use and directions for assembly.

"READ" Back to School Bunting

I created a "READ" bunting with my new chalkboard bunting backgrounds...

Font by KG Fonts

Check out more Monday Made Its at 4th Grade Frolics!

Favorite Pins Friday & Final Day of Follower FREEBIE!

Sharing some favorite pins on Friday...

Back to School Photo Booth

What a wonderful idea! Just pinned this one today from Stephanie at Principal Principles. You must read her post...

Suncatchers & Stained Glass

Recently found this wonderful site with oodles of eye-catching ideas.  Many of these are art projects that would be great for the second grade classroom.  Check them out at The Artful Parent...

25 Clever Classroom Tips

Just found this one the other day, too! 25 Clever Classroom Tips--some I had seen before, but some are new to me...

Student Supply Caddie

Courntey pinned this one recently! These caddies turned out fabulous--love the black with bright colors... Check out Anna's caddies at Life...as I Know It...

Composition Books--Halved

We have been discussing cutting composition books in half and were ready to check into having them halved at a local print shop.  Then Courtney found this post at The Schroeder Page!  

Last Day!: Free Bunting for Followers

To all our faithful followers, and new ones, we would like you to enjoy a FREE chalkboard-style "Welcome Back" bunting download! This bunting can be customized with your favorite ribbon.  I simply printed, trimmed, punched, and strung with ribbon (3/8").  If using mini clothespins (7/8"), the bunting will need to be hung on a wall (not free hanging) due to the top weight. Just fill in the form below to receive your free bunting download--ends at the end of the day today.

I am giving this one to our wonderfully fabulous school secretary!

Here's Courntey's that will complement her bee-themed classroom! :0)

FORM CLOSED

My Class is Diggin It! {New Linky} & Throwback Thursday

Just came upon a wonderful linky at Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge--My Class is Diggin It! Figured I would share some of the goodies my second graders really dig. Thank you to Christina for the opportunity to link up!

Dig It #1: Mercy Watson

 

Mercy Watson! The porcine wonder! My kids love this series of chapter books written by Kate DiCamillo (the author of one of my personal favorites--Because of Winn-Dixie).  I start the year by reading the first book in the series, and that same day they have been snatched up and have found new homes in book boxes.  They are rarely on the shelf throughout the school year--think some of them just like to keep one in their box for memories sake. :0) I purchased the series at Barnes & Noble--watched for a sale and used my educators discount. 

AND the kids LOVE the Mercy Watson website! They often choose this author website to go to when they get free lab time--love the games!  DiCamillo's writing and Chris Van Dusen's illustrations make these some hot diggities!

Dig It #2: Mr. Sketch Markers

Mr. Sketch markers are "all that" in our classroom! The kids love to use these for word work, spelling practice, just about anything they can justify using them for... :0)  The kids are very protective of these sets of markers.  The kids insist on keeping them in the boxes they came in, and if a marker is "missing" it is found on the double. Stumbled upon these buy one get one at Office Max--used my Max Perks and a coupon too.  

Dig It #3: Video Chair Bean Bags

The kids love these! I found ours a few years ago online at beanbags.com. They are reasonably priced (I think), and they can be refilled with the "beans" sold at Walmart and K-Mart. It's common to see four kids sharing--one on the seat, two propping their heads on the sides, and one leaning on the back.  Shipping is FREE!

Don't forget to stop over at Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge to read about more Dig Its! We'll be adding some more in a future post... :0)
 

On to Throwback Thursday at First Grade Parade...

Throwing back to this post simply because it included a great FREEBIE that you may find useful as you prep for the coming school year...

*****Originally Posted August 26, 2012*****

The Ten Frame: Math Tool #2 to Support the Common Core -- FREEBIE!

As you know, the ten frame is a tool for helping students visualize numbers, understand place value, and build strength in mental computation.  I recently posted a product on Teachers Pay Teachers that included a bunch of math tool printables and directions for teachers so they could save money in comparison to some products on the market today.  Well, I decided to break up this product and list each section for FREE!  After all, the easiest way to save money is by not spending any at all!  

Hop over to my TpT store and download Ten Frames Freebie: Ten Frame Math Tools for Teachers.  I will be listing another section of this math tools product for FREE next Sunday, so stop back and see us!

NEW! Just Bee Collection

Just finished my newest graphics set--the Just Bee Collection. I made these for Courtney to complement her bee themed classroom! Buzz on over to my Graphics by Sarah Beth TpT store to check out this new collection and others...

Reminder: Bunting Freebie for Followers!

To all our faithful followers, and new ones, we would like you to enjoy a FREE chalkboard-style "Welcome Back" bunting download! This bunting can be customized with your favorite ribbon.  I simply printed, trimmed, punched, and strung with ribbon (3/8").  If using mini clothespins (7/8"), the bunting will need to be hung on a wall (not free hanging) due to the top weight. Just fill in the form below to receive your free bunting download--ends at the end of the day on Friday.

I am giving this one to our wonderfully fabulous school secretary!

FORM CLOSED

Rocking Chair Makeover, Easy-Peasy Bunting, New Background, & FREEBIES!

It's Monday and time to link up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It!

Rocking Chair Makeover!

Well, I have had this makeover on my mind all summer, and I just got around to executing it.  Every year (until it looses its luster), our classroom theme is/will be Moving Right Along TOGETHER! (with the Muppets).  If you are a Muppet fan, and even if you aren't, I am sure you have heard of the song Rainbow Connection.  I decided to overhaul my 20+ year old rocking chair--that my Uncle Harry took out of the neighbor's treasures at the curb and gave to me my first year of teaching--with rainbow colors. 

First, I knocked down the finish with my dual action sander and taped off the spindles.

I chose black as the base color--my favorite color!

Then I created a rainbow of spindles and whipped up a pillow cover to match! Viola! I think the kids will love it! Maybe now the rocking chair won't be the last reading spot chosen...

Easy-Peasy Bunting

Went to Hobby Lobby to pick up a couple of must-haves and came home with quite a few other things... I know you know how that goes!  Anyway, I had not jumped on the bunting bandwagon until yesterday.  I was browsing through the aisles at Hobby Lobby when I came upon a ready to decorate bunting/banner made by Paper Studio.

Here's why I made the buy:

• each pennant is approximately 8" x 12" inches (approx. 108" long)--nice & large
• the pennants are made with heavy black card stock--this will prevent curling of the pennants and light shining through (also available in white card stock)
• the pennants are connected with black, sewn-on ribbon--no need to mess with punching and spacing along ribbon or rope
• 12" x 12" scrapbook paper would work perfect for decorating
• the decorative paper can be removed and the bunting can be re-used/redecorated (which I plan to do for the season/holidays)
• the words "Welcome Back" will fit perfectly (12 pennants)--black cutout letters

First, I chose rainbow colored scrapbook paper and traced onto 12 colors/patterns and cut.

Next, I simply attached the scrapbook paper with a little bit of permanent scrapbook adhesive.

WOW, that was easy!

I will be adding the black "Welcome Back" letters and some colored ribbon ties between each pennant.  Did I mention that the bunting was only $4.99 (minus the 40% off weekly coupon)!!

Can't wait to finish and hang in the classroom!

New Backgrounds & FREEBIES!

Working with the ready-made bunting was inspiration to create these Chalkboard Dotted Line Bunting Backgrounds. If you follow our blog, fill out the form below to receive a FREE "Welcome Back" Banner download!

AND here is my latest freebie--Dots N' Squares Circle Chalkboard Backgrounds! Enjoy!

FOLLOWERS FREEBIE!

To all our faithful followers, and new ones, we would like you to enjoy a FREE chalkboard-style "Welcome Back" bunting download! This bunting can be customized with your favorite ribbon.  I simply printed, trimmed, punched, and strung with ribbon (3/8").  If using mini clothespins (7/8"), the bunting will need to be hung on a wall (not free hanging) due to the top weight. Just fill in the form below to receive your free bunting download--ends at the end of the day on Friday.

I am giving this one to our wonderfully fabulous school secretary!

FORM CLOSED

FINALLY, thank you to all that entered our Place Value Cubes Giveaway! The winners were Erin R. and Aimie.  Congrats ladies!

Thanks for flying over! Stop over at 4th Grade Frolics for more Monday Made Its...

Have a splendid, fun-filled week!