Monday Made It - Multiplication Jenga and Freebies!

 

I am linking up with Monday Made It With 4th Grade Frolics.  And I know it isn't Monday anymore - but I have been extremely busy setting up my classroom, completing new hire paperwork with my new district, and shuttling boys to football practice.  Hopefully you forgive me!

Before all the craziness, I was able to complete this Multiplication Jenga project that was on my to-do list.  I was really happy that I knocked this project out because when I looked through the district's pacing guide, I found out that this year they are starting with multiplication instead of place value which they traditionally had.   I like this idea better because then the students have the whole year to master their facts instead of a few months.

You can click the links above to get the template.  I just used these blocks that I bought at Wal-Mart for about $5. 

Here are a few other multiplication freebies for you!

Multiplication Mistakes

Understanding Multiplication Using Arrays

I have over 100 followers!  That means a giveaway starting Friday!  If you would like to donate an item for the giveaway please email me at kellys3ps@sbcglobal.net.  Thank you!

Tell me more, tell me more!!! {A Linky Party}

OK - even though I constantly tell my teenage boys that they shouldn't do something just because "everyone" is doing it (sounding more and more like my own mom everyday), I am joining in on the tell me more, tell me more bandwagon because- well, everyone else is doing it!    :)

1. I have six boys - which leaves to inevitable questions which I will answer below:
                Yes boys, yes 6, and yes we know what causes that and we had fun doing it ;)

2.  I am on the city council where I live. I was the youngest person ever elected and the first woman ever elected.  Another woman was just elected and I am excited to not be alone anymore.

3. I am a sports mom - I get dragged to tons of baseball and football games.  Saturdays = game days or skiing .

4. Hubs and I got married when we were children (not quite, but it has been a long time).  Look at the proof:

We got married in Lake Tahoe which is where I was lucky enough to have grown up.



5.I direct children's theater.   So far we have done: Annie, Aladdin Jr., High School Musical, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King.  Here are a few pics from the shows.

Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about me  - I know I have been enjoying reading everyone's entries in this linky!

My New Classroom - The Before Shot

I got to go into my new classroom on Friday.  This is what it looked like when I came in.  If I had been smart, (and didn't have three of my boys in tow) I might have taken pictures of all angles, but I didn't.  It is much bigger than my old classroom, and I actually have 4 walls instead of a slider thing. 

When I first arrived all of the tables (all tables, no desks in this room) were up against the wall.  I managed to move the tables out and got the computers hooked up before my boys decided that they had enough fun in the classroom.

I love the idea of the tables (no missing work shoved in desks), but I'm not 100% sure how to set them up.  Right now I have three groups of two rectangle tables put together.  I'm not sure if I will keep it that way or not.... Decisions, decisions.

I would love any input or suggestions on the table situation (storage ideas for supplies as well - :) please and thank you!).

Also, since this is the first time that I will have my boys in my classroom before and after school, I would also love any suggestions for keeping them busy while I work.

Thank you! Another Blog Award

Many thanks to Dee at Mrs. B's Nook for this lovely blog award!
Also, thank you to Mrs. Goodwin at ilive2learn ilove2grow! 
Also thanks go out to Cindy from Kindergarten Love.

For receiving this award I have to....

1.  Follow the person who gave me the award.  Check!

2.  Link back to the person that gave me the award.  Check!

3.  Pass to 15 new bloggers and let them know they have received the award. Working on it :)

It is always hard to find bloggers who haven't received awards yet, so I will look for some and will add to this as I can!

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My Top 5 Teacher Must Haves - Linky Party

I'm linking up with Kelley, from Teacher Idea Factory and Rachelle, from Life is Sweet...In Kindergarten. They are both having linky parties, where everyone can showcase some of the resources we have that we simply cannot do without.


Here are my current Top 5 School Resources
 I Can't Live Without...

My Staples Desk Apprentice - my hubby bought me for Valentine's Day because he knows that I am an office supply addict!  You can fit so much into this baby!

I love my Mr. Sketch markers. Here's why: They are great for making anchor charts and even the most reluctant of students is willing to add a comment or an answer when you bribe them with the smelly markers.  Even my 7th graders would jump at the chance to solve a problem if I let them use these markers!


These bulldog clips are an absolute must for keeping current anchor charts on the board!  I think I have a zillion of these because I was always losing them around my classroom.  A few of my students bought me some for Christmas because they could feel my pain :) Love these!

My Scotch laminator and I have become best friends this summer as I am laminating mad with all of the decorations and games I am making from my blog stalking and Pinterest addictions.  My only peeve - my Wal-Mart in town has been sold out of the sleeves for the past two weeks and I am seriously worried that I might run out before my laminating spree is over :(  And even though I have promised hubby that I am done with most of my back to school shopping, I may have to sneak a few boxes in tomorrow when we go into town.

My pencil sharpener!  I think I've mentioned before that I HATE the sound of the pencil sharpener - so this was a life saver!  It is so quiet I think I might let them sharpen all day long (well, not really).  I was given a free one to review - (GIVEAWAY coming up - hint, hint) and I LOVE it!  I am thinking about buying a few for my teacher friends for Christmas (shhh!) - so worth it though!

What products and resources can you not live without? 

Come and link up, too!  I can't wait to see your ideas!

Popcorn Sight Word Game - FREEBIE

Luke has been getting anxious watching me make preparations for the upcoming year.  He is much more excited about the things I am making for third grade (now that he is in first) than he ever was when I was making 7th grade math things.  Pre-algebra doesn't have the same cuteness factor I suppose. LOL!

Not wanting to leave him out, I printed out these popcorn sight words on yellow card stock and made a fun game to practice his sight words.

We cut them up and put them in a sand bucket because we couldn't find the popcorn container that I had bought last year at Target (it is probably in someone's toy box).  You put the cards in and then take turns pulling them out and reading the word - BUT... if you pull out the POP you have to put all of your cards back in the bucket.  We set a timer on my iphone to determine the winner.  He loved it!

I had forgotten that I had made this game awhile ago hoping to play it with him, but I was glad I found it because now my wheels are spinning with ways that I could change it up for third graders. 

* Multiplication
*Addition/Subtraction Review

Any other thoughts or ideas?

Kiss First Day Jitters...Goodbye Linky Party!!!

I am joining Mrs. Saunder's Lovelies with her Kiss First Day Jitters Goodbye Linky Party.  The purpose of the linky is to alleviate those first day jitters with a checklist of all of those procedures you want to remember to teach your new students.  It is always a challenge to leave your well trained students from the year before to meet a whole new set who don't know what your expectations are.


Here are a few of the things I need to remember to teach:


1. The class rules - I will be using the 5 from Whole Brain Teaching (Google it - AMAZING)
        1. Follow directions quickly
        2. Raise your hand for permission to speak.
        3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat.
        4. Make smart choices!
        5. Make your dear teacher happy!


2. Pencil rules - I HATE the sound of the pencil sharpener, so I keep tons on hand for them to exchange.


3. Lining up and hallway expectations.  I am a stickler for not disturbing other classes.


4. Lunchroom behavior - when I student taught in elementary we ate with the students for the first week to model expected behaviors. If my new school allows this I will do it again.


5. Daily 5 procedures.


6. Beginning of the day procedures - I like to have the students work on something when they come in to make that transition to this is class time.


7. Morning Meeting Procedures - I plan on incorporating this in this year, so I will need to teach the expectations for greeting, sharing, morning message, and group activity.


What are your beginning of the year procedures?  Link up!