Monday, August 23, 2021

Teacher Giveaway! Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway August 23, 2021

                          Teacher Giveaway

Every week we give one lucky teacher a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!  Enter our weekly  giveaway for teachers for your chance to win!

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.   Sign up HERE to be alerted about all of our future giveaways!


Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway


                     GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Teachers pay Teachers $25 Gift Card Giveaway

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card 


Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/23/21 and is open worldwide.  


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 


Enter this month's teacher giveaway rafflecopter below! 





Saturday, August 21, 2021

The Best Ideas for 5-Minute Reading Responses

I love being able to conference with my students during their independent reading time, but, as you know limited time makes it impossible to meet with each student every day.  Here are a few ideas ways for your students to respond to their reading that will allow you to peek into their thinking and comprehension when time is short.

Ideas for Reading Responses

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.



Reading Status Updates

Many students are either on social media, or know all about social media and status updates. Put that to good use with a reading status update.  I like to have my students post on their Class Dojo, but you could use SeeSaw, Google Classroom, or even have them go old school with paper and pencil versions posted on the board.

Name Jar Reading Responses




Have students give a quick 2-3 sentence update on what they read that day.  You might want to give them prompts to get them started such as:

  • What are you thinking about our wondering about your book right now?
  • What predictions can you make?
  • How has your character changed?
  • How does the setting effect your story?

3-2-1

This activity has students give responses using the 3-2-1 format.  Have them list:

For Fiction:
  • 3 things that happened in the story.
  • 2 new words they learned or 2 quotes they found interesting.
  • 1 thing they are wondering about.

For Non Fiction:

  • 3 words that were new or interesting to me.
  • 2 facts I learned.
  • 1 thing I am curious about or want to learn more about.

Somebody Wanted, But, So, Then

This strategy is a great way to help your students summarize what they read.

The somebody answers - Who is the main character?  

The wanted answers - What does the main character want?

The but answers - What is the problem?

The so answers - How did the main character solve the problem?

The then answers - What was the resolution, or how did the story end?



Dear Diary,

Have students imagine that they are one of the characters in the story they are reading.  Then, have them choose an event in the story that involves that character.  Have them write a diary or journal entry about the event from their point of view. Remind them to write in first person and include their emotions, actions, and opinions about what happened.

Dear Diary Reading Response Sample





This Reminds Me Of...

Have students make connections to what they are reading.  Give them the following prompts:

When I read this part: (students will write a part from the text).

I was reminded of: (students will make a connection to their own experiences or another book they have read).


Quote Collector

Have students keep track of quotes they find as they read.  You might offer prompts such as:

  • Quotes that tell opinions or feelings
  • Quotes that give facts or information
  • Quotes that make me wonder about things

Post-It Note Responses

Have students keep a stack of post-it notes close by as they read.  When they have a question, or find an interesting part, they should respond on the post-it.  When you conference with them, you can have them share their post-it notes with you.

Post-It Note Reading Responses



Read and Respond Menus

Giving students a choice in their reading response is a great way to add motivation, and helps when they are all at different spots in their books (some are just starting a new book while others are smack in the middle), or if they are reading different genres.

Reading Response Prompts Set



That's why I created Read and Respond forms for my students. Each set contains 5 different forms (3 fiction and 2 non fiction) that can be completed with any book.  Each form has 8 - 13 different prompts for your students to choose from.

Reading Response Questions 4th Grade version 1



You could use one format each month, rotate each week, or pick and choose based on your instructional focus and student needs.

I have also included editable versions so that you can change questions as needed.

I currently have these available for:  










   What is your favorite way to have your students respond to their reading?                









 






Monday, August 16, 2021

How To Ease Math Facts Timed Test Anxiety

If you have been a reader of my blog for any length of time, then you know that I use timed math facts tests in my classroom using my Kicking it Math Fluency program

I often receive questions from teachers using the program asking about the timing aspect.  They either ask, 

"How many problems should a student complete in one minute?" 

or 

"How do I help students who have anxiety about timed tests?

The answer to the first question is: It depends on the student, but most students can answer 60 math facts problems in under 3 minutes.

This blog post answers the second question, with a story about how I handled it in my classroom, and several tips for how to ease math facts timed test anxiety.

Kicking It Multiplication Fact Fluency Program

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  


Every year since I have started using the program (almost 10 years now), my students have LOVED it and get mad at me if I ever forget to do it.  And, not only do they love doing it, but they actually know all of their math facts which helps so much when we start doing more math concepts such as reducing fractions or finding equivalent fractions.

Well, a few years ago at Meet the Teacher night almost EVERY single parent came up to me and introduced their child with the line,

 "He/she has great anxiety about taking timed math facts tests, you don't use them do you?"

I almost wondered if a hidden camera was in the classroom as some sort of joke.  

But, there wasn't a hidden camera, so I knew the parents' concerns were valid and I needed to be responsive to my students' needs.  

I came up with a plan to reduce their anxiety. 

Kicking It Math Facts Fluency Tests



I passed out the Kicking It Math Fact folders like I usually do, and explained how to put the sheet protector in the folder so they they could be re-used.  Then I passed out level A of addition.  Even though I usually start with the multiplication version with my 4th graders, I thought that starting a step down would be less stressful and anxiety provoking.




Then I told my students to hold their fingers up in the air.  I told them they were just going to "write the answers" on their forms using their fingers.

One of the students protested, "But, then you won't be able to see if we got them right?"

"This is for you to practice your math facts, so I don't need to know if you are right or wrong, I just want you to practice."

Another student raised their hand, "How much time do we have?"

"As much time as you need. When you finish, bring your folders up to me."

The students began taking the test with their fingers as writing tools. One by one they finished up and turned them into me.  The whole process took about 3 minutes.

The next day, one of the students asked, "Can we write our answers today?"

My response, "Anyone who wants to write their answers using a dry erase marker can."

Every student in the classroom pulled out a marker.  They again, completed the forms and turned them in.  Again, the process took about 3 minutes.  Since they had written their answers, I graded them and replaced them with Set B.  They had all passed.

When I passed out the sets the next day, they were so excited to see they had moved on a level.  

"Are you going to time us today?" One of them asked.

"I will set a timer for anyone who wants to use it.  If you finish after the timer, don't worry, just finish your set like yesterday and turn it in."

I set the timer for 3 minutes since that was about how long it took the past two days for every student to finish. Again, the whole class finished in time, and again, the whole class passed.

Kicking It Math Facts Award Belts



From that day forward, we continued using Kicking It Math as I always have, and they were just as excited about earning their belts as my past students had been.

Tips for Tackling Timed Tests and Math Anxiety



Here are some more tips for helping your students to overcome timed test anxiety.

Tips for Tackling Timed Tests and Math Anxiety


1. Don't Use a Timer.

You don't need to use a timer to use math facts fluency tests.  The process shouldn't take more than 5 minutes as long as you are using 60 questions or less.  If students are taking longer, you may need to help with practicing the facts, or making sure they are actually on task.

2. Reduce the Amount of Facts.

If your students are not successful with the amount of facts you are asking, reduce the number of facts you are asking them to solve.  You can do this by drawing a line halfway through a standard timed test.

My Kicking It Math Facts resource includes a version with less questions asked that doesn't look much different from the standard ones.

3. Use Math Games to Practice.

I love using math games to help my students practice their math facts.  The games sometimes have a timed element, but the focus is on playing the game, so they don't have as much anxiety attached to it.

Here are some games you can use to practice math facts:











4. Practice the test verbally first.

Kicking It Math Facts Rings



I have my students practice their math facts verbally right before we take the math facts test.  I have practice belts and flashcards included in the Kicking It Math resource, but you could also just have students verbally answer whichever timed test you are using. This will give them additional time to practice and gain confidence before they take the test.

5. Provide Extra Practice

I keep track of my students' progress and try to keep them all at a similar pace.  If I notice that there is too big of a gap between my highest and lowest student (more than 3-5 levels), I provide extra practice to my lowest students to help them catch up.  This might include extra math fact practice in small groups or even additional opportunities to take the tests.

Kicking It Math Fact Tracking



6. Don't Use Them As a Grade

I want my students to know their math facts fluently, so that they can save their working memory for learning the more challenging concepts in math.  I don't need to take a grade to do this.  I use math fact fluency tests as a way to help them practice and strengthen their memory muscles.

Since they are not graded, the pressure is reduced.

7. Help Students Develop a Positive Mindset About Math

My own math anxiety didn't come from timed tests (I'm one of those weird kids who loved them), but instead as a reaction to a particular math teacher.

I had an Algebra teacher who would tell me that I needed to practice my waitressing skills or that I wouldn't even get into a community college whenever I got a problem wrong. It was this constant berating when I made a mistake that made me hate math.

Years later, I had a Calculus teacher who saw mistakes as part of learning, and explained how mistakes grew dendrites in our brains.  He built off what we could do rather than what we couldn't.

We as teachers really can effect whether our students have math anxiety.  To reduce math anxiety, help your students build a positive attitude about math.  

By helping your students to overcome their math anxiety and fear of timed tests, you are not only helping them with their math, but you are changing their perception of themselves as learners!

What other things do you do to help your students overcome math anxiety?






Teacher Giveaway! Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway August 16, 2021

                         Teacher Giveaway

Every week we give one lucky teacher a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!  Enter our weekly  giveaway for teachers for your chance to win!

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.   Sign up HERE to be alerted about all of our future giveaways!

Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway


                     GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

$25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card 


Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/23/21 and is open worldwide.  


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 


Enter this month's teacher giveaway rafflecopter below! 





Friday, August 13, 2021

School Supply Color By Number Worksheets

One of my students' favorite activities year after year has been color by number worksheets! I wanted to make a set that could work for not only back to school, but pretty much year round, so that I could use them whenever I needed (hello sub tub!).  These school supply math facts color by number worksheets fit the bill!

I love that they want to practice their addition and multiplication facts while coloring these school supply themed worksheets!

School Supply Color By Number Worksheets



This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love. 


I currently have addition and multiplication versions of these resources.  If you have a request for additional skills, leave a comment below!


Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed


Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed


Each math facts set comes with (8) school supply themed color by number pages and answer keys.

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed calculator and ruler black and white

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed calculator and ruler colored in

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed pencils colored in

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed scissors black and white

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed scissors colored

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed paint black and white

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed paint set colored in


Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed globe black and white

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed Globe colored in

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed notebooks black and white

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed notebooks colored in

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed crayons black and white



Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed crayons colored in

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed backpack black and white

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed backpack colored in

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed Set of three

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed Backpack photo

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed calculator and ruler photo

Color by Number Addition Facts School Supply Themed Pencils photo

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed notebooks photo

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed crayons photo

Color by Number Multiplication Facts School Supply Themed Globe photo





And... I would be absolutely remiss if I did not share my favorite crayons ever! They color so vibrantly and no more broken crayons!


Pull out the crayons or markers and let your students have fun while learning their math facts with these school supply themed math fact printables!

































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