Valentine Activity + Freebies!

Hello friends! This time of year is busy am I right!? Really all parts of the school year are busy I feel... BUT this time of year we're more than halfway through and it feels like we need to get in so much more in so little time. I always feel that way, but I still like to add a little fun into this time of year too. So here's a QUICK and SIMPLE valentine for the kids to create & one that you can create for them!

"Thumb-body loves you!"  Get it!? Haha! A little cheesy I know, but so cute! I saw this somewhere, but I'm unsure of who came up with the original idea. If you know post it in the comments I always like to give the credit where it's due!
This short little activity ended up being so much fun for the kids last year! I just had the kids glue the white paper onto folded color construction paper. Then they came up to the table, put their thumb on an ink pad, and down on the paper. Back at their desks they decorated with markers and wrote a message on the inside. Simple, quick, and cute! Here's the link to the FREEBIE if you'd like to use it!

I gave these valentines out last year and they were perfect! Simple, easy to put together, and the kids needed a new highlighter by this time in the school year #wheredothesuppliesgo ? I updated mine from last year to create an even cuter version for you! I hope you can use it! Most of all I hope you enjoy this LOVEly time of year!
Happy Valentine's Day Friends!!
Know you're making a different each day in that classroom of yours!

Fractions on a Number Line

Hi there, Friends! It's Melissa from More Time 2 Teach and I'm popping in to share with you how I tackle fractions on a number line.

I’ll admit, that I was a bit nervous last week! Having taught third for many years, I know that fractions and number lines can be pretty tricky. I also understand how important it is that students master this concept. 

The students that struggle with this topic usually have a difficult time when we get to measurement... especially using a ruler to measure to the nearest half inch or quarter inch.

I like to begin teaching Fractions on a Number Line by making sure my kiddos understand 2 important concepts. The first, is that the distance between the numbers 0 and 1 is equal to a whole. (Students usually get this part ) The second, and trickier step, is that the lengths between the ticks, mark the fractional parts. Take a look below to see what I'm talking about.

To help my students make the connection between fractions and number lines I like to provide them with plenty of practice using fractions bars. I think that being able to touch, see, and move around parts of a whole makes fractions easier to understand. 

First I have my students show me how many fourths equal a whole. Then I introduce the number line by having them draw it underneath their fraction bars. We discuss how the 1 stands for 4/4 or 1 whole.

Next, we practice adding "tick marks" to our number line to mark the fractional parts. If our whole is made up of thirds then we label 1/3, 2/3, etc... I like to have my students count out loud so that it becomes automatic.

After we practice labeling a few number lines, I introduce the concept of "points" on the number line. We also discuss how each point  can be represented by a different letter.

Finally, when I start to see that my students are able to create their own number lines, label them correctly, and answer questions, I'll expose them to fractions greater than one.

Fractions can be tricky for our 3rd graders, but if you use manipulatives and provide students with plenty of practice and support, they'll be ready for measurement in no time!

6 Free & Easy Classroom Rewards & a FREEBIE for You!

Hello friends!  I'm excited to pop in from 3rd Grade Pad and share with you my FAVORITE classroom rewards and WHY I use them!

I have many teacher friends who use a Classroom Economy quite successfully.  Students earn tokens that can be redeemed for books, pencils, treats, etc.  Parents are super supportive with donations, and the kids love it! I'm a pretty organized person and COULD do this, but the bookkeeping portion is not something that I wanted to add to my plate.  Additionally, I seem to have students who just aren't dazzled by "stuff.

So, whether you need a system to support your Class Dojo, Homework, Facts Mastery or AR, here are SIX Free Rewards that your kids will LOVE!

It is so simple to set up a PREMIUM spot in your classroom!  With the addition of Flexible Seating in so many classrooms, having a premium spot is sure to be a winner!  A few years ago, my parents gave me an "old school" desk that I really love!

I used to put it outside my door as a place to store books during morning drop-off time & a place for me to place items for my helpers to grab-and-go. Now it is placed in a prime location near my teaching station!  My VIP can see the Promethian board well, can advance slides for me, if needed, and can get extra "face" time with me!  Be sure to check out Rachel Lamb's post on Bloghoppin' with a great collection of images to inspire you!  I keep a calendar in the desk, and my kids make reservations for the date they want.  Beyond tomorrow...I just can't keep up!

If your teammates are agreeable, let your kids have a chance to eat lunch with one (or two) buddies from any class!  Let's face it, some of your kids' friends aren't in the same class.  Offering this special treat is not only easy....but easy to schedule, too!

All you need is an extra table in your lunchroom!  Or.....an extra seat in your class's designated area.  Our only requirement is to check-in with the other teacher to ask permission for "Susie" to sit with them for the day.

Classrooms today seem to range from 1:1 to 1 per classroom!  Whatever level of access you have, kids love even having 10 minutes of access to their favorite activities--whether it is coding, math games, or an adventure.

Letting my kids choose these coupons are a BIG hit with my boys, especially!  I designate certain times of day that kids can opt to redeem their Tech Time coupons so that I'm not asked to use their privilege at a time that I don't approve.  Knowing that up front makes it super simple to have this access.

Each year, I have kids who are into some sort of figurine--From Webkins to Lego Figures to Minecraft characters to the Beanie Boos.  Kids love bringing their treasures to school to display on their desk.

Don't we do the same thing? Heck, yes!  It's the perfect treat for some kids!  Now they have their chance!  I've never had an issue with kids on their special day--only when they've tried to sneak it in!

Nuff said.  I'll admit that I keep a pair of slippers in my cabinet for those days when my shoes just weren't in the cards to last all day.

Kids love walking in class in socks for the day--whether it is a special pair for the day or the random pair they put on when then got dressed.  The freedom of no shoes feels great!

This one is not completely free, but it a one-time investment that keeps going!  I purchased these containers early in the year and stuffed them with special things I have on hand--a smelly marker, a smelly pencil, fresh crayons, markers (they aren't in their supply lists so this is special), colored pencils.

Getting this bag for the day is awesome!  I like to pull this one out later in the year when their OWN supplies are getting worn and not so special anymore.  WARNING: You  might want to make a few of these--it's a popular choice in my room!

How do I manage it?  I use good old COUPONS!  

1. I choose one day a week. Period.  Students go to my binder of coupons and make their choices.
2. I write their name in Sharpie on the back.  I worried about possible theft which prompted being a bit proactive in identifying the owner.  Once they use their coupon, I check off their name to be reused once more.  They really get a kick in seeing who had the ticket last!  It also saves me time!  
3. I make a few sheets each, laminate them, and I am done for they year.  

I use these to manage our School-wide Reading Goals Management.  If you'd like to see more, click over to my blog to see it in action!

I've created a FREE SAMPLE of my top 6 coupons in an Ink-friendly format that is ready-to-go for you!  Just choose your favorite colored paper and you are ready to print!  Start TOMORROW!

Click the image below to grab your download!

Hope these ideas will help support WHATEVER system you have in place!

Valentine's Day Party Ideas for the Elementary Classroom

Hi! It's Jamie from Not So Wimpy Teacher. I love planning classroom parties that are unique, engaging and fun for my students. I am not the kind of teacher that will plan a "traditional" party that students have already had many times before. I like to spice it up!

Each year, I throw a Valentine's Day Sock Hop in my classroom! It is the perfect way to celebrate our friendships, laugh and enjoy each tower's company. I got some inexpensive decorations from the party store and I use them every single year!

I encourage students to wear poodle skirts, leather jackets, etc. We play fun 50s music and dance together. We have hula hoop contents and enjoy root beer floats together. The kids talk about it for weeks to come!

I was doing some research (using the term lightly) on Pinterest and compiled a list of some other fun, but simple, Valentine's Day party ideas.

I love THIS idea of making structures with heart shaped marshmallows and toothpicks. This is a great STEM activity that can be done in collaborative work groups. Give groups the supplies and a time limit. Who can build the tallest structure. Be sure to have some extra marshmallows for eating afterwards!

Playing Musical Hearts (a rendition of musical chairs) would be so simple to prep! Add some fun music and the kids would have a blast. Check out THIS post to see how Musical Hearts can be adapted to include reading and fun movement!

This idea cracks me up! Instead of making gingerbread houses, make THESE love shacks! They are made with chocolate graham crackers. To make it easier in the classroom, use small milk cartons to form the shoe of the house. Then decorate with cute Valentine's Day candies!

Kids love doing Minute to Win It games! They are short, simple to prep and perfect for rotations. THESE ones are super cute and involve lots of Valentine's Day candies.

This free Left/Right story game is super simple and fun. Wrap a few candies or small gifts. I am such a teacher- so I would throw in some books! The students sit in a circle and as you read the story, they pass the gifts in the direction stated in the story. At the end of the story, the students with the gifts, get to keep them! This game could be played a couple times if you wanted to!

How will you be celebrating Valentine's Day in your classroom this year?

Breaking down 2 by 1 digit multiplication

Hey, Friends! 

It's Amber from Peppy Zesty Teacherista! 

I just finished teaching a fun hands on unit that I can't wait to share with y'all! 

2 digit by 1 digit seems simple enough with the algorithm method, but here is a simple way to ease that idea in their little brains that will also help them with the distributive property of multiplication. 

1. We began by refreshing our memory of basic array representation of 1 digit multiplication equation.

Ex: 4 x 3 = ?  

2. Next, I asked my students what would the array look like if I asked you to multiply 4 x 30.

I allowed the kids to explore with manipulatives. Many students tried drawing 4 rows with 30 ones cubes in each row. I related this to regrouping. When we have 10 ones, we regroup for a rod. Could the same be true for an array?! 

I showed my kids the example below and we had excellent math conversation! 

3. Once my students were comfortable multiplying a 1 digit number by a multiple of 10, we moved on.

Ask students: How can I easily split the factor 34 to a compatible number? 

We can break it up by expanding the number 34 = 30 + 4

Multiplying a 2 digit number by a 1 digit number can be represented using TWO arrays. 

My kids practiced and modeled this format until they started to see a pattern with the algorithm. 

Eventually, my kids understood that they could just write the equation instead of drawing the array. 

However, the array is a great accommodation for those friends that need extra work! 

Here is the anchor chart that I completed with them so they can reference throughout the year! 

I LOVE integrating technology in the math classroom! 

For extra practice, I had a guided math lesson using {Nearpod}! 

Not sure what Nearpod is?!

Click {HERE} for a wonderful tutorial! 

This Nearpod lesson is also available 

{HERE}

Note, I had the kids draw the box as they were practicing multiplying the numbers. 

Eventually we just placed the equation in the box (instead of drawing base 10 blocks) and transferred our understanding over to the distributive property of multiplication! 

Would you like this lesson?

It has a PPT lesson (with student recording sheets), NEARPOD compatible if you email me your customer receipt number, task cards, MORE  games, flap books, learning mats to stick in a pocket sleeve and use a dry erase marker, 11 direct printables, AND an assessment! 

Click {HERE} to see it in detail! 

Click {HERE} to see more! 

Pin the image below so you can reference this post for next year! 

Mass Made Easy: Strategies for Teaching Measuring Mass

Hi everyone! I'm Angela from Hippo Hooray for Second Grade, and I'm so thrilled to be one of the newest contributors to the iTeach Third Blog. Don't let the blog name fool you; after 10 years in second grade, I was finally promoted to third grade this year! And I must say, I am LOVING it!!!

One of our third grade Common Core math standards asks students to estimate and measure the masses of objects. Our kiddos have a hard time relating to weight, and now we have to teach mass?

What Exactly is Mass?!

Mass is how much matter is in an object. Mass never changes, where weight can change depending on how much gravity there is. This distinction is a little high-level for our third graders, so I just say "how much stuff is inside an object." We typically use grams and kilograms to measure mass. Here are some of strategies I use to help my students understand this tricky concept.

My goal when teaching my students to measure and estimate mass is to give them as many experiences as I can with different masses and helping them to connect each measurement to everyday objects. I actually teach this concept during my science time, as mass is typically associated with science. My kiddos love to be "real scientists" who measure in grams and kilograms!

Fist I start with these bags. I filled each bag with macaroni noodles for each unit. When I first did this three years ago, I used rice instead of noodles. Rice is a lot harder to clean up if it spills. Not like I have experience with that....

It might be hard to see, but there are just three macaroni noodles in the gram bag. That bag always gets many surprised looks from my students! I pass the bags around the circle, so my students can physically feel how heavy each unit is. They also like holding two bags at the same time to compare them.

The next thing we do is find objects in the classroom that have the same mass as 1 gram, 5 grams, 10 grams, 20 grams, and 100 grams. When students can connect these masses to everyday objects, it makes it easier for them to estimate the mass of unknown objects.

Here we are discovering that a paperclip weighs about 1 g.

I give my students this recording sheet to write down their findings. When I use it, I actually trim it down to just the table and we glue them in our interactive notebooks, but I've made it a full sized worksheet for those of you who don't use INs.

After they have an understanding of different masses, we then practice estimating and then finding the actual measures. This is the sheet we use for this experiment. I always have my students write all of their estimates with a marker or a pen. That way, they can't erase them when they realize their estimates are WAY off :)

If you're interested in either of these activities, you can download the freebie HERE.

Estimating mass is SO hard, but with lots of practice, our third graders will get better at it. What are some tips and tricks you use to help your students understand mass? Let me know in the comments!