Problem Solving at it's Best!

Math Mountain Sorting Mats

Practice! Practice! Practice!

I am a true believer that practice will help a student better retain their learning! I am not a huge fan of worksheets that have a large number of equations. I much rather have students engage in cooperative learning, which allows for students to practice and teach one another. Using sorting mats the children worked in teams to place math facts on the corresponding mountain. They each took turns reading their math facts aloud and explaining why the fact belonged on the mountain. It was interesting to watch and hear them help correct each other. I smiled to myself as they strengthened their learning all while "playing a new game". Get your very own set of Math Mountain Sorting Mats here.  

New Bundle of Math Mountain Sorting Mats and Math Mountain Practice Mats Available Now!

Math Mountain Practice Mats

My Firsties have been working hard to show ways to construct and deconstruct numbers to 10. Our math program, Houghton Mifflin Math Expressions, uses Math Mountains to demonstrate building numbers. Using these engaging practice mats the children were able to work in partners to practice and show their understanding. I had the children use blocks to build a number on the mat and then record their findings on math facts recording sheet. I enjoyed hearing the children explain their thinking and prove their answer to their partners. I had to pull them away from the activity for recess! :) I will definitely be using these mats again to re-enforce their new mathematical understanding during our small group time.  Get your own set of Math Mountain Practice Mats here! 

My Reading Focus Wall

I use California Treasures and I have struggled with the "Big Question Wall". I created these labels to help organize my materials and concepts. Every week I put up the new vocabulary cards (the vocabulary cards are in plastic page protectors), story cards, and focus items. It helps me stay on track and it helps the children remember what concepts we are focusing on every week. The wall is in an accessible location and I often observed my students using the wall during class as a reference.   

If you would like a set of the Big Question Board Labels Click Here!

Welcome Back to School

Welcome back to school! It is hard to believe that my summer is over already. I have already been back in the classroom with my new group of Firsties for 10 days and they are surely bundles of energy. I can't seem to drink enough coffee to keep up, not to mention that my Keurig is on its last leg....UGH!