Math Curriculum Mapping

I was super excited to be asked to help with the curriculum mapping for my building.  After going to two amazing workshops this summer, I felt like I had a handle on it.  HA HA, was I ever wrong.  In my searching and my workshops, I have found some really helpful websites and WIKIs and ideas.

The first is called a Rekenrek.  Check this out.  Thanks to Heather Webb for the insight into this one.
I found these sites to get you started, but there are a lot more.
What is a rekenrek?    How to make a rekenrek

Then I started matching ideas for activities, trying to really understand the standards.  Again thank you Heather!
Unpacking the Standards  and Common Core Tasks  (I like this one because it gives you ideas for what strategies to watch for.

Last, but not least, is an invaluable guide for teaching the standards by Ky Davis.  She has taken the standards and made natural progressions with them.  Ky's Book

 

First Grade Common Core

I found this amazing first grade common core curriculum free download.  It is a sample from the workbook, but the sample had really cute ideas with really cute graphics


I don't know about you, but anything that helps me figure this out so my kids are ahead of the game is worth the look.  Please check out First Grade Common Core for this amazing resource.

I apologize for not blogging a lot.  Between screenings and trying to figure out where my kids are, I have not done much.  I am working on a subtraction unit.  If anyone has any thing they would like included, let me know what would help you.  Once I have it made, I will send it to you.

Typical Vicki fashion, I am behind.  Meet the Teacher  I have been teaching first grade for 10 years.  Prior to teaching first grade, I taught preschool.  As a result of preschool, I consider myself a very hands on style teacher.  My kids do a lot of experimenting.  I love teaching science because, as a kid, I did not like science and I am determined to make my kids love science.  My best moment with that was when one of my students asked me why we had three recesses that day.  I told him we only had two, but he considered our ramps lesson a thind recess.  WAHOO!  We started school later than normal due to construction.  I don't really have any good classroom pictures, but as soon as I do get some, I will post them.  As far as parent forms, I used Tara's pack.  I have provided the TPT link.  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Class-Forms They are a freebie and VERY helpful.  I will add my explanation of Rick Morris' behavior to my site on TPT tomorrow.  The file is at school.  Happy Teaching.

Disney, Beginning of School, Exhausted

I’m so sorry I have been such a blog slacker lately. I feel like I have been going none stop for the whole month of August. I can’t believe tomorrow is September already. Part of the problem was I was on vacation the beginning of the month and then went straight to working on my classroom the day after I got home. We went to the happiest place on earth. DISNEY!!! I just love Disney World and would go every year if I could. Disney if even where my husband and I got engaged. Here are a few pics from my trip.

           

Epoct and the Hubster on Toy Story Mania. My vote for best ride.

When we got back I went straight to work unpacking my new room. I didn’t realize how much stuff I had until I went to unpack it and put it away. I meant to take before and after photos of my room but of course I forgot. I did take pictures of the bulletin board I made last minute at the end of our Hallway.

  

I know it needs more but after I had these up I was just done. I wish I could take credit for the rocket ship and aliens but my husband made them all. The day before our meet the teacher night our board still hadn’t been done and I panicked and begged him to make me anything space related.  I’m lucky he’s so creative.

I don’t know why but every year I forget how my little firsties come in still kindergarteners at the beginning of the year. It’s so exhausting retraining them for first grade. This week was our first full week of school and boy am I tired. One of my sweeties raised their hand towards the end of day Friday and wanted to know if we could take a nap. A nap sounded like a great idea but I sadly had to tell him no. Its rough going from half day K to full day but they are being troopers.  I have a great group this year and I have a feeling we are going to have a great year!

 

I hope that everyone has had a great start to school.  Sorry for not posting.  Oh my goodness, super crazy.  Tara put up a welcome bulletin board for a hallway of ten teachers all by herself.  It is awesome.  Thankfully, she always thinks of what is best for kids.  :)  So neither of us got in on the blog hopper suggestions so to catch up
Monday, Must Haves:  a Smartboard, oh and a projector that works.  :) Lots of books for engagement AND supportive friends.  Tuesday Technology Tip  Class Dojo  If you click on my wallwisher links for the New Albany tech conference, there are LOTS of great sites for tips and help.  Wednesday, I teach in Licking Heights in Blacklick, Ohio

Central Ohio Technical Summit- Websites

As promised, here all the addresses to all the walls presented.  To everyone else, each wall has some great links to both interactive websites and general information that I shared at the technology conference.
http://wallwisher.com/wall/COTS2012  This link will link you to all the other walls  21st Century Learning Skills, Teacher Help, Math, Language Arts and Misc Weblists.