Math Centers

This year I will be teaching math in small groups so math centers will play a daily part of our math routine. If you have been reading previous posts you know that I have a combination class of 1st and 2nd graders. As they rotate through math centers they will come to one that involves a hands on activity such as a matching activity or a game.

Below are pictures of one of my favorites! The kids really enjoy it and it keeps that particular group engaged while I am working with my other group.

The students pick a card. In this particular case everyone is working on addition (I also have subtraction). At the top are three numbers. The students get those three number cards and now have to use their reasoning skills to determine which two of those numbers will equal the sum. When they have figured out the answer they record it on their sheet. This center is excellent for getting my students thinking!

If you are interested in this center it comes in single-digit addition and subtraction and double-digit addition and subtraction. Check it out by clicking on the pictures below or the words above. Happy teaching!

Money Easter Egg Fun!

It's one of my favorite times of the year...SPRING! It's time for Easter, flowers, bunnies, and everything  that comes with it! 

Last year, my 2nd graders had a great time practicing their money counting skills with Easter eggs and we will be doing the same activity again this week with this years class. 

If you would like to have your students do this activity just click the picture above, or here, to access this freebie.

Here are the Directions 

Fill 26 plastic eggs with assorted amounts of fake coins.  Label each egg with the letters of the alphabet.  Hide eggs around room.  Have students hunt for eggs.  When they find an egg have them count the coins and record the amount on their sheet.  When complete, have students put coins back in the egg and return to hiding spot before continuing their search. For lower achieving students, I recommend putting the easier amounts of money at the beginning of the alphabet and have them only search up to a certain letter. Your high achievers can search for all the eggs and still be challenged. 

Check out these photos and videos of my students counting their Easter egg money!

I hope you can use this freebie in your classroom! You may find other alternatives than using money in the eggs such as pictures or small toys for beginning sounds.

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below and tell me what you think and how it went in your room! Happy Spring!

1,000 Followers Freebie!!!

I am so excited that I have reached 1,000 followers on Teachers Pay Teachers! 

To celebrate I have a new freebie just for the occasion. 

This math scroll is an idea I cooked up years ago to help my students practice writing their numbers 1 to 1,000. The kids loved it and I have continued with the tradition every year that I have taught 2nd grade and a few years when I taught some high 1st grade classes.

The freebie includes complete directions and photographs to help your students create their own scrolls.

Thank you for coming by and helping me celebrate! Enjoy your freebie!