Number Chart Clown Cart!

Number Chart Clown Cart!

 

This is my revised version of the classic battleship game!  In this game, students practice identifying numbers as opposed to coordinates.  Students put up a divider so they cannot see their opponent's number chart.  Taking their opponents clown cart, they hide it on one of the numbers.  Students then take turns asking, "Is my clown cart hidden on number ____."  My students loved!  I made different number cards so students could work within their zone of proximal development.  When students become proficient at this level, they can start practicing number sense on a higher level by looking to eliminate more than one number at a time.  This can be done by asking such questions as: "Is my clown cart hidden on an even number?", "Is my clown cart hidden on a number with 2 tens?", "Is my clown cart hidden on a number with 7 ones?", etc.

 



 

I love this activity because it allows you to differentiate among all your students! This is just one of the activities I have included in my 81 page math unit entitled "The First Grade Math Circus." You can check out my products at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Melissa-Depriest.  Just for checking it out, you can receive a free downloadable activity!  This activity has students making fact families using juggling pins.

Halloween Writing and Art Fun!

     I am always looking for great ways to get my students engaged in the writing process.  I happened upon this wonderful book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler entitled Room on the Broom.  My students loved the story and were instantly sucked into the idea of thinking of who they would have room for on their broom.  This story is filled with rhymes and was a great way to look at word families.  The art project takes a bit of time for the teacher, but it is well worth it when you see the completed project hanging about your classroom!

     I foraged my yard for small sticks and then used rubber bands to bind craft raffia to make the broom's end.  The part that makes this project cute is taking pictures of students acting like they are riding a broom.  I had students use a yard stick for a broom when I took their picture.  I cut their pictures out and then placed it over the little brooms I made.  I glued these down to the writing paper using a hot glue gun. 

     Students are then ready to write about who they will have join them on their broom.  Students can even color in a background to add to the artwork.  Happy Hallowriting!

 

We Make Our World Beautiful With Kindness!

Your True Colors ARE Beautiful!

 

I came across a similar art idea on Pinterest from http://elementaryartfun.blogspot.com/2011/09/fun-with-photoshop.html.  She used the computer to edit a picture of a little girl painting the sky.  I thought it would be easier to have students use watercolors to paint their rainbows. 

 

A colleague and I took pictures of students pretending to paint areas all around the playground during recess.  Students turned their back to me while holding a paint can in one hand and a paint brush in the other.  We decided to put it together with Cindy Lauper's "True Colors."  We read the book "Have You Filled a Bucket" and talked with students about how we can make a better world.  To accompany their art, students wrote about ways to make the world a more beautiful place.  They came up with ideas like giving hugs, picking up trash, sharing with friends, etc.  It was a great lesson in friendship!  I had more comments on this art display than any other I had ever done.  Thanks for the art idea Natalie!   The students loved it!  It also went well with our weather unit!  If anyone else does something similar, please leave me a comment letting me know what you have done.  I am always open to new ideas! 

 

Sailing On Our First Grade Journey

A tray of sailboats for sneak peek night!  What better way to get my little crew started on the right course than with rice krispy boats?  You just make triangle shaped sail cut-outs with student names typed in word-art format.  I glued the triangle sails onto toothpicks.  I wrapped the rice krispies in plastic wrap and then pushed the sails into place!  This goes with the theme I am using; "We are on a journey."  It fits perfectly with Peter H. Reynolds book entitled "The North Star."  I strongly recommend going to the Fablevision site where Peter Reynolds has provided free access to amazing posters that reinforce caring and responsible choices.

Simple "Sailboat Krispy Treats"

 

My hallway display reinforcing the idea that we are setting sail for a great first grade journey!  I feel this is an important message to get across, especially at the beginning of the year.  First grade is such an amazing journey of learning.  I want my students to understand just how important every day is.  We only get to do each day once!

 

 

Learning

To anyone who wants to start a blog, I encourage you to not give up.  Just like my mom use to tell me and like I tell my students now...."can't never did anything."  You can do anything if you try hard enough.  I believe I have finally figured out how to attach my TPT products to my blog page!  Now I am off to do classroom related items.

Here It Goes!

I am traversing the unknown as we speak.  I have recently started perusing the world of blog and have found it quite captivating!  I have discovered just how talented teachers are in this world.  I stumbled upon the wonderful site "TeachersPayTeachers" and was instantly excited by the possibilities.  TPT is just what I have been longing for; the opportunity to create and share educational material.

Melissa DePriest