Kindergarten Daily Math - January!

I just finished up and posted "Kindergarten Daily Math - January" to TPT.  I've been using Daily Math with my little people all year to strengthen and reinforce their knowledge on the Common Core Standards for kindergarten.  Each month builds on the previous math activities and introduces new standards, which we covered in our whole group mini lesson time the month before.  Here are a few pages to show you what's included and how I use each one.

The above page is one of the pages included that reviews and introduces new standards.  Last month in December, we started working on the standards of describing attributes of objects and also counting by tens and ones.  New this month is subtraction and decomposing numbers, which we've been working on whole group in class throughout December.

 The above page and the one below are on the back activities we work on every day.  One day might be writing their numbers to 20 and the next day to write the next numbers in a sequence.  I've tried to keep the numbers below the number of days we've been in school, so the little ones that need to use our number line are able to use it as a resource.

 There are 6 story problems included with the January packet.  I left out the numbers, so you could differentiate for your little ones using smaller numbers for those still needing support and larger numbers for those who are a little advanced.

And last, there are also 2 pictures included to do a short Math Talk with your little ones.  During Math Talk we discuss what they notice in the pictures.  My little guys are getting pretty good about using terms such as:  above, below, beside, etc. to describe where something is in comparison to something else.  We also count objects they notice in the pictures.  Sometimes it works out that we're able to count by 2's, 5's and even 10's.  I also like to pose questions or problems for the children to solve which go along with the pictures.  

What are some ways you help your little ones review and learn the standards?

Reindeer Magic!!

Dashing through the snow, on a horse open sleigh...

Well, Christmas is almost here!  Wow, it is amazing how time flies when you're having fun.  My little people and I have talked about what it means to "give" someone something special for Christmas and how good it makes one feel.  Not just on Christmas, but throughout the year, every day they can make someone's life just a little brighter.  It might be simply giving a helping hand or offering a smile.  

Each year I look for something cute for the little ones to give to their families for Christmas.  I want it to be something they will save and treasure in the years to come.  I still remember all of the little the things my own children gave to my husband and me.  So, while searching "Pinterest" I came across these adorable little reindeer.  This little cuties is one of our choices for our Christmas presents this year.  I plan on framing the picture in a dollar frame from the Dollar Tree.  I added a little sparkling glitter and snowflakes to make it look like "Rudie" had just been snowed on.  This little guy originated from "A Faithful Attempt".

Thought you might enjoying seeing how he turned out!! 

Destination Common Core

Wow!  I just returned home from spending 2 fantastic days getting geared up for Common Core with Kim Adsit!  If you have never attended a workshop by Kim of Kindergals you should definitely try to find one near you.  Well worth the time spent!!  She is extremely down to earth and fun to listen to.   I had been following her blog for about a year when I met her for the first time last year.  

My first experience hearing Kim was last March at the Illinois Kindergarten Conference.  Those sessions were short and sweet, but I loved the 2 days!  So much more information was shared and lots of examples were giving to use right away in our classrooms.   In the two days she covered writing, literacy and math ideas.  Whew!  Parts of me feel like I've been through a whirlwind, but in a good way.  Many of the things she shared with us you can find explanations of on her blog.  Some of the things I want to go back and check out are how she organizes her literacy centers and her morning routine.  If you're like me having time to fit everything in seems to be an issue.  

As teachers, we are constantly growing and changing.  Change is good!!  Common Core is good!!  We just have to figure it all out and help our little get there with us!  

Don't we look cute?!  By the way, Kim is the one on the left.  Me on the right!

Happy Holidays!!  

I wanted to share these cute little photo props with ya' all.  I was looking for different things to do with the little cowpokes this weekend and came across these little cuties!!  So, I just had to download the props and get some polka dotted wrapping paper to use as our background.  Then, I broke out the Silhouette and cute out my "Happy Holidays" signs.  And, look how adorable they turned out!!

Click on the "Christmas Props" picture to go directly to "Catching Fireflies" where I found this little goodie!!  Enjoy!

Central Illinois Tornado Relief Effort!!

Thought I'd share some pictures of some of our high school students working in Washington, Illinois last Tuesday. My husband's Building Trades Class and Mr. Snowman's Machine Tools Class took a "fieldtrip" to help with clean up. 

They began their day by being processed through the Tazewell County Volunteer Reception Center which was being manned by AmeriCorps. From there they were able to go to an area and see the damage that had been done by the tornado. They spent the rest or the day working in two different distribution centers. Because most of the students were under the age of 18, they were not able to be out in the fields cleaning up debris (which is where they really wanted to be). 

One of the things I found neat was Washington and Canton are rivals during our sporting seasons. During part of the afternoon these boys worked alongside students from Washington High School as teammates, rather than rivals!! It always amazes me how God takes a bad situation and makes it a great experience for all!!

If you're interested in donating to the "Central Illinois Tornado Relief Fund" just click on one of the pictures.  They will take you to a special TPT store where 100% of the funds raised are being donated to the Red Cross earmarked for the tornado victims of Illinois!!

Cyber Monday Sale on TPT!!

Hope you'll hop over to TPT to check out all of the wonderful sales going on Monday and Tuesday!!  Click on the button below to go directly to my TPT store.

While you're shopping please check out the "Central Illinois Tornado Victims Fundraiser".  There are lots of wonderful products being donated by some of your favorite TPT authors and illustrators!!

Happy Shopping!!

Kyp