Setting up kindergarten math games doesn't have to be a chore. There's enough on our teacher to-do lists. So adding fussy tasks to an already long list just isn't necessary. To keep things simple, I started making these one-page math games years ago for our first graders. They're so simple to prepare and once the kids understand the directions, they want to play them over and over … [Read more...]
Teaching Basic Economics in First Grade
When I first learned I would be teaching basic economics to a room full of six-year-olds, I raised an eyebrow. These seemed like concepts only college kids studied before they embarked on careers in finance and marketing. "My kids are first graders," I said. "They're still arguing over who gets to use the swings during recess today." Turns out, they weren't really arguing. They were actually … [Read more...]
Summer Worksheets for First Graders
Breaks from school are so nice (and so necessary), but long ones can have a negative impact on a student's achievement. Year after year, we often have parents asking for summer worksheets, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to jump on board and make some. I think summer break should be a time for kids to let loose and embrace all the freedoms that go along with being a kid. And because I … [Read more...]
Classroom Posters That Develop Positive Behaviors
What do readers do? Or writers? How about scientists, musicians, and athletes? What does it look like to be an active listener? And what does it mean to be a good friend? The first week of school is right around the corner and these are some of the questions I know we'll talk about as we work on building our culture. These classroom posters have been in my back to school toolbox for years and I … [Read more...]
Fun Math Games for 1st Graders
Math games for 1st graders don't have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, I started making these MATH GAMES years ago to help our students review skills they were learning in math. I wanted the games to be aligned with our standards AND easy to play. And I wondered, "Can I get each game on one sheet?" I remembered what my mentor teacher used to tell me. "K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple … [Read more...]