September Morning Math FREEBIE

Today I'm here to share how to turn your students into Mathematical Thinkers! 

During my first year of teaching, I found that my students really struggled with word problems. They had a difficult time understanding what to do and how to solve; especially when all 4 operations have been introduced. In order to get better at anything, students must be given practice. They need to be exposed to word problems frequently..not only during your unit in which word problems are covered. 

So--I ended up creating weekly morning math problems. I wish you could see how this set has transformed since my first year of teaching! I've probably revised this product a total of 4 times. 

Each day, students will take care of their morning business (turning in homework, copying down the night's homework, getting their supplies out for the day, etc). As a part of morning business, students are required to work on 3 math problems a day. 

In the beginning of the year (August), they start off with only 2 problems which review 2nd grade Common Core State Standards. September transitions them into 3 problems daily with the exception of some Fridays. 

It is important that your students practice, but it is even more important that you students engage is mathematical conversations. Your students must be able to explain and justify their reasonings for choosing a particular answer. 

For about the first month and a half, I will model for students how to lead the class in correcting their morning math as well as how to facilitate conversations. After that, the correcting is all up to the students. 

Every afternoon we take out our Morning Math Books and a red pen. Students go up to the front of the room and share how they solved the problem. If a student got the incorrect answer or are having a difficult time understanding, they raise their hand to let the 'teacher' know. It is then up to the 'teacher' to come up with another way to explain to help out their friend. 

It is so amazing to hear your students saying things like "How do you know your answer correct?", "I like the way you solved the problem", "Don't you mean to say 4 tens, not 4?" "I got lost when you explained ___, could you go back and say it again". 

I love to hear them having conversations about math, helping each other to see math in different ways as well as how to explain and justify their answers in different ways. For those students who may have difficult time explaining their answers, it is so valuable for them to be able to hear others explain. Eventually they get the hang of it, and will be begging to be the 'teacher' to correct the day's Morning Math. 

If you'd like to try this out with your students, I have a FREEBIE sample of September's Morning Math available for you here. 

Spring Break Recap!

Today is officially the very last day of Spring Break for us here in Hawaii. I am pretty sad about heading back to work..It sure was nice having time to relax and take care of wedding stuff!

Over the break, my mom came to visit and stayed for about a week. It was so awesome to have her around. She took care of my dog, cooked and cleaned for us AND helped me bang out all of my wedding invites! 

I was feeling pretty stressed about wedding stuff but got a lot done and am feeling WAY better right about now. 

My break consisted of mass producing our wedding invites. 

Cutting, gluing, edging, glittering, labeling, checking off names……

Here are the little corners that I individually glued on each invitation..

Our RSVP cards.

My biggest tip for you when doing RSVP cards are to number each card (just in case they don't write their name on the line when they return it) and to write in the number of seats you are reserving. You'd think that people would get it by how the outter envelope is addressed..but you'd be surprised!

I also did a ton of ordering from Amazon. I really wanted to find my vases locally but I felt like I was beginning to run out of time. I actually ended up finding a great deal online so ordered these vases. 

Even with the cost of shipping, they come out to about $6.25/vase. Way cheaper than I would've been able to find here.


I also ordered these waterproof LED lights. I plan to put them down at the bottom of the vase, and then fill them with water beads. It will be filled with an orchid plant and curly willow. 

My dad also came in for the weekend to hang out. We headed to Disney's Aulani Resort for Happy Hour!

The ambiance at this place was so beautiful and relaxing! Not to mention the soothing Hawaiian Music! 

I also got to spend a lot of time with my fur baby! It was so nice to be home with her all day :) Here she is watching TV. Yup- my dog likes to watch Animal Planet. Her favorite show is Too Cute. She will literally sit in front of the TV like that, wag her tail, whine, and be totally engaged from start to ending!  

Last but not least, I had to squeeze in some work time. I whipped out the last of my Morning Math Packs….You can pick May up here

I've also bundled all of my morning math packs into 2 separate bundles to save you some money!

Bundle 1 contains all of the morning math you'll need for the first half of your school year. 

Bundle 2 are all to be used during the second half of the year.

Both of these bundles are valued at $15.00 but will be on sale in my TpT store for only $10.00 for the rest of today.

If you have already purchased my morning math packs from Aug-April Email me with your TpT info. and I will send you May for free :)

We got new computers at school right before the break so I also spent some time going through my work computer. I have a TON of files that I need to redo, so you can be expecting a ton of new products from me in the near future.

Yesterday I had time time to work on these:

You can also pick that up in my TpT shop! 

Now I'm off to finish planning for the day, finish stuffing envelopes then head out to do some grocery shopping! 

Have a great week!

January Currently! and a Chance to Win!

Happy 2014! 

I hope you all had a wonderful break and holiday season. I sure enjoyed myself- this was the first break ever that I didn't do any schoolwork! Partly due to the fact that I had NO internet connection for 10 days while staying at my grandparents' home. It was nice :)

Anyways, I'm linking up with Farley again this month for her January Currently!

Listening: To the hubs watching a movie 

Loving: That I finally get to spend some QT time with my hubby! I've been away for 10 days, and on top of that... I only get to see him 2 nights a week (on his off days). We have completely opposite schedules-by the time I get home..he is already gone for work. When he comes home (at 1am) I am already fast asleep. We are going to be enjoying a delicious meal of Shabu Shabu tonight :) *If you're curious what this is-head to my instagram..I'll be posting some pictures ;) 

Thinking: I need to start writing my report card comments. I've been putting them off for the past 3 nights :/

Wanting: Another week of break! 

Needing: To order my bridesmaid dresses. My wedding is officially 5 months away. I need to get on it!

Memory: This was the first Christmas we spent together in our NEW HOME with our new puppy :) It was great. We've been together for almost five years, but surprisingly this is only the 2nd Christmas we've spent together since I am originally from the island of Maui and usually go home for the holidays. It was nice because my parents were also able to fly up, stay with us and spend the holidays here on Oahu!

For all my third grade teacher friends out there reading this- I have a special deal for you!

My January Morning Math packet is only $1.50 in my TPT store until Sunday 1/12. 

Head on over and like my Facebook Fan Page , then leave a comment with your e-mail address for a chance to win a FREE copy of this packet. I will choose a random winner on Saturday morning. 

If you'd like a second chance to win a FREE copy, head on over to my Instagram page for another chance at winning! I will choose that winner on Saturday as well.

Good luck and Happy New Year!!