Does the thought of teaching beginning of the year writing in first grade sound less pleasant than a staff meeting that has gone into overtime? Teaching first grade writing is not for the weak. It's no easy task. Like for real. Teaching first grade writing at the beginning of the year...even trickier. I remember my first year as a teacher. So excited and full of energy. Writing was absolutely, without a doubt, the one topic I looked most forward to teaching. Then...not so much. ... continue reading...
5 Easy Steps to Teach Number Talks in First Grade
Do you do Number Talks in your first grade classroom? We do! And we can honestly say that Number Talks are the BEST way we have found to increase our students' computational fluency and their ability to think about numbers flexibly. This simple addition to our math warm up time has truly transformed mathematics in our classrooms. Pinky swear! However...if the thought of implementing daily number talks gives you hives....we've got you covered! Our YEARLONG ... continue reading...
4 Reasons to Use Math Games in First Grade
Are you looking for a way to solidify your first-grade students' understanding of math concepts and give them extra practice without putting boring worksheets in front of them? If so, teaching math games in first grade is the way to go! Using math games in first grade is the perfect way to integrate purposeful play while solidifying important math skills and strategies. Here are 4 Reasons to Use Math Games in Your First Grade Classroom. #1 - Makes Math Learning FUN True ... continue reading...
18 Phonological Activities to Try Today
Phonological awareness...that big, fancy phrase… can essentially be boiled down to word play. That’s right…play! Phonological awareness activities should be FUN, lighthearted, and yes, playful. Improve Students’ Reading with These Phonemic Awareness Activities! Phonological awareness is the ability to hear, recognize, and manipulate sounds/phonemes (the smallest unit of sound). It’s purely auditory and it’s NOT phonics. As soon as letter knowledge is brought ... continue reading...
Numberless Word Problems in First Grade: A Powerful Strategy that Works!
Ready to make word problem struggles a thing of the past by implementing numberless word problems in first grade (or any grade for that matter)? Then you're in the right place! Stay with me. Admit it. Most of us would rather do a week of recess duty than teach our first graders how to solve word problems. Time and time again we watch in horror as our students randomly add numbers in a word problem to get an "answer". We feel hopeless, students feel hopeless, and we fight the urge to skip ... continue reading...