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...
Number Talks – A Lesson in Action
Are you curious about Number Talks and want to see a Number Talk Lesson in action? If so, we've got you covered. Number Talks are short, powerful activities that can significantly increase your students’ mathematical understanding, while at the same time build computational fluency. If you read our last post, What Are Number Talks?, you know that Number Talks can be a powerful way to build mathematical thinking in your students. They are highly engaging ... continue reading...
6 Silent Hand Signals to Make Number Talks a Breeze
You've just presented a number talk to your students. Before you know it they are jumping up and down while wildly waving their hands and collectively squealing "I know! I know! I know! Pick me! Pick Me!" While you're thrilled that your students are so engaged, this may be a little more chaotic than you'd like. The answer? Silent hand signals for your daily number talk routine. Number Talk Silent Hand Signals to the Rescue What are number talk silent hand ... continue reading...
4 Reasons to Teach Black History to Young Children
Black History is rich with heroes whose perseverance, courage, persistence, and goodness are perfect to share with even our youngest learners. Without knowledge of history the world, for a young child, is a very small place. Black History provides our students with wonderful models of people who persevered in some of the most difficult situations. And we believe that teaching Black History to first and second graders will open their worlds and their hearts. Our heroes in Black ... continue reading...