Kindergarten Kindergarten

Zero the Hero Interactive Slideshows and Math Activities for the 100th Day of School

I am so excited to share my newest TPT product with you: Zero the Hero Interactive Slides and Activities for the 100th Day of School! Listen--I love Fruit Loop necklaces and dressing up like an old woman as much as anyone--but after so long, I needed something fresh. Zero is a MATH HERO. He loves to count and to save the world from things like mutant spiders and giant Venus fly traps. And he has a lot of Math Hero friends with their own unique powers--like Suzie the Subitizer and Shadow, the Shape Shifter. Together, with the help of YOUR STUDENTS, the Math Heroes work tirelessly to defeat their enemies!

Each slideshow includes a funny and action-packed story to be read just like you would any read-aloud, with silly voices, dramatic pauses and any other flair you want to add. But they also include 4-5 interactive math activities and a little SEL mini-lesson woven throughout. And, finally, I have included 1-2 paper and pencil extension activities, as well. 

Every 10th Day, Zero will reappear with new friends and a NEW problem. The action, suspense and math build as you get closer to the 100th Day of School. I don't want to spoil it for you, but eventually, Zero gets kidnapped by his arch-nemesis, Professor Glitch, and Professor Glitch is going to destroy all the fun things in the world and turn all of the teachers into statues (I guess that includes YOU). It gets crazy! And guess who has to save everyone? Your Kindergartners! Don't worry...I have a feeling it will all work out. 

My kindergartners were OBSESSED with Zero the Hero. They would figure out when he was showing up (I never told them). They would blame everything on Professor Glitch. Electricity went out? Must be Professor Glitch. No WIFI? Must be Professor Glitch. Back in 2020, I had to reassure them that Professor Glitch did not create Covid! (True story!) 

Everything leads up to the GRAND FINALE on the 100th Day of School. I have included slideshows to wrap up the story and fun ways to celebrate on that special day. You can choose one activity or do them all. You can include your own, traditional 100 Day activities or go full on Math Hero. It's up to you!

 

But I promise, your kids will LOVE Zero and his friends and will continue to ask about him long after kindergarten has ended! If this sounds like something you would like to try, head over to my TPT Store and pick up Zero the Hero Interactive Slideshows and Activities BEFORE the tenth day of school!

 

Kindergarten Math Problem Solving Prompts

I'm so excited! I have FINALLY finished my Kindergarten Math Problem Solving prompts for the whole year!

 

I believe so strongly in teaching math through problem solving. I've been doing it for 8 years now, and I am amazed every day by the things my kids accomplish.

 

Here's why I love Math Problem Solving:

It’s inquiry-based.

Instead of standing at the front of the room and teaching my kids how to do math---step by boring step—I pose a problem.  The kids work together and use their own strategies to solve that problem. It allows students to make sense of math and to build upon what they already know.

It’s student-centered.  

The students do the work. I only help them when they need help—and even then,  I help “just enough”.

It’s engaging.

Kids love a challenge! And they learn best when they are challenged to do tasks that are just a little bit hard.

It empowers students.

It teaches them how to persevere when faced with difficult tasks and it builds their confidence when they succeed.

It teaches kids how to work together and communicate their ideas.

Kids learn much better from each other than they do from us.

It’s fun!

Math time in my classroom is hands-down one of the favorite parts of our day.

 

Here's a sneak peak at each of my Problem-Solving Prompts packages:

KINDERGARTEN MATH PROBLEM SOLVING FOR THE FIRST NINE WEEKS-- $6

In this package, students learn HOW to problem-solve--how to use their notebooks and math tools; how to share their thinking; and how to record their solutions. They also practice counting, explore 2-D shapes and do some beginning addition and subtraction.

 

KINDERGARTEN MATH PROBLEM SOLVING FOR THE SECOND NINE WEEKS-- $6

In this package, students explore addition and subtraction some more, classify and count, compare numbers, explore numbers to 20, and do a lot of measuring (length and weight).

 

 KINDERGARTEN MATH PROBLEM SOLVING FOR THE THIRD NINE WEEKS-- $6

In this package, students learn what the +, - and = signs mean and how to use them correctly. They also explore both 2-D and 3-D shapes.

 

KINDERGARTEN MATH PROBLEM SOLVING FOR THE FOURTH NINE WEEKS-- $6

In this package, students practice composing and decomposing numbers (including teen numbers), making 10, and using all the skills they've learned to solve a variety of challenging problems.

You can purchase each package of prompts individually or buy them in a bundle and save $4. 

Kindergarten Math Problem Solving for the Entire Year-- $20

I hope this post has encouraged you to try a little Math Problem Solving in your kindergarten classroom this year! Comment below if you have any questions!

Texas Problem-Solving Prompts are Here!

Yee-Haw!

The Texas Version of my Problem-Solving Prompts for the First Nine Weeks is finally uploaded to TPT. I wrote these prompts to align to the new TEKS. Although the new TEKS are not being officially implemented until 2014, I wanted to be pro-active. All of the prompts still work with the current TEKS.

Kindergarten Problem Solving Prompts First Nine Weeks: Texas Version

If you read the new TEKS closely, you'll see that the Mathematical process Standards are woven through every other strand! (As they are in the STAAR Test!)

Here are the Mathematical Process Standards:

(1)  Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:

(A)  apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;

(B)  use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution;

(C)  select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate, to solve problems;

(D)  communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;

(E)  create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas;

(F)  analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas; and

(G)  display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.

This is what Problem-Solving is all about!

Topics covered include: Learning How to Use Problem-Solving Notebooks, Learning How to Use Math Tools, Basic Counting and Comparing Skills, Composing/Decomposing Numbers, Basic Addition/Subtraction, and 2-D Shapes.

However, there are no sorting, patterning or position word prompts--things we normally teach the first nine weeks. If you need activities for those, look here:

Sorting Activities

Pattern Activities

Position Word Activities

I hope these prompts are helpful to you! Please feel free to ask me any questions and give me feedback. I strive to make my products better and better!

If you are in my district (RRISD), send me an e-mail from your school account and I will send you these prompts for free.

Math Problem-Solving Prompts

I finally finished my first Teachers Pay Teachers packet of Kindergarten Math Problem-Solving Prompts!

Click Here!

If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you know that I am just a little passionate about math problem-solving. OK, so I'm a big nerd! But since I started using a problem-solving model in my classroom several years ago, I have seen amazing growth in my students' math skills. Kindergartners can do so much more than I ever imagined!

Problem-Solving is here to stay!

If you follow the Common Core, the Mathematical Practices are all about Problem-Solving!

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

4. Model with mathematics.

5. Use appropriate tools strategically.

6. Attend to precision.

7. Look for and make use of structure.

8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

And if you're in Texas, like me, the new TEKS stress the "process standards" and explicitly state that children will use a problem-solving model:

Students will use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution. Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, algorithms, paper and pencil, and technology and techniques such as mental math, estimation, number sense, and generalization and abstraction to solve problems. Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations such as symbols, diagrams, graphs, computer programs, and language. Students will use mathematical relationships to generate solutions and make connections and predictions. Students will analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas. Students will display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.

Problem-solving isn't just solving word problems...it's so much more!

It's inquiry-based math. It's letting kids tackle a challenging task using their own strategies. It's guiding kids--not showing them. It's teaching kids how to explain their thinking in meaningful ways. It's helping kids become independent and lifelong learners!

My Kindergarten Problem-Solving Prompts cover the First Nine Weeks of school. There are 45 prompts that focus on the following topics:

• Basic Counting Skills and Cardinalization
• More Than/Fewer Than
• Composing and Decomposing Numbers
• Simple Addition and Subtraction
• 2-D Shapes
• Learning How to Express Mathematical Ideas

A few of the prompts have already been on my blog (especially in 2-D shapes and Learning How to Share). But they're good! And there is PLENTY of new stuff--including almost all of the counting and addition/subtraction prompts.

I also include teacher notes for each topic and questions you can ask your kids during share time to deepen their understanding and work out misconceptions.

Each prompt is provided in 2 ways--6 to a page if your kids like to cut and paste...or on mailing labels if you prefer to peel and stick. (I do a little of both.)

For my Texas peeps, I'll be uploading a Texas version this weekend (with TEKS instead of the CCSS). And I'm working hard on the sequel (for the second nine weeks) and will post it sometime in September.

In the meantime, I'm going to blog a lot about problem-solving over the next few weeks--detailing what it looks and sounds like, what kids do, what teachers do, tips for assessing and keeping data, warm-up and computational fluency ideas...please...someone stop me!

And if you buy my Problem-Solving prompts, please let me know what you think! It's your feedback that helps me create better products!

Thank-you all so much for your amazing support and encouragement over the last few  years. You make blogging fun!

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Kathryn

Learning How to Use Science Tools

I just put another packet in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Click here to see it!

You know those times (in the first days of school) when you have those super-engaging, hands-on science lessons planned and you get a few minutes into the lesson and a couple of your precious angels have decided to use their science tools for some less than rigorous scientific exploration? Like maybe using the dropper to squirt water up their friends' noses? (True story.)

The activities in this mini-unit are fun enough to engage kids but simple enough to allow you to teach specific expectations for using those science tools.

(Like, I don't know, maybe DO NOT put the dropper in your nose).  

There are 6 activities, complete with recording sheets, including:

• How Many Drops of Water Fit on a Penny (dropper)
• How Many Scoops Fit in Your Cup? (measuring cups)
• Using a Hand Lens to Match Tiny and Big Pictures
• Using a Balance to Compare Weights
• Making Kool-Aid "Fizz"
• Science Tool or Toy Sort

So head on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to check it out!

I also made this freebie for you...

Download Science Tools Card Sort

Have fun with your little scientists!

My Big, Fat Five Senses Unit

I am happy to announce that I (finally!) have a new packet up on

 Teachers Pay Teachers!

 

I've taken the classic Five Senses centers that we've all been doing for years, and created fresh and fun Science Notebook recording sheets for them. They are simple enough for kindergartners to do at the beginning of the year...

I've included over 15 smelly, messy and loud center and activity ideas!

I'm especially proud, because I created all of the graphics and clipart myself (except on the cover).

So click on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers Store and check it out!

And for those of you that have been asking, I've been working really hard on Math Notebook Prompts and will publish them by August 1! In the meantime, I'm going to put up some more fun math freebies, so check back often!

School Tools Emergent Reader and Sight Word Set--YAY!

I finally finished my latest full-color emergent reader and sight word set for my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

School Tools Emergent Reader and Sight Word Set     $5.00

I really love this one. It's an emergent reader, with a simple, repetitive pattern: Look at the ____. But you also have the option of including pages that teach children the expectations for using all of their school tools--perfect for the beginning days of school.

The illustrations are bright and engaging...

Included is:

• A full-color emergent reader
• A reproducible black-line master for the emergent reader
• A class book template
• Pocket chart cards for retelling the story
• Individual sentence-building cards
• A few other sight word practice activities

I also included some "Just for Fun" bonus content--color labels for supplies and several cute little prints to decorate your classroom...

I hope you like it!

So head on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store so you'll be ready to go before the first day of school!

(I'm really not a good salesperson!!!!)