Close reading is so painful!

If this is how you feel about close reading, then this blog post is for you. I love to teach close reading, and I’ve been doing it long enough now that I’ve got a system in place that works very well for my students. I hope this post gives you some good information to take back to your classroom. I’ll also share a close reading freebie at the end!

Here’s  the basic procedure that I use for every close reading lesson:

Introduce and Predict

Introduce the title of the text. I always ask my students to predict what the text will be about and what the purpose of the text might be (is it a nonfiction piece to inform, or a fictional piece to entertain?) Always do lots of turn-and-talk when teaching a close reading lesson. The more opportunities your students have to discuss the text, the better.

Read it Through

This should be a cold read. You’re not stopping to ask questions at this stage. You just want your students to listen and follow along with you. After you’ve read it through, feel free to have students echo read it or choral read it with you to build fluency.

Reread and Clarify

This is where you discuss the text for deeper meaning and have the students make notes on their text. We circle words we aren’t sure about and find context clues to show us their meaning. Here, we are really focusing on the structure of the text. One of my biggest struggles when I first started close reading was having enough texts for all of my students to have their own copy. More on that in a bit.

Text Dependent Questions

This is where you ask questions that can only be answered by the text. Students must find the evidence within the text to support their answers. This is where a great deal of deep discussion happens. Always have your students do lots of turn-and-talk to discuss!

Reread and Summarize

After all this discussion, have your students turn-and-talk to summarize the text or to tell something they learned from it. I often have my students write to respond to the reading.

Close Reading-The Big Challenge

The biggest challenge can often be the text itself. It’s not easy to find quality reading that is simple enough for emergent readers to follow but ALSO rich enough to extend and discuss. That’s why I created a close reading curriculum which includes texts, lesson plans, and extension activities. This set has truly made close reading easier than ever. Here are just a few reasons why I love it.

1. Every student gets their own copy of the text. You can print each student a black and white copy (great for teaching in whole group), or you can print out 6 or so colored copies and laminate them (great for small group). My students love to use dry erase markers on their texts. Instant fun.
2. The lesson plan is done for you. Need I say more? Time is valuable!
3. A Variety of options for extension! Whether you are using the text feature of a diagram to fill in a labeling sheet, finding key details in the text to fill out a can-have-are organizer, or simply writing to summarize, you will find the option that is right for you.
4. Built in assessment. Each lesson comes with a quick question sheet that includes a multiple choice question and a fill-in-the-blank question.

My students love doing close reading in whole group. I project the text up on the SMART board and I give each student their own copy of the text, a crayon, and a clipboard. We can use the magic pen on the SMART board to underline evidence, circle words, and make other markings. Then, all of the students make the markings on their own copy. Putting it into the students’ hands is really invaluable when teaching these strategies. Plus, I love that I can send the text home with them, allowing them to share it with their families.

I want you to be able to try these lessons for yourself, which is why I’m offering this close reading lesson for free. Click HERE to access your free lesson. I hope you have a great time teaching it!

The post How to Rock Your Close Reading Lessons appeared first on KTeacherTiff.

It’s only the beginning of July, but after only a few weeks of relaxing, your mind is starting to wander back to the classroom. It’s almost impossible to NOT think about it. All the bloggers are sharing their “Back to School Tips and Tricks” posts. Instagram is blowing up with everyone’s Target Dollar Spot finds. And all of the stores are cruelly showing us, with their Back to School Displays, that summer break will be over before we know it. But it’s got me thinking about my own tips for starting the school year off right. I hope these are helpful to you as you begin to prepare for a new year!

1- Get your Head Right

The great thing about the beginning of the school year is that it’s a fresh start. A great year starts with a great mindset. Maybe you had a really rough time last year, or a really hard class. Maybe you clashed with a teammate, administrator, or parent. I can tell you first hand that even with an awesome team, supportive administration, and great parents, there will always be something to complain about. We all complain sometimes–we’re human and we need to vent. But leave all that baggage from last year behind you. Commit to being a positive force in your building this year. Read some blogs, watch some Gerry Brooks videos on Youtube, or listen to a motivational speaker. Do whatever you need to do get pumped up for a great year!

2- Set a Goal

I don’t mean that goal that your administrator will make you set–ya know, the one that goes on your performance review. What is it about being required to do something that absolutely sucks the fun right out of it? I mean choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in learning more about.  Make it something you’re excited about. Last year, my goal was to use many of the strategies from The Reading Strategies Book (off topic–but it’s a GREAT book!)  This year, my teammates and I are interested in learning more about STEM activities to implement in the classroom and to expand on what we already know about Project-based learning. We’re also passing around the book, Purposeful Play. When you choose something you’re passionate about, PD is so much more fun!

3- Do something fun with/for your team

A small, inexpensive token is all it takes to show your teammates that you’re excited to start off another year with them. Some ideas include a notepad from the dollar store, mug with a funny saying, pack of pens, colorful sticky notes, or even a candy bar. Another great idea, if you’re able, is to invite your teammates out for a lunch or for coffee, just to touch base and hang out on a personal level. Of course, you’ll talk about nothing but school no matter how hard you try not to, but that’s OK.  Your year will go much more smoothly if you have a great team to support you.

4- Buy something for your classroom

I know you’ve felt it. That high you get right after you’ve raided the Dollar spot, scored the perfect chairs for your classroom library, or opened up that teacher planner that just came in the mail. Go ahead and buy a little something for your classroom. It will excite you and motivate you for the year ahead!

5- Visit your classroom

Visit your classroom before you’re actually required to, if you can. Move some furniture around, think about what bulletin boards you plan to put up, and get the lay of the land again. I always feel better starting pre-service week when my room is at least partially set up. Just don’t go TOO often (see below).

6- Enjoy your summer while you can! 

There is nothing worse than being back at school and thinking, “I barely got to enjoy my summer!” If you are constantly working on school things and not relaxing, you just might feel bitter about it once you have to be back. So be sure to spend the last days of summer doing what you love–traveling, sleeping in, Netflix–whatever makes you happy! If you start the year feeling rejuvenated, you will be less stressed, more motivated, and ready to go!

I hope these tips have helped you to see that having your BEST year ever isn’t about creating the perfect Pinterest classroom or jumping on the latest teacher trend. It’s about having the right mindset, setting goals, and enjoying what you do!

The post Back to School: How to Make it Your Best Year Ever appeared first on KTeacherTiff.

Subitizing

Subitizing is the ability to see small amounts without having to count. For example, many students can quickly recognize 3 objects sitting in a group, or the number of dots on a dice.

To support students who are developing their ability to subitize, play lots of games that use dice or dominoes. Quick flashing dot cards and doing number talks with dot patterns also reinforces this skill.

Magnitude

Students have a sense of which set has more in it, which shows their sense of magnitude.

Practice this skill by making piles of objects. Which has more? How can you tell? Young children can often tell you that one must be more because the pile looks “bigger” or “higher.” Count out the objects in the piles and line them up to further develop their concept of more and less.

Counting

Students may learn to count orally before their one-to-one correspondence is developed.

There are so many ways to practice oral counting with your students. Switch it up and keep it fun! Sing counting songs (YouTube is filled with them), play count around the circle (each student says the next number in the sequence until you get to the target number), count as you march around the classroom.

One-to-One Correspondence

When students say one number for each object, they are using one-to-one correspondence. Students who count faster than they point or point faster than they count do not yet have a fully developed one-to-one correspondence.

Students who do not yet have one-to-one correspondence may count faster than they point or point faster than they count. Or they may touch the same objects over and over again, counting them multiple times. Students who do not yet have one-to-one correspondence need lots of practice counting out objects! Playing simple board games is also a great way to practice one-to-one. When your child must “hop” the exact number of spaces rolled, they are working on that idea that each “thing” gets one number assigned to it.

Cardinality

When students know that the last number they said when counting tells how many there are in all, they have cardinality.

You can have them count out objects and put them in a line, then push the objects closer together to count them again. Then spread them out and count them yet again! This reinforces the idea that the quantity stays the same even though the arrangement looks different.

Hierarchical Inclusion

When students understand that smaller numbers are a part of bigger numbers and that numbers increase by 1 as you count up, and decrease by 1 as you count back, they have the idea of hierarchical inclusion. They understand that the number six contains all of the numbers before it.

To see if your student has this idea, ask him or her to count out a small number of counters (say, 8). Now tell them, give me 6 counters. If the student gives you counter number 6, but not six counters, they do not yet have this concept down. Keep practicing. The concept of one more/ one less also falls under this skill.

Part/Whole Relationships

Understanding that 8 is made of 4 and 4, and also 6 and 2, 7 and 1, etc.

Children can explore part-whole relationships when they count out a set and divide the into parts. Number bonds, rekenreks, and ten frames are great tools for exploring different ways to make numbers.

Compensation

When students know that if 6 plus 1 equals 7, then 5 plus 2 also equals 7 because the one from the six was given to the 1 in order to get the same amount.

Most kindergarten students will not be ready for compensation, but playing with numbers as you engage in number talks will give students beneficial exposure to this concept.

Unitizing

Unitizing develops as students begin to work with larger numbers and see them in groups. For example, 12 is made up of 10 and 2 extra ones, and 20 is made up of two tens. This is not a skill that we discuss formally in kindergarten (it comes later), but working with teen numbers and allowing the students to see that teen numbers are made of 10 plus some extra will support this understanding.

I hope this has given you a better understanding of young students’ number sense and some ways you can support their development. For more information on helping students build their number sense, I highly recommend you read Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics and Number Sense Routines. (Affiliate links provided below).

If this post was helpful to you, here is an image to pin it so you can come back! Thanks for reading!

The post Understanding Number Sense appeared first on KTeacherTiff.

Number Books

Have students create their own number books. Creating a book of their own will give them ownership of something that they can “read” again and again to help them learn their numbers. Provide pages that include the numerals you are working on. Allow the students to create the set using bingo dabbers, stickers, or pictures. Click Here to download this free number book!

Number Bingo

Bingo is a classic, fun way to practice recognition of numbers. Students will enjoy playing this game, and they will learn their numbers quickly if you play it on a regular basis.  Here is a free Number Bingo to print.

Squishy Mats

In a gallon baggie, squeeze in some hand sanitizer or hair gel. Add a few drops of food coloring, and seal the bag at the top with tape. Allow students to practice forming the numbers in the goo using their fingers or a cotton swab.

Writing in Sand

Sand is a great place to practice forming numbers. Students can practice formation without worrying on mistakes the way they do while practicing on paper or even dry-erase boards. It’s hands-on, tactile, and fun!

Play Doh Mats

Students love to play with play doh any chance they get. Teach your students how to make “snakes” with their play doh. They can form the numbers and make sets with balls of play doh to match. Grab these free play doh number mats here.

Clip Cards

Clip cards are a fun way to assess your students’ knowledge of numbers. Students love counting out the pictures and clipping the clothespin on the correct numeral. Bonus points for working those fine motor skills!

Anchor Charts

Create an anchor chart for each number. Include the numeral and also other ways the same number might appear. This will help students relate the quantity to the numeral and also see that there are many different ways to make a number. Show the number with pictures, tally marks, ten frames, and more. My Learning Our Numbers Pack includes large numerals and different ways to make each number, plus practice sheets to work on number formation and showing the number in different ways.

Hop to It

This is a game to get students up and moving! Write numerals on note cards and place them on the floor around your classroom. You can also use die-cut shapes (lily pads are fun!). When you say “Hop to it!” the students hop to a new number. They then share out the number they landed on.

Songs with Movement

Sing songs that get students using their whole bodies to create the numbers. The Numeral Song by Dr. Jean and I Can Write my Numbers by Harry Kindergarten teach number formation. Students can listen to the song and practice writing the numbers in the air using big movements with their whole arm.

Count it Out

Write the numbers you are learning on note cards or on cups. Have the students count out manipulatives to match each numeral.

The key to teaching numbers is to keep it hands-on, engaging, and relevant to your students. They will learn those numbers in no time!

The post 10 Ways to Teach Children Numbers appeared first on KTeacherTiff.

Introducing Rekenreks

Like any other manipulative I introduce, I always allow my students to hold and play with the rekenreks for a while before we use them for instruction. After a few minutes of exploration I ask: What do you notice? What do you wonder?

I then explain that a rekenrek is a tool that will help us work with and understand numbers. I show the students what the rekenrek looks like when it’s in “rest position.” This is when all of the beads are pushed over to the right.

Next, I model how to make a number by sliding beads over to the left. I invite students to make the same number on their rekenreks. Once your students are comfortable with the procedures for using the rekenreks, you are ready to use them for number talks, games, and problem solving!

5 Favorite Activities for Rekenreks

1. What’s my Number?- Create a number on  your own rekenrek and show it to the students quickly (3-5 seconds). Ask the students to tell you what number they saw.
2. Show Me- Hold up a number card or call out a number. Have the students create the number on their own rekenreks and then hold them up to show you. Record different ways students made the number on chart paper.
3. Story Problems- Use rekenreks to model story problems. “5 ducks were swimming on a pond. 2 more ducks came to join them. How many ducks are swimming on the pond now?”
4. What’s My Way?- Invite the students to make a target number on their rekenreks. At the same time, you create the number on your own so the students can’t see. Have students share the way they made the number, in an attempt to guess “your way.” For example, say the target number is 6. You made 6 on your rekenrek with 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom. Sally shares out that she made 6 with 3 on the top and 3 on the bottom. You respond, “that’s a great way to make 6! 3 on the top and 3 on the bottom! But it’s not my way!” Continue calling on students until someone shares that they made 6 with 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom. “Congratulations! You guessed my way!”
5. How Many More?- Choose a target number. Push a portion of the number over on the top row. The students will push the remaining beads needed to make that number on the bottom row. For example, say the target number is 10. You push 6 beads over on the top row. Have students do the same. Then ask, “How many more do we need to make ten?” The students will then push 4 beads over on the bottom row.

I hope I gave you some ideas to help get you started with rekenreks in your classroom. They are a powerful learning tool!

The post 5 Activities to do with Rekenreks appeared first on KTeacherTiff.

Teach with Problem Solving

It is critical that as teachers, we shift from the traditional practice of modeling “how to do math.” Mathematics instruction is much more effective when we use a problem-based approach (Van De Walle & Loven). Allowing students to struggle with any task is hard for teachers (so hard!) But it is so important that we allow this to occur in math. Instead of teaching a strategy and saying “now use this strategy to solve this problem,” try posing the problem first at the beginning of your lesson. This will allow students to engage in analytical thinking and reflective thought, which is crucial to a solid understanding.

For example: Let’s look at a lesson on decomposing the number five. I could begin the lesson giving students red and yellow counters and showing them how to put the counters in a cup, shake it up, and count the yellow and the red to “see” that the two sets shows a way to make five. Then the students could practice it, sharing out the ways they made five.

What was wrong with the lesson above? It was a great hands-on way to have students explore numbers. But what is the activity really focusing on? I would argue that the focus on the lesson above is the procedure of shaking the cup, dumping the counters, counting the colors. What if instead of starting with the activity, this problem was posed instead?

“Boys and girls, I just ordered my mom a flower arrangement for Mother’s Day. I know that it has five flowers, and some flowers are red and some are yellow. I’m trying to figure out what the flower arrangement might look like. How many could be red? How many could be yellow?” Allow the class to figure out ways you could solve this problem. Some students might draw. Some students might use fingers or manipulatives. Some students will get it wrong and that’s OK. Students share out their ideas and you record them on chart paper. This problem-based approach will help students “get” what you are doing when you decompose the number five using those counters.

Next time you plan a math lesson, think about how to can flip it to begin with a problem. My problem solving every day pack includes many different types of problems which support number sense.

Number Sense Routines

If you teach primary, then you probably already have some routines in place that support number sense. Your calendar routine, counting on the hundreds chart, and graphing the daily weather are all such routines. Adding in additional activities that support seeing and conceptualizing quantities can provide a huge boost in the number sense of your whole class. If your calendar time is separate from your math block, having a daily math warm-up prior to your main lesson is where you will do these activities.

Here are some number sense routines to try:

• Quick Images with dot cards
• Ten frame flash
• Rekenrek games
• Count around the circle

The book Number Sense Routines, by Jessica Shumway, is filled with these strategies and more which support number sense to add to your math block (affiliate link below).

Number Talks

A number talk is a short discussion between you and your students about a math problem that you have shown. Your students will solve the problem mentally and will then share out their thinking about the process. In kindergarten, I always start with dot cards. “What number did you see? How did you see it? What did you notice?” Open it up to allow other students to share out. Some students may have seen six right away because they saw 2 groups of 3 and know that 3 and 3 make six. Another student may have seen the first group of three and then counted on. Another student may have counted by ones. Hearing other students’ strategies (and misconceptions, which is often even more powerful) is an important component of an effective number talk. For more information about number talks, check out the book Number Talks (affiliate link).

Throughout all of these activities, the conversation is key. Having students explain their thinking, working through misconceptions together, and reflecting on what was learned will have a profound effect on your students’ number sense.

The post 3 Ways to Improve Number Sense appeared first on KTeacherTiff.

Last year, I bought 100 solo cups for the 100th day of school. My students had a blast building 100-cup structures. It was definitely the hit of the day. But then, I was left with 100 solo cups. Sure, I could just put them on the shelf and use them again next year, but I knew that there HAD to be a lot more possibilities for these things. I now use them all the time, and they have become one of my favorite, inexpensive tools to use in the classroom!

So here, I’ve rounded up my TOP TEN favorite ways to use solo cups in the classroom.1. 100TH DAY SOLO CUP TOWERS

Having your students work together to build a structure using 100 cups is a great way to encourage cooperation and teamwork on the 100th day of school.

2. SOLO CUP WORD WORK

I love this simple word work idea! To create this station, just cut a window into one cup and write the rime to the word families of your choice after it. On the cup underneath, write different onsets so that the students can rotate the cups to create different words.

I created a recording sheet to add some accountability to this station, which you can snag by clicking the image below.

3. SOLO CUP BOWLING
Set up the solo cups just like bowling pins. Your students can practice subtraction and use math talk to tell how many they knocked down and how many cups are left standing. Another idea is to write sight words on the cups. As your students knock down the cups, they must read the sight words on them. I love this variation from Coffee Cups and Crayons!

4. USE TO CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING 
Use green, yellow, and red solo cups to check for understanding. You can use these with individual students or with students when working in groups. Students will place a green cup on top to indicate understanding, yellow if they are iffy, and red when they need help or are not understanding a concept. Check out this pin from The Ardent Teacher.

I’m going to put red and green cups next to each computer where my students work independently during station time. When the students are working problem-free, the green cup stays on top. But if they have a problem and need help, they can put the red cup on top. This will alert me from across the room where I’m doing guided reading, and I can make sure that my student-appointed “tech support helper” can get to them.


5. USE FOR BUCKET FILLERS
One of my favorite community-building books is Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. Mel from Seusstastic Inspirations used solo cups for her bucket filling display. I love it!

6. CARD HOLDERS
Just grab an exacto knife and cut a slit along the top. These make the perfect holder for signs. You could use these to hold directions for word work, I can lists, etc. These are signs from the Meet The Teacher Scavenger Hunt (made by Creativity to the Core) we did at the beginning of the year. Do you play card games with your students? These would work perfectly to hold their cards, since their little hands often have trouble!

7. PLAY BEARS IN A CAVE
This is one of my very favorite games for building number sense with my kinders, and I always use a solo cup as the “cave.” There are ___ bears total (you tell the students the total). If ___ bears are outside of the cave, then how many bears are inside? Check out this example from The Reading Corner below.

8. USE FOR 3D CRAFTS
This year, we made this adorable Elf craftivity from Jennifer of Crayons and Cuties in Kindergarten. I’ve since found adorable craft ideas for Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and  just about every holiday!

9. ADDITION MACHINE
This is one of my favorite ideas from Kelly at Sweet Sounds of Kindergarten. Students put math manipulatives in each cup and then add the total together!

10. STORAGE AND ORGANIZATION
Check out this adorable supply caddy from Smile Monsters. How perfect would these be in the center of your classroom tables? Or even on your desk?

So that’s my list of top ten ways to use Solo cups in your classroom! I hope you try one or two!

The post 10 Ingenious Ways to Use Solo Cups in the Classroom appeared first on KTeacherTiff.

These really all started with my own personal struggle. You all know that there is just never enough time. I love to spend a lot of time with hands-on experiences, problem solving, and discussion. The paper-pencil task at the end is where I would often run out of time. Sometimes a full worksheet is great, but you don’t need one every single day! But if you still want the physical evidence that your students “got it”–and who doesn’t– then the exit ticket is the perfect solution.

You can see from the pictures below that the first student can 1.) recognize the numeral 15, 2.) understand that 15 is ten and five extras, and 3.) fill in ten frames to represent the number 15. When the students are given an exit ticket every single day, you have ongoing evidence that the students are getting the concept you’re teaching.

 The student below is clearly in need of some remediation or a check-in. It’s not clear from this particular ticket if the student had an issue with recognizing that this shows 17, or simply had a numeral recognition/writing issue (which was the case). But having this in hand was a great springboard for a little check-in with this student.

Exit tickets work great for language arts as well! I use exit tickets to assess letter recognition, rhyming words, CVC words, and more!

Wondering what to do with those little slips of paper once you are done with them? You can simply send these home to show the parents that you are constantly keeping up with how their child is doing. This is what I often do with my language arts exit tickets. I was doing that with my math tickets too until a reader commented that she has her students glue them into their math notebooks! Best idea ever, in my opinion! So now, I often have the students glue their tickets into their interactive math notebooks as well.

Want to give exit tickets a try? You can access an exit ticket freebie right HERE! This freebie is for decomposing numbers, which I think is a great little check to do with your students even if you’re not currently teaching that right now.

You can also check out my exit ticket bundles for math and language arts by clicking on the images below. You can also get the sets individually in my TpT shop.

I hope that you will give exit tickets a try in your classroom!

The post Using Exit Tickets in Kindergarten appeared first on KTeacherTiff.