What to do with the extra hour?

What am I going to do with the extra hour today?  Write another blog post.

Remember how I said I started this blog so I could share what I am doing in my classroom?  I am so excited to share this next thing that it couldn't wait another day -- it's that fabulous.  Well, at least I think so.

Most math curriculums encourage the use of number lines as a strategy for adding and subtracting in the early grades.  This is a great idea except for the fact that my students have trouble remembering which way to go when adding or subtracting.  

To solve this problem, I created a vertical number line.  With a vertical number line my students know that adding means to get bigger, so they know to count up the number line and subtracting means to get smaller, so they count down the number line.  It makes more sense to them than a horizontal number line and they can add and subtract basic math facts independently and correctly.


I am going to share with you both the large number line that hangs on my wall (you'll have to piece it together) as well as personal number line strips for the students.  I hope you find the vertical number line as useful as I have.

PS:  It's color coded for odd and even.

Show Me the Money!

In my classroom, my students earn "pennies" for each activity during the day for staying on task.  At the end of the day during math time, they count up the pennies they have earned and I pay them using realistic plastic coins such as the ones in the picture from Lakeshore Learning. They then trade in their pennies for silver coins.  

In order to make this easier, and to help them learn which coins are equivalent, I made two charts.  The first chart shows the coin equivalencies and the second chart shows three different ways to make $1.00.  I also made sure the coins were the same size as real coins to help with matching.  Click on the pictures to download the charts for yourself.

On Friday, the students use their money to purchase an item from my treasure box or save for something that costs more such as a coupon for free time, lunch with the teacher, or slipper day in the classroom.  I set the prices based on how much they can earn in one week, so the "better" items will take 2-3 weeks to save for.

It is amazing how quickly my students (1st and 2nd grade special education) have learned the names and worth of the coins as well as how many pennies are needed for a nickel or dime. They are also learning about saving.  This has been a great way to tie behavior management with academics!