Math Properties

I've been trying to do interactive Math notebooks like the teacher at http://www.rundesroom.com.  I've really enjoyed looking at her site and using her ideas with my students.  Please check out her blog!

So I've started working with different types of multiplication and addition properties.  I wanted to create a "cheat sheet" for the students to refer back to in their notebooks.  I looked at some things online and created my own foldable for the students to glue into their notebooks.  It was really easy to create and you can use your own textbook's vocabulary.  

I love that the kids refer back to it while doing their work.  I don't know why I didn't think of this before.  I could see how these different things could have really helped my former students with the same concepts. 

Class Stuff

I'm now on Day 3 of the new school year.  I found this awesome idea on Pinterest (thanks to http://2ndgradesandcastle.blogspot.com/) and decided to try it with my students this year.

I purchased a box of heavy-duty manila folders and taped it to the fronts (and sides) of the students' desks.  The kids love their pockets.  I think this is a great idea since it provides a place for them to stick their incomplete work and not get lost in their desks.  It's also easier for me because if students don't know what to do next, I can just say, check your pocket. 

There are so many other ideas on Pinterest that I want to try.  I'll have to see what I can do next.

Open House

I had posted some photos the other day of the state of my room.  I was worried I wasn't going to get the room ready for Open House.  Fortunately, I was able to get everything cleaned up.  I do plan on staying a little later during the first week to finish "cleaning."

Out of all the years at my current school, I think this Open House was my busiest.  I had 20 out of 26 families come to meet me and drop off supplies.  As I spoke with parents and the students, I felt that they were just as excited to start the year of as I was.  I'm  hoping for a good year.  Will keep you posted on how things go!

Workday #1

I've tried starting off the year on the right foot.  I've tried to be more organized with my classroom library and papers from our 2-day workshop.  Open House is already tomorrow night and here are some photos that show the state of my room.

I originally had the desks in rows, but I found that it took up lots of space, so I decided to move them around and create three groups that kind of look like Cs.  As you can see, I've also put tons of stuff on the desks.  I didn't take any photos of the floor, but there are boxes strewn all over the place.  The desk with all the baskets and the dish rack is my work desk.  Who can work with all that clutter?  Sorry the text and drawings on my photos are kind of childish.  I only started learning how to use the Paint feature to add stuff on to photos.

I'll be adding my "after" photos sometime this weekend to show you how it turned out for Open House.