Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You...

The first week of school is under my belt.  Well, it was only 3 days, all of which were minimum days, but hey, let's just call it a week, ok?  And let me tell you, this meme is SPOT on!!  I was actually looking like the middle picture by Friday; temperatures were soaring into the 100's, and I was a hot mess!

So, once I got me ever growing class list somewhat settled in by Day 2, I jumped right in with some initial assessments.  The beauty of this first one, Math About Me, is that the kids have NO idea that I'm already getting to know their number sense with this activity.  The students simply write their age on the line, then show me all the ways to make that number.  Luckily, the 2nd grade team is already giving the kids lots of open-ended experiences, so they didn't seem too overwhelmed by this assignment.  Here are some images of the kids in action!

This student only had a few ideas written down when he tried to turn it in, so I had him try a little longer.  He came up with some great ideas!  He has internalized the Commutative Property of Addition--woot!  I see a few answers that equal seven, so I'll sit down with him to have him take a second look.  I'm also loving the repeated addition, and picture of the individual units.

This student has an IEP, so he was given manipulatives to work with.  He was able to find several equations by the time he was finished, mostly involving addition.

This student had the right idea, and even dipped into multiplication, which was exciting to see.  Again, an understanding of the Commutative Property of Addition is noted, as well as some errors that I will work with him on.  The string of repeated addition at the top came with a little help.  He wanted to know how many 1's it would take make the equation correct.  Since it was a "covert assessment," I didn't want to help too much, but got him on the right path.  Then, he came up with the bottom equation with the 2's on his own, which was exciting to witness!

Math About Me can be done on ANY piece of paper, quick and easy!  If you'd like a link to the product you see above, click here: All About Me & Math About Me

There is a cute template for a self portrait and writing, as well as the Math About Me template you saw in the pictures above--both GREAT for the beginning of school!

I also give a traditional Math Inventory Test, which gives me a clear picture of what 2nd Grade CCSS Math Standards they have maintained over summer.  Here's a link to that product as well (sorry, no action shots since it's a bit more "standardized.")  3rd Grade Math Inventory Test

What ways do you get to know your students?  

August Currently

Not quiiite ready to even mutter the word "August" so I'll just whisper it....  ((August)).  It's here.  No turning back.  I really can't complain...it's been a totally relaxing, no agenda kinda summer.  Farley's monthly Currently series will put some spunk back into all of us, right? Here we go!

Listening:  If the paper is rustling, then my husband is up, or the dog is making a nest again.  I'm pretty sure it's my husband.  He's in major denial right now, needing to wash our lil camper from a week of beach camping.  Let's just say, our tent trailer must have had a seagull target painted on top of it--not pretty.  I'll give him a few more minutes to pretend that he can sit on our comfy recliner all day, reading the paper.

Loving:  Can I just say that I love Fit Flops so much that I might marry them?  After my broken foot stunt last year, they were the only thing that fit my one fat foot.  However, I'm going to just be known as the Fit Flop teacher, because I can't stop wearing them.  {It's my little way of extending summer all year long.  They are technically flip flops, but a wee bit fancier.  I'll rebel all year long in them!}  I bought 3 new pairs for school:  silver, bronze, and black      Pretty cute, no?  

Thinking:  This one's a no brainer, right?  Every teacher across the planet is thinking of this...getting into the classroom to set up for the year.  I'm a step ahead of myself this summer, I already snuck in and put up my new paper and borders--love them!  I have a lime green, teal, white theme with chevron borders this year.  I had brown instead of teal, but now it looks so much fresher to me.  I still need to put the final headers on the bulletin boards, and finalize my first week with my kiddos--third grade again this year.  

Wanting:  A fresh pedicure to fix the camping feet syndrome.  I won't go into details, cuz it ain't pretty.  I'll just say that since I live in Fit Flops, a pedicure is just built into our monthly budget, ok?

Needing:  I left my 3 hole punch at work, so my lesson plans are all over my dining room table.  I need to lasso them all together to get them in my Lesson Plan binder.  Here's my gingham Lesson Plan Templates & More product that I use each year.  They come in green, purple, and blue gingham; I'm using the blue one this year.  

Click here to get a better look:  Lesson Plan Templates & More

B2S RAK:  It's gotta be for my mom!  As I head back to school, leaving my own two kids behind, she hosts "grandma camp" for them.  They swim, bowl, go to movies, and even play board games!  Isn't she the best?  I will definitely hook her up with some RAKs, since she helps us soooo much!

Hey, that's it for this month!  Hoping all of you are gearing up for the start of a great new year!  If you've already started up, I hope it's going well for you.

Take care,