Keeping Up With Kirbys

We've spent the last week introducing the kids to the beginning of multiplication and division.  This is seriously, the best day in a 2nd graders life.  They live to learn multiplication.  No one can add or subtract but everyone wants to multiply--I don't know what it is but they LOVE it. Of course we introduce the beginning of multiplication by using repeated addition, arrays and pictures of equal groups but I thought we could use a fun hands on way to continue to practice the new skill.  {{click here }} Students will use their own fishing poles made from twine, pencils and a magnet.  They will get to fish for their fact to match on their board.  We just placed small paper clips on the fishing cards.  If the students caught more than one fish then they have to pick one and throw the rest back. The first student to complete their board wins....BUT be careful not to catch a shark. You have to throw all your cards back if yo...

EXPANDED FORM, MODEL FORM, STANDARD FORM, WORD FORM Here's a quick, fun game we played this past week to review and practice understanding our numbers. I labeled each corner in the room with a sticky note that said EXPANDED FORM, WORD FORM, STANDARD FORM, MODEL FORM....and then I had one more spot in the room for the kids to go,  SHOW IT ANOTHER WAY. 🙃 First, I showed the kids a number in any particular form on the board. Next, kids had to decide quickly how they were going to represent that number on a whiteboard. Then they would walk nicely to the corner of the room that I labeled with a sticky note: EXPANDED FORM, WORD FORM, STANDARD FORM, MODEL FORM.  Example: I write 200+10+2. They choose a way to represent that number. Let's say they choose standard. They write 212 on their board and walked to the corner labeled STANDARD. Finally I roll the dry erase dice that I labeled with each corner plus I added a LUCKY YOU which means no one gets out. We ha...

Hi FRIENDS!  I've decided not to start my blog post with it's been awhile because that seems to be the way it is.   It's the busiest, craziest time of year and all I want is to cherish every minute and slow time down <->mainly, just on the weekends.  Those are the only days that are fast.  Are you wondering why Santa is looking for me??? I have been busy crafting, building, sanding, sawing, painting, and glueing things.  There is a chance I may me mistaken for an elf.   Seriously though, it's a happy time out there in the garage.   All of this started with a little run around the neighborhood on trash day a few weeks ago. his summer my best friend made the hubs and I go to someone's trash once because they were throwing cabinets away.  She has this gift for seeing beauty when others see trash. She turned the cabinets into beautiful pictures and quotes for other people.  Sooo...back to my run in the neighborhood.  I noticed some...

W hile I wait patiently for the wax to do its school floor magic I continue to plan procrastinate. <-truth Each week at my school we spend about 20 minutes completing what we call R time activities. This time is used to build classroom/school community, respect for others, respect for property, and learn to work cooperatively with a partner or group. We sing a song, find a partner, shake their hand, look at them while speaking in complete sentences, and work together on an assignment or a mission.  I've created partner match-up cards for the first nine weeks of school to help students find a partner while reviewing a previously taught skill. These cards are quickly passed out and the students find their match to determine who they will be working with. Our very first back to school R-time activity will be to Find a Friend... First, they will look for a friend that fits their card AND th ey must also match that friend's card.  It will create discussion am...