A Freebie And Ten Black Dots!





Hey Kinder Friends,
I started today off thinking about counting in Kindergarten and I started thinking about some of my favorite counting things...dots. And I thought what a great day to talk about counting! Ever since I was a little girl I loved to count. I counted anything and everything. I just always wanted to know how many! I wanted to know the number for anything around me. In my earliest childhood memories, I can recall guessing how many of this or that and counting it out just to recount to make sure I was right the first time! I can remember counting in my head when I was bored or when I was waiting...I hated waiting and I hated being bored. I just always wanted to be thinking of something, so for me counting kept me busy.

When I began teaching Kindergarten, I started collecting counting books and that obsession has never ended. I honestly do not think you could have too many counting books when you teach Kindergarten anyway but who's counting, right? And you know Ten Black Dots is at the top of the list!

As a child I can also remember creating my own mental images in order to help me solve simple math problems. For simple math, it was easier for me to remember a snapshot picture or image in my head instead of actually counting.

As a child I do not recall any teacher teaching me any strategies to be more efficient in math. In fact, the only thing I remember about my childhood math instruction was the right and the wrong. And I have often wondered if I had been taught math strategies and if the focus at times could have included understanding my mathematical thinking or the mathematical thinking of others, then would I have a different perception of my own mathematical abilities today?

Even after 14 years of Kindergarten, it still amazes me that children have a natural ability to understand numbers at such a young age. I often wonder where did they pick it up if Kindergarten was their first school experience? And if they come to Kindergarten with very little number sense it makes me wonder...why.  

My love for teaching math continues to grow from that tiny seed that was planted somewhere within me years ago... I am now surrounded by wonderful mentors that push me along to teach math better than before. And as I was digging around looking for a little inspiration I ran across Ten Black Dots. On a whim I decided to create some printables to go along with the book so that the next time around I would have a go to file for some print and go math fun on the run.

This download helps to build the foundation for meeting the standards:

CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.A.3 Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20 (with 0 representing a count of no objects).CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4a When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object.CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4b Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted. The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4c Understand that each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger.CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.5 Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1–20, count out that many objects.
This download was created to use with the book Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews. The printables enclosed are simple print and go resources that can be used along with the book. You will notice that there are several pages that contain the same images but in different configurations so that the children have multiple opportunities to identify the dot arrangements. The objective is that the children will be able to instantly recognize the dot arrangements. The multiple pages allow for many opportunities to work towards meeting those standards without having to count. The resources are meant to be able to be used over time and throughout the year as needed.

Grab your copy of the My Number Book freebie by clicking on the image above!

Not only do I love dots...I love organized dots too. Simple visual organization of dots to use when talking about numbers in Kindergarten. And you know ten frames have to be some of my favorite tools. Ten frames help to create those mental images that I remember as a child. I created these Ten Frame Playdough mats to use in class because they are a staple in the classroom. I wanted a print and go file that I could use year after year. Usually by the end of the year I have to print them again because they have been used so much. No big deal...just print, laminate and go. I guess the hardest part is just deciding on what color to print them on or if I want to bind them and make books or just keep them as mats...or both! Click on the image above for more information!

 



Updates!





Hey Kinder Friends,

It's quickly becoming that time of year again. You know the "crunch" time of the B2S dash we all do. And we get busy and it is hard to get it all done. I was thrilled to be able to squeeze a little time in and update this little resource. If you have previously purchased the Math Wall Teacher Resources please download again from TeacherspayTeachers. This resource has been updated and I want to be sure you get it all. So now you get not only the 0-10 very large math wall size number line, the very large 0-20 math wall size number line and 0-20 ten frame math wall cards and now you get math strategy posters and shape posters as well. These are simple black and white so you can customize yours and print them on any fantastic color you choose. I love that!

Oh, the choices for this year... What color? What combo? What border? Who knows? We can't get back in our rooms for a while due to construction so there still is time to ponder...and ponder.

 



Math Wall Teacher Resources!

Hey Kinder Friends,

Well this year is proof that adjust and monitor seems to be the theme for just about everything. And I have done just that. If it didn't work the first time around then why keep it around for a year? I have been busy adjusting every inch in this area and I can say it is paying off! One of my greatest challenges has been finding a number line that I liked, that would fit and one that could be read from...anywhere. I looked high and low and could not find one I liked. I bought a few and threw them away only to be left with nothing. Considering I could not find one on my own after hours of searching I was left with two alternatives...make my own or do without one. I didn't want to go without the number line I had stuck in my head so I created one.

 

 

And since posting this first picture I have had a lot of requests for a poster printable number line. I am glad I gave it a try because I love it. But what I love the most is that it is tucked in to a nice file and if I decide next year or later this year that I want to change the look I can go to the file and print it on any color of card stock and have a new and fresh number line. I plan to add Velcro dots to each spot on the number line and use a manipulative to hop from number to number. Just simple black and white resources that can be used year after year. Gosh, what is not to love? If I want to start the year with 0-10 great and if I want to change it later to 0-20 well I can do that too!





Simple and to the point is the key because we have tons going on. And if you are wondering if it is too late to change your wall now? The answer is simple...if it is not working for you then why wait a year?

And day by day we are learning to be independent but it has taken a while this time around. I just keep reminding myself that it takes...time.



Number Talks/Monitor And Adjust!



Hey Kinder Friends,

Oh me, oh my did the first five days fly right by? I think they did. We had the first day and we had the other four days too. I think it was a blur it was so busy and frantic. Kids here and kids there and kids just about everywhere sums it up. The good thing is that we survived to live another day. I have been asked how number talks went the first week...It didn't. It just didn't. Remember I said that if you plan for kids before they arrive you may have to adjust and monitor? Well, I am taking my own advice. Wonderful, my own advice ringing in my head.

As I entered my classroom and finally got a glimpse of my class list I knew I had to monitor and adjust a little on the fly! So to be fair, I would say I have cycled back to the planning phase after meeting my large group of kids and learning about some visual limitations that my new crew has. No big deal, we rip it down and now get to build our math area...together. Honestly this is the best way. I have a good pocket chart holder helper already. And she has a good eye for when things are not straight.

After moving and adjusting I knew I had to allow for more space. I have pushed and turned and tweaked every single little thing to make as much space for this special part of our day. And I had to really take a long look at how some of our resources were displayed. I knew I needed some large visuals so I have spent some time just trying to eliminate visual barriers. And as I was moving things around I realized that I had little space for where I was going to sit. But after much searching I was able to find something I like. I found this online at Wal Mart.

I think this will work because it will slide right under my white board easel that holds my supplies so it is out of the way and taking up no space when it is not in use.

As I was gathering all the tools I thought I would need for number talking I knew I needed something to store them in because over the summer two great, wonderful and supportive math teacher friends gave me some tools to help me with number talks.

 

So lucky to get the teacher one! But it gets better. I also got some student ones too! I know, enough to make a teacher squeal! I love them. I adore them. I am thankful for them.

And finally I have some of these...

And I needed something to keep these math cuties all in the right place so I went back to Wal Mart online and bought these to keep things all together.

 

 

And just when I thought I was well on my way... I realized that my first plan for my new addition to my math wall was just...terrible.

I wanted a number line. I searched high and low and everywhere else. I called here and there and nothing just nothing. So, I created my own. Finally, a kinder friendly big, gigantic number line. If you travel to space, I swear you can still read it...just what I wanted. So, where am I in this process? Well, we will be up and running probably by Thursday of this week. So between now and then I have been adding to the printables of my Number Talking Teacher Resources Pack. If you have previously purchased this item please go and re download to get the 1-7 random images I have added and the small management signs that are now included. If you need more information just click on the image at the top of the post to take you there. And I hope you will come back to see the new and improved math wall and number talking area!