Big Big B-I-G News!!

Well...I have been keeping a secret for a few days now. Actually, a few weeks. Let me explain--

I think you longtime readers know how passionate I am about math and math instruction. (In fact, I now have a Master's in Math Curriculum and Instruction!) I watch my 4th graders struggle year after year in math, mostly due to them trying to build new information and ideas on top of a weak foundation. It leaves them frustratrated and confused. I do all I can to get them where they need to be, but it doesn't fix the problem. I have just been applying band-aids! After many months of personal turmoil (wondering how much longer I could continue to apply band-aids) I decided to talk to my awesome and super supportive principal about it. I expressed an interest in moving to a lower grade level to help with building a strong mathematical foundation in our kids. She AGREED and started working on her master plan. For the last month I have known that I would probably not be in 4th grade next year, but nothing was certain. My prospective grade level was "narrowed down" to 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade. Well, I FINALLY found out for certain on Wednesday of this week. Are you ready for this??! Next year, I will be in...



FIRST GRADE!! :O What do you think about that??!?!?!


I am TOTALLY excited, especially about doing math. However, I've got a lot to learn because (other than student teaching in 1st and 2nd) I haven't taught any other grade or subject other than math, science and social studies OR been self-contained! Any ideas or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!


There's one other thing--help me decide what to do with my blog!!! I will continue to blog but am unsure of how I will go about this. I will either create a separate blog just for 1st OR just continue to blog on here and change my name. Please vote below! (I do still plan on making and sharing upper grade products/ideas though, so don't worry!!!)

Help me decide! Should I create a whole new blog or just revamp mine for 1st grade??

Create a new one!

Keep the same blog!

Create your own poll with LearnMyself

Ecosystem Freebie Follow-Up

I posted an ecosystem freebie a few days ago. I used it in my own classroom on Monday and thought I would share the results with you--only because one of my students went above and beyond and made the CUTEST little panda bear! He is also the only one that colored it... Check it out below:

Ecosystems Freebie

So in science we are starting ecosystems this week. I took the suggested beginning discussion (from our curriculum) and turned it into a quick worksheet--I need all the grades I can get! I know it's nothing exciting but thought I would share it anyway! :)

Download it from one of my shops:

More Math Anchor Charts! Part 1

So I am FINALLY posting these photos that I actually planned on posting a while ago! We have made sooooooo many anchor charts in the past few months and I would LOVE to share them with you!! For each chart, the kids have a corresponding page in their math notebook.

We made this one after we observed what happened when converting measurements.

We made this "Big G" after completing a few capacity activities!

Wall full of charts!!

Stay tuned for part 2, which includes multiplication and division! :)

Tangrams Unit Giveaway Winners!

Alright, I am FINISHED with the Tangrams Unit!!! It has been uploaded to my Teachers Notebook store and my TPT store. I am very excited about it, especially since I will be using it in my own classroom next week! I'm glad to see that so many of you were excited about it as well. I hope it meets your standards. :) SO anyway, here are the three random winners (with the help of random.org):

jcwalrus, please email me so I have your email address!! :)

Congrats to you three!! I hope you enjoy!!!