Open Number Line Fun

Hi all!  We are on spring break this week and I am loving the free time to hang with my husband and friends,  to catch up on some TPT projects and things around the house, and of course to sleep in!  I just wish it would warm up.  It's not supposed to be a high of 30 degrees during spring break :(

These past few weeks, my students have been learning how to add 2-digit numbers.  We started out with the "open number line" strategy.  I'll be honest . . . it was a little scary trying to figure out a new way to teach 2-digit addition other than the traditional way of regrouping.  But, my kids grasped it pretty quickly and really liked adding this way!  

So, here's the break down of how this strategy works.

1. Write the problem with the biggest number first.  (This makes it easier for the students to add on the number line.)  Example: 48 + 25 
2. Draw the number line starting with the larger number.
3. Circle the second number in the problem.   
4. Underline the number in the tens place.
5. Add the tens to your number line and find the sum as you add each one along the number line.
6. Then add the number in the ones place.  You can break it down into parts or add it as one number.

I created a chart to help you visual it a little better.

You can also use this strategy with 2-digit subtraction.  We've only tried it with subtraction without regrouping.

So, here's the break down of how this strategy works.

1. Write the problem with the biggest number first.  Example: 76-24
2. Draw the number line with the larger number at the end.
3. Circle the second number in the problem.   
4. Underline the number in the tens place.
5. Subtract the tens on your number line and find the answer as you subtract each one along the number line.
6. Then subtract the number in the ones place.  You can break it down into parts or subtract it as one number.

Click HERE or on the pictures above to download your own copy of the open number line posters. 

Hope you have a fabulous week!!

  

 

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Using Your Noodle

Hi everyone, it's Jessica from Covered in Glitter and Glue! I'm on Spring Break this week but wanted to stop in and tell you about a website my class has been eating up- GoNoodle! My kiddos this year are wiggly to the max, so we take a lot of brain breaks throughout the day to keep them (and myself) engaged. GoNoodle has been a lifesaver!

First and foremost, this is a free website with an option to upgrade to a paid account with even more awesomeness, but for now the free part is suiting my class just fine.

When you first log in you can either check things out as a demo class (which is great to use as the teacher when you're testing out activities) or sign in as your class.

Next up you are taken to your class avatar who usually has something quirky to say. You can see the level your class is on and the number of minutes of activity left until you reach the next level.

Once you click on play you are taken to a list of brain break activities. Some of the brain breaks include yoga, zumba, jogging, breathing exercises, and more. You can even click on the heart by an activity if your class really liked it and it will put it in your "My Favorites" category for the future. 

My class especially loves Maximo the monkey who leads us through yoga poses and has us trying to guess what the hidden picture is at the end of the yoga session. 

We also love the track and field exercises. The website has a famous athlete teach the students how to train for and complete the activities before they begin and then the teacher has control over moving the class into 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place with the keyboard as the activity is going. I tell the students if I see everyone trying their hardest I will move them up in rank.

The class gets super excited when they've reached the next level, because the avatar is taken to the transmogrifer where it stretches and grows and gains muscle. They think it is hilarious! 

We use GoNoodle before tests, during long stretches of subjects, and any time I can feel in the air that it's needed. You know what I'm talking about. 

There's so much more to GoNoodle and they're constantly adding activities. 

Definitely check it out! 

Do you GoNoodle? I'd love to hear your thoughts and how you use it in your classroom!

Welcoming Spring with Class Dojo

Hello, sweet friends! I am beyond excited to welcome the first weekend of Spring! I absolutely love being outside and enjoying this weather with sweet family and friends. I hope this post will provide you with a new tool to add to your “bag-of-tricks.”

Class Dojo is an amazing app/website to manage classroom behaviors. I have used it during my small group therapy sessions and witnessed it implemented during general education classroom activities/ lectures. My students love it! Here is a quick tutorial of the Class Dojo app and the ways I implement it in my classroom.

You’ll begin by creating a user name and password. Once you enter the app, you will be able to assign a “name” to your class (i.e., “Mrs. Newsome’s Class.) Since I see multiple students each day, I entered them by grade level. For this tutorial, I used a few of our wonderful friends from Collaboration Connection.  

You can add your students by selecting, “Create Class” and then, “Students.” Here you will also have the option to customize the positive and negative behaviors that you will track for each student.  

Enter your students’ names and customize their avatar. Initially, I select the avatar for each student and then allow them the option to change their avatar once they have accumulated a certain number of “Dojos” or points.

Once you have added your students, you have the option to customize the positive and negative behaviors you wish to track. I added a “behavior” for students that remember to bring their speech folder/homework and for generalizing their strategies to best accommodate my therapy sessions. Positive “Dojos” will add points, while negative ones will subtract points.

Now you are ready to distribute “Dojos!”

Select your class, then “Start Class.”

When you want to give a “Dojo,” select the student. You will be given the option to give a positive or negative “Dojo.” Points will accumulate in the corner for each student. 

At the end of the day, you can generate a report for the points distributed throughout the day. I have a poster in my room with different prizes that the students can receive based on the number of points they acquire.

This app/website can be accessed via Android or Apple device and/or computer. I absolutely love this system to help manage classroom behaviors and the students do as well! For a more in depth tutorial, visit: http://www.classdojo.com

I hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy using Class Dojo!    

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