I have a 90 minute math block that includes math intervention. While I work with struggling students, the rest of the class is busy "playing" at math stations. The busy buzzing of learning is amazing! As a new teacher, a challenge I face is having enough math games and manipulatives for everyone.
My first grade class is composed of 18 cuties-8 of which are ESOL (learning English language).
My school is the largest elementary school in the county and is high poverty with almost no parent involvement. We do not have a PTA, or a budget to supplement teacher wish lists. About 83% of the students are on free and reduced lunch. ALL students receive free breakfast and many students receive a pack-a-sack meal to take home for dinner.
My class is a loving, learning environment where I teach a lot more than ABC's and 1,2,3's. A challenge and struggle at times, but the relationships I have made with the students are very rewarding.
My students have improved so much this year. They enjoy all subjects, but Math is their favorite, especially for the ESOL students.
My Project
I have carefully selected a bundle of activities, which all lead to better number sense. I studied how children learn math. I learned that I must teach children the basic numbers that make a ten. The games I chose will be stations where children can "Play Unplugged" while I work with small groups. Games include:
Ten on the Spot Ten Frame Game-center game designed to help student gain greater number sense, using cute ladybug pieces.
Buggy Beads Counting Frames-like an abacus, this ladybug themed tool will help children count, add, subtract, compose and decompose a ten.
Three Corner Flash Cards-triangle shaped cards designed to reinforce addition, subtraction and the relationship between them.
Under the Sea Shells Word Problem Activity set-great to practice composing, decomposing, addition, subtraction and unknown numbers. Comes with 40 question cards and 80 counters.
Gigantic Magnetic Ten-Frame Set-(this is so big and colorful!) designed to easily show base ten concepts to the whole class.
Donations to this project will reinforce math concepts I have taught in the classroom.
Math Stations will be like playing games! I learned math growing up by playing real games like Yahtzee, Monopoly and Trouble. The games students play now are on the XBox. I try to make every teachable moment count. "Playing Unplugged" will teach more than math. These station games will teach speaking and listening skills (so valuable to the ESOL student), cooperation, taking turns and talking out problems.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Weller and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.