Fishes!

Here is a fish-themed product I've recently put in my TpT store.

I created this one to help my class with their capital and lowercase letter work. They have really struggled this year with remembering their capital letters so I'm frequently using games such as this matching one to reinforce their knowledge. I have included a recording sheet as well.

Must Read Mentor Text - Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes

I actually found out about this book from a mention in a blog several weeks ago, although unfortunately I can't locate the post (if its you, comment and I'll give you credit!).

Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes is part of a series called Maths Start and although this is the only one I've used or read, I am impressed enough to try and locate some of the others for future use in my classroom.

Amazon blurb

Captain Invincible and his intrepid space-dog, Comet, are on a perilous journey back to Earth!

Throughout their mission, the fearless captain and his canine sidekick encounter asteroids, poisonous gas, and alien beings. But will their knowledge of three-dimensional shapes, including cubes, cones, and pyramids, help our heroes navigate past these obstacles -- and make it safely home?

Classroom uses

I used this as a hook-in to my unit on 3D shapes, the children had to look out for what shapes were mentioned and then we discussed them at the end. 

We made our own 3D space themed models (rockets anyone?!) and took photos. 

Having the space theme for the week also helped motivate my boys!

Head over to Collaboration Cuties for their weekly Must Read Mentor Texts link up (including some other Maths Start books!)

Bonding those numbers (Freebie Friday included!)

Number bonds are something that seems to come up each year as needing practise to get them really secure. I thought I would gather together some of the things I use to try and help the kiddies learn them. I would love to hear any other suggestions you all have for what you do!

Froggie number bonds flip flap

This was not an original idea, but given to me on my first ever teaching placement! You have 10 frog cards positioned amongst other blank cards in-between sticky-backed plastic. If you follow the arrangement correctly, the flip flap can then be folded in such a way that all combinations of number bonds to 10 can be made. I use it with a simple "You can see 3 frogs, so how many can I see?", after they answer, turning it around so they can check. I can't remember now where my frog graphic came from, but grab a (slightly different) freebie of the cards here. 

Loop cards

Still a freebie from my TpT store, I'm working on similar loop cards with other themes.

Numbers to 20 Bingo
I usually ask the children to pick 4 numbers on a quarter whiteboard, or you can download game boards from the website.

Alien pairs to 10

Children have to match the number bonds to 10 pairs. 

Ladybirds

I don't seem to have any photos of them, but I have A4 blank ladybirds which I give to the children with different amounts of counters (depending if doing 5, 10 or 20 number bonds), which they use to derive all the different number bonds, recording either in their books or on whiteboards.

Currently time!

It's that time again, a new month, a new Currently, hosted as ever by the amazing Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade. 

Listening - Night Vision by Imagine Dragons. Not my usual sort of music, but I've been quite converted and have several songs from this album on repeat (Demons, On Top of the World, It's Time).

Loving - have made an impulsive trip home to visit my mother (home cooking, a decent-sized tv and time to doing blogging/product making!)

Thinking - I am slowly working through my to-do list of product ideas, I've noticed that I seem to prefer games/activities to worksheets which probably reflects my teaching style, although not many other bloggers that I've read, maybe I should experiment more if I want to sell more!

Wanting - a new tv series to get into, while I'm working. Something that I don't have to go back years though for series 1!

Needing - to write a few emails, work related, but so little motivation at the moment!

Hours and Last Day - 8:00 is morning duty, so most days I actually start with my class at 8:30, finish at 4:30 if there is no meeting. Last day in July as we follow the British summer break. 

Letter reversals b and d

Quick blog post about a product I created for a couple of my littlies who are still struggling with recognising the letters b and d. This is a simple sorting activity, although can be extended in several ways. Click on the images below to visit my store.

A quick and simple activity that could be used in a centre or as intervention work to target specific children. Cut (and laminate) the letter cards, including some that are blank for you to write your own in your handwriting, and ask children to sort onto the appropriate mat. There are mats with and without the guidance letter (clipart gives clues to the correct letter for each mat). You can extend to asking the children to write their own b's and d's either on the mat or on the blank cards. You could also ask them to label the pictures.

I am considering making these for other common letter confusions such as p and q and i and j, but will wait to see how popular this product is! Any other suggestions of letters that frequently get confused?