Basic Math Strategies (Review Packet for Parents)

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

This is a great 4 page math handout for back to school night so parents have a quick refresher about what your students are learning. This small packet covers addition and subtraction, so it’s perfect for lower grades.

Here are the addition strategies the packet reviews: break apart, rounding, tens and ones, tens and ones with an open number line, hundreds chart and friendly number with open number line.

Here’s what it covers with regard to subtraction: break apart, tens and ones with an open number line, hundreds chart and a few strategies for missing addends.

Happy new school year!

Click here for the PDF: Landscape of Learning- Math Strategies (2)

Birthdays At School

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Let me just say this: I’m not really into all the frilly-dilly stuff some teachers are into. In my 6th grade class, we don’t do show and tell, student of the week posters, etc. I just have more important things to worry about. Judge me if you want, but that’s the reality here.

Birthdays fall into that frilly-dilly category for me, especially with older students. So to cut to the chase, I do pretty much bare minimum (which is more than they’ll get in junior high, that’s for sure). Before school started, I printed off a bunch of birthday cards and put them in unsealed envelopes. These cards also double as a homework pass for 1 nightly homework assignment, since that’s really what my students (and parents) would prefer to a sticker or a pencil. I leave the envelopes in my desk drawer and can pull them out at a second’s notice, write the student’s name on the card/ envelope and hand it to them. I put their birthdays into a reminder on my computer, so it pops up the morning of their birthday so I can write be prepared.

Here are my birthday cards from the teacher for you to use. One version mentions the coupon, the other doesn’t. Click here: Birthday Card Coupons or here: Birthday Cards

But what do you do to celebrate the birthday in class, you ask? They stand on their chair so we can sing them happy birthday and life goes on. For students whose birthdays are during the summer, I came up with what I think is a GENIUS plan… At the beginning of the year, I told my class that all summer birthdays would be celebrated on the day we have Halloween festivities at school. This way, we combine all distractions into one day, have a huge party (where birthday kids can pass out goodies during the party) and we sing to all of them at once while they’re standing on their chairs. The kids seemed pretty jazzed about it and didn’t even seem to notice that they were sharing a day with other kids.

Click here to read about a teacher who did something similar.

Are Basic Math Facts Worth Teaching?

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

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$Math facts article sticker$ When I first heard about this article, I was amazed. What? Not teach kids to memorize basic math facts like the teacher did when I was a kid?! With the timed tests and everything? This article, “Strategies for Basic-Facts Instruction” by Andrew M. Isaacs and William M. Carroll, is an excellent article that discusses what teachers really need to be focusing on when teaching math facts. What really makes learning math facts effective? The author argues that rote memorization is much less effective in teaching mathematics, and why a strategy-based approach should be used. Isaacs and Carroll conclude that “a strategies-based approach {to teaching math facts} builds students’ understanding and confidence. De-emphasizing rote memorization encourages students to use their common sense in mathematics, thus supporting concept development.”

Click here to read the article: Strategies for Basic Facts Instruction Article

Thoughts on this article or on teaching math facts? Please comment below!

Check out these other posts related to math facts:
Basic Addition and Subtraction Strategies (Printable review packet to give parents)
Counting on Fingers (Number sense activity)
Printable Math Facts Flash Cards (Printables for Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
Spring Time Math Facts Dice Game (Printable game board)
12 Days of Christmas Math (Printable multiplication activity)
Holiday Multiplication Facts Bingo (Printable game board)

Food For Thought

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Monster List of Random Questions

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

monster list of random questions sticker

While teaching English conversation in China, I always started the class with a warm up question(s) or conversation starter(s). My students could talk *IN ENGLISH* to any class member near them. Then we would have 2 students tell the whole class their answer to the warm up question(s). The students knew that once in the semester they had to answer in front of the whole class, so they could volunteer or take the point deduction if they didn’t volunteer sometime during the semester. Here are some questions I brainstormed while planning for the semester (Some of these conversation starters make good writing prompts too):

My idea of hard work is…
My worst fear is…
A miserable feeling is when…
What I did last night (or last weekend)…
What I am doing tonight (or next weekend)…
What really bothers me…
What really excites me…
What really scares me…
What really surprises me…
The funniest thing I ever saw was…
The scariest thing I ever saw was…
I really hate it when…
I really wonder about…
What food have you tried (thinking you’d hate it) and you liked it?
If I could fly I would…
When I’m old…
Fifteen things I want to do in my lifetime:
Love is…
Friendship is…
Being happy is…
When I graduate from college…
My best birthday…
In 20 years, I will be…
I was most angry when…
My safe place is…
Three items I would place in a time capsule. Why?
I don’t leave home without ______ because…
If I could move anywhere (on earth)…
If I could apologize to one person…
If I could make all the rules…
If I could speak to animals…
If I could climb a rainbow…
If I could change shape…
If I could meet anyone in the world…
If I could ride on the Magic School Bus…
If I had a brontosaurus…
If I had 3 wishes, I would wish for…
If I had $1,000,000…
If I had a twin…
If I had an airplane…
If I were stuck in an elevator…
If I were in a blizzard…
If I were stranded in the woods…
If I were one inch tall…
If I were invisible…
If I were a rock…
If I were a movie star…
If I lived in a castle…
If I lived in a cave…
If I lived in a tree…
If I lived in a spaceship…
If I lived underwater…
If I lived on a mountain…
If I won the lottery…
If I got to be captain of a boat…

What color do you think love is?

What color do you think hate is?

What is something you do well?

What is your favorite room in your house and why?

What is the worst thing parents can do to their children?

What is your favorite time of day?

What is your idea of a dull evening?

What is something you are optimistic about?

What is something you are pessimistic about?

What is the best birthday present you ever received?

What is the best birthday present you could receive?

What is something that makes you feel sad?

What is something that really bugs you?

What is something that really makes you angry?

What is the best advice you ever received?

What would happen if you could fly whenever you wanted?

What would you do if there were no TV?

What would happen if animals could talk? What are some of the questions you would like to ask animals?

What would you do if you found ancient artifacts in your backyard?

What do you do if you got a present you don’t like?

If you could have been someone in history, who would you have been?

If you could only take 3 people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why?

If you could give any gift in the world, what would you give and to whom?

If you could do whatever you wanted to right now, what would you do?

If you were five years older you would…

If it were your job to decide what shows can be on TV., how would you choose?

If you could participate in an Olympic event, which one would you choose and why?

If you could break the Guinness Book of Records it would be for?

If you had to describe yourself as a color, which would you choose?

What do you think of 3D movies?

What do you think the world needs now?

What do you think about ghosts?

What do you think about when you can’t fall asleep?

What do you think are the 5 most important in making a happy family?

What do you like most about yourself?

What are the 6 things you do most in your free time?

What makes you feel safe?

What makes you laugh?

What would you invent to make life better (I think I know an answer to this one!)?

What would you do to entertain your family without spending any money?

What three words would describe you right now?

What color makes you think of happiness?

How do you feel when you are in bed with the lights out?

How do you feel on a warm sunny day?

How do you feel during a thunderstorm?

How do you feel on the first day of school?

How do you feel when your parents are upset with you? Why do they become upset with you?

I wish I could be like…. (person) because….

I wish there were a law that said…..

I wish I could forget the time I ….. because….

I wish I could see…… because…..

I wish I could learn….. because…..

I wish I didn’t have to eat……

I wish everyone would learn to …..

I wish I never……

I wish I had one more chance to….. Then I would…..

I wish there was an electric……

I wish I had enough money to……

I wish there were no more…..

I wish I didn’t have to…..

I wish I could go to…..

I wish there really was…..

I wish I could hear……

I wish I could give……

If all my wishes came true, I would……

When you are angry, how do you look?

When are you happiest?

Who do you talk to when you have a problem?

Who is your favorite Star Wars character (or other movie/book/t.v. show, etc.)?

Who or what has had a strong influence in your life?

Where would you prefer to be right now–mountains, desert, beach–and why?

Describe your mom’s wedding dress – what do you know about your parent’s wedding?
What jobs has your dad had? Which one did he like the best?

What is your mom’s best trait?
What is your dad’s best trait?
What’s one word on how to live successfully?
What is your child-raising philosophy?
Do you wish you had more sisters or brothers, and why?
How do you like being the youngest kid in your family? Advantages? disadvantages?
Tell about a frustrating experience that you have had with a car.
Who is your favorite Apostle? Why?

What is your personal secret of happiness?
What is the most important lesson, message, or advice that you have learned that you might pass on to others?

What first comes to mind when you hear these things?
Green eggs and ham…
Jellybeans…
Worms…
Shoes…
Aliens…
Good luck charms…
Haunted houses…
Clowns…
Chores…
Homework…
Sports…
Dancing…
Flying…
Fishing…
Cooking…
Playing…

10 Ways to Keep Kids Safe Online

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I recently read the following article on Nanny Websites and thought I’d share it:

“When used in a responsible and safe manner, the Internet can be one of the most powerful research and educational tools at a child’s disposal. It can expose him to a wealth of knowledge that would otherwise be difficult to obtain, help him experience other cultures and ways of life and encourage him to learn about the world around him. When used irresponsibly by children that have not been adequately taught about the potential dangers, however, the Internet can also be one of the most powerful tools at a predator’s disposal. These ten tips can help you keep your kids safe without depriving them of the valuable knowledge available online.

Take an Active Role in Monitoring – While you’ll want to provide your child with a certain measure of trust and freedom, it’s also important that you maintain an open policy about Internet and social media use. Make sure that you’re keeping tabs on what he’s doing online, and that you’re doing it in an open, honest manner that doesn’t seem like covert spying to your child.
Be Honest About Use of Monitoring Software – Monitoring software can be a very effective method of keeping up with what your kids are doing online, but it can also send a very clear message about your lack of trust if it’s used on the sly. Let your children know that there is monitoring software installed, rather than accosting them with evidence of misbehavior out of the blue.
Use Content Filtering Features – Web browsers, anti-virus software and search engines all have some level of filtering capability built in to them, so it’s wise to take advantage of those features to block questionable or mature content. Kids can inadvertently stumble over nudity, pornography or violent content without actively seeking it out, and these features make that a bit less likely.
Keep Your Computer Located in High-Traffic Areas – When your child has her own computer, she’s free to do her homework or study without tying up the family computer. She’s also able to access questionable content with some degree of privacy. Keeping your computer in a high-traffic area allows you to see what she’s looking at during her browsing sessions.
Limit Social Networking Use – Social networking sites are among the most popular on the Internet, but they’re not always a safe place for kids. Make sure that security settings on your child’s account are locked down, that he understands not to accept friend requests from strangers and that his social networking use is kept to a minimum.
“Friend” Your Child – While there are filtering options and lists that will allow a determined child to post and share questionable content without you seeing it, not all kids are that tech savvy. Insisting that your child send you a friend request as a caveat of social networking use can be a major deterrent from unsafe and risky behavior online.
Talk About Illegal Downloads – Kids don’t always understand the harsh penalties that can come along with copyright infringement and illegal downloading, which is why it’s important for parents and kids to have conversations about the repercussions of breaking the law, even if the Internet seems like a largely anonymous space.
Emphasize Values, Rather Than Tech-Savvy Tips – Kids will almost always have technical knowledge that outstrips that of their parents, which is why it’s important to emphasize a set of values over technical methods of staying safe. Talk about what is and is not okay to post online, how to handle scary situations and how to comport themselves rather than how to work the latest safety feature.
Keep Tabs on Gaming Devices – Most parents know that their kids’ cell phones and computers are sources of constant connectivity, but may not realize that their gaming consoles also connect to the Internet and put kids at risk of encountering predators. Make sure your little gamer knows never to share personal information with people he plays games with, and that you understand just how much outrageous “trash talk” is normal in the gaming community.
Maintain an Open Dialogue About Online Safety – It’s not enough to have one conversation about online safety and to leave it at that. Instead of having a single conversation about safety, establish an ongoing dialogue about what he sees online, what’s okay and what’s not okay.”

3 Steps to Apologize (free poster) UPDATED

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

P1050767 I don’t know about you, but I think there’s more to an apology than a sneering “sorry!” I tell ya, kids these days don’t know how to apologize… and it drives me nuts! Here’s a poster I recently saw in a lower grade classroom that I thought NAILED the issue. Although it’s not the most glamorous, it serves the purpose.

Then I thought to myself, “Dang! I need one of these for my classroom and my house, and as a bumper sticker, and on a T-shirt…” *sigh* I’ll just start with my classroom. So I made this one for myself (and you) that I could print on a regular size piece of printer paper.

Click here to download the free printable PDF: Apologize Poster

Here’s a picture (sent in by a reader) of the same idea:

Lego Math (Free Add. & Sub. Worksheets)

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Lego addition 1 What kid doesn’t love Legos? I mean seriously, there are infinite possibilities in those tiny little bricks! So naturally, I needed a way to bring Legos into my classroom… and this is what I came up with! Enjoy some simple addition and subtraction practice!