This fun math set is colorful, interactive, and it focuses on planting seeds using the Growing Vegetable Soup (we bought ours in s set), book by Lois Ehlert (book not included). Reading the book first sets the stage for these seed planting math activities.

The book that inspired it all, Growing Vegetable Soup is a fun, colorful book with incredible illustrations. The author and illustrator, Lois Ehlert did an excellent job showing the process, tools, and mediums for planting a garden, growing a garden, and finally picking (or digging up) a garden to make the famous soup. Students love to look at the illustrations and learn the process. This is a nice book for sequential processes as well.

This set takes a student from early number, counting, and matching, through addition problems (36 cards provided). The focus is on the three types of “joining” (CGI) problems using tools to help the student visually see the missing number. There are 12 examples provided for each problem type; the missing sum and missing addends (start and change) with blanks on 12 cards for endless possibilities and combinations as the problems need to be extended to larger numbers. Students will love the colorful theme, garden setting, and the seed manipulatives.

You can purchase this today in our store: Nana’s Classroom

Note: The seed cards in this set are designed to move from real seeds (if available, not provided), to photos of the seeds, then illustrations of the seeds and finally, student-created (templates provided) or abstract seed drawings.

There are dozens of ways to use this set. It can be used in early number development to just count or match the number to quantity, counting using dot cards and then digit cards. A variety of manipulatives can be used, but the suggested, real seeds to abstract drawing or manipulative (snap cubes or blocks as seeds) might be the best process developmentally. We purchased seeds at Home Depot for less than a dollar to use as manipulatives and to use in a science center. Some students have never seen real seeds much less held them or used them to count. In the set, there are several forms and templates to choose from depending on your goals. This set can be extended all the way to double-digit numbers for addition on the open cards if students are ready for those skills.

Included in the Set:

Let’s Get Started…Page 2

How to Use this Program…Page 3

Photo Gallery of Examples…Page 4

Items Included in this Set with Additional Comments and Suggestions…Page 5

Sample Worksheet…Page 6

Blank Worksheet Format 1…Page 7

Blank Worksheet Format 2…Page 8

Blank Worksheet Format 3…Page 9

Overview of the Missing Sum Problems…Page 10

Missing Sum – Problem Type Problem Cards (Joining)

Results Unknown…Pages 11-16 (Two Problem Cards Per Page)

Overview of the Missing Addend Problems…Page 17

Missing Addend – Problem Type Problem Cards (Joining)

Change Unknown…Pages 18-23 (Two Problem Cards Per Page)

Overview of the Missing Addend Problems…Page 24

Missing Addend – Problem Type Problem Cards (Joining)

Start Unknown…Pages 25-30 (Two Problem Cards Per Page)

Manipulatives and Mats…Pages 31-33

Digit Cards,
Blank Cards, and
Dot Cards
Alternative Mats…Pages 34-36

Number Sentence Cards…Page 37 (Four Per Page)

Seed Packets for Manipulative Labels or Seed Packets…Pages 38-40

Student Work Mats…Pages 41-45

Watering Can
Flowerpot
Soil Mat
Blank Soil Mat (Student Colors or Cardstock)
Soil with Seed Holes
Various Seed Counters…Page 46-55

Photos – Peas, Beans, Squash

Illustrations – Beans, Peas, Corn, and Squash

Number Words (Optional)…Page 56

Thanks – Grant Avenue and Educlips

Graphics Credits for the Unit:

Educlips: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Educlips

Grant Avenue: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Grant-Avenue-Design

Texas Standards Addressed: K(3)A, K(3)B, K(3)C, 1(3)A, 1(3)B, 1(3)F, 2(4)A

Common Core Standards Addressed: K.OA.A2, K.OA.A5, 1.OA.A1

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• FIRST: Decide today what you want to accomplish. 
• SECOND: Write down 3 things it will take to get started, 
• THIRD: What is ONE thing on your list that you can do today? Just one. 
• FINAL: Each day foe the next week, just do one thing.
• When you accomplish one, add a new on to the list. 

Be sure and contact me with your ONE thing, and I will send you the worksheet and some support items. 

You can do this, just picture yourself in 90 days! Welcome to the Challenge!

The post THE JUST ONE THING – 90 DAY CHALLENGE appeared first on Ask Nana Anything.

The cards can be used for ordering and comparing fractions or added to the Percent & Decimal set for more advanced matching, comparing, ordering, and finding equivalents.

The spinners can be used to vary the games and increase the levels for the players.

Head over to my store to check out this game set and the other two.

THE FRACTION GAME  FREE THIS WEEK! CLICK THIS LINK! 

If you download the FREEBIE, would you be so kind as to leave us a review on TpT? That would be amazing!  Also, if you follow us on TpT and Here (at the top of this page in purple), we will be sending out more freebies soon. Thanks again for all that you do to teach our kiddos. 

THE FRACTION – DECIMAL – PERCENT GAMES

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 MORPHUN (MORE FUN) BLOCKS – Just a few weeks ago we stumbled on to these amazing blocks.

They are STEM certified and you can build with them both vertically and horizontally. They connect on the side, top and bottom.

They can make curves, circles, and all the letters of the alphabet (See Freebie below) with the Junior Xtra 100+ Model set.

It has over 200 pieces, wheels, connectors, squares, triangles and more.

BENEFITS & FEATURES

• Eye-hand coordination
• Sequential thought
• Spatial relationships
• Creativity
• Fine motor skills
• Visual processing
• Color identification
• Visual and Tactile Learning Styles
• Develops Counting Skills
• Sorting Skills
• Patterning
• Matching
• Problem Solving
• Cause and effect
• Critical thinking

GEARS, PULLEYS, and MORE

Plus, the more advanced sets offer so many creative options with gears, pulleys, and chains. There are science and math skills applied in many of the directions as well as in the discovery of creating their own endless options for designing various objects.

One aspect that we loved was the “T” bars that allow the blocks to take a 3-D effect moving the direction of the blocks in a totally different direction. This allowed us to make a dinosaur with a tail that curves around the front.

GET YOUR SET TODAY!  LINK TO ORDER

Just to say thank you, check out our freebie site, for the complete set of the Morphun Blocks,  Alphabet Letters.

The post <strong>MORPHUN – These Blocks are Amazing</strong> appeared first on Ask Nana Anything.

1. Less and less we had trivial complaining
2. More students were watching how they spoke and acted towards others
3. We had fewer problems in and out of the classroom overall.

I know, I know what you are thinking, yeah right. Well, here is how the classroom (and family) meetings work.

• There was a format for the meeting
• During the meeting, respect was required, from each participant
• We always start with good things to share and complements
• People took turns speaking so everyone was heard and all comments are welcome as long as they are respectfully said
• The group/attendees/class/family decide on the punishments rather than the teacher/parent alone
• The family/classroom rules and bylaws are evolving but they are posted for all to see and abide by each week
• Everyone had a say in the rules and therefore valued them even more

So, this is what happened in the first meeting. We had an agenda and set out the rules of participation above.

The kids were brutal on one another, deciding that someone had to sit out their recess for the week because he or she was not fun to be around and was disrespectful on the playground. Another child needed to eat lunch alone for a week because he/she was too loud and mean at lunch and got the others in trouble.

Wow, I would have never given out such stiff punishments, but the classroom/family was quick to nip those bad behaviors in the bud. Plus, they were honest and open about how the other person’s behavior impacted others and how it made them feel. I saw children sticking up for others, children demanding accountability, and children finally having a voice against the children that needed to hear how their behavior made others feel. Those first three meetings were a lot about complaining and setting rules.

But by week four the magic started to happen. Kids were slowing down their trivial complaining and tattling, because right after the complaint, I would say, “Oh is this something we need to put on the agenda for the class to discuss, or can you all work something out among yourselves?” And quickly they decided they would work it out on their own, they did not want to get the class involved. Also, since they had set new rules themselves, they were now following the rules more and communicating with each other better, less fighting, and less tattling.

So, at our meetings we started to hear more and more about the good things happening, more compliments were coming and even more, people were being included rather than excluded because the class/family started to realize how the other person felt. There was more and more empathy, compassion, and seeing that consequences were based on your actions. Amazingly, we even saw a reduction or complete elimination of any type of bullying because they knew it would end up on the agenda, and the others were standing up for one another more, seeing one another situation more, taking responsibility for others more and these were all results from our meetings.

Finally, after about six weeks of meetings and refining the rules, we started to work on some fun things and projects we wanted to do because the class was now working together more, and fewer and fewer issues were coming up and communication overall was better. They started to feel pride and accomplishment and now wanted to help others and enjoy more fun time together. So, if you have a family, especially with children you might consider, especially right now to start a family meeting. I promise if you focus on the good and set a positive tone, this action can change a family or a classroom for the better.

Here are the basic rules but remember, this can evolve based on what your family wants to do each week.

Attached is a two-page guide to help you get started with your first family or classroom meeting. I would encourage you to create your own with your own rules book involving the meeting members in the process. They can refer to the book, rules, plans at any time for review or verification.

family-meeting-agenda

Format

• Set a time to meet on the calendar so that everyone can attend
• The meeting must be respectful at all times (I usually teach about respect in the first meeting)
• The agenda items for discussion that week must be posted the night before the meeting
• Open the meeting with the “good things” happening. If you have a compliment jar, read one or two compliments from that week. Even some of the toughest kids like to be told what positive things they are doing and get some praise. This action of giving compliments can bring out shy children as well, especially when they are talking about others.
• Then, set the ground rules for talking, one at a time (some people like to have a ball or microphone to use so that the person holding the item is clearly the person talking.)
• Document and discuss consequences and solutions to issues on the agenda. It is so funny when a family grounds a family member it is so much more powerful than when a  parent has to decide. It is a family thing, no longer the “mean” parent thing.
• Finally. discuss something fun that you could do after the next week or as a family project and end on a positive, or a fun note by doing the fun event from the planning at the last meeting.
• Do that activity together as a family; movie. play a game, play video games, dance, outside events, and more. Start a list suggested by each family member so that all have a say.
• The overall goal of the meeting is to clear the air, teach respect, and let everyone have a role in the rules, consequences, and deciding on the fun. When people young or old feel a part of something, and feel heard and respected they want to participate and support more of this behavior…they feel more a part of the family.
• The last and most important outcome of the meeting is communication. You will find out more and more from others as they see that they are not being judged. Problems will be discussed, questions will be answered, people will develop their own sense of self, and you will feel a part of the family, rather than always being the enforcer and rule maker. Be prepared, communication breeds more communication and creative ideas. I can’t wait to hear about your meetings and positive experiences.

Good luck with your FAMILY or CLASSROOM meeting!

The post <strong>COUNTDOWN WEEK 1 – COMMUNICATION: Family & Classroom Meetings</strong> appeared first on Ask Nana Anything.

2020 Family Challenge Day 3 – CLICK HERE

The post <strong> DAY 3 – FAMILY CHALLENGE</strong> appeared first on Ask Nana Anything.

Welcome to Day 2 of the Family Challenge! 

The post <strong>DAY 2 – FAMILY CHALLENGE</strong> appeared first on Ask Nana Anything.

Okay, here is the deal!

2020 Family Challenge – Day 1  Click HERE!

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BTW – Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you,  I could earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I currently do not run ads, or any other fee-based offer on my site so this is my only means of keeping the site up and running and I hope you LOVE what you see. 

1. Emoji Erasers – Kids LOVE these!

This is a pack of 60 cute emoji pencil erasers for kids. You could use them for rewards, or for a classroom incentive. They would just be cute on the surplus pencils that I know you buy. No wait, then students would try and lose a pencil. Haha!

Also, think about how the emotions come into play with these erasers. Hum, the ideas are really flowing now. They are on sale right now too. ENJOY!

2. Carpet Markers – 30 pack of colorful circles.

If you don’t use carpet markers yet, now is a good time. There are some many things you can use these for in the classroom. These stick to carpet or rugs.

• Sit Spots
• Line Up Spots
• Partner Spots
• Center Assignment Spots
• Positive Phrase/Words Spot
• Assignment Spots
• Spacing Spots (no more, he is touching me, whew!)
• Location Spots (Bathroom, Supplies, Paper)
• So MANY MORE!

But the Table Spots stick to the table, wall, or tile floor.

3. Hand Sanitizer – Two really big (67.59 fluid ounce) bottles.

These two large bottles of hand sanitizer are from Mountain Valley and they are not so harsh with vitamin E included. Yes, Amazon has their own brand for a cheaper price, but the one suggested had the most reviews.

4. 30 Colors Permanent Markers – 30 assorted colors

Fine point, a variety of colors, works on plastic, wood, or even the carpet markers above.

You can never have too many permanent markers and this set is great with all the classic colors and more.

5. Seville Classics 10-Drawer Organizer Cart (Multi-color, Pearlized)

This is a very popular item and the pearlized is the most popular at the best price. This cart has 10 drawers, 2 drawers per color, so 5 colors (red, orange, green, blue and purple).

The cart has wheels, and a chrome frame.

6. Melissa and Doug Scratch Art Box of Rainbow Mini Notes

These are so fun for special treats for the teacher to give or to allow students to write (scratch out) their own notes.

They will be a big hit for those special moments when you want to inspire, reward, encourage or challenge a child.

Wooden Stylus included, 125 count, 3.75″ H x 3.75″ W x 1.75″ L

7. MROCO Big Call Bells 

The classic bell is a must-have for transitions, refocus and alerts.

A xylophone or other bells work as well, but the classic desk bell just seems like the best choice.

  8.  2-pack Premium Wall Storage Pocket Charts/Organizer

2 PACK – 20 LARGE POCKETS AND SIX OVER DOOR HANGERS TOTAL

     ★– Get TWO, 10 Large Pocket File Folders with every order.

     Every order Includes SIX Over Door Hangers to fit Doors 1-3/4” or less 

9. 100 Colors Glitter Gel Pen Set

• LARGER SET: The Large glitter gel pens set on Amazon. No-Duplicated and 30% more ink for Long Lasting for Coloring Books. Also, are Perfect glitter pens for kids.
• SMOOTH APPLICATION: 0.8mm – 1.0mm fine point tip Glitter pens are just like gel markers would produce fine lines and make your journal vivid & shine. Color endlessly with soft grip barrel and extra ink.

10. Colorful – Extra Large Photo Keeper Tubs

• The perfect solution to organize center items, morning work, small craft items, and more.
• Snap-tight closures keep the contents secure, and rounded corners prevent damage to inner contents.
• In-molded handle provides comfortable, easy transport. Each outer case holds 16 photo cases.
• BPA free, acid-free, PVC free, lignin free, and recycle #5
• Outer Case Dimensions: 12.08″L x 14.98″W x 5.05″H

There are HUNDREDS of items I could have selected, but these are the top 10 from TODAY on the Amazon Teacher list, and most are on SALE.

HAPPY SHOPPING! 

The post <strong> Top 10 Teacher Tools from AMAZON</strong> appeared first on Ask Nana Anything.

                                                                                                                                  

My class was set up in tables with four students at each table, two odds and two evens. Each class period I would pick a number (largest odd number at each table) to put the homework papers from that table in a specific order. Sometimes I would ask for least to greatest on the top, or greatest to least.

I used numbering in my 3^rd – 5th-grade classes, but it can be used in any classroom above 2^nd grade. Below second grade a cheat sheet of the numbers in order was created in case the student needed assistance checking the numbers in order. The monitor would have the option of using it to check against until it was no longer needed. This just reinforced the counting and counting principles.

Then, the classroom monitor would quickly move about the room and pick up the papers based on the order given. If greatest to least was selected, they would start at the table with the greatest number first and work back to number 1, placing each stack on top of the previous one till reaching number 1 and vice versa for least to greatest. It took some thinking at first and some logic, but we ended up with a stack of papers in order from one to the last number in the room. This process allowed the classroom monitor (student of the day) to quickly thumb through the papers and see what numbers were missing.

As the monitors came to a missing number, they placed that number on the board and placed a circle on the chart next to that number for that homework day. The other students received a check for turning in their homework.

After a month or so of using this process, some monitors might even write the number on the board, turn and wait to see if that person did miss turning in their homework before putting the circle on the chart. This pause helped to produce some homework that might have been missed. Some students would ask if they could come back to them at the end of checking the papers and that they would have it ready, requesting that they wait just a minute on giving them the circle.

Now, the rule was that if you came up with the homework by the end of class your number was removed from the board and a check was placed in the circle in the chart. However, the circle remained on the chart to show that the homework was completed by the end of the period or even that day, just not at the beginning of the class period. Their number stayed on the board until they completed that homework. 

This whole process of collecting papers and recording missing homework soon took about 4 minutes from start to finish with only one student moving about the room. Within the first 5 minutes of class starting, I knew who was missing their homework without any hassle or confusion. What I loved is that the students handled it all, so I could welcome the class and get things set up for the lesson.

At the end of the class period, I would highlight the circles on the chart for homework still missing and record the numbers for that day. The rule soon became (determined at a class meeting by the students when I brought this issue to them for a solution) that after three yellow circles a parent or guardian was called.

As a result, some students started bringing me their papers before the end of the day to avoid messing up the class percentage. They already had a circle, but now at least they had a check mark before the day ended.

Soon after starting this process, the children decided that five yellow circles even with a check warranted a parent call (I told you they were harder on one another that I ever would have been).

The students came up with this rule because we sometimes graded the papers during the day and they felt that “all” the papers should be turned in before the end of the class period to be acceptable. They started to put themselves in my shoes and see the inconvenience of the late papers on the person grading them, and that was exciting.

Also, they decided for any student that must have their parent called twice, a parent visit was warranted, so they could see the chart and see that others were doing their homework and turning it in on time. The process worked like a charm; the students would drag other parents in the room and show them the chart in hopes that the parents would encourage homework to be turned in on time by their child.

We had a class goal of 100% homework per week (they thought it up for a reward) and they were on a mission to get all the homework done. The final power of the chart came on open house night or curriculum night for some.

The children and their parents walked by the chart to come into the classroom. Parents knew their child’s numbers because it was on their folders and each paper they turned into me. All the parents could see that their child was one of only a few missing some homework.

After that event, we received classroom pickles (they selected the reward) for almost three months in a row without fail. Peers were helping peers get homework done at breakfast, lunch, and recess to keep our classroom average going.  This encouraged peer-to-peer tutoring, and students supporting one another’s learning.

No missing circles were accepted, I encouraged students to complete the homework before the end of the week, so no circles were left open on their chart. The message this sent was that homework was valuable and that it needed to be completed and not just for a grade but to help them learn. I communicated the reason for the homework was to refine and recall skills which helped the student to develop a deeper understanding of the concept and better memory recall. This ownership of their learning seemed to be the very thing that helped them value the homework.

I have provided three FREE grids for you; Attendance, Homework, and a Blank Grid.  

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