In My Schoolroom…. Maths and Targeted Early Numeracy

Each term I try to target an area of education, this term I am focusing more on numbers.  I have preschool and year 1 so my activities are targeted at early years at the moment but could be adapted. When I am having a saturation of maths I tend to spend 2 minutes ever 45 to 60 minutes to quickly do one quick question.  Any moment between activities and at the end of the day finish with a website.  Some weeks this is less possible but I try.  

If I am not having a saturated focus on this then I tend to spend 10 minutes per day.

PINTEREST is a great place to get ideas... there is a load more which I have used but these are this weeks favourites.

RESOURCE: Wild Australia Number Cards

Number recognition

We have these great Number cards which have numeral, word and pictures.  Although it is not a ten frames I find it great for number recognition and an opportunity to put in order Numbers 1-20.  I love that it is the NSW font. 

Before and After

I use these card for before and after which I find for teen numbers is crucial to practice.

Dominoes

The back of these cards have pictures and numbers to play dominoes.  We don’t play this a lot as it takes time but if we finish the weeks work early or have some days in the schoolroom with no programmed work. 

Making Numbers

Using these I then get the child to make the number on a ten frame.

RESOURCE: We Know Tens Frames

These are great for number recognition of words.  I love flashing these or dropping them in a pile and we all work together to sort. 

I often hold them up and cover the number and ask  the child to read the word… they can use the ten frame to count. 

Will often hold one up and ask how many blank spaces or how many dots. 

RESOURCE: ONLINE websites

 
I am not a great fan of looking at the computer screen a lot in the primary years of schooling but it is a necessary evil for many reasons.  I usually give the students just 10-15 minutes on one of these maths sites and would have 10-15minutes on a literacy based site such as reading eggs or RAZ kids.

Through experience I have discovered if you can get the kids doing one of these once each day on top of normal work they will have far more confidence.  At the start it is often a good thing to look through the activities and choose the one carefully according to knowledge.  If they get more than half wrong then they weren’t ready.

I also use them as a reward which is a great idea.  Also great practice for multi-age classrooms as it can give you time with other children and give them an opportunity to practice skills that sometimes get missed.

Mathletics

Such a brilliant site and I quite often choose activities based on our units of work or somethink that needs practise.  I encourage the fact that mistakes means you are learning. 

TEN Frame
http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3565

This has quite a few different types of games and my year one student loves it as a reward.  We sometimes use the game questions with our own physical ten frame. Great way for the student to mix it up.

Count Me In Too
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/countmein/children_butterfly_ten_frame.html

Great NSW Curriculum website with handy games to do with many areas of maths.  I have used it with all ages but probably something I use as a change from Mathletics.  

Chart - Expectations (Alternative to rules)

Lesson Expectations

·       Have your book & pencil ready to go.

·       Sit on the chair at the desk.

·       LISTEN carefully to lesson.

·       At the end of lesson tell Supervisor you homework & write it on your planner.

·       Complete your homework before the start of your next lesson.

Desk Expectations

·        SHARP pencils are a must.  Have 3 pencils at your desk ready to go at the start of the day OR use a pacer pencil

·        Talk to me in a normal voice and speak clearly.

·        Sit at your desk in the correct manner.

·        If you want to get out of your seat please ask.

End of The Day

·     Desk MUST be totally clean and tidy of all items

·     Work Trays should have all work tidily arranged inside and not just shoved in.

·     Under and around Desk area needs to be clean of rubbish and other items

Chart - Schoolroom Guide

Rules don't work in every schoolroom ... sometimes it needs a name change to be effective

Schoolroom Guide

Hands Up

Put your hand up when we are talking as a group.

Respect what others say.

Don't talk over the top of other people; they will indicate when they are finished talking.

Look interested in what they are saying. Behave appropriately at all times.

Be Patient!

Talk in Full Sentences

Ask a full question or give a full answer.

Don't ask : Where do I do it?

I Say: WHAT??????

You Say: Which page do I write my journal and where do I do my plan?

Respect and Honesty

Show respect for yourself, other students and property.

If you want to do something ask. Answers to questions can change.

If you want to know why then ask.

Accept the answer given.  Sometimes even adults don't have a choice about that.

Tell the truth, honesty is rewarded.

Always pay attention and remain on task.

Be cooperative.

Be on time, be on task, be prepared.

Laughter

Always be your best and do your best.

Laughter can make the day go faster.