Today is officially the last day of summer break for me.  I'm seeing leaves falling from the trees in the woods behind our home.  Only a few leaves really, but enough to remind me that cooler weather is just around the corner.  School shopping is done (mostly) and every conversation I have with my husband seems to lead back to school.  "You're ready to go back!" he says.  I'm not!  I'm really not.  I would never trade the time I have with my own family, but in fact, I am pretty excited for school to begin.  I'm always excited for school to begin.  I've never met a teacher who isn't (in one way or another) just a little excited for school to begin. 

Part of the excitement comes with setting up my classroom.  My children helped me get things ready this year, especially my 9 year old, Tommy.  He helped put out name tags, unpack boxes and hang clips from the ceiling (well, maybe that was more me).  Thanks to him, the classroom is ready to go! 

But then, there's that other part of teaching.  There's that part where you have to plan and have curriculum and supplies ready to go for those first days and the weeks that follow.  I was pulling out all of those early assessments we do that help us get to know more about each of our students.  There are reading assessments, pre-writing assessments and math screeners.  So much to do! But because of those early assessments, I am able to identify needs early on and begin to address them. 

While I'm getting things ready, my mind goes to those children who need to develop Early Numeracy skills.  Sometimes, children struggle with counting up or back from a given number.  They might have confusions about how to write a number or the placement of the digits in a two digit number when writing it.  They have to think long and hard about one more or one less than a given number or counting up and back from a given number. They may still need to develop strategies in their mind for subitizing numbers in a group.  I started to pull together those resources that I have used during Guided Math or my RTI block that I thought would help children and allow them to have fun while doing it.  

I played this game last year with a few of my friends who needed Numeracy support in several areas.  I did this during my RTI block with just two children.  They loved it! They each had their own paper but shared the die or dice depending on our focus.  As they played they needed to roll and recognizing numbers on the dice and then write the number on their paper.  It sounds simple, but in fact there are a few important skills happening all at once!  They soon develop immediate recognition of the numbers on the dice and are starting to develop strategies for adding numbers together quickly.  They are also learning to write numbers accurately.  I did introduce and use this with the rest of my class as part of a lesson and went on to include this in math tubs during Math Workshop.  Variations include adding 2 or 3 dice/numbers. This differentiates for those students who are learning to add two numbers or those who in fact know their addition facts fluently and need to develop strategies that help them add 3 numbers.  This would be a great resource to have at your finger tips if you find you've got friends who need support in this area of Numeracy.  Preview it here in my Tpt Store.

Some of my students also need support in developing an understanding of one more or one less than a given number.   Initially, I use a number line with these children.  It gives them a chance to see a small amount of numbers in a row and to visually see that numbers get larger as you go up (add) or smaller as you go back (subtract).    I also have them use a clear chip on top of the given number on the number line so they can keep their place on the number line and still see the number.  Number grids can be visually overwhelming to some children. Using a number line allows children time to get used to finding a given number as well as time to understand how to move up or back on the number line.  Having said that, I do try to introduce a smaller version of the number grid that includes only two or three rows of numbers up to 20 or maybe 30.  I try to do this during a Guided Math Lesson or during RTI in order to offer as much support as possible for those children who are really struggling with finding numbers as well as developing an understanding of what "one more than" or "one less than" a given number means.  We work on building this foundation for as long as it takes in order to ensure success in later concepts in which children need to be able to mentally solve number problems.  This foundation later supports an understanding of 10 more or ten less.  Here is a resource  you might like to use in your classroom to help your own students develop these Numeracy Skills.  It is the One More One Less Monster Game. It includes numbers that are one more or one less to 10, to 15, to 30 and then to 100.  You can look at it by clicking here. 

And while you're looking at those games, I hope you check out this FREEBIE, The Roll and Cover Star Game.  Well worth it's price!!  This game is differentiated for the diverse needs of the children you're working with.  It's usable throughout the school year as it's not tied in to any season or holiday.  And did I mention that it's FREE?  Who can pass that up?  

Wishing teachers and children alike, a fun-filled start to the school year!

-Mary Ellen

New Beginnings

Blogging is a new adventure for me.  I love reading other people's blogs.  I enjoy following the teaching adventures of other great teachers out there.  There is always some new way to approach the same learning goals and it's fun to see how each teacher approaches these goals in his or her own way.  But after sneaking a peek into the classrooms of countless blogging educators out there, I decided that I could do this too.  I'm ready to share and hopefully show other teachers out there some ideas I've learned from the many, many amazing teachers and children I've worked with over the years. 

When I told my husband more than a year ago, that I wanted to start blogging and sharing my own experiences in the classroom, he was completely supportive (he always is).  He was ready to help me get started.  But with the pressures of working full time and being the parents of three amazing young children, it just never seem to happen and I let the idea go to the back of my mind.   Someday... maybe.  Not right now.

Soon the school year ended and sunny, schedule free days began. I knew that this was the perfect time for me to give this a go.  I had the time and now, I just had to figure out how to make this new adventure happen. I started creating things that other teachers might want to use in their own classrooms and blogging gives me the opportunity to share these ideas in the hopes that they might be helpful to someone else.

So here I go!  Welcome to First Little Lessons!