Goldfish Scoot!

We're playing the "Trading Game" and practicing more while adding in money (with those children who aren't totally overwhelmed). I introduced two more games today, so the children have plenty of games to play for practice and I can pull small groups. We will be adding a Math vocabulary word each day to our Math journal as well. I'm thrilled with how well they are progressing. It seems they are "getting" it overnight. I tell them not to stress, just to rest! Their brains need time to work on the new information, so sleep on it and we'll go at it again tomorrow. That seems to have really helped my children. They know I have high expectations, we have SOOOO much to learn, and I'm not going to slack off, buuuuttttt...they also realize that I know they can only take so much. I understand when they're at the point of exasperation and tell them to take a rest. It's amazing how much new information children can grasp when we encourage them, exasperate them, encourage them, push... welll, you get the picture! Here are some more pix....

We had so much fun with the goldfish that I thought we could play Scoot with them. I made little goldfish, tossed some on each desk, and we played SCOOT! with our place value. It was very interesting... :) I saw very quickly who still struggles with place value! This was more of a teaching activity than a review this time...so, back to the old drawing, er, practice board. :)

Post-It Linky Party

Mrs. Rojas at Create Teach Share is having a linky party. How do you use Post-Its?

Here's one way I do:

I have a poster (I'll take a photo when I get back to school and add it here) that has a parking lot on it. It also has "Questions? Comments? Concerns?"  with space for post-its to be stuck on it. Students can get a "sticky note" and write down their troubles. These will be discussed at the end of the day before recess. Some students like to post lots of nonsense questions at first. They will stop when the others get upset with them for our "Wrap-Up" running over into RECESS! :D

Here's another way:

We also have a game called SCOOT! Anyone out there play SCOOT? I run the answer sheet for SCOOT front to back and put Post-Its on each desk. The Post-It note has the problem number, then a problem which the student answers in the box with the corresponding number. Students have one minute to solve the problem, then I call out "SCOOT!" and they scoot to the next desk. We continue until each child has been to each desk. I put out the first Post-It set, and we "SCOOT!" When everyone has been to each desk, I put out the second set of Post-Its (a different color), students flip to the other side of their paper, and we "SCOOT!" again before going over all the answers for both games. This is a wonderful way to review before testing and my teaching buddy and I switch students to give the children a break as well. It helps to keep them motivated and enjoying learning! We did this lots before I got a Promethean Board (smartboard?) so that my students had an opportunity to experience the technology. The children loved switching!

NOTE: Before you play SCOOT for the first time, have the children scoot around going to each desk so they can learn where to move each time for less confusion...especially with second grade and younger. :) I will attach a copy of the SCOOT document or e-mail it to you...just comment. I'd go ahead and do that now, but my copy of SCOOT is at school...

UPDATE: Because I have no idea how to attach a document for you to download, please leave your e-mail if you'd like a copy of my SCOOT doc. (Any help in solving this problem will be greatly appreciated! I know it has to be something soooo simple...) You can make your own xls spreadsheet with number boxes and put a header with SCOOT and a couple of cute pix if you prefer. :) Happy SCOOTing!