An Adventure With Numbers

In my teaching experience, I found that it was a bit more difficult to get the boys excited about doing some of the daily activities I had planned.

I also learned quickly, that if I incorporated something as simple as clip art into the lesson, that this would peak their interest, and I’d have a real motivational tool to helping them get down to business.

Even though God’s given me the wonderful gift to be able to draw a lot of my own creations for this website, it’s always nice to integrate clips from a male perspective.

When you tell a little boy that you’re going to count today, you’ll likely see eyes roll in a bored fashion, followed by audible groans.

Instead, whisper that they’re going on an adventure, to see how many snails, snakes, frogs and  dragons they can find and count; and you’ll not only have  their attention, but they’ll probably WANT to get going right away!

I designed Counting Creatures with this in mind, and was delighted to have Phillip Martin’s permission to use his wonderful clip art for my TeachWithMe projects.

Click on the link to check out his awesome site.

I think the girls will have fun too.  I used to say my daughter was a princess with hiking boots.

This packet includes the following:

1. An easy reader booklet where students read the sentence, trace and write the number and number word, make that many tally marks, circle the number in the sequence, and then glue the number creature to the matching box in their booklet.

2. Number cards + a cover so that students can make an Itty Bitty booklet.

You can also use these for flashcards, or a variety of games.  I’ve included a tip sheet  of what else you can do with them.

3. A graphing extension

4. An anchor chart number poster +

5. A certificate of praise.

Click on the link to view/download Counting Creatures packet

I hope these cute creatures get your creative kids counting!

Feel free to PIN anything you feel others might find helpful!

“What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul.” –Joseph Addison

Spring Into The Garden and Reinforce Color and Number Words

In My Garden is another easy reader that’s great for your writing center or Daily 5 activities too.  Once students get used to these little booklets they feel empowered and it builds their self-esteem as well as their skills.

This booklet reinforces number and color words and touches on a little science as it involves insects, which can lead to a discussion of what might go on in a garden.

I’ve included 2 graphing extensions to nail that core standard as well.

Besides the graphing extensions, the booklet also offers a variety of other discussion opportunities

All of the things in the garden are seen doing something.  Do they all do the same thing?

The last page asks students how high they can count to.  Which student in your class can count the highest?  How high is that?

When everyone has completed their booklet, read it as a whole group to reinforce concepts of print and so students can take it home and enjoy sharing it with their families.

Click on the link to view/download In My Garden

You may also want to teach or read the nursery rhyme Mary How Does Your Garden Grow? I never had enough time for my nursery rhyme unit at the end ot the year, so I tried to plug in nursery rhymes throughout the year, whenever they seemed to fit with other themes.

Click on the link to view/download this  nursery rhyme. (2 anchor chart-posters)

I hope your day is filled with sunshine and flowers and that you can flutter on over tomorrow for some more tips.