1-2-3 Come Do a Place Value Turkey With Me

November is fast approaching, so I've been working on some interesting turkey activities.

You can put some “Woo Hoo!” into studying place value, by creating a super-cute PVT (Place Value Turkey).

This is an especially fun activity for your students, and a nice alternative to worksheets; making it that “extra special something” you can do for the entire month of November.

Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable, and make an outstanding fall bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included 2 posters to help decorate.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the results definitely have that “Wow!” factor.

The packet is very versatile, with lots of creative options for your students to choose from; which not only results in a nice variety of turkeys, but allows you to diversify your lessons.

These place value turkeys appeal to a variety of ages and abilities.

The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a turkey that will have a one, two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Keep things simple for little ones by limiting the number of pieces and options, while challenging older students to create a bigger value for their turkeys, by gluing on more place value blocks and rods. 

Students can draw in their own face or pick one of the "head patterns" with a variety of eyes.

To add some 3D pop, add a beak and wattle, and bend the wings up a bit.

Children can also add a Pilgrim hat or bonnet or a bow.

There are also 2 patterns for the legs; one with regular turkey "feet", as well as one with Pilgrim shoes.

There are pattern pages with 2 sizes of "ones" and one hundred "blocks", as well as 2 sizes for the "10s" rods.

Students color and trim, then use the pieces to decorate their turkey with. 

After they have arranged the pieces to their satisfaction, they glue them down. 

Look at the photographs and you can see how I glued some "ones blocks" to the turkey's legs, his Pilgrim shoes, and on the back of the feathers. 

I tilted the 100s blocks to make a diamond-shaped design on one sample. You can also see a 100s block inside the buckle on the hat, as well as on the bow tie. 

For other examples, I glued 10 rods to the wings, hat, and legs.

There are also a variety of "belly" options.

I had an absolute blast making my samples and hope your kiddos enjoy creating their own place value tureky too. 

You can also opt to use the feather patterns that have a variety of place value pieces already on them. 

I thought using a 10s rod for the shaft of the feather looked terrific. This will save time cutting and gluing. 

Shading and adding highlights with crayons gives a splash of extra pizzazz and makes the turkeys more vibrant. 

I made my turkey's bodies with shades of brown paper, then did a rainbow color pattern of feathers on one of my turkeys, plus showed an AB-AB pattern, as well as an ABC-ABC color pattern, on two of my other examples. 

You can get a bit more creative, and print the turkey's body patterns on a variety of neon colors like hot pink, turquoise, purple and lime green, which will make for a wild and whacky turkey display.

Wiggle eyes, and a splash of glitter on the tips of the feathers, are more fun options.

Once children have created their place value turkey, they figure out how much it is “worth”.

I’ve provided several worksheet options for students to complete, which helps break things down.

Several will help students show how they came up with their total; as most students get carried away with decorating, and will have to make "conversions". 

For example if a student has glued on 14 ones blocks, they'll have to convert 10 of them (on their worksheet), then add one more to their 10s place, to correctly figure out the value of their turkey.

Choose which worksheet is most appropriate for your students.

They are different enough, so that you can actually do all of them.

If you're displaying the turkeys, you can also hang up students' worksheet(s), which will show the math.

There are also several whole-group activities for data collection and analysis.

Limited time?

Place value turkeys make a super-fun homework assignment, or another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVT in a small group of three, which will divide up the work.

Here's a fun challenge: Give the small group a total turkey value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number. 

The featured FREEBIE is something you can have students color, then send home the day before Halloween .

This "color me" Trick or Treat list of Halloween safety tips, is loaded with Dolch sight words, so take a moment to read it out loud, calling on students to take a turn to read a tip, then send it home as a reminder for parents.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

The sun is shining and there's nary a whisp of wind, so nature is beckoning me.  Wishing you a fun-filled day.

"The truth is, the Super Bowl long ago became more than just a football game. It's now part of our culture, just like turkey at Thanksgiving and lights at Christmas; and like those holidays beyond their meaning, a factor in our economy." - Bob Schieffer

1-2-3 Come Make a Sandcastle With Me

Put some “Woo Hoo!” into studying place value, by creating a super-cute PVS (Place Value Sandcastle).

This is a wonderful craftivity for both the end of the year, as a fun way to reinforce lessons learned, and also works well for back to school when you want to refresh, review and assess where your students are concerning their knowledge of place value.

The craft is a super-fun alternative to worksheets; however, I’ve also included some of those, for extra practice and as an assessment tool. 

One of the worksheet options, comes 2 on a one-page pattern for quick printing. 

Students fill in the blanks with the number, expanded form, word form and a breakdown of placement. 

Children also pick a partner and practice greater & less than, by comparing their sandcastle's value with their friend's.

Completed projects turn out really cute and make an outstanding bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included a variety of posters to help you decorate and add extra pizzazz, or use them as an interesting way to introduce the lesson and grab students' attention. 

I took a photograph of real sand, and made that my background paper, then placed transparent letters over the top, spelling "Sandcastles". 

Print, laminate & cut them out for a cool header for your bulletin board.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the castles definitely have that “Wow!” factor; especially if you do the “sand names”. 

I set this up as a center, and call students up while they are working on their sandcastle. 

Beforehand, I wrote their names on a variety of colored card stock; then assist them in "tracing" their name with Elmer's glue.

Afterwards, they sprinkle the wet letters with play sand. Set aside to dry. For your display, hang their name above or under their sandcastle for that finishing touch.

The packet is very versatile with quite a few options for your students to choose from, which allows you to diversify your lesson.

Designing a sandcastle is appealing to a variety of ages and abilities.
The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a sandcastle that will have a two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Beginners work on 1s & 10s, while older kiddos design with 1s, 10s & 100s. I’ve also included worksheets for 4-digit numbers, so that older students can work with 1,000s.

Keep things simple for little ones and limit the number of pieces and options, while challenging older students to create a bigger value for their sandcastle.

Once children have finished their PVS they figure out the value of their sandcastle.

I’ve provided several worksheet options for students to complete. 

Since some of my kiddos get carried away with decorating, they'll have to do some "conversions" when figuring out the value of their sandcastle. 

i.e. If they count up 17 ones, they'll have to make one ten, leaving just 7 ones. 

The worksheet helps them figure out the value by showing the math. 

I'm also able to easily asses that they "get it".

Besides the place value sandcastles, I’ve also included 2 options for a seashell, “counting castle” for younger students. 

There are 5 different seashells for students to color, cut and glue to the sandcastle of their choice. 

Little ones can practice counting to 10, while kinders can work on those toughie teen numbers. 

I've also included a graphing extension so that you can practice that standard as well.

I've also included 3 seashells labeled 1s, 10s & 100s, if you'd like to make this simpler place value sandcastle, or use these as an independent math center. 

Limited time? This makes a super-fun homework assignment, or another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVS in a small group of three, which will divide up the work.

Here’s a fun challenge: Give the small group a total sandcastle value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number.

For a super-fun math center, print a variety of sandcastle pieces & flags on construction paper or card stock. Laminate and trim.

Students can design a sandcastle, then figure out the value, writing that number on the flag using a dry erase marker. When they’re done, take a photograph.

Put the pictures in an album along with their place value worksheet. The same can be done with the seashell sandcastles as well.
I’ve included covers for your album(s). 

I know summer has just begun, but I also know there are teachers who are starting to collect things for back to school.

So today's featured FREEBIE is a "Lucky Charms" treat bag that you can make for your kiddos.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Time to put on my Nana hat, as two of my nine grandchildren, are spending the day with me.

Hopefully the rain will hold off.  If not, it will be a puddle jumping day! Wishing you a fun-filled week.

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, a warm and gentle breeze is blowing, the birds are singing a sweet song and the lawnmower is broken." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Practice Place Value With Me

Put some “Woo Hoo!” into studying place value, by creating a super-cute PVP (Place Value Pumpkin).
This is an especially fun activity for your students and a nice alternative to worksheets; making it that “extra special something” you can do on party day or for October math practice.

Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable and make an outstanding bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included 2 posters to help decorate, as well as header cards that show the total value of the pumpkin.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the results definitely have that “Wow!” factor.

The packet is very versatile with lots of creative options for your students to choose from, which allows you to diversify your lesson.

Appeals to a variety of ages and abilities.
The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a pumpkin that will have a two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Keep things simple for little ones and limit the number of pieces and options, as they create a Place Value Pumpkin "head".

Challenge older students to add arms and legs which will add to the total value of their pumpkin, as well as increase the cuteness factor. I’ve included hats, gloves and shoe patterns too.

Once children have finished their PVP they figure out the value of their pumpkin.

I’ve provided several worksheet options for students to complete, as well as a whole-group activity.

Pick which of the 3 worksheets is the most appropriate for your students. 

Each practices a variety of place value math standards.

On the one pictured here, students write the various forms of their number. Students also pick a partner and compare and contrast their Place Value Pumpkin Pal with another classmate's to practice even more math standards.

Pumpkin head patterns take up a full page, so there's plenty of room for creating a nice sized Place Value Pumpkin head.

To show you how tall these creations can get I took a picture of my husband's personal favorite next to a ruler.

Limited time? This makes a super-fun homework assignment, or another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVP in a small group of three, which will divide up the work.

Here’s a fun challenge: Give the small group a total pumpkin value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number.

Create extra pizzazz and 3D pop, by giving students the option to add wiggle eyes, glitter, a pipe cleaner vine, bow, rhinestones, or a pom pom topped cap.

I had an absolute blast using all of these "extras" in my samples.  They really added that "finishing touch".

Today's featured FREEBIE is also perfect for Halloween party day. 

It's an "oldie but goodie" that I created a few years ago before I honed my computer graphic skills, but my kiddos absolutely love cutting out a "Spooky Spiral", which look pretty awesome swirling and twirling from the ceiling.

Well that's it for today.  So happy to be done with this whopper of a packet chock full of so many fun options.

Time to take a much-needed break. Despite crashing temps from 70s to 50s it's a pretty day. 

The sun is shining and fall has definitely arrived.  Wishing you a joy-filled day.

"Piles of leaves; Crisp autumn breeze; Pumpkin pie; Oh My!" - Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some Snowman Activities With Me

No matter what grade I taught, my students LOVED making glyphs. They are a quick, easy and fun way to practice listening and following directions.

With that in mind I designed a snowman glyph.  Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board, and provide an interesting way to get to know your kiddos too.

To practice data collection & analysis, as well as process of elimination, have students try and figure out who made some of the snowman glyphs. I've also included 3 graphing extensions to practice another math standard. 

Another super-fun snowman activity, is Silas, the 3D Cylinder Shaped Snowman.

I've found that if I toss a bit of craftiness into our lesson, I not only grab my students' attention, but they learn and retain those concepts better. 

The cylinder shape was a bit of a toughie for some of my kiddos, so this really helped solidify the concept.

Silas does double duty, as his facial features practice and review 2D shapes, which can be drawn on, or cut and glued.

Finally, my kiddos needed more place value practice. To put a bit of zippidy-doo-dah in reinforcing this math standard, I designed  Petey, a super-fun place value snowman.

Simply print the worksheet filled with an assortment of place value blocks. (There's 2 on a page).

Students decide which pieces they want to use to decorate their PV snowman with, then color, cut and glue them to the pattern.

Afterwards, they figure out the value of their snowman, then fill out the "My Place Value Snowman" worksheet.

I've included a blank template as well, if you think this is too much information for younger kiddos.

Children can fill out the black and white version, with whatever information is appropriate for their level. 

I've included one in color, so that teachers can quickly and easily make a sample to share.

Completed projects make an awesome bulletin board or hallway display. 

For more wintry place value practice, I designed a snowman, whole-group assessment game, which can also be used as an independent center activity.

I’ve included both a full page snowman, as well as a two-on-a-page pattern.  Students can draw in their own snowman face, or color my pattern.

To turn these into dry erase “boards”, cut squares out of glossy photo paper.  Each student needs 4 to glue on top of the squares on their place value snowman.   My students keep their snowman in their math journals, as we play the game once or twice a week. 

Students, don’t really seem to get tired of it, and the place value “light bulbs” go on rather quickly in their heads.   Despite the fact that many of my kiddos can't count past 100, they still can wrap their brains around place value, when shown visually, by playing this game.

Print; laminate and trim the number cards (0-9) and toss them in a mitten or winter cap.  Choose 3 students to pick a card.  This will become the 3-digit number that students write in the number squares of the snowman’s hat, using a dry erase marker.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a "Rip & Tear" snowman craft. Ripping and tearing paper is a super-fun way for kiddos to strengthen those finger and hand muscles. 

The packet includes a pattern for a mosaic snowman, as well as a whole, torn paper one. 

My kiddos do one the first week of January, then the other at the end of the month. 

Completed projects make an awesome bulletin board or hallway display, which we keep up through February. 

In the photograph, you can see Silas, the 3D cylinder shaped snowman, hanging with our rip and tear snowmen.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Even tho' it's a chilly 33 degrees outside, the sun is shining, so I think I'll take my poodle pup Chloe for a walk.  Wishing you an energizing day.

"The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results." - Anthony Roberts

1-2-3 Come Learn About Place Value With Me!

I found that when I played fun place value games with my kinders and 1st graders, the light bulbs of understanding went on so much faster.

Repetition is a must, as everyone learns at a different rate.  By making a different place value slider each month, you get the consistent repetition you need, but because it's a little different, things don't get boring for your little ones.

Making things hands-on, by incorporating a craftivity-game, is always edu-taining for children.

Because students are familiar with the directions, and can get right down to business, you're also empowering them and building their self-esteem.

"Sliders" were one of my Y5's favorite craftivities.  I designed them for skip counting, shapes, upper and lowercase letters etc.

I gave them the name "sliders" because students slide a strip up and down as a quick & easy way to practice and review all sorts of things.

Because quite a few teachers have requested activities for place value, I thought sliders would be a wonderful way for students to "see" and "manipulate" that concept.

They are a quick, easy, & fun way to whole group assess too!

I designed a place value slider for each month, with some generic extra's. They will help you with Common Core State Standards: 1.NBT.2a, 1.NBT.2b, 1.NBT.2c, 1.NBT.3, K.NBT.1

For more CCSS practice have students jot down the numbers they are showing on the slider. Students can then compare 2 numbers as > or < .

To include addition and subtraction practice as well, ask students to make the number that is 10 more or 10 less.

Let's Make A Slider!

Run off the place value slider templates on construction paper.  Choose a variety of colors where appropriate. i.e. apples can be red, green and yellow; leaves can be all of the fall colors etc.

By doing so you are teaching a little bit of science at the same time.  i.e. apples can be 3 different colors; leaves change color because they don't have chlorophyll etc.

To expedite things, have a room helper pre-cut the slits.

Run off the 1’s, 10’s, 100’s strips on white construction paper. Students trace the numbers and cut out their strips.

The 1st strip, without a 0, is the 100’s strip, the 2nd is 10’s, the 3rd is 1’s.  Remind students that the 100 strip does not have a 0 on it.

Cut the 3 blank strips and fold them in 1/2. Cut on the fold.

Glue one piece of the blank strip, to each end of a numbered strip, so that you can easily pull the strips up and down. Insert strips into the slits on the place value slider.

A piece of Scotch tape on the back, makes things smooth for easier pulling.

The teacher starts by calling out a number and then writing it on the board.  Students manipulate the strips in their slider to make that number.

Teacher calls on students to tell  how many 100’s, 10’s and 1’s there are. Give every child a chance to make up a number and play the teacher.

Cover more CCSS math standards with the prior suggestions discussed above.

When everyone catches on, you can play “Speed” to see who can make the number 1st.

Make sure you make a sample for yourself to demonstrate what you want your students to do. Students can add a bit more pizzazz to their sliders with crayons.

I hope your kiddo's will enjoy making, manipulating, and collecting their monthly place value sliders.

Click on the link to view/download the Place Value Slider Packet.

Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.  My "pin it" button is at the top.

"Of those to whom much is given, much is required."