Mrs. Patton's Patch

We have a winner!

2012-03-19T16:54:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Luna Interactive Projection Camera is...

Congrats, Mrs. Saoud!

If you haven't ever checked out her blog, Primary Graffiti, you should. It's great! You'll be glad you did... :)

Ten Frame Games

2012-03-17T13:32:00.000-05:00

Happy St. Patty's Day! Hope you are wearing green! :)

I just finished uploading my new Ten Frame Mini-Unit to TPT. It has 7 games to play with ten frames. It's sure to engage your students!

Check out my Facebook Page to see if you can get it for free!

Speaking of free, if you'd like to win the Luna Interactive Projection Camera, time is running out to enter. Click here to enter that giveaway.

Luna Camera Giveaway

2012-03-15T09:27:00.002-05:00

I was so excited when I was contacted by Learning Resources to try out their new Luna Interactive Projection Camera. I used it in my classroom last week, and it was great! I already had a document camera that the school provided for every room, but to be completely honest, I might like this one better.

This one was easy to install on my computer, and it was so easy to have it display on my projection screen. The arm makes it easy to move around, and my favorite part is that it can take video. My other document camera didn't do that, so this was a great plus. We took a video of me playing the guitar and the kids singing our "Good Morning Song" and our "Good-bye Song". We shared them at Open House with the parents. I wish I could show you those videos, but I've got to protect my kiddos!

Here are the ways I intend to use the camera:

to read aloud tiny picture books... on the big screen everyone can see
to take class videos
to show samples of work/ rubrics
to share student work
to observe things up close on the big screen for science

These are just a few ways I intend to use the camera in the next few weeks. If you don't have a document camera in your room and you would like one that can display things on the screen as well as take pictures and video, this may be a good option for you. At the price, I don't expect teachers to go purchase it right away, but it would be a good thing to put on a Donor's Choose Project or to write a grant for. The number of ways you can use it are endless.

Now, for the good part!

Learning Resources has agreed to give one Luna Interactive Projection Camera away to one of my lucky readers! To enter the giveaway, you can:

1 entry: Like Learning Resources on Facebook
1 entry: Follow Learning Resources on YouTube
1 entry: Follow my Blog
1 entry: Share about the giveaway on your blog (leave a link to your post if you do this)

That's it! Please leave a comment on THIS post for each of the things you do to enter. (You do not have to do all 4 to qualify) If you comment for doing anything other than these 4 things, it will be deleted.

I will pick the lucky winner on Sunday, March 18th at 9:00 PM Central Time.

Good Luck!

My First Clipart Endeavor-- Freebie for you!

2012-03-14T18:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I opened a package from Adobe so eagerly because... I purchased Adobe Illustrator! I was able to get a great deal, and I am so excited to delve into creating clip art. I really wanted the characters from the 3 little pigs because I have had a hard time finding all 5 characters. (My kinders insist that the mother pig is an essential character in the story.) Here are the characters I created. Feel free to use them. You can right click and save the image. I only ask that you will give me credit if you use them in your items for sale or freebies. I'd love to see what you create with them if you download them.

Alright, here it is... don't laugh too hard, it's only my first try (Although it took hours...)!

Hope you like them and can use them in your creations. :)

FREEBIE- Roll, Say, Write

2012-03-13T16:36:00.001-05:00

For those of you on your Spring Break, I hope you are enjoying it and soaking it up! It's a perfect day for Spring Break here in Texas. :)

Last week I was doing some ongoing math assessments in my classroom, and noticed that a handful of my students could use more practice with identifying and writing numbers in the teens correctly. One of my sweeties suggested I make the Roll, Say, Write game with teen numbers, so here it is!

I created dice, boards with numbers to trace, boards with blank spaces, and an I Can card.

Enjoy!

Roll, Say, Write Teens -

Don't forget to leave a comment if you download the freebie. I read every single one!

Math Journal Ideas

2012-03-05T18:22:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple of things we have done in our math journals recently. I try to make sure that they write something everyday. I tell my students that "the scientists figured out that our brains remember things best when we do something, talk about it, and then write about it." It's pretty cute the way they take that explanation. I also refer to "the scientists" when I explain why they can't lay down on the carpet during a mini-lesson. :)

We have been starting to work on number combinations and putting numbers together. To help them get ready for this concept, we did a lot with 10 frames. (I've got a mini-unit all about 10 frames coming soon!) Here is an example of 2 of my students' math journal entries:

I notice that there are 3 dots missing.

This is 4 because it has 4 dots.

We also played a game from one of our curriculum resources where they basically play war with number cards. The difference is that they have to pick two cards and add them together. The player with the largest sum takes all 4 cards and puts them in their stack. Anyway, after learning that game today, I had them pull two cards and write a sentence about the sum in their math journals to solidify their thinking. Here are some samples:

5 and 4 is 9.

3 and 4 is 7.

2 and 3 is 5 because I counted it.

I always tell them that to be a "4 cupcake" they need to do more than I expect. I had quite a few kids have time to do 3 or 4 of these in 5 minutes, and a couple of students who exceeded expectations by writing because...

So, math journals don't need to be just for solving word problems anymore. I use them everyday even if it is just a simple sentence of what they practiced or got better at that day. "The scientists" really have proven that writing down thinking helps to solidify it!

Free Game to Use with Playing Cards

2012-03-04T15:44:00.000-06:00

I was going to do another Look in My Plan Book for you, but this week and the last week I have been using games mainly from Investigations. (That is one of the resources we pull from for our math curriculum.) I didn't think it would be too helpful for those of you who don't use Investigations. So, instead I decided to share a freebie with you that I will be using in my class in a few weeks.

If you want to work on number combinations to 10, then this is the freebie for you. All you need is to print the board and I Can cards I made for you, and then add a sorted deck of playing cards.

Click here to download the freebie!

Enjoy!

Don't forget to leave feedback. I love to read your comments!

P.S.- I've been really into 10 frames lately ever since I created that set of flash cards. I'm working on a mini-unit filled with games to use with the 10 frames cards. I hope to finish it before Spring Break! 5 days for me... :)

Free Tens Frame Game Website

2012-02-29T20:06:00.002-06:00

As I was looking for free websites with interactive math games, I found this one.

Students can use the tens frames to count how many, build numbers, fill in numbers, and add.

I might use it to introduce addition with numbers and then let my kids choose it as a station during our math workshop time. I just love finding free interactive games!

Click here to check out the site.

Don't Forget...

2012-02-29T19:34:00.000-06:00

...to stop by my store when you are getting your goodies during the Leap Day Sale!

With the code L2P9Y you can get an additional 10% off the 20% off sale I am throwing. Be sure and check it out! Coupons don't come out too often on TPT, so you'll want to advantage of it!

Farm Animal Math Game and Math Journals

2012-02-28T19:41:00.000-06:00

This week, I introduced a new game called Coop 10 Chickens. It's a game that gets kids thinking about adding numbers together and combinations to 10. Here is a picture of the game in action:

I just posted the game in my TPT store. Click here to check it out!

We have been working on combining numbers for a week or so now, and here is something the kids have been doing in their math journals:

I have some jumbo foam dice that they love to roll. We try to write something in our math journals at the end of math workshop each day. I love math journals because it provides the perfect opportunity for linking writing with math.

Also, I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow is the big sale on Teachers Pay Teachers. With the code L2P9Y you can get an additional 10% off the 20% off sale I am throwing. Be sure and check it out! Coupons don't come out too often on TPT, so you'll want to jump on the chance. Guess I should have said leap, huh? :)

Tens Frame Flash Cards Freebie!

2012-02-27T15:30:00.002-06:00

I like to use tens frame flashcards or quick images with my students. It facilitates good discussion and helps them look at numbers in a different way. I couldn't find the exact cards that I wanted, so I made my own. Click the button below to grab them for free!

This week, we are using them in a few different ways. We will use them on the document camera for number talks, they will paste one in their math journals with a sentence or two explaining what they see (ex. This is 5. I see 2 and 3.), and I am going to use some of them to depict the concept of 2 more and 2 less.

Let me know if you grab this freebie and how you plan to use it!

Sweet Work Display

2012-02-26T10:16:00.000-06:00

I've just added this display to my classroom. We have been rating our behavior, work, and even knowledge of a subject with cupcakes. (To learn more about this, click here.)

When I notice work that has gone above and beyond (a 4 cupcake), it gets a special cupcake stamp and goes on display for everyone to see the excellent work. I took this picture when it first started, but it is full now and I am now getting to switch them out. The students just love to have their work on display!

Here is a link to the cupcake stamps I used.

Here is a link to the cupcake cutouts.

Also, I will be participating in the Teachers Pay Teachers Leap Day sale on Wednesday, February 29th. I will be offering 20% off in my TPT store, and TPT has the code L2PNY for an additional 10% off. That's up to 28% off the products in my store! Be sure to check it out on Wednesday.

A Look in My Plan Book- 02.13.12

2012-02-11T12:30:00.000-06:00

Here is what I am planning to do next week in math.

Click either picture to download my plans.

If you are unfamiliar with my math workshop framework, click the picture below to download the sample and learn more!

Click the pictures below to link to the freebies and priced products mentioned in my plans. There is also a link the the app I will encourage my kids to use this week.

This game is called Balance Up. It is from the Teachers Pay Teachers store called From the Pond. I love it for introducing number combinations.

I am using this with conversation hearts and plastic baggies to practice number combinations.

I am introducing this game in small groups to my kids who are ready for combining higher numbers.

Hope these are helpful! If you've got a second, let me know what you think. I just love comments!

Hunting for Sounds

2012-02-10T10:25:00.000-06:00

I've added a new activity to my word work station. My students were begging me to find other ways to use our mini-clipboards, so I came up with the idea of a sound hunt. It will send my students around the room searching for beginning, middle or ending sounds.

Click here to check it out!

Last night...

2012-02-08T18:32:00.000-06:00

... for my sale. Through midnight, you can get 20% everything in my TPT store. Click the picture below to head on over!

A Sale for My Sweet Readers and the Giveaway Winners are Announced!

2012-02-05T13:05:00.000-06:00

I am just amazed at how many of you sweet people out there read this little blog of mine. It's more than I ever thought it would be! Your comments are sweet and I appreciate every encouraging word. As a thank you to my sweet readers, I'm throwing a sweet sale at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Enjoy 20% off through Wednesday night.

And now... here are the winners of the giveaway!

Karen, Mrs. L, Peterson's Primary Peeps, and Erin, I need you to email me at colleen(dot)patton115(at)gmail(dot)com since you did not leave your email addresses.

I will select new winners if they do not contact me within 48 hours.

Here's what they won:

If you missed it, be sure to check out my post from yesterday with my math plans for the week. It has links to a few freebies!

A Look in My Plan Book- 02.06.12 with a Freebie

2012-02-04T13:19:00.000-06:00

Here are my plans for next week. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to see how to enter the giveaway for my Love Bug Valentines Math and Literacy Centers and 2 things from the lovely Deedee Wills!

Click either picture below to download my plans.

If you are unfamiliar with my math workshop framework, click the picture below to download the sample and learn more!

Click the pictures below to link to the freebies and priced products mentioned in my plans. There is also a link the the app I hope to introduce this week.

If you have not entered to be one of the 5 winners of 3 great February Products, you need to go now! The winners will be selected tonight!

Teaming Up for a Fabulous February Giveaway... 5 winners!

2012-02-01T20:53:00.001-06:00

Want to win something? You have a great chance here! The wonderful Deedee Wills of Mrs.Wills Kindergarten and I are teaming up for a Fabulous February Giveaway.

5 people will win these three things:

Here's how to get your entries (Please leave a comment on my blog only for each item you complete):

Follow Deedee's Blog
Follow Deedee's Teachers Pay Teachers Store
Follow my blog
Follow my Teachers Pay Teachers Store
Follow my Facebook Page

5 winners will be picked at 11:59 PM CT on Saturday, February 4th so enter soon!

PS- Please only comment for each of the 5 things listed above. All comments that do not follow the guidelines will be removed. (Up to 5 entries per person, no more than that please)