100 Days of Fun!

I love the hundredth day of school. 
Okay, I love/hate it. 
It is so-o-o fun, but, let's be honest-- it's organized chaos. 

I think it is important to have some days that are like that-- "organized chaos"-- but it sure does seem like the fall right around the beginning of February.  (Magical Mitten Day, the 100th Day and then Valentine's, usually all fall one week after another!)

This year I wanted to try something different-- so I searched and searched and found many different versions of this idea.  I tweaked it to fit my kiddos and gave it a try.  It was super fun!
Each first grader had "100" and a paper.  Their job was to transform their 100 into something interesting... And, boy, oh, boy, did they EVER!
We put them up in the hall and it was fun to see who figured it out right away and who had to do a double-take. (Our Special Ed teacher figured it out immediately-- one of our kinder teachers took a few times to finally realize what they were!)

My 100 is a smiley face. I made it because I have a 00 and it is like a smile face. Her name is Emily.

My 100 is a monster truck. It is cool.

My 100 is a pirate.  It's name is 100 Pirate Captain.  His ship is on land.

My 100 is a tractor. I like to ride [it on the] weekend.

My 100 is a ladybug.  My 100 is sleeping.

My 100 is a butterfly.  It is up, up, up in the sky!

 My 100 is glasses.  The name is Glassie.

My 100 s an elephant. and he is 9.  His name is Jack.

I make my 100 into a tractor.  It is named Petersen.

My100 is a man.  He has a beard and a mustache. And his eyes are big.

 

We start our day by making 100th Day hats!  Each student is given 10 strips that they can decorate with 10 things.  (Some years I give them a hundred board-- some years I just give them 10 strips.)

Then they are given the words "It's the 100th Day!" They have to decide what words they want to put on their hat :)

I printed the words "Days of Fun!" and then dye cut 100 and some cute little kids.  That became the backdrop-- super easy, super cheap and they kids LOVE it. Plus, it makes a really fun keepsake!

 

 

Some kids like to leave them straight.

Some kids like to make theirs all zig-zaggy! Either way, they are super fun!!

 

What fun things do you do for the 100th Day??

 

Happy Thursday!
 Sarah

No longer a "Van Maren"... I'm a "Mrs." now!!

Well I have been missing from the blogging world for a very long time... I started the year strong-- posting weekly updates... taking photos of things that I thought might be good to share... But the closer I got to my wedding day, the lower on my list this fell. :/ that's the way of things, I guess!

But now I am back and hopefully ready to rock!

I am going to start with a few wedding photos-- just because I love them so much! :)

"Mrs. Wilson" does not have the same ring to it as "Miss Van Maren" but I am getting used to it :)  My kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it-- and it has been fun to listen to them explain it to other students and even guests that come to our room. :)

BUILD: Week 3...

I love when October finally hits.  My kiddos have been in school long enough to know HOW to be in school (my fellow First Grade Teachers know exactly what I mean...) and they are settled and ready to take off!

Here are my BUILD Rotations for this week :)
The photos were being stubborn.  We will see if I can convince them to turn correctly-- sorry if they don't! :)


B-Buddy Games

Teen Numbers are our focus this week.  The first game is from Every Day Counts Partner Games.  It is a matching game that has all different representations of teen numbers. 

The second game is using 10 frame cards. Pull out a 10 card.  Have each player take turns flipping over one more card. (For example, if I flip over an 8, I have to say "8 and 10 are the same as 18." You can play it speed version-- where whoever says it first gets it, or by turns.  They LOVE it!

If you don't have ten frame cards, here for some that I made... they are a MUST have for all k-2 classrooms!!


 
U-Using Manipulatives

 

This first game is a subtract 1 game.  I have my kids use their "bead rack" to work on the problems-- although they can do them mentally. 

 

The second game is a monster number match game.  It is SO stinking cute!  Thanks to the great creator, Grade School Giggles, click here for a copy!

I had my kids build the numbers on their bead rack when they matched them.  Simple but super fun!

 

 

 

 



 I-Independent Reading/ Independent Work

This is another cut and paste book.  I made this one based off a math poem that I found in a great resource!  It is all about counting sets of 10. When they finish this, if there is time, they can read the math books.

 L-Learning about Numbers

 
 

 We learned about doubles facts this week.  This is a game that practices doubles called "Capture the Star".


  Their other game for Learning about Numbers is a game where they pick a number and then write it as a numeral, word, and circle that many.  I altered it from the original creators game, but I love it.  Here is the link to TPT to snag your own set!! (Another shout out to Grade School Giggles for sharing your awesome work on TPT at no cost- I am a HUGE fan!!)





 D-Doing Math

My kids are loving that they can solve an entire page of math facts.  I gave them this Halloween worksheet- they solve the math facts and then color by the code to find a jack-o-lantern. 


Have a SUPER day!
Sarah
 

Planning for BUILD....

 

Is it cold where you are?? I am freezing! I was supposed to go running with my kindergarten teacher buddy but it started snowing :( October 3rd snow is just not my favorite. 

 

 Sometimes the hardest part of independent work is keeping it organized and doing it in a way that makes you feel less overwhelmed when it is time to "restock" your rotation supplies.


I started pulling different games, worksheets, and other activities and setting them aside as I found them last year.  I would just stick a sticky note on them that would said "For 'B'" or "For 'L'", etc.  That way, when it was time to "refill" the baskets, I had some things pulled that I could choose from.  This year I decided to make my folders a little more formal (and cute) :)  Being my OCD self, they are color coded to match the signs. 

Here is a sneak peek at next week's BUILD activities-- or at least what I have pulled for now.  I may end up changing them... it's hard to tell you.

 

B- Teen Game (from Every Day Counts Partner Games)

 

I- Independent Reading

(This is actually a book I made, using a poem for inspiration!)

 

L- Learning about numbers

(This is a fun game my teammate found on pinterest! If I can find it, I will link it. If you know where it is from, PLEASE leave it in the comment below!) :)

D- Doing Math

I am not convinced that I will keep this in for "D" but we will see.

 

Obviously I haven't pulled anything for "U" yet-- but at least the other 4 have something that I can fall back on. :)

 

Here you can see how I have my kids grouped.  I have heterogeneous groupings so that there are mixed levels working together. I find this to be especially important when it comes to reading ability!

I rotate the cards to the right. (When "Red Frogs" are back on the red "B", I know it's time for a new set of activities.)

 The fancy sticky notes are just little reminders to them of WHERE they need to be.  :)

 

 

This is just to answer the questions from so many emailers! I have a basket where they turn in all of their BUILD work.  It is separate from all other work so that I can easily check it off at the end of the week. 

 

 

Have a terrific night!
Sarah