Never On Sunday...Unless You're a Teacher

 We spent the morning back in my classroom sorting the math materials.  I even got my husband and daughter (back yesterday from a summer job in Italy) to come and help.  The mounds of materials are getting bigger but as of today everything from the five areas of the room where math materials were stored are consolidated and sorted.  Here are some pictures from the other day:


Money and Measurement Materials

 

Geometry



Concept of Number



Where Do We Begin...



Fun among the chaos...

Look at Money and Measurement now:

I also compiled some lists from Debbie Diller's book that I want to share to help you organize your materials.  I plan to use these on the lids of my storage tub for each math concept.  I hope you can use these FREEBIES!
Counting/Number Concepts Materials List

Addition & Subtraction Materials List

Place Value Materials List

Geometry Materials List

Measurement Materials List

Measurement Materials List p.2

Data Analysis/Probability Materials List

Help!

I have to admit that I am overwhelmed by the sheer volume of math manipulatives and games that I have.  The tables are sky high with math materials sorted according to categories.  I need to get it all into labeled containers so I can finish setting up my room.  I took pictures but left the camera at school.  Has anyone taken on this task and gotten discouraged in the process?  It sure looked easier in the Math Work Stations K-2 book.  I will be so happy when this project is complete!  I need Debbie Diller to make a house (classroom) call. 

Taking Debbie Diller's Organizing Advice

In the midst of setting up my classroom I decided to get out all of my math manipulatives and games and reorganize them into the categories listed in Math Work Stations K-2 by Debbie Diller.  Thanks to all of you bloggers who had math station parties this summer.  You have inspired me with your tips, free labels, and ideas.  It is a lot of work to reorganize, give away, and throw away; but it will be worth it when I have access to all of my math materials in one organized place.  We are using the Common Core Curriculum for math this year so I plan to implement guided math groups, and hands-on math tub experiences.  In the Math Stations book, Debbie Diller references "I Can" Lists that can be attached to the inside lids of the tubs.  I found great tubs at Menards that will work perfectly...not too big...just big enough.  They are on sale for $2.49 right now.  Look for Bella brand 12 quart tubs with a lid.  See the attached photo.  Happy sorting ...

Google Documents

I am slowly but surely learning the ins and outs of blogging.  Soon I will be ready to link my new blog to my classroom web site.  Today I learned how to use Google documents so I can provide documents to share with other teachers.  If only I had started this blog a month ago and not now when things are so hectic getting ready for a new school year.  Oh well... live and learn...

What an Exhausting Day!

What a day starting to set up my classroom!  When I walked in with all my first grade "stuff" piled high from floor to ceiling, I wanted to turn around and head home... back to summer!  But we persevered and worked from 7:45-3:30.  My husband was a trooper and moved furniture, carried heavy boxes, and set up the framework for a wonderful learning space to be.  Check out these "before" photos...

Stay tuned for new views...

Off to My Classroom Tomorrow

We are off to school tomorrow to begin the long process of taking all my stuff off of the counters and windowsills to begin setting up a beautiful space for my first graders.  Every year so much energy goes into taking down and setting up our classrooms that I begin to wonder if year round school isn't the answer.  But that debate is for another day...  Right now I am off to dreamland so my hubbie and I can be at school bright and early at 7:30.  Ugh...how I hate to get up early...summer is so nice for that reason alone!  Anyone else having school dreams or active minds that won't turn off to allow sleep? 
Sleep tight friends...if you can...
(I will post before and after pictures of set up this week.  Don't you just love to peek into teachers' classrooms...)

New School Year = New Blog

I am thrilled to be sharing my ideas with fellow teachers in cyberspace.  I hope my learning curve is high as I teach myself the ins and outs of blogging.  Thanks in advance for all the help I will receive by reading the wonderful blogs of so many talented teachers.  This is a dream for me to be able to contribute to colleagues on a regular basis by sharing my wonderful "daze" teaching first graders... I LOVE my job!