Subtraction Review Game

We are getting close to finishing our unit on subtraction with borrowing. I always like using review games before test day. The kids LOVE games, and you can review lots of skills in a short amount of time. I decided to make a Jeopardy-style game that covers all major objectives from our unit on subtraction with borrowing (two-digit and three-digit numbers). There are seven categories to choose from and five questions in each. The questions in each category start easier and become more difficult. There is also a template to make your own category and questions. I included a sheet kids could use if you decided to use these as centers or partner/small group work. The categories include:

• Subtracting (both with and without regrouping)
• Estimating
• Checking Subtraction (by using addition)
• Vocabulary
• Miscellaneous (review of previous units, place value and addition)
• Macho Math (enrichment/higher-level problem solving)

To prepare the game, I printed all the pieces in color and laminated them for future use. There are lots of ways to play the game. I like to divide the class into groups of four. I go around and call on one kid from a team to choose their category and come up to solve the problem. Meanwhile, all the kids have to work the problem on their individual white boards. If the chosen kid gets the problem wrong, I allow "steals" (but only as long as the child who is "stealing" has solved the problem correctly on their white board). I start with the chosen kid's team for the steal so that the team has a chance to keep the points they are potentially about to lose. If none of them know the answer, I open the steal up for other teams.

The kids LOVE it. You might wonder why I go through all this trouble when we are a 1-to-1 iPad school and I could easily use an app, or even do a SMART Board presentation. We do so much with technology at my school, that I find it very engaging for students to play some "old-fashioned" printed games. But that's just me ...

Check it out on my TpT store HERE.

The game board before the game begins.

 

The board at the end of the game, after each question has been uncovered.

 

Calendars to Help Make Planning Easier

Well, it's been a while since I've posted. In March, we welcomed our first child. Little Asher (or "Baby Asher" as all my students call him) is the cutest, sweetest boy who keeps his mamma and daddy very busy. Needless to say, I took a few months off work, blogging and TpT. Now that I am back in school, I am starting to prep for a new year. One of the first things I always dig out is a monthly calendar on which I start plotting important dates and units of study. I created a new calendar for this school year. It is a 17-month calendar that goes from August 2015 to December 2016. Click HERE to check it out. I hope you find it helpful.

Welcome back to school, teachers!

Valentine Card Center

I always enjoy when kids make handmade Valentines for each other. Each year I make sure to set up a Valentine-making center for them in class. I've had this as a center, and I've also had it as an early-finishers station. I make sure to stock it with supplies and fun craft paper for the kids. In addition, I always have two buckets. One that has popsicle sticks with each of my kids' names on it, and one for kids to put the completed Valentines in. When kids go to the station, they have to draw a name from the "Needs a Valentine" bucket. Once they've finished that particular Valentine, they can put it in the "Completed Valentines" bucket with the stick. Once all sticks have made their way to the "Completed Valentine" bucket, I dump them back into the "Needs a Valentine" bucket so the kids can start again. This is always a favorite activity in my class!

Click HERE for the bucket labels.