Versatiles: A Photo Essay

My previous post talked Versatiles in the classroom, but also with your own kiddos. Here is some more photo evidence of a real life child loving learning and how they work!

In the photo below, my daughter is using them for beginning reader practice. She places the plastic case on top of the questions (top of the page) and answers (bottom of the page). 

We line up the tiles in number order on the carpet (Also good practice for 1:1 correspondence, counting, and identifying numbers, for our littlest ones). 

As she answers each question and finds the correct answer, she puts the corresponding tile on the correct answer. 

When she finishes the page, she locks the plastic case, flips it over, and checks the answer key on the bottom of the page. If she's right, there is a pretty design on the reverse side. If she's wrong, she will notice that he picture does not match the answer key and need to fix something.

BY the way, Piccolina Kids is my new favorite place to shop for Violet. Check out that RBG shirt she is rocking while learning her initial sounds! They can be a little more expensive than I tend to spend on kids clothes, so here is a referral link. Full disclosure, if you spend $40 you get $10 off, and so do I. Also, there are some killer sales going on right now!

Click here for $10 off Piccolina Kids!

Five for Friday

I presented at the Association of Math Teachers in the Rochester Area yesterday! I talked all about how I run small group math, hands on lessons, center activities, and....LEGO!!! 

I really had a blast! I also got the opportunity to visit some other presentations. I learned about Google Classroom and Breakout EDU, which I have used in my own classroom and thoroughly enjoy. If you haven't tried Breakout EDU, check it out. I didn't realize they offer digital Breakout EDUs now, too! So cool for a 1:1 classroom or faculty meeting.

LEGO challenges PART 3!

LEGO challenges are going strong in our classroom. They go along perfectly with our STEAM push, which is outlined in our district's strategic action plan for continued success academically. STEAM is huge right now! Not only are my kids receiving STEAM instruction from our math specialist, they are also immersed in literature that goes along with this concept. Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, and Ada Twist are our favorites right now.

Lucy seriously does this herself.

They're coming.

Two weeks until my third graders are taking the NYS ELA exams.

I'm nervous for them...but I'm excited for that to be done. It's just stressful for these little ones who haven't taken a three day long test ever! They're ready, though!

Happy late Five for Friday on a Sunday! 

I'm off to respond to 20 reader response journal letters for my little kiddos, after a 45 minute walk with Lucy in 10 degree weather!!! I'm ready to snuggle up in the warmth of the house!

Five For Friday

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching this week for Five For Friday!  And I'm going with a BOARD GAME theme! These are games that I have been LOVING recently, and playing with my friends OUTSIDE of school! :)

Ticket to Ride

We are railroad tycoons laying tracks across the country! Race your friends to complete your routes and earn the most points. This game is addictive, easy to learn and easy to play, and comes in other versions, too!

Sheriff of Nottingham

This game is great for everyone with a love of swindling! Basically, players take turns as the sheriff. Everyone else is trying to smuggle contraband and sell goods at the market. You place your goods (and maybe contraband) in a pouch. The sheriff decides if they are going to check the bag or not. If they check your bag and you had contraband, you pay the sheriff a penalty. If he checks your bag and you didn't lie about your goods, the sheriff pays you. People try to bribe the sheriff with coins, sweet talk the sheriff, lie, and cheat their way to victory!

Of course, the times I've played, the winner was the person who lied the LEAST about their goods. Hmmm. Is there a lesson to be learned here? :)

Forbidden Island

This is a cooperative game. Not usually my style(I LIKE WINNING), but I like it. 

Basically, you are on an island with a group of explorers. You are working together to collect treasure and make it back to the helicopter with all four pieces of treasure.

BUT

The island is sinking!

Win together, or lose together!

Elysium

This is a Greek gods and goddesses themed game! 

I love Greek myths!

Basically, you are collecting Greek families, kind of like rummy. You have different family cards at levels 1, 2, or 3. So you might collect an Athena family set or an Ares family set. You might also collect all 1s, 2s, or 3s cards with multiple families. All of these cards accumulate points for you at the end of the games. Each card also has actions to earn you points throughout the game.

It's fun! And I'm really good at this game.

What games are YOU enjoying?

(As an adult, outside of school, with your pals!)

P.S.

I RELY on the Youtube channel called Table Top. It's hosted by Will Wheaten and basically he just plays all kinds of awesome games with his celebrity friends. If I get a new game, I watch him play it first, laugh a bit, and learn a lot! If you haven't used his youtube channel for learning how to play new games or just finding out about different games, I highly recommend it!