November 2, 2013

Motivation - Morning Math Style (Giveaway)


Today I'm linking up with Joanne to share a little tidbit about my helpers.  I love using student helpers in the classroom.  They are so willing and EAGER to help out with EVERYTHING!  

Over the years I've learned to give up control in order to regain my sanity.  I used to be really Type A - having to control every aspect of my classroom.  Now, I'm a little more laid back at this time of the year when it comes to student helpers.  I've led them, I still monitor, but with the helper jobs the kids know how to get it done.

The other day I posted this picture of my morning math meeting.


Yes, it's on a pocket chart.  I started off the year writing a bunch of sentence strips in the chart, making up numbers and problems.  It was time consuming though, and I could never remember what problems we had already tackled.  So I switched to task cards.  The kids do the different activities first thing in the morning on their whiteboards (they are sitting on our carpet), then we go over it together - I use my own larger handheld whiteboard to solve the problems with them. 

And then the past couple of weeks I've given my helpers the added job of changing the different task cards up each afternoon for the next morning.  

It's serious excitement in the classroom during that moment in time.
Almost the same excitement as when I say it's dance party time or give them a piece of candy.  

I use the headings from 4th Grade Frolics, and have changed it up to things we are doing as a review, at present, and in the future. 

 Last night I made up some new task cards to stick into the pocket chart this coming week - I know, nothing like waiting until the last minute.  My kids are about to start double digit multiplication - and somehow last year when I started creating I only made up 3 x 2 digit ones... so that needed to change.    




Want to win a set?  Just pin it to win it!  Pin this product - either the blog post or the product page from the TPT store, and come back here to leave a comment with the pin.  I'll choose a random comment on Sunday night and send it to a lucky winner via email. 

Have a wonderful weekend!  

9 comments:

  1. I love having classroom helpers/committees. It really helps students take ownership for the classroom.

    Mary
    Fit to be Fourth
    Follow me on Bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
  2. I sure would love to win this! My students would be crazy about it :)
    <3 teachermomRVA from instagram
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/15481192442690047/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I always want to be in charge, too. (very Type A) I have been trying to give up more and more to my kids, and it's making things a lot easier. I'd love to win your task cards!

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/390054017698428377/

    ReplyDelete
  4. http://pinterest.com/pin/158329743123654156/

    I'm a fan of classroom helpers too! These would be lovely to win.

    Kayla
    Rooting for Third Grade
    crei9070@vandals.uidaho.edu

    ReplyDelete
  5. Last year my students took ownership of everything in our class! This year I have to be a lot more in control (still training). Isn't it funny how helping you is such a reward for students? It's fantastic! Thanks for sharing and linking up!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to win these!
    I also love classroom helpers. Takes a little stress from the teacher.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Toni Nicholson
    chief9937@Yahoo.com
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/199565827211612661/

    ReplyDelete
  7. These task cards look great! Pinned them....
    http://www.pinterest.com/wundi/teacher-giveaways/
    but also put them on my wishlist!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks everyone! I hope you got them via email!

    ReplyDelete

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