One Hundred Ways to Multiply (Interactive Classroom Poster)




What do the numbers represent? That's what we're trying to teach students to understand. 

I was thrilled to see the third grade team at my school build class posters featuring a multiplication chart from 1-100 AND how to solve each problem! These things are huge, super-visual, and highly effective in showcasing the many different ways multiplication problems can be solved. 



Each class created a hundred multiplication chart/poster with the answers to every problem using five different methods to solve the problems.  The students could choose the method they felt was most appropriate and/or the most comfortable with.

Methods included:
-Fact Families
-Arrays
-Equal Groups
-Repeated Addition
-Skip Counting


Each kid does it solves the problems differently, but they still get the correct answer.  This is total madness!


This activity does a nice job of allowing students to utilize strategies and apply them, while showing how numbers fit together.  In speaking with one of the teachers, she was also able to differentiate this lesson between some of her students who were low or high pertaining to which math facts students completed. We all know 6, 7,and 8's can be tricky.

This chart is the perfect representation of how students learn and apply skills in school today. 






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Build A Bat Cave




Turn your classroom into a bat cave with this simple little activity.

1. Have your students draw bats hanging upside down.
Some bat are huge (flying fox) and some are tiny--so let them pick.

2. Or Google: Hanging Bat Printables, or Bat Printables, or Bat Printable Page, or Realistic Bat Coloring Pages. Print out an acceptable bat.

(Maybe even have groups choose a specific types)

3. Or purchase a clip art set.  I got mine from Educlips (and I love them).

4. Cut them out...neatly.

5. Hang them upside down from your classroom ceiling, door entrance, or specific area in the room. A tiny bit of tape will do a little work while gravity does the rest.

6. Add some spider webs.  I purchased cave-brown from Target.  
This was a great three dollars spent.

7. Watch out for guano.

It seems simple...and it is. Add some webs, turn down the lights, and turn your classroom into a cave.



Need more bat-related resources? 
Check out my PBL unit All About BATS. Find it here.



Are you searching for more project based learning resources to amaze your students?
Find more than 50 completely unique resources HERE



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Stop-Motion Animation in the Classroom


Take some time and download the app Stikbot Studio and let your students create stop-motion animated movies on their mobile devices. It's free, simple to use, and possibly the easiest stop-motion animating app I've seen/used.

I was watching cartoons with my kids when a Stikbot commercial came across the screen and my kids immediately yelled "We NEED those dad!". On our weekly trip to Target I did what any good father would do--I walked to the toy aisle and bought them.

My girls spent the entire day learning how to work the app, planning movements, testing their limits, and then creating their movie.  What I noticed was the storytelling and attention to detail that my third graders picked up on immediately.

The BEST part of the app--It leaves a shadow of the previous frame, allowing user to film more realistic animation. Once my kids and students began utilizing this aspect of the app, it completely upped their movie making game.


Movie making plays a crucial role in education from writing scripts, production/design, collaboration,  working in groups, yada, yada, yada.  Bottom line: it's important.  We can talk about the creativity and imagination, but until we give kids tools and time--they won't be able to practice what we preach.




Stikbot is a free app, you don't need to buy the toys that go with it.  Download yourself a copy and see what your students can create.

Take my money, even though it's free.


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The Best Teacher Tips Ever. Yes, It's a List



There's a lot of lists going around these days.  Back-to-School season means it's always a good time to reflect on what works, what drives us bonkers, and how to maintain a balance between school and home.  Being a responsible blogger, I figured I'd break out a list for you.

The following list is based on a true story.

Stay Out of the Teacher's Lounge
I'm not talking about the lunch time gossip.  I'm talking about the food.  
Trust me, I have first-hand(fulls) knowledge on all this food.  I had to start running and exercising because of this knowledge.  

The key: be aware of all the food in there.
The objective: don't eat it all.  

Seems like an easy task, until you realize you walk in (or by the lounge) all day long.  You just don't realize the gravitational pull it has.



Find Your Niche
If you're talented or have a particular set of skills--share them with your colleagues.  They'll see you as a resource, ask for your help, become indebted, and then become your friend (maybe).  



My niche's be: 
-Technology Help Center
-Costuming Guy
-Coffee creamer Guy 
-WiFi-password logger-in-er
-The Candy Man  

These are my things. My niches help people out.
My niches build relationships.  Find yours. 

Be Switzerland
Be like Switzterland in the World Wars...stay neutral.  Conflict can be everywhere (as I glance over my shoulder)



Do your best and don't get caught up in it.  I know, I know--that's hard.  But it will be one of the most effective strategies you can use.  Besides, school is a lot more fun when the teacher drama is at a zero.  



Leave School Emails at School  
Last year I took my school email off of my phone.  Great choice.  I needed to make sure that my mind was at home when I was.  

I recently heard the idea that incoming email "asks for your time".  It wants something from you.  I've decided to keep school emails at school (including when I respond).  This doesn't mean I don't check them on my laptop once I get home (because I do) but unless it's an emergency it can be handled the following day.  

Don't stress yourself by trying to immediately respond and converse.  Take your time.


   I'm continuing this practice for another year. 


Read A Professional Development Book That Interests You.
I try and pick a couple to read each year.  I take my time with them.  I like them.
Currently, there are three books strategically placed around my house. I'll pick up and read bits and pieces whenever I feel the need.  

Forced reading sucks--kind of like being in school.  

When we pick our own, we like it just a little bit more.

Join/Start An Online Group for Educators.
I don't care if it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram--it doesn't matter.  Just join a group of teachers that are outside of your school.  These groups are great for so many reasons; building your PLN, coming up with ideas, sharing resources, problem-solving, and bridging teachers together from all over the world.  It's an incredibly positive experience you'll have with your fellow educators.

You could say it will be Justin Credible. Eh?

Figure Out What Candy Your Teammates Like
Sugar.  For those tough days. You will thank me.  


Put Together a Survival Kit
Deodorant, fingernail clippers, razor, hairspray.  All those little things you that you never know when you'll need.  Except for deodorant, we always need that.


If You Wear White, Skip Coffee That Day
On the two occasions I've worn a white shirt (because I never do) I ended up spilling coffee down the front of my shirt.  As much as I love my coffee, I don't want to wear it like a badge of honor.  The easiest solution is to just not wear white.

c'mon...it's Top Gun

Always Have a Set of Back-Up Clothes
You never know what can happen to your clothes: rips, stains, child sickness, sweatiness. You, me, we--all need a back-up.

Be Nice or Do Something Nice For Someone
It feels good.  It makes other people feel good.  It's easy to do. Everyone wins. Find your niceness.


Go Home
Seriously.  Go home.
  

Have some fun.  Watch Netflix.  Browse Pinterest. Get a hobby. Don't burn yourself out burning the candle at both ends.  Find something that truly makes you happy, inspires you, or is plain-old fun....knitting.  I just started playing piano after a 20 year sabbatical.




That's my list.

Click here: PART TWO: MEETINGS







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