Yummy Fractions! {Freebie}

Wow, it's been a while. Sorry I've been so horrible with posting lately! I have been trying to work on my Christmas Centers pack, but I just have not had time to sit down and finish it. Not to worry, it will be finished this weekend!

In the meantime, check out some of the fun fraction activities we've been doing in math...

I've probably said it before, but I LOVE Stuart Murphy's MathStart series! We read yet another of his books this week called "Give Me Half," which went along perfectly with our unit on fractions. After reading, I brought out some cookies (Chewy Chips Ahoy, since they are easy to cut) and demonstrated different ways to cut a cookie into two pieces. The kids had to decide whether or not it was cut in two equal pieces or "halves." They had fun telling me when my piece was too big and "That's not fair!" Then I passed out a cookie and plastic knife to each student and they had to cut them in half to share with their partner (I didn't have my camera that day). Later, we made a craft to display what we did.

We learned about "fourths" by dividing and sharing pizzas! During math centers, I worked with small groups to discuss how we could share our pizza equally among four friends. They helped me cut the pizza into fourths and each got to taste a bite! These were actually Lunchables Pizzas. Yes, I know they're skimpy, but I spend wayyyy too much money on my classroom as it is. I'm sure you know what I mean! Anyway, they loved it! And they were all able to explain that they made four equal parts and divided the pizza into fourths! Yay! Later, we made a craft to display what we learned.

We also read "The Doorbell Rang." I handed out paper "cookies" and students worked in pairs to figure out how to cut it for two friends to share equally. Then I had students form groups of four and they had to figure out how to cut and share it equally among four friends. Since it was Thanksgiving, I brought in a pumpkin pie and students helped me decide how to divide it in half and in fourths. Finally, we all got to try a little piece! Yummy!

Here are some games I put together for my kids to practice fractions. Click here to download your free Cookie Fractions Games. Enjoy!

Spin & Share - Students make cookies out of play dough. Then they spin the spinner to determine how to cut their cookie and record the fraction on the recording sheet. There are two spinners - one with fractions and another that shows how many children will share the cookie (in case you haven't taught them to read fractions).

Build a Cookie - For two players. Students roll a fraction die and add that fraction of a cookie to their page. First to make 5 cookies wins! You could also use the fraction spinner from above.

P.S. Many of these ideas were inspired by Krazy for Kindergarten! Check out her page, she has some great stuff!

Thanksgiving Math & Literacy Centers + FREEBIE

It's getting pretty late over here in Hawaii, but I promised myself I'd get this up tonight, so here it is! It's my biggest and best pack yet (in my opinion)! I've included 16 math and 12 literacy activities. Just click the image to go to my store, then click "DOWNLOAD PREVIEW" to download your freebie. The preview also includes a detailed table of contents. I promise I'll post some more slides for you tomorrow so you can see what's included! And now I need to get some sleep!! Good night!

Election Day {Freebie}

Here's what we did for election day. Sorry I'm late on this one! Maybe you can use it next time!

We read "Duck for President" and "Grace for President" and learned about voting. Then we held our own class election. Our class voted for Obama, 16 to 7! The kids were so excited as we counted up the ballots! Another idea is to read both stories, then have students vote for Grace or Duck for president. Grab your Duck & Grace Ballot and Voter Registration Cards below...

Click the image for your freebie!

Solid Shapes Geometry Unit & FREEBIE

I've just posted a new unit to my TPT store! My Solid Shapes Geometry Unit includes over 20 activities and printables and about 90 pages of fun! See the pictures below for just a few of the activities included. Click the first slide to check out the unit! Read on for your freebie!

My kids love this music video from Harry Kindergarten!

Do your kids love Annie & Moby like mine do? We LOVE Brainpop!

Click below to download my Solid Shapes Powerpoint FREEBIE!

Click below to download my Solid Shape Picture Cards if you don't already have them!

I'm still working on my November Centers Pack, so check back in the next couple days! Have a great week everyone!!!