Classroom Callouts

Where Education Meets Fun!

Summer Camp: Week 3

Hi-Diddly-Ho campers! Welcome to week three of the Classroom Callouts Summer Camp ~ we're so glad you're here. If you're joining us for the first time, be sure to check out Week One's Reading Challenge and Week Two's Camping BINGO!  Alrighty, let's get this week started! For all you budding literary protégés this activity is for you. An activity so fantastic that English Majors around the world were lined up at the Classroom Callouts Activity Testing Facility for days in anticipation of it's release. Eager to test their skills and creativity. May I present to you, Fun at the Beach - A Silly Story Madlib. Turn the kiddo's loose with their imagination and watch their creativity unfold, as they come up with hilarious versions of their Day at the Beach silly story. Printing multiple copies of this activity ensures many hours of busy-time. Download the Beach_Madlibs and let the good times roll! Now go forth campers and have a great day! Pin the image below for future use! Artwork Disclaimer: Clip art images created by Whimsy Clips L.L.C. and EduClips … [Read more...]

Summer Camp: Week 2

Hey there campers! Welcome to week two of to the Classroom Callouts Summer Camp ~ we're so glad you're here. If you missed last week, you can check out the post here and get started by diving head first into the summer reading challenge.  Alrighty, let's kick this week off with a fun game that the kiddos will love (heck, even adults will want to get in on this). Can I get a show of hands from all the BINGO! fans out there? But allow me to clarify, this ain't no ordinary, plain-old BINGO. Not. Even. Close. What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a BINGO game so epic in proportions that it caused quite the commotion, and dare I say, brought out a highly-competitive nature amongst our volunteers at the Classroom Callouts Activity Testing Facility. We wondered if it was safe to unleash it into the world, but after careful consideration and lengthy conversations with our team of lawyers, it was ultimately deemed safe and fit for use. Allow me to introduce... Camping Bingo.     Featuring hot dogs on sticks, cans of bug spray and everyone's favorite camping delicacy ~ s'mores; you'll have hours of fun at the picnic table waiting to see who will be the first to score a row! … [Read more...]

Summer Camp: Week 1

Hey there campers! Welcome to the Classroom Callouts Summer Camp ~ we're so excited you're here. Each week we'll be rolling out a summer-themed activity to keep the kiddos engaged and having fun. From games, challenges and activities, we've got a bunch of fun stuff planned for the summer; and heck maybe even a little bit of learning thrown in there ;).   Let's kick things off with this great summer reading challenge.   This challenge is perfect for kids on summer break. Our mission is to make reading fun by providing kids with different and interesting ways to read; instead of just a list of books. This simple printable challenges kids to read various types of books, in different and fun ways. If you want to get real serious, consider offering simple incentives for finishing a row (maybe an extra scoop of ice cream?) or a trip to the amusement park when the whole card is full. Keep those young minds challenged over these next two months! Download the Summer Reading Challenge here! Have a great day and don't forget to check back in next week for another Summer Camp activity. Happy Summer! Pin the image below for future use!   Artwork Disclaimer: Clip art images … [Read more...]

First Grade Math Practice – Subtraction Strategies

Welcome to the Breaking Down the Standards Series. Now that we have covered all things ADDITION, in this post we'll be diving into strategies for success with teaching subtraction. When you teach subtraction to your first graders, you'll want to be aware of the Common Core / TEKs standards to help your students get the most out of your lessons. To see the First Grade Subtraction Strategies Standards for the Common Core and the TEKS, click the image above. Vertical Alignment for First Grade Subtraction Strategies is so important when planning your lessons. In other words, we need to examine not only the first grade standards, but Kindergarten and 2nd grade standards as well.  You need to know what your students should already know and also what they should know when their first grade year is over. Vertical alignment looks at the Kindergarten Standards as well as the Second Grade Standards. It sets you and your students up for SUCCESS! Click the image above to see the Vertical Alignment. Kindergarten: Can already: Make a ten and subtract within ten (understands subtraction) 1st Grade: Need to Learn: See #3 The Breakdown 2nd Grade:Preparing to: Add/Subtract within 100, solve 2 step word … [Read more...]

First Grade Math Practice – Addition Strategies

First Grade Addition strategies are the foundation for many other math skills. When you teach addition to your first graders, you'll want to be aware of the Common Core / TEKs standards to help your students get the most out of your lessons. To see the First Grade Addition Strategies Standards for the Common Core and the TEKS, click the image above. Vertical Alignment for First Grade Addition Strategies is so important when planning your lessons. You need to know what your students should already know and what they should know when their first grade year is over. Vertical alignment looks at the Kindergarten Standards as well as the Second Grade Standards. It sets you and your students up for SUCCESS! Click the image above to see the Vertical Alignment. 3. The Breakdown: First Grade Addition Strategies When first graders leave first grade, they should be able to: add within 20 using pictures, words and numbers (use make a ten strategy when possible) solve word problems within 20 (word problems will be covered in a separate post) solve addition number sentences and word problems with numbers missing in all positions (communitive property)  2 + 4 = [ ]; 3 + [ ] = 7; [ ] + 2 = 8 compose … [Read more...]

The Benefits of Task Cards in 1st Grade

Are you using Task Cards in your 1st grade classroom?  If you do, then you already know that there are a ton of benefits.  In this post, I'll lay out the pros and cons of using task cards for literacy and math centers in the primary grades. If you don't, then you might be surprised at this reveal.  Number 5 is my favorite, but #3 is the most important! What are Task Cards? Task Cards are all about PRACTICE.  They are cards with tasks that need to be practiced.  Task cards can be literacy questions, math problems and more.  They can have any format, as well, such as  multiple choice, fill in answers, and more.  The usefulness of the cards comes when teachers want their students to practice a skill that they have been taught.  Task cards can help with mastery of difficult skills when used effectively. The tasks are usually simple in the lower grade and can become more complex as students mature and can work on their own for longer periods of time.  There are also many different ways to use Task Cards.   Using Task Cards To use Task Cards, you'll need to prepare them.  Print, laminate, etc.  Then decide what supplies are needed to go with them.  Ex. Counters, Cubes, Marker, Dry Eraser and so on.  … [Read more...]