Classroom Callouts

Where Education Meets Fun!

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...]

First Grade Math Activities – Identify and Count Coins

When you teach kids to Identify and Count Coins in First Grade, you'll need to know the objectives and be ready with aligned lesson plans. This post can help with a breakdown of the standards and multiple free resources. To see the First Grade Money Standards for the Common Core and the TEKS, click the image above. Vertical Alignment 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 years 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: Identify and Count U.S. Coins When first graders leave first grade, they should be able to: recognize and determine the value of the penny, nickel, dime and quarter.  count pennies, nickels and dimes by skip counting by 2's, 5's and 10's respectively   know that 5 pennies are the same as a nickel, 2 nickels are the same as 1 dime, and 2 dimes and a nickel are the same as a quarter.   Students also must know:   skip counting by 2's, 5's and 10's to one … [Read more...]

First Grade Math Practice Graphing

It's time to teach bar graphs and picture graphs during First Grade Graphing! Knowing the vertical alignment and the Common Core and TEKS Standards will be helpful for planning and teaching this unit.  To see the First Grade Graphing Standards for the Common Core and the TEKS, click the image above.   Vertical Alignment 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 years 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 Graphing Data Analysis | Represent & Interpret Data I found a few differences between the TEKS and the Common Core Standards. Most importantly, both standards state the use of up to three categories. This may seem too easy, but at first, it's a great start. Once your students get the main gist of graphing, go ahead and add up to 5 categories.   The Student Will: Collect, sort and organize data - hands on activities Use tally marks / T- Charts - record data Create Picture / Bar … [Read more...]