Helping students master number concepts is an integral step in providing a strong foundation for Math.
At the beginning of every year I always have to remind myself to start SLOW. I have to give myself little pep talks to remind myself to take the time and build on small concepts.
Each year I designate the first two-four weeks of school for teaching expectations, behavior, and the foundation of all that we teach in first grade. To rush through these important concepts is a mistake.
As “back to school” is quickly approaching, I began by thinking through all the small things I have to teach and reteach my students when it comes to math. We want our students to really grasp what a number is and how we use numbers every day. I got myself organized and put all of these first steps into a series of small group lessons, large group lessons, and independent practice for my first graders.
I then bought this way cute filing box from Target. This hot number has been calling my name since last April when I first saw it. When I got it home, it did not let me down!
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I use a variety of games at the beginning of the year that serve as working assessments for me. While teaching the expectations on how to use our math manipulatives, I play many games that help me assess where my students are with their number skills. We practice skills such as counting, estimating, forming numbers, writing numbers, making five and more. I put all of these activities into a packet that is so easy to use. Each activity has an activity page that explains how to play the game.
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I also included 3 weeks of progressions that I would use while I teach different number concepts. I show what I would do during my whole group time, my small group time and then what students would work on independently.
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Congratulations, Robin!! You are the winner of the pack!
This looks awesome. I have also had my eye on those amazing Target boxes!
Caitlin
cfcoley@gmail.com
Looks great! Dmarshall49@hotmail.com
Oh, I love these! We were just in Target today, but I decided not to get a bunch of stuff other than visiting the One Spot. Too bad I didn’t get the filing box to put these in. 😉
coffee_high@hotmail.com
This looks great! I taught summer school to incoming firsties this year and teen numbers are SUCH a struggle for them! This would be great to help them practice!!
Kristin
kristinbrehm@gmail.com
Looks wonderful!! lizzie5674 (at) yahoo (dot) com
This is amazing! All of your organization just makes me so happy! I am quite the organizer and I feel like you and I were separating at birth! I check your page everyday for a new post because you never disappoint! You give me so many new ideas! Thanks for another one!
jkroske@gmail.com
Wow, this looks awesome. I am going to be a K-2 VE teacher and think some of this would come in handy trying to figure out where my kiddos are!! Awesome Target find too!!!
Understanding number concepts are a vital foundational skill required for future mathematical concepts, which is needed at the lower level of all educational systems – Pre K- 2. Having such a packet will seek to enhance my students’ knowledge and understanding in number concepts and will also help them to develop a love for mathematics around them.
Yours in Mathematical Development
Roxanne
foxysexyroxy10@gmail.com
This looks great! I am looking at starting math groups this year and these would be perfect!
afuhler@gmail.com
Kristen – this is so organised and must make the start of the year happen smoothly. I am a fan of Math (in Aus we say Maths) I would love it if you visited my Maths blog I co-own called iSURF and gave us some feedback. We have just posted our first linky – Maths Games
Paula from Paula’s Place and iSURF Maths
This looks fantastic! You are so organized!
allisonmhepfer@gmail.com
Love the Target filing box and you are so right about the importance of students mastering number concepts! Thanks for the opportunity to win this great packet!!
Sorry forgot to leave my email. amandalawson4@gmail.com
I’m like you I have to remind myself to take it S L O W! These activities look great! Hope I win!
cynthia.arki@gmail.com
These look like great activities and a super way to stay organized.
charleen
charsom68@aol.com
This pack looks great! I also have to always remind myself to SLOW down at the beginning of the year. Here’s hoping I win…. kristenelliott0@gmail.com
This pack looks great! I agree that beginning slow is so important. At first you feel like you’re behind then… Taking the time to build a classroom community makes or breaks your year. Thank you for the chance to win this. dbednarsk@yahoo.com
It looks amazing! I love ways to stay organized. I would love to use these in my math groups. Thanks
Robin
smithrc563@aol.com
Thank you for all of your great posts. I love the organizing tips especially now at the beginning of the year…many thanks!! Fingers crossed!!
teachreason@gmail.com
This looks great! I’m moving my classroom and house (with 2 small kids) all the same week…ugh! This would help ease my stress a ton! Ccapper@sbcglobal.net
Love this!!! I love how it is all organized!!!
Michelle
Smittenwithfirst@gmail.com
This is wonderful…exactly what I have been needing to start my year off right.
Lori
Wrlean@aol.com
I could really use this unit. I know it would be a great asset for the first couple of weeks of school.
Ruthanne rarace81@gmail.com
Love this!!! Would love to win to make the beginning of the year go smooth!
Renee
Sreneestewart13@gmail.com
Thanks for the reminder to go slow! I always need to remind myself how important expectations and routines are during the first few weeks. I love this packet! Hoarderswife99@gmail.com
This looks great! It would be so helpful!
Maria
meemsickle@gmail.com
I love the idea of your files. I had not really thought of putting everything in a file by concept. Love the idea of your Mastering Math Concepts.
Thanks for all of your helpful advice this year! I’ve downloaded both your math and literacy centers packets. I would love to have this packet as well! bsdobner@earthlink.net
You are so organized! I would love to see how you pull it all together.
Wonderful Ideas!!! I love this math concept pack. I need it and I want it. Fingers crossed!
I love these ideas! Great job! I would love to use this with my firsties!
Karen Rowland
Adventures With Firsties
karenrowland112677@yahoo.com
Thanks for the chance to win! My students always struggle with those teen numbers.
Michelle
mcoop1125@gmail.com
These look awesome! Would love to win them for my classroom! neillkk@hotmail.com
I would love them for my firsties! Thanks! wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com 1stgradefireworks
This pack looks awesome!! Your resources are always so useful! Thanks for the chance to win! rmitchell@asheboro.k12.nc.us
These look great! Would love to use in my classroom.
Wow, this looks great! I would love to have these useful resources! We are getting a new math curriculum this year and it would be so helpful to use this in the beginning of the school year!
tarayoung96@yahoo.com
I LOVE THIS! Remembering to take it slooow in the beginning is absolutely the toughest thing for me!! But, like you said, it’s absolutely essential for the kids to really excel in first grade math and beyond. This pack would be so helpful for me
-Tricia
oldnavychick4@yahoo.com
Thanks for a chance to win! I have been eyeing that file box at Target! haha
Your packet looks great!
meesh1213@gmail.com
Miss King’s Enchanted Kingdom
It looks fantastic!!
Julie
mrschicksclass at aol.com
Wow! Great ideas! Love your blog! : )
Wow! Great ideas! Love your blog! : )
These activities look amazing! Can’t wait to check them out!
swarstler@bryanschools.net
Thanks for the tips and the great reminder to take things SLOWLY at the beginning!
I need to stop reading blogs- I keep seeing things I want!! I love your beginning of the year activities. Crickett
crickettspuddy@gmail.com
This is a great idea. Those teen numbers always stump my littles. Thank you for making this.
Laura
patterld@gmail.com
Looks amazing! bnvalpey@lcmail.lcsc.edu
Oh my goodness1 I would love to have this packet! I am always looking for fun math activities to help assess!
Rachel
rachelleigh88@gmail.com
I am a first year teacher and I really appreciate the advice to start slow and really agree with assessment.
Thank you,
Valerie
drewvalc@gmail.com
That packet looks awesome! What a great way to start off gauging students’ abilities. I, too, have to remind myself to sloooooow it down at the beginning so glad to know I’m not the only one
msappleblossoms@gmail.com
What an awesome packet!! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Crystal
zadorafamily@gmail.com
They look like great lessons!
Chantelle
cu_later17@hotmail.com
Love your ideas! They are always amazing! Thanks for doing this for everyone!
shannon.wyckoff@gmail.com
Love he what a week would look like idea.
jloertscher@dcsd.org
What a great plan to start your year. And I LOVE your target box!!
melissareed725@gmail.com
After 8 years at home,I am back in the classroom teaching 1st grade. Thanks for all the amazing ideas!!
llorasullivan@yahoo.com
looks great ! I have been teaching for 6 yrs and I am always trying to find a great way to assess the kids right away. p.s. I also bought that box from target this summer !!! melbell.taylor@gmail.com
This is AMAZING!!!!!!
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I agree with taking things slow at the beginning of the year! So important for what how the rest of the year will turn out! Your packet looks perfect for those first few weeks! kubertte@gmail.com
I will be teaching first grade next year for the first time and I’m a little nervous about rushing things. I definitely think it is important to start out slow! This looks like a great packet. amber07fae@gmail.com
Love your organization! My math is a mess right now so this packet would be great to get me focused and going for the year!
:)Kim
dkdkk@iowatelecom.net
I love the numbers pages! And of course the file box is super cute!!
cdyoungs@yahoo.com
This looks awesome!
I have the Target file box in the green/blue combo, and you are totally right…it does not disappoint! Love my Target file box!
– Katy
firstgradekate@gmail.com
What a great way to start the year! Awesome pack for mastering numbers! I love the file box too! :o)
œKaryn
A is for Apple B is for Blog
Kideducator@comcast.net
You are super organized! Love your ideas!
dlkjmi2005@aol.com
This is great!!!!
karly_ronan@yahoo.com
Thx!
I Love your work! Thanks for sharing.
mteresaerodrigues@gmail.com
I love it! I never thought to have a beginning of the year box. Thank you for sharing. Kcburlinski@gmail.com
These would be a great addition to math lessons!!! Love them! Thank you. crw04b@acu.edu
Love it! I especially like that you included a “What would a week look like?” page. Super helpful for new teachers like me
yukarinaka@gmail.com
You are so organized! The math pack looks great!
nmchamplin@gmail.com
Taking your time to teach number concepts is so important! I love your ideas here! Only in my second year of teaching first grade so these ideas are very helpful!! Thanks for sharing!
OMG Wow your product looks amazing
-Beth bethrodda@gmail.com
I love your number concept pages! What great ideas!
What a great idea!
schewkinder@gmail.com
Looks like so much fun! What a great way to start off the year! Thank you! aobergefell@gmail.com
Looks like so much fun! What a great way to start off the year! Thank you! aobergefell@gmail.com
Looks great. I love math. Lnabors@kingwoodchristianschool.com
Laura
Wow, this looks great!
ashleyp77@yahoo.com
This is my first year teacher and I am STRESSING out! This unit would be SO useful!
lyndeehenrichsen@yahoo.com
This is great! I love cute office things!
Teachin’ First
So organized! Awesome
This looks awesome! I would love to win it for my first grade class!
Kathy
kburd@sbcglobal.net
Looks great! My students would enjoy this. (o= Davisc6@gmail.com
I love how systematic this looks! Thank you for putting this together.
I love how systematic this looks! Thank you for putting this together.
That looks amazing! I’m so glad you added go SLOW…that’s always a tough one at the beginning of the year! Thanks for putting the packet together and the chance to win!
Carrie
Carrie.dlugas@gmail.com
Would love to have this resource. Maybe I’ll be the lucky comment. Fingers crossed.
Would love to have this resource. Maybe I’ll be the lucky comment. Fingers crossed.
I started out teaching 1st grade ten years ago. I was then moved to the upper grades. I will be back in first this year and love this resource. You reminded me that you must take it slow to build the students you to where you want them to be. I would love to use this resource to do just that!
Wow, super job on this resource! Is it my lucky day? Great item to use on my advanced kinders.
Great organization! Love to use this!
Really Cute! I am jealous of your organization :)! Melissa.s.janson@gmail.com
This looks great! adchism@spsmail.org
This looks awesome! You are so organized.
I would love to win this pack!
Becca
simplyfuninfirst@gmail.com
The math stations look like a great resource especially the number review and looking at the number in different ways. It works as a great assessment tool!
criediger_95@yahoo.ca
Love the concept behind this!!! Monday was my first day of school for my firsties as well as my first day teaching and starting this amazing journey!!!!
Michelle
m.j.hill86@hotmail.com
Love the concept behind this!!! Monday was my first day of school for my firsties as well as my first day teaching and starting this amazing journey!!!!
Michelle
m.j.hill86@hotmail.com
This looks AMAZING!!!!! We always remind ourselves we are working with “August babies” to remember to go slow. And yes, it always pays off.