Fall . . . and Math Games

Fall is here. Today we had class parties and I am more tired after those than a full day of teaching!

I have been working on math activities and games to help build number sense. Many of my students are able to complete math operations with hundreds charts, fingers or taught strategies, but they do not UNDERSTAND numbers. I have been going "back to the basics" to build these concepts and games always help!
Here is a game that works on adding/subtracting 10s and 100s. I start by teaching the 10-shortcut on the hundreds chart and build from there.
Check out the game on my TpT store: Build an Equation.                                 

Jumping in the Extended Standards - Space

Here in Ohio, we are at the beginning stages of the Extended Standards - an extension of the Common Core designed for students with cognitive disabilities. These standards have a continuum that stretches from most complex . . . . .least complex. As an Intervention Specialist (Moderate/Intense), I am developing materials and reorganizing current supplies to align with these concepts. Luckily, I have many resources already gathered and made - but I wanted to refine things.

So, I started with the Science Standards, grades 3-5. I jumped in with Solar System.

I posted some of the activities I have created on my TpT store along with this description - I will re-post here for you to get a better idea of what this packet contains: Space 3-5 Extended Standards

1. Identify what can be found in the solar system
2. Recognize that the sun is a star
3. Recognize that Earth rotates on its axis
4. Recognize that Earth revolves around the sun while it rotates on its axis
5. Recognize that properties of the sun are the same properties that stars have.

Includes 2 poems, 2 space themed-books (one with wh- questions), planet cards with labels, story sequencing activity, and poster.

These activities were developed for students with severe cognitive disabilities or multiple disabilities.




 This is a book I created with wh- questions on each page. The main teaching objectives from the Extended Standards are assessed on the pages of this book. The choices are visual - not word-based. I use these types of books a lot in my classroom, as it teaches students to use the words and pictures from the text when answering the question - on the most basic level.

 This is a poster with information about the SUN. The properties of a star are listed - which is one of the main concepts in this unit (the sun is a star).

 These are examples of planet cards I made. I am using these to sequence the planets - which also allows me to touch on number lines.
I am also using these for identification of specific planets in a Discrete Trial format.

This was made to go with the book There Was a Bold Lady Who Wanted a Star. After you , laminate, assemble and Velcro the pieces, you can use this as you read to sequence the events.

Measuring with Metric

In fourth grade, the measurement instruction is focused on the metric system. I found some great activities to use but not much that put everything together. So, I made an activity that includes units of length, weight/mass and capacity (meters, liters and grams). I also developed an assessment tool that matched many of the activities we did in class.
I am an Interventionist, so these were designed with my students in mind - they would be great for more hands-on learners, younger classrooms or students who benefit from modifications.
These are some of the puzzles pieces for Measurement Match.
Check out the Measurement Assessment that I created to end the unit.

Capitalization Practice

This is one of those skills that always needs a quick review, especially at the beginning of the school year. This is an easy center or a quick partner activity for Capilatization Rules.
There is a recording sheet, so multiple students could use the cards - but you can also laminate and use dry erase markers. This way, students could practice editing marks too!
Check them out at TpT!  Capitalization Practice Cards

Measuring in FALL

Measuring has been our math focus this week. Because the leaves are changing, I thought I would bring some Fall into our lesson. Collect some leaves and try this activity - download the free App LeafSnap so that students can identify the types of leave sthey are working with!
Measuring with Leaves on TpT