Squirrel Away 1-6 & 7-12 bundle!

Posted on August, 2014 by Unscribbled

Subitizing game for structuring numbers

Now get both versions of our awesome subitizing dice game and save money!

“Can we play again – and again?”

This is an awesome game I use to help teach spatial patterns and subitizing while working on structuring numbers with my first-grade math intervention group. They love it!

With this product you also get the Kat and Squirrel story that goes with the game –
and Bonus!
Spanish language dice “covers”.
Roman numeral dice “covers”.
Squirrel Away Artwork
for both games!

Keep Kids Moving

Posted on October, 2013 by katgj

Kids feel great with their bodies in motion, and I do too. Almost every lesson can be adapted to add movement. It could be as simple as showing a character’s mood through facial expression. Or it could be as complex as simulating the inner workings of an animal cell using human bodies. Seeing things from multiple perspectives increases learning.

I recently discovered the game “Scoot” which can be adapted to any subject or grade level. To play the students start at one area (desk perhaps) answering a posted question, then when directed they “scoot” to the next location (another desk maybe) to answer a different question. They keep track of their answers on a student recording sheet. You can find many printable “Scoot” games online (and better directions) by doing a simple search.

In this Ted talk by gamer Jane McGonigal, she explains her remarkable recovery from depression and illness by building 4 types of resilience – one of which includes the FUN of moving.

Crack open those games – what a great way to keep moving, build resiliency and have FUN!

Bulletin Board – Wonder Wall

Posted on August, 2013 by Unscribbled

Goals for the Wall

A “Wonder Wall”, described in the book A Place to Wonder by Georgia Heard and Jennifer McDonough, is a place where people can post thoughts that make them wonder. It is a perfect place to get to know the gaps in your students’ background knowledge and a great way to gain insight into topics that are important to your students. This is a springboard for authentic discussion and research.

Lesson – What’s the big idea? (Literary Themes)

Posted on July, 2013 by Unscribbled

Concepts to Be Covered
Literary Themes

Goals for the Lesson
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

Kat and Squirrel Story for the Lesson
Kat and Squirrel are helping the librarian find book titles for her yearly literary theme party. Kat and Squirrel soon realize that they haven’t read nearly enough books! Please help them find some book titles for each theme. Write down the evidence in case the librarian asks why each book was chosen. This party will be a blast if only they can find enough books.

Kat and Squirrel

Making Learning Fun!

Tag Archives: primary grades