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Halloween at School: How I Survived & THRIVED {Part 2: Math}

11/6/2014

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If you know me even a little or follow my blog at all, it's easy to see that I LOVE all things Halloween {except for the candy...isn't that weird?!?!?}. 

{{{BUT}}} 

...we all know that Halloween makes the kiddos go loopy: costumes, parades, and candy, OH MY!


...Check out yesterday's post & Keep reading below 
for how I KEEP IT REAL @ Halloween Time...

Yesterday I focused on my Halloween survival tips using hands-on science resources & activities.  Today, I'm dishing out some AWESOME Halloween math goodies, both created by myself and other TPT FAVES that are absolute LIFESAVERS {in fact, my kiddos are STILL working on some of the resources below because they love them so much!}

// Frightful Factors //

Is teaching factors HAUNTING you? Never fear...."Frightful Factors" are here! Engage your students in hands-on craftivities, games, & practice pages to increase your students’ skills and comfort level with identifying & comparing factors...all while having fun & being CREATIVE! Click through the slideshow below for a great preview of the teacher resources and instructions included in "Frightful Factors!"

// What's Included??? //

RESOURCES INCLUDE:
-Teacher notes & instructions
-Student notes & instructions
-Annotated examples of finished products
-Student skills practice pages
-Template for creating tracers to use with construction paper or to print & color

CRAFT-IVITIES INCLUDED:
-Gone BATTY for Factors
-FRANKEN-Factors
-”Fear FACTOR Spiders
-Factor ‘Dem BONES

CRAFT-IVITIES with GAMES INCLUDED:
-I “Vant” Factor Fangs
-"Which Witch” Factor Wins?


// How Does this Work?!?! //

I hope this engaging, hands-on Halloween math craftivity & practice page set brings you & your students as much fun & learning as it did mine! In our class, based on student ability and independence levels, students engage with Frightful Factors as independent workstation activities, extensions to small group instruction, and even as 1:1 or small group lessons. It's totally up to you based on preference and student need.

For each “frightful” character, students will complete a factor activity page where they create a 2-digit {or higher} number by rolling dice, turning over playing cards, or using a number spinner. After the activity page is completed, students choose the problem with the MOST FACTOR PAIRS to illustrate via the coordinating craftivity provided. For finding & comparing LEAST common factor & GREATEST common factor, students play a simple game to accompany their activity page & craftivity. 
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For each craftivity, you & your students have multiple choices for how to complete the character craft. For BEST results, follow the instructions for creating TRACERS from the master copies & making the character out of construction paper. This looks most vibrant, & crayons work best on the construction paper, rather than on top of other crayon layers. However...let’s be real...often we don’t have time to do such an involved craftivity during math. When that’s the case, simply duplicate the master copy & allow students to color & cut out for the craft.
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While this product was created for my 4th grade classroom & meets Common Core Standard CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.OA.B.4, it incorporates skills for basic multiplication facts in 3rd grade & can include products larger than 2-digits to make finding factors more applicable for older students (5th grade & older).

SAVE BIG & STOCK UP ON SPOOK-TACULAR RESOURCES FOR NEXT YEAR!

 "WE SURVIVED HALLOWEEN SALE!" All Halloween products are newly 
REVISED, IMPROVED, & 20% off through FRIDAY. Stock up for NEXT YEAR!
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// TOP Teacher Crushes Saved the Day! //

It's no secret that I have {{{MEGA}}} teacher crushes on Kristine Nannini & Teaching with a Mountain View.  I'm talking straight.up.teacher.LOVE.  I'm pretty darn "choosey" when it comes to buying teacher resources, whether from TPT or elsewhere. These two ladies are TOP NOTCH. 

EVERY SINGLE THING I've EVER purchased from them {and it's QUITE a lot at this point}  is just of impeccable quality, and their Halloween goodies are NO exception!!! My kiddos ATE UP the two resources below and loved them so much they wouldn't let me put them away on Monday, even though Halloween is over. I caved {I mean, compromised} and said they could continue the fun through this week to finish up anything they didn't previously have a chance to work on from the resources.

// Nannini's SPOOK-tacular Math Centers //

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Kristine Nannini is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE TPT sellers.  From her Common Core assessments, to data tracking, to coordinate graphing...and on and on and on...her products are amazing.

My kids LOVE these centers because they are fun, festive, and provide a variety of different skills to practice, so they NEVER get bored. I love them, because they are print-and-go, review lots of skills, and are simple enough for the kids to use so that they may be independently practicing with them while I manage small guided math groups. Speaking of guided math groups....if certain students aren't quite ready to complete these activities on their own,  I use the activities in the set for small guided lessons and/or practice activities in response to a lesson I've just delivered in small group.  

Regardless of how I've used them, they are a HIT and are super effective!  This resource has so many different spiral review skills at various levels provided, that differentiation is at your fingertips and nearly INVISIBLE, because while it may LOOK like students are working on the same tasks (for example, the color-by-answer sheets below...which the kids LOVE) they may actually be practicing sheltered to advanced levels of skills just using activity pages that look the same.  This is PRICELESS and allows all students to engage in these fun, hands-on Halloween activities!

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Check out the full preview and more details in Kristine's TPT shop!


// Math Project Mania //

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Growing up, I really disliked math at school.....however, I always LOVED activities and projects at home that USED math {cooking with my mom & construction projects with my dad}. The key was USING the math in a real-world application. Now, math is one of my FAVORITE subjects to teach, and while we do have targeted lessons and work stations, I {{LOVE}} it most because of the applied math projects we do.

Teaching with a Mountain View (TWMV) is THE MASTER at the most amazing math projects!! Seriously, I think I have purchased nearly EVERY SINGLE math project offered in the TWMV shop. I DIE over how cool these are, and so do my kids. They will work SO HARD through our targeted mini-lessons during guided math, knowing that they need to know those skills to apply them to the math projects. It's amazing. Some TWMV projects focus specifically on one skill, like multiplication. Others, like the Mathematical Monster Mash, offer a wide variety of math skills application tasks that make the projects perpetually fun and challenging. I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THESE.  Seriously, I want to crack open the brain of TWMV and steal it for my own {too creepy?!?!}. See a sneak peek of the Halloween project below also a glimpse at my kiddos in action with the projects.

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CHECK OUT THE FULL PREVIEW AND MORE DETAILS IN the TWMV TPT SHOP!
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I hope these math-mazing activities have you PUMPED about ways to survive Halloween next year! Check out these great resources & make October 2015 a Boo-reeze!


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Halloween at School: How I survived & THRIVED {Part 1: Hands-On Science}

11/4/2014

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If you know me even a little or follow my blog at all, it's easy to see that I LOVE all things Halloween {except for the candy...isn't that weird?!?!?}. 

{{{BUT}}} 

Keep reading for how I KEEP IT REAL @ Halloween Time...

We all know that Halloween makes the kiddos go loopy: costumes, parades, and candy, OH MY! This year, more than ever in the past, I used the excitement of Halloween and the month of October to harness and channel student focus. Also, we all know that Halloween can be a controversial subject, so as you'll see, we spent a lot of time doing research and close reading to de-bunk and/or find scientific evidence to disprove most of the spooky myths surrounding this holiday.

Let me tell you...it has been a month of AMAZING classroom activity. The students have been SO INCREDIBLY intrigued and invested, and I can't wait to share the activities I created and scrounged to help make the most of the candy-crazed month that is October!!

// SPOOKY Science Will Save your Sanity //

At the past two schools I've been at, we are allowed to have parties, but tying in some sort of academics is strongly encouraged, and I love doing so! YEARS ago {like 6 or more....I lose count now} I started doing a MAD SCIENCE LAB themed Halloween party. It was an instant hit. The kids and parents LOVED it, the party ran WITHOUT A HITCH, and students were engaged in hands-on science that covered TONS of science standards....all while having a blast & getting a little messy in the process. 

HATE teaching science?!?!?   You won't after this!

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These are just a collection of my favorite, most tried-and-true experiments and activities used to SUPPLEMENT your core science instruction on the topics of matter and physical/chemical changes. You might want to use these as a way to pique student interest and inquiry and then expand upon that "wonder" with further, more in-depth instruction and experiments. Check out the slides below for details on the experiments jam-packed into this mad science matter mini-unit {say that 3 times fast!}.

// See MAD SCIENCE in Action //

Bat Bone Dust & Spider Venom Experiment

Create a live explosion in your classroom! With only 3 ingredients, this experiment demonstrating a chemical reaction packs a lot of BANG for its BUCK!
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Bouncing Rat Droppings

Using raisins or chocolate sprinkles {both are recommended}, students watch as Alka-Seltzer & carbonated club soda make these "rat droppings" bounce & dance about!
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Frog Phlegm

Have students put on their smocks and dive in hands-first to this gooey, gross experiment in changing states of physical matter! This OOZE changes from liquid to solid, and then liquid again based on student interaction with the substances!
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Franken-Hair

This experiment results in a YUMMY treat for everyone as well as TONS of changing states of matter observations! Observe ingredients change from solid, to liquid, & then solid again!
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Mad Scientist Goggles

Protect your eyes & look KOOKY while doing it! Students LOVE creating Mad Scientist goggles, but these double as eye protectants during experiments, too!
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Record it ALL!

Pre- and post- observations, vocabulary, how-to instructions, and MORE are included as versatile recording sheets to accompany your experiments! Just PRINT & GO!!!!!
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Save big & Stock up on SPOOK-tacular Resources for Next Year!

 "WE SURVIVED HALLOWEEN SALE!" All Halloween products are newly 
REVISED, IMPROVED, & 20% off through FRIDAY. Stock up for NEXT YEAR!
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Sunday Scoop, Super New Stationery, & "We survived Halloween" Super Sale!

11/2/2014

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Sooooo......I've been totally M.I.A.  Between hectic schedules in October, Halloween havoc, feeling yucky from allergies/sinus, and cranking out 7 new products for TPT, I had to put blogging on the back burner.  This weekend, I RESURFACED! Check out my Sunday Scoop list below, & DON'T MISS a sneak peek at one of my fun new products & info on my "We Survived Halloween" sale at the end of the post!

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// Show You're Thankful with Fun Stationery! //

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What better way to show you are thankful for your colleagues & teachers of your OWN children, than by using beautiful stationery custom-designed JUST FOR TEACHERS to express your gratitude?!?!  Use these  printable notecards, gift tags, and notepad paper designs to use for thank you notes or print, bundle with envelopes, put in a pretty package, and GIVE SETS to your colleagues and children's teachers as GIFTS!  It's an inexpensive gift that looks fabulous, is totally USEFUL, & LITERALLY KEEPS ON GIVING, because you can print to use yourself or package as gifts as many times as you wish!! Get yours today in my shop. You may choose to buy designs separately, or my mega-bundle at a discounted price!

// SParkle & Teach Design Set //

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// Glitter in Our Veins DESIGN SET //

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// Add Some Sparkle DESIGN SET //

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// "We SURVIVED Halloween" Super Sale //

Check out my Sunday Savings Circular post for details on my "We Survived Halloween" super sale! All Halloween items in the shop are 20% off through Monday night! Stock up on SPOOKY GOODIES for NEXT YEAR while the price is cheap! Click the image below to read the post for info & detailed previews of the products on sale. Watch for Sunday Savings each week, as I'll be holding sales & posting freebies weekly!
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Sunday Savings: "We Survived Halloween" Super Sale!

11/2/2014

2 Comments

 
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// "We Survived Halloween" Super Sale! //

Hooray!! We survived Halloween! To celebrate, I'm throwing a 20% off "After Halloween" sale through Monday night!! Hope you recuperated this weekend and save big through Monday on spooky items for
 NEXT YEAR!! 
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// Mad Science Matter Experiments //

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I've been doing mad science matter experiments as part of my Halloween week and/or party for 6 years! Every single time it's a HUGE hit with students & parent volunteers. Just yesterday, the parent of a former student (7 years ago) sent me a message about our mad science Halloween party! These experiments are simple, yet effective in supplementing your core instruction on changing states of matter. Very little materials are required, and experiments are simple for both students & adults. Recording sheets include vocabulary, predictions, how-to, and observations.  Prep the materials, print & GO! Included are 4 experiments (including one edible experiments) & a fun craftivity. All activities are aligned to K-2 & 3-5 Next Generation Science Standards. This unit is NEWLY UPDATED & IMPROVED!

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// Frightful Factors //

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Is teaching factors HAUNTING you? Never FEAR, “Frightful Factors” are here! Engage your students in hands-on craftivities, games, & practice pages to increase your students’ skills and 
comfort level with identifying & comparing factors...all while having fun & being CREATIVE! Students engage in rigorous practice sheets for determining factors, identifying greatest/least common factors, & comparing greatest/least common factors. After completing each activity page, students get to illustrate their knowledge by creating a SPOOKY character showing one of their completed factor problems. When they finish, these are both adorable for displays, and really show if your students know factorization. This unit is NEWLY UPDATED & IMPROVED!

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COMING SOON: MONSTER MASH MULTIPLES!!  I didn't get this new unit completely created and STUDENT-TESTED until Halloween. Since I don't like to put anything up for sale without testing it first in the classroom, I'll have to release Monster Mash Multiples {companion to Frightful Factors} ASAP!  Once it's up, it will be on sale, too! Stay tuned.....
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2 Comments

Currently November

11/2/2014

6 Comments

 
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I'm ALIIIIIIIVE!
 I have been M.I.A. for a while now....we're talking Hobbit-hole, recluse-style retreat. Why?
I've got lots of blog posts pending with fun details, but for now....

I'm linking up with Farley from 
Oh Boy, 4th Grade  for the 
November Currently. What better way to resurface in the blog-o-sphere than with Farley's monthly link-up party!

LISTENING
Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone {I want to be her BFF}, 1949 Hollywood glamour, and some righteous vigilante justice....need I say more?  This is a great movie, and it's free on-demand right now, so it was perfect background entertainment while I caught up on some things on my laptop.
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THINKING
I am so excited to start hammering away at my newest creations for TPT! As November creeps in on us, I'll be releasing more teacher gift goodies & some fun forest friends products {What Does the Fox Say?}.  Can't wait to finish them up & post them!!
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Printable teacher stationery AVAILABLE NOW.
CLICK HERE to see them in my store!

NEEDING
I have so much & am super blessed, but I still have a November wish list! Like most teachers, more time & some good rest are at the top of the list, especially since report cards & conferences are coming up this month. A mani/pedi session is a MUST right about now, & luckily I just made an appointment for TUESDAY {counting down the hours}. Most of all, I want MORE SNUGGLES from my sweet little Gray-Bear! He's been SO lovey-dovey and snuggly lately, & I'm ALLLLLLL about it. I'll soak up every last little snuggle drop with my buddy and then some! {MELTING}
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LOVING
The past two weekends have been FABULOUS family weekends that I wish would never end! Blog posts with details are coming soon, but suffice it to say that we had a FRIGHTfully delightful Halloween season this year!  Also, I finally got a much-needed haircut and color!  WOO HOO!
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WANTING
Halloween is my FAVORITE...but it's also exhausting! I want a 3 day weekend, people!
This would be the PERFECT weekend to have an extra day to rest, recuperate, & better prepare for a new week.  However, that's not going to happen, so...I'd better put my big girl pants on & deal, because tomorrow is Sunday already & Monday will be here in the blink of an eye! I guess I'll take the "extra hour" from "Fall back" time as a little bonus rest time this weekend!
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READING
While I've been MIA, I've fallen behind on some of my favorite teacher blogs! This weekend I tried to catch up a bit and, of course, Cara Carroll's two blogs are at the top of my list {even though I don't teach 1st grade!}. Besides her famously awesome teacher blog, I'm {slightly} obsessed with her domestic blog, Pearls, Handcuffs, & Happy Hour. Check it out, you'll love it, I promise.
{#mightbestalking #sorrynotsorry}
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After Halloween SUPER SALE!

Hooray!! We survived Halloween! To celebrate, I'm throwing a 20% off "After Halloween" sale through Monday night!! Recuperate this weekend and save big on spooky items for NEXT YEAR!! 
 {My Halloween units are newly improved and updated, too.}
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