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Tuesday, November 27, 2018

CYBER Monday Gift Card Winners



Congratulations to these lucky 5 teachers! 

They each won a $10.00 TpT Gift Card for signing up for the weekly newsletter.

Do you receive the weekly freebies, giveaways, and math resources?

Sign up HERE=> http://bit.ly/KellyMcCownNEWSLETTER

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Why I Don't Assign Homework

Do your students struggle to complete and turn in all their homework assignments?

Do you want to keep them accountable for missing assignments?

Do you want your students to turn in 100% of their homework?


I struggled for many years to find a solution that worked best for my students and I. How do I get students to do their work? How do you get students to turn in their assignments? How much is the right amount of homework?

After reflecting upon my teaching practices and how students would respond to certain homework policies and situations I found solutions that worked. First, I stopped "giving homework". Instead I would set out 10-15 minutes of class time to let the students work on what I would assign as "homework" and call it "classwork" to students. This "classwork" time is mandatory and students are required complete the assignment or finish it for homework. Most students would finish it in class and have no homework! Students that didn't finish would be required to finish at home.

Did all the students finish in class? No. So I had to come up with some other solutions to get to 100% homework turn in rate. These are solutions to the homework problem. Try one or all of them to meet the needs of your students.

More Solutions 

1. Homework Excuse Slips. Have you tried homework excuse slips? I've tried them and determined they did not work for me. After two quarters I found that I was wasting printing paper for students to tell me "I forgot" or "I just didn't do it". It wasn't a solution, it just gave the students the feeling that they were justified in their excuse. My goal of the excuse slips was to get students to see what they weren't doing and to fix the behavior. This was not attained, but I abandoned this solution.

2. Makeup Slips for Absent Students. Absentees can become a problem depending on the school you teach it. I've work at 85% attendance rate schools and 98% attendance rate schools. The system that worked best after years of perfecting was the "While your Were Out" slips. I print multiple sheets of absent work forms, assign other students to fill them out at the beginning of class for absent students, and then those students place the slips in the absent box. Minimal work required for the teacher, just print and go! You can make your own slips or Click HERE to download these.

3. Progress Report Printouts. This has been the best solution for my students. Students are able to see what they are missing (I highlight the zeros and missing assignments that they can turn in before the end of the quarter). Parents are required to sign the progress report printout for homework or extra credit (depending on how I want to assign the grade for being responsible and completing all the work). Parents appreciate the support and reminder of how their student is doing. This also helps keep students accountable and on track for success.

4. Assign Less Homework. After assigning too many homework assignments one year, I made a homework calendar and a plan to only assign 1 homework assignment a week. You can CLICK HERE to read about why I don't grade homework after school and how you can too.  I write down the dates when I will collect and grade any homework (less than 9 a quarter) in my planner. It makes it simple to keep track of all the assignments. If you need a planner I highly recommend Occolo planners. This is the exact planner I use. Keeping track of assignments and tests grading helps keep grading simple and planned. If I haven't planned to grade it, I always ask "does this have academic value?" If it does and needs to be graded then I add it to the list. Assigning less will help you grade less, and in return you will not have to look for as many missing assignments.

5. Assign Less Problems. Along with assigning less homework, I took the 10 problem challenge. Only assigning 10 math problems which was the equivalent of 20-30 minutes of work for students. This greatly improved the percentage of students who completed the assignment. It was more manageable for them to complete and achieve success on an assignment.


I hope these homework solutions are making you reflect on your teaching practices. What could you do to improve the rate of homework return? How could your students have a better attitude about homework? What would be easiest for you to maintain and keep up with grading? Homework doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming. Make it relatable and effective for students.

Happy Teaching!

Friday, November 16, 2018

Christmas Math Grades 3 to 5

Do you want a fun Christmas Math review?

Do your students need to review multiplication and division?

Do you want a NO PREP holiday bulletin board display with student work?


Are you ready for Thanksgiving? These Christmas Multiplication and Division Coloring Pages feature coloring problems to create Candy Canes and Christmas tree pictures. 


THIS CHRISTMAS MULTIPLICATION & DIVISION PACKET FEATURES:

*2 different Engaging Math Activities (2 different color versions each)

*1 Version of Candy Canes (Multiplication by 2-digit numbers. Ex: 9 x 98)

*1 Version of Christmas Trees (Division by 2-digit numbers. Ex: 810 ÷ 90)

*3 different Banners to hang on a Bulletin Board

*NO PREP, Print & GO Activities! (Only materials needed: 3-5 different colored crayons or markers, and a pencil).

*FUN & rigorous activities centered on math curriculum
*HIGH QUALITY CLIPART is included
*Topics covered: Multiplying & Dividing by 2-digit numbers
*Engage your students in Math for the Holidays!


Have fun this holiday season with your students and engage them with extra practice of multiplication and division. Every student enjoys coloring and creating mystery pictures. With multiple options for students to create, the pictures will all be unique to each student.

Happy Teaching!

Monday, November 12, 2018

Winter Break Math FREEBIE

Are you preparing your students for a long Winter Break?

Do you want to actively engage your students in Math fluency over the Winter Break? 


If you said YES, there is a FREE Math packet cover and rubric for your students to complete and return after their Winter Break. This Winter Break NO PREP Math packet that will keep your students engaged in Math over their break! This packet is designed to be fun for students to complete and updated for 2018 Winter Break. 


THIS FREE WINTER BREAK MATH PACKET FEATURES:
*2 different covers for your student's Winter Break Packet
*1 letter to students discussing the packet and when it is DUE
*1 rubric for EASY grading when the packet is returned to school 
*This packet encourages fun Math review while away from school on Winter Break


Engaging your students in Math may be difficult this holiday season, but you can keep them actively involved with activities to use their critical thinking skills.

Other teachers have said, "Thanks for the rubric - that is very helpful." "I do not send work home with my kiddos over breaks, but this will be handy as a "just in case" activity for a sub. Thank you!"  

Great for not just over the long winter break, teachers have used these puzzles for bell work, morning work, class work, and fast finishers to name a few! Encourage your students to have fun with Math and watch them succeed!! 

Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

November TpT Gift Card Giveaway


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card
Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 11/13/18 and is open worldwide.
Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good Luck!

Monday, November 5, 2018

Top 10 Holiday Gift List for Teachers

What do you get your child's teacher for the holidays?

A small something to say thank you for helping their education?


Teachers often are not of during the holiday season. They appreciate small gifts from students and parents. Holiday gifts for teachers do not have to be elaborate. Teachers appreciate cards, notes from students, and small tokens of thanks. It's the one time of year to spread cheer and thank your child's teacher for all they have done for your child's education. Here is a list of 10 items that teachers LOVE to receive and appreciate your thoughtfulness. (I've included my affiliate amazon links).

1. Starbucks Mug Gift Set. Perfect for tea, coffee, or cocoa. A great gift for one or multiple teachers.
2. Flair Pens. The preferred pen of every teacher. A great gift that is practical and helpful in classroom.
3. Astrobrights Paper. Students love to have colorful paper in the classroom and teachers enjoy using it just as much. This paper can become expensive for teachers on a budget. It's a great classroom item to have and use anytime of year.
4. Teacher Key Chain. Every teacher has a key chain and this one makes the teacher feel appreciated for their work in children's lives.

5. Camelback Water Bottle. Teachers need to stay hydrated and this is the perfect bottle. Easy to clean and it's spill-proof.
6. Teacher Cards. Give your students teachers a personal card with a note from your child. Teachers truly appreciate the personal notes and thank you cards from students that make teaching worthwhile.
7. Teacher Bracelet. This is the perfect little reminder for your child's teacher. It takes a BIG heart to teach little minds.
8. Teacher Wine Bottles. Make sure you know your teacher well before gifting a teacher wine bottle. These are great gifts for teachers who drink wine and enjoy a fun wine bottle label.
9. Teacher Sign for Desk. Plaques and signs are great little touches around a teacher's workspace. Giving teachers meaningful decorations inspires them to teach.
10. Amazon Gift Card. The perfect gift for any teacher. Easy to give and teachers love the flexibility of being able to buy something for themselves or their classroom.



Whatever you or your child decide to get their teacher, remember that it's the thought that counts. Teachers like feeling appreciated for their work. Help your child's teacher feel appreciated this holiday season with a small token of gratitude.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Middle School Black Friday & Thanksgiving Math

Are you looking for Black Friday activities to engage your students?

Do you want to make real world connections with Black Friday & math?  

Do you need middle school math activities before the Thanksgiving break? 



Get your students excited about the Holiday Math with these NO PREP Thanksgiving Math Activities. Students will make connections between sales, bargains, prices, and purchases. 


THIS BLACK FRIDAY & THANKSGIVING MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH ACTIVITIES PACKET FEATURES:

*5 different Engaging Math Activities

*FUN activities and puzzles centered on reviewing math curriculum.

*Packed with 6th, 7th, 8th grade common core math problems for review and practice.

*HIGH QUALITY CLIPART is included

*Topics covered: percents, operations with decimals, operations with integers


Activities Included:
-Creating a Black Friday Advertisement {with rubric}
-Mark that Price! {with answer key}
-Big Toy Purchases {with answer key}
-Find Sale Price {with answer key}
-Integers Number Puzzle {with answer key}


My students always loved the Black Friday Advertisement project {with rubric included for easy grading}. It's an easy activity to facilitate and prepare for the Thanksgiving break. The past five years I've had an administrator come and do a surprise informal evaluation the DAY before break. This project has been great to show students actively engaged with real world applications at Thanksgiving. Every administrator has always commented that it was nice to see the students engaged in math and learning how it applies to Black Friday. These activities are sure to keep the last couple days before the Thanksgiving break fun and full of math content. I hope these activities are helpful in your classroom too! 

Happy Teaching!

Upper Elementary Black Friday & Thanksgiving Math

Need Black Friday activities to engage your students?

Want fun Thanksgiving math activities for the holiday season? 


Get your students excited about the Holiday Math with these NO PREP Thanksgiving Math Activities. Students will make connections between sales, bargains, prices, and purchases. 


THIS BLACK FRIDAY & THANKSGIVING ELEMENTARY MATH ACTIVITIES PACKET FEATURES:
*5 different Engaging Math Activities
*FUN activities and puzzles centered on reviewing math curriculum.
*Packed with 3rd, 4th, 5th grade common core math problems for review and practice.
*HIGH QUALITY CLIPART is included
*Topics covered: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Subtraction of Discounts, Subtracting Decimals, and Word Problems

Activities Included:
-Creating a Black Friday Advertisement {with rubric}
-Mark that Price! {with answer key}
-Big Toy Purchases {with answer key} 2 Versions
-Correct The Prices {with answer key}
-Number Operations Puzzle {with answer key}

My students always loved the Black Friday Advertisement project {with rubric included for easy grading}. It kept the last couple days before the Thanksgiving break fun and full of math content. Also I can't count how many times I was informally evaluated on the Friday before Thanksgiving. The principal would walk in and see this project in action. They would always be pleased with how students were using real world applications in math and actively engaged! Win win!!  I hope these activities are helpful in your classroom too!

Happy Teaching!