New and improved math block, almost 500 follower giveaway, and a sneak peak:)

I have a few things to talk about today...and I promise you won't be disappointed:)

First up, I am 81 followers away from 500! I just can't believe it! I have a HUGE, I mean HUGE giveaway planned! Many of your favorite bloggers have generously donated some items for this giveaway! I can't wait! But it has to until I get 500! So I am asking for YOUR help!
If you can, post the above picture to your blog and blog about my almost 500 follower giveaway! In turn, I will giveaway my listening center or writing center task cards to you for FREE:) AND anyone who is new to following my blog will get them for FREE too! So don't forget to mention that either! 

If you help me out, make sure to leave me a link so I can check out where you blogged and talked about my giveaway! Also...don't forget your email so I can get you your pick of the prize! 

Next, I spent a ton of time working on my math block rotation! Like I said, I don't want to be a part of the rotation at all! This will allow for as much individualized/group attention as I can give. 


So this is what I planned:
1. 8 centers that will rotate every two weeks. I was thinking about 4 each week but then I think they would get crowded! 


2. I also planned a calendar piece that students must complete each week. I looked at the standards for 3rd grade and make one for 1st quarter. Each quarter I will add new skills and still keep the old ones for review. Thank you to The Creative Apple for such great ideas on adding a calendar piece.


3. I also want a way to check their work and understanding. So they have a summary/check sheet to turn in for each center. 

4. I wanted to add literature to my math block so that is why I have Math books as a center. I found a GREAT list of math related books for specific skills on The Creative Apples blog. You can get it here. This is the center sheet for the math book center I created!
That is what I have for my math block! I have not uploaded it to TPT or TN just yet...I was hoping to get some feedback from you lovely bloggy friends! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

LAST but not LEAST! I got an email today from Erin over at Creating & Designing! She had my classroom blog snapshots ready for me to view and see if I liked it. I didn't like it at all:( I LOVED it! What do you think???



I am SO excited! I hope the kids LOVE it as much as I do! Well, I am off to finish a few things here at the coffee shop and then head home to clean house:( Blah! Enjoy your Tuesday!

65 comments:

  1. It looks like you've got it all figured out! I love the idea of adding Math books to the centers. I love the summary sheet and calendar sheet. I am using something similar this year.
    Congrat's on your "almost" 500 followers! I don't have a blog- but I pinned this post for you! http://pinterest.com/pin/267893877805233083/

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    1. Thanks so much! Give me your email and let me know which cards you want! Listening or Writing?

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  2. I posted about your almost giveaway at www.thirdgradetidbits.blogspot.com (sorry Im on my phone and it won't let me link it for some reason). My email is thirdgradetidbits@gmail.com. Good luck getting to 500!!!
    Gina

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    1. And I would like the writing cards. I forgot to post that sorry! :)

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    2. It's ok! Thanks for blogging about it! You are too sweet!

      Tonya

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  3. I will surely get on this, congratulations. Something is going a little wacky with the way my computer is viewing your page. I am not able to find the followers...sad face. I will check back in a few.
    Stephanie
    Back in Fourth
    stephaniegolaski@gmail.com

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    1. I see what happened, the link I followed was not to view the page as a web page, interesting. All is good now, will blog about your exciting 500 giveaway. I would love the writing center task cards.
      Thanks,
      Stephanie

      http://backinfourth.blogspot.com/2012/08/ooooopppphhhhh-i-am-pooped.html

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  4. I'm curious about your math block. I understand that your students will have to complete all of the math rotations in a 2 week time frame, but what are you going to do with students that have poor time management skills? I'm just wondering, because some of the students I've had in the past might only complete a few of the stations. It would take them forever to complete things, or they would tell me that they didn't get to finish the math game and needed to play it over and over! Other than that, I think this is a great way to handle math!
    Mary
    Teaching Special Kids

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    1. I use the student check off sheet/summary sheet! I am going to treat this like the daily 5 for reading and have kids make center choices first thing in the am when they come in. They can't do more than 2 centers a day. They can repeat centers IF all of them are done. I have never really had issues with kids having poor time management skills..mostly because I drill it into them! haha! If they need some direction, I will make choices for them!

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  5. I will definitely blog about your almost 500 followers when I post tonight! Good luck! I am finally past ten followers! The little things in life. And I love your math blok idea. I might implement something similar once I get the details of my schedule. It would be good independent work to reinforce my lessons since math is the only thing I teach.

    Good luck!
    Ms. W
    http://hootinaroundtheclassroom.blogspot.com

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm now your newest follower! :)

    Katie
    Rock and Teach

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  8. Made an oopsie on the last comment lol!! AHHH!!! I love your new design!!! I will add your button to my post which will be up in a little bit.

    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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    1. isn't it AWESOME????? I am SO happy with it! I can't wait until it is done:)

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  9. The Math Block looks awesome! I love how you added a literature component on finding Math examples in books, tying it together. It looks wonderful!

    :) Kaitlyn
    Smiles and Sunshine

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    1. Thanks! I think that is my favorite part. Now, I got books from the library...I am just going to have to keep renewing them...haha! Maybe they will be cheap on amazon!

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  10. You just solved one of my major problems - how to track what students do in stations. I don't teach math, but I teach reading and I feel like I can never hold the kids accountable for what they do at stations. Seriously who wants to grade all of that mess? I love the idea of a reflection sheet. Since my students are going to do 2 stations per day, I want them to fill it out daily. Ahh, love this idea!

    I already bought your writing cards (and your focus wall headers & 2 or 3 other things, plus I've downloaded all of your freebies -yeah I love all of your stuff) would love the listening cards.
    http://thatnewcrayonsmell.blogspot.com/2012/08/one-of-my-favorite-teachers-notebook.html

    Deniece

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    1. I am glad I could help! I think the reflection sheet will be an easy way to hold them accountable. I think I am going to have to sell this packet or make it a freebie;)

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  11. Found you from Lisa at Learning is Something to Treasure, and became #424! I don't have a huge following at my brand-new baby blog, but I will blog about you nearing 500 followers, if that's okay:) LOVE the look of your (yummy) blog!
    Synonym Rolls & Antonym Moments

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    1. I love your blog too! Thanks for coming over! Welcome:)

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  12. Glad to have found your blog through Lisa at Learning is something to treasure. I am your newest follower. I am blog stalking today but hope to blog about you tomorrow.

    Mrs.G's Kindergarten in Heels

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  13. You know I'm blogging about your giveaway! :)
    Tracey
    Third Grade All Stars

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  14. I also found your blog through Learning is Something to Treasure! 500 followers.. how exciting!! I'd love for you to check out my blog sometime!

    Cyndi
    Lacy's Letters

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    1. You're new blog design is great! I love it! Thanks for stopping by and becoming a follower:)

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  15. Yay! I love finding Carolina friends!! Thanks for following my blog! I'm your newest follower, as well! Love your blog!! :)

    Leslie
    Miss R's Room

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  16. I LOVE your new website!!! So fun :) I have been dying to upgrade my blog but haven't pushed myself to pay for it yet. You have inspired me...

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  17. Yay to almost to 500! I blogged about it!
    Dani
    Patterson's Porch

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    1. My email is dani.patterson611@yahoo.com Listening cards please :)

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  18. I love your math block idea! I really think I'm going to have to buy this from you when you post it! I've struggled for the past few years with center rotations, accountability, and differentiating and your idea seems to be the fix.

    I don't blog so I can't post about yours, but congrats on almost hitting 500. Seems like just yesterday it was 300!

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    1. I know right??? I hope I can keep up once school starts! haha!

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  19. I blogged about your giveaway! http://busyinkindergarten.blogspot.com/2012/08/classroom-and-giveaway.html

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

    Listening Center cards, please! Thank you so much!

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  20. I love your math sheets! I'm your newest follower.

    Joell
    Totally Terrific Teaching

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  21. I love your math sheets, especially the calendar math. I have a question....is everything on that sheet related to the date? Since they rotate through your 8 centers in 2 weeks what date do they use?

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    1. They use the first day of the week that we do Calendar. The calendar is weekly-or maybe I might try every two weeks at first! HAHA!

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  22. Cute stuff! I'm your newest follower! I'm sure you'll be to 500 in no time!

    Kathy
    KS has time...for now

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    1. Thanks for following! Do you have a preference on which cards you want???

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    2. The writing ones would be perfect! Thanks so much!

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  23. Hey Tonya! Love the new class blog design. I shared your giveaway on my blog post today. Good luck! You'll be there in no time. I'd love the writing cards. meganfavre@gmail.com

    Megan
    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

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    1. isn't it awesome???? I can't wait to see the finished product! Thanks for blogging about me and the giveaway! I really appreciate it!

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  24. Congrats on almost 500 followers! I don't have a blog, so I pinned it. Hope that works too??? I love your math center ideas. i was thinking of what I want to do this year. Looks great!

    Janelhabosha@gmail.com

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  25. I am a new "Official" follower, but I have been enjoying your blog posts this summer. Only 64 more to go!
    mandmyoung(at)chartermi(dot)net

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  26. I blogged about your giveaway..check it out and follow me too! ;) Love the class blog design!!

    Susan
    owlroom.blogspot.com
    polkadotroom@gmail.com

    PS- I'd love the writing task cards please.

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  27. I blogged about your giveaway! =) You're so close, I bet you get there in no time! I would love the writing center task cards. My email is hminckler@hotmail.com Your set up for your math block looks great, it definitely sounds like it will work out well for you. Thanks so much for the math literature resource! That is something I have been wanting to increase in my classroom, so perfect timing!!! =)
    http://cantmakethisstuffup-hmichaud.blogspot.com/

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  28. I really love your center ideas! How do you set up your class time for rotations? I will have 120 minutes this year with a 30 minute built in intervention time. I'm from Texas and we use CSCOPE as our curriculum guide and it is pretty involved. How do you set up your schedule on a daily/weekly basis?

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    1. I wish I has 120 minutes...we have 75. As far as schedule goes, I am told when I have to teach math...I can't make my own time in the day for it!

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  29. Hi Tonya,

    I'm your newest follower. Excited to find your blog and am excited to hear more about your plans for math. I would love your writing task cards!
    katiebaxsmith@gmail.com
    iwanttobeasuperteacher.blogspot.com
    Katie

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  30. I love your math calendar and math book sheets! I'm your newest follower! Stop by my blog and visit when you can.

    Kathy

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    1. YEA! Welcome! I can't wait to check your blog out!

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  31. I am your newest follower! I love your math calendar--awesome.

    I hope you can come and visit my blog soon.

    www.ateacherwithoutaclass.com

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  32. I blogged about it! I'd love your Writing Task cards.

    bookskt19@yahoo.com

    http://kaitlyn-smiles.blogspot.com/2012/08/thoughts.html

    :)Kaitlyn
    Smiles and Sunshine

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  33. Shared it on my facebook group page, I am a couponer and have many followers in education!- heres to hoping you reach 500 soon!

    Thanks for your great ideas! I would love your listening center task cards : )

    I posted it here : https://www.facebook.com/happyheatfullwallet?ref=hl

    - Amanda ( a2moore@mac.com)

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  34. Hi there. I am a new follower and I just posted your giveaway to my blog page.

    www.teacherplayground.com

    Teacherplayground@gmail.com

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  35. Hello,

    I have gone through your blog post, & it is really awesome. The thing that I liked most is the Calendar List, which can help us to schedule things easily.

    This is a very dynamic idea to share with everyone. I have posted your link on my Facebook profile.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    Regards
    Abacus

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