Updated Daily 5 Freebie

Just a quick post from me today.  I wanted to let you all know I've updated my Daily 5 freebie.  I received some requests for a few changes/additions and was able to get to them on this long weekend.

Here is what this freebie includes:
Posters, Pocket Chart Cards and Editable T-Charts in:
*2 Spanish translations
*English
*Wordless
*Bilingual Spanish and English

I added the editable T-Charts because my classroom has an incredible small amount of wall space.  So, as my students become more familiar with the routines and expectations I plan on replacing the huge original chart paper anchors, with these T-Charts.  You can add your own text to them and make them fit your classrooms language needs.

Take a look:

I really appreciate that I was contacted by people with requests.  It feels good to know that people are using this resource.  I want everything I create to work for your classroom - so I appreciate it that they took the time to make a request instead of resigning themselves that wasn't quite right!  I'm sure most bloggers feel the same.

Click here to get the freebie on TpT.

Enjoy the long weekend!
Cheers,

Mrs. Castro Pin It

A little freebie for my fans!

Hi All,

I wanted to share a quick freebie with you all.  I've made some labels for my plethora of tea tins, and thought I could share them!

I've made cute Monster Labels that you might want if you have any brain breaks and fairness sticks in your classroom.  You can see how they turned out below.  Click the HERE to get the freebie on Google Drive.

Have a great Sunday night!  

Mrs. Castro

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Updated Math Work Station Freebie

Happy New Year!  It's been ages!  I've been a terrible blogger lately.  Not writing, not checking in, nothing. I apologize for being so absent.  I'm hoping the new year will bring in a wave of creative energy, something that's been lacking lately.

I wanted to share a freebie that's been updated at the request of a follower.  

I previously shared a math work station that was "How Many to 5?".  It's been updated to include the materials for a "How Many to 10?" work station.  Everything is in English and Spanish, of course!

Follow the link below to find the freebie in my TpT store:

Before moving up to 5th grade I also used this fun freebie with my 1st and 2nd graders.  My teammate had found and lost track of a freebie that was about "fishing for 10".  So I made a quick version of my own to share.  

Students will need cards from 1-10.  We used cards from a regular deck and counted the Ace as 1.  Students divide up the cards, my students had 5 cards each, and try to make 10.  The rainbow is just a cheat sheet for them to decide which cards they should ask for.  For example, if they have a 2 they can follow the rainbow and see they should ask for an 8.  

Each pair of cards that make 10 are set out.  If a student has a 10, they set it out by itself since there is no 0 card.

If their partner doesn't have the card they go fish.  It was pretty basic, but this helped my students with the concept of making 10.

We kept it simple.  Sometimes the game lasted forever, and other times it ended as soon as it started.  Click the rainbow for the freebie in Google Drive.

That's all for now!   Pin It

"I have…Who has"–Bilingual freebie

I hope your school year is going well!  It seems like it’s so easy to forget how overwhelming the beginning of the school year can be…or maybe it’s a case of selective memory.  This school year has been great so far!  My kids are great blend of sassy and respectful.  My teammates are amazing! And, I love 5th grade!

BUT, I won’t lie…I’m overwhelmed.  There is so much to learn when switching schools/grades/program models.  I have a lot to learn, and as always feel the pressure of doing my best to help my kids be as successful as possible.  You know the feeling, I’m sure!

Because I’m overwhelmed I haven’t been keeping up with my blog.  Finding time to post something insightful is too much for me right now.  Once I figure out the grade level, curriculum and dual language hopefully insights will just pour forth.  But for now I’m noticeably lacking insight.

Instead of insight I thought I would share a quick freebie.  I’ve definitely noticed that my dual language students are struggling with large numbers.  They lack confidence when required to say a large number out loud, especially in Spanish.

I created a quick “I have…Who has” set for them to practice saying those big numbers.  There is a set in Spanish for my dual and bilingual friends.  But I think it’s unlikely my students will only need practice in Spanish, so I created a set in English too!

So instead of insights I offer a freebie hopefully a few of my loyal readers can use or share with someone.  Click the image below to download from my TpT shop.



Happy October!
Mrs. Castro Pin It

Divisibility Freebie

Teaching 5th grade math is different from teaching 2nd grade math.  Shocker!  It’s especially a big adjustment for me because I’m teaching using a different curriculum, and I used to teach math in English but now teach it in Spanish.  Do you use Everyday Math?  Does it get easier?  I feel like I read and reread the lesson (in Spanish!) and I am rarely 100% certain I’ve figured out the main idea of the lesson.
 
We did have an excellent lesson on divisibility yesterday, though largely due to another blog!  Shocker #2! ;)

First, Andrea from For the Love of Teaching Math, has a lovely post on a divisibility foldable.  Here is the image of my original inspiration:


The second key to this lesson came from my 5th grade teammates.  They have a copy of a mysterious table they use to teach divisibility.  They have one copy and NO idea where it originally came from.  The table breaks the rules up into three different patterns, which I liked!

See the original table:


So with the foldable and table in mind I got to work!

When I told my students we were making a foldable for math, you would have thought they got an extra recess!   Note: 5th graders like foldables!

We color coded our foldable, and wrote the rules in the same order as the table, to distinguish these patters visually as well.  We glued them into our math notebooks and I will give them a copy of the table to glue/tape into their assignment notebooks to use for homework.

Here is what it looked like:



I’ve also created a divisibility freebie for you.  You can have your own divisibility rules table!  I had to make one for my team so we wouldn’t be fearful of losing our one and only copy!

You can download the freebie through Google Docs, or TpT.  To download through Google - just click any of the images of the actual freebie.  To download through TpT - click the green TpT button at the bottom of the post.  :)

Mrs. Castro Pin It

*UPDATED* Bilingual Daily 5 Freebie and my first Monday Made It

Finally I’m going to be a part of the “Monday Made It” brought to you by 4th Grade Frolics! 

I’ve been working on a Daily 5 freebie for all my dual language or bilingual teacher friends.  I find so many great freebies in English, but there isn’t a lot of Daily 5 stuff out there in Spanish.

One of my all time most popular posts is my Anchor Chart post (click here).  There I shared how I manage the Daily 5 in my classroom.  I use a pocket chart and direct students where they are to go.  I know that the Daily 5 is supposed to be about choice, but this worked really well.  My students responded very well to the routine.  So I’ve created some Daily 5 pocket chart cards in Spanish to help you if you manage your Daily 5 this way.

I've also created signs in case you manage the Daily 5 as seen in my previous post (click here).

The freebie has two different Spanish translations of the Daily 5 rotations.  My husband (an Argentine) and I worked on one, and then I saw my friend Krista from The Second Grade Super Kids posted a fun Daily 5 bookmark freebie…so I used her translation as well.  

I've included posters and pocket chart cards that are only visuals – no words, in case you want to keep it simple or want to do your own translation.

Here you go.  Please let me know if you need these translated differently, or a different look – I’ll try my best to help out!  

These can also be downloaded at my TpT store -  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-5-Posters-and-Pocket-Chart-Set-Bilingual



Here are 2 other great Spanish Daily 5 resources from fellow bloggers:
The Second Grade Super Kid's Super 5 Book Marks
Multilingual Multiage I-Pick

Crafts aren’t usually my area of strength – but I’ve also finally finished up my teacher tool box!  I painted it Key Lime – using Rust-Oleum spray paint.  I painted my future math work stations shelf the same color.  Key Lime was calling to me this summer!  

I chose some scrapbook paper that I really liked, but in the end it just didn’t work.  It was hard to read the labels and just kind of uninspired.  See below:

Then I bought some BRIGHT NEON scrapbook paper that I think works much better! 

Here you can also see the future home of math work stations...it started as a beat up shelf that we had as kids and has sat unused for years in my parents' basement...aren't parent basements great!?!

Then it was key-lime-ified!

Now, it's burried under the mess of my future math work stations that are rather discombobulated at the moment...it'll get there, don't worry and I'll have a brilliant photo to share worthy of Pinterest!

Join the Monday Made It madness by clicking below:

Cheers!
Mrs. Castro

P.S. – my mom bought me a Silhouette Cameo – it’s on it’s way now – I think I’ll be walking my parents’ dog for the rest of my life to pay it off – but it’s worth it! Pin It

Vote to help create a Spanish Daily 5 freebie

**Update - you can find the freebie by clicking below**

http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/daily-5-freebie-and-my-first-monday.html

Hola!  Necesito tu ayuda! I've created 5 different polls on my Facebook page for Spanish speakers/educators  to vote on how the Daily 5 stations should be translated to Spanish.  I’m putting together a freebie but want to make sure to translate the stations in a way that is most helpful.

I hope to share the freebie early this week.  I will share simple posters in case your manage your daily 5 rotations this way:
 
I will also include pocket chart cards in case you manage your daily 5 stations the same way I have in the past:

So if you want a voice in how these freebies are translated so you don’t have to do your own – head on over and place your vote – I’ve crated a poll for each rotation. 
Click below to vote:

Also, if you manage your daily 5 with a different tool, let me know.

Cheers!
Mrs. Castro Pin It

Math Work Station Freebie

FIRST, don’t forget to enter for your chance to win in my HUGE giveaway (think Vistaprint, and prizes from your favorite bloggers!).  Click the image below to go to that post.

Today was my first time implementing a Debbie Diller Math Work Station in the classroom.  And…it was GREAT!  The kids loved it, they were engaged and using “math talk”, which makes me a happy teacher.  Summer school is nice because I’m actually teaching the same thing 3 times each morning.  Our kiddos are rotating between myself and the other two teachers, which means I’m going to get a lot of practice implementing these work stations.


Today we kept it simple. I’m working with incoming first and incoming second.  I’m used to second graders, so the incoming first graders are a semi-unknown quantity…but I’m learning.


I created a Number Sense Work Station based off of Chapter 4 of Debbie Diller’s book.  This was called, “How Many to 5?”.  It’s pretty simple and fun!

Students work in partners and they need (I kept it all in a bin):

• a die
• 15 counters
• 3 five-frames
• 2 markers
• Graph

Goal: complete individual frame, and wild frame before partner.  The wild frame is the one in the middle of the 2 individual frames, and any student can “win” that one. 


Students sit facing each other.  Place the three 5-frames in between them.  Set out I-can task card and Math Talk sheets.  Roll dice to see who goes first.


Student rolls the die, places number of counters on five-frame.  IF student rolls a 6, can’t do anything.  After turn, says, “I have____.  I need ____ to get to 5.” 


Students can only put the counters on the frame if they roll a number that fits on the frame.  For example if the student has 3 counters on the frame, and rolls a 3,4,5,6 then he cannot place any counters on the frame and essentially loses his turn until he rolls a 1 or 2. 


After the student completes his own frame he can begin working on the wild frame.  BUT, it doesn’t matter who places the most counters on the wild frame.  The student who places the final fifth counter on the frame “wins” that frame.


Once students have filled the wild frame they extend the activity from number sense to data by graphing the results.  They write the first letter of their first name under their column and graph how many frames they filled - NOT how many squares.


Then start over. 


We loved it!  Tomorrow, I think we’ll be ready for “How Many to 10?”, and might try to do a place value station too - we’ll see.


I've made a freebie so you can try this station in your classroom too!  It’s in English and Spanish and includes all the printables.  If you use it let me know what you think, I’m hoping to create a bunch more math work station in English and Spanish, and feedback is so appreciated!  Click the image below to download from my TpT store.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!  Also here are some other giveaways you should check out!


Sandra at Sweet Times in First is having a great math giveaway - perfect for this post.  Click her button below to go to it:

Donna at Math Coach's Corner is also having a great giveaway - for a TpT gift card and some more math products from her store...and they'r amazing!  She's the queen of work stations!  Click the image below to head over:

And, that's it!
Cheers!
Mrs. Castro Pin It

Vistaprint and a Behavior Clip Chart Freebie

Hi all!  I’ve discovered something new…Vistaprint is dangerous!  I can waste way more time on Vistaprint than on Pinterst…there are so many choices to be made…so many options.  It’s a dangerous place for an indecisive-perfectionist (when it comes to creating things at least)!


Cynthia at 2nd Grade Pad just shared some of her creations (which you should check out!)…and she mentioned that there is a sale going on until July 10th.  There are a bunch of products you can get for free!


I’ve made several things but haven’t placed an order, after following her link and checking my cart I realized that many of my items were now free (or super close to it!). 


Here is the link she shared, there you can see the huge sale and free items available to you!  GO…but wait till you’re done reading!

Behavior Clip Chart Freebie:
Last year I used the behavior clip chart, and loved it!  Unfortunately, I just made it without a lot of thought on the proportions and it ended up pretty big.  I’ve seen several blogs mention that they made theirs on Vistaprint. Many also made theirs “double” instead of making one very wide chart, they took advantage of the space to make two charts in one small banner.  I think this helped because otherwise the chart is quite wide and unwieldy…From my understanding most teachers then cut their banner in half…they have an extra to share, or to save when the other wears out.


I wanted to have a clip chart in Spanish and then have the option for English…so I’ve made one half of the final product in Spanish and the other in English.  


If you want a Spanish/English clip chart you can use mine as a reference, or feel free to load the image directly into Vistaprint if mine works for you.  The image looks huge on googledocs, but it’s not.

**DISCLAIMER**

I haven’t oredered mine yet, I’ll probably wait until the last minute on the sale since I’ll be creating other things.  Which means, I’m not 100% certain that this is the perfect design, or how the final product will turn out.  But I thought I would share while the sale was on in case you were planning something similar.


This fit my small vertical banner well…

The final price with this sale is $4.99.  The small banner is free, but when you upload your own design there is a $4.99 charge…pretty good I think!


Vistaprint resources:
I found a linky where others shared their Vistaprint creations here:
http://theapplebasketteacher.blogspot.com/2011/07/vistaprint-linky-party.html


AND, if you’ve ever used Proteacher to find answers to your teaching questions, there is a Vistaprint group where you can stay up to date on deals.  But the best part is teachers have also shared their creations.  Check out this thread where you can find links to tons of teacher Vistaprint creations:
http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=3060


Do you have any Vistaprint tips?  Did you make your clip chart on Vistaprint - are you happy with it?  What size did you order? 


I would love to see your creations...comment and leave a link to your posts/albums about Vistaprint.


Cheers!
Mrs. Castro Pin It

Landform Dinosaur - Pinterest strikes again!

First, Open House was great!  I had 16 of 20 families come!  I love seeing how excited the kids are to show off all their work!  They were so proud of themselves, and rightfully so!
Second, a few months ago I found a great landform dinosaur on Pinterest.  Have you seen it?  The original comes from Ms. Jennifer’s Second Grade Class.  I thought the idea was brilliant.  My kiddos love anything visual.

ORIGNAL INSPIRATION

We did this little landform review in time to hang up the cute dinos for open house.  The kids had a good time, and they looked great.  Check it out:

Cute, right?  The only problem, is Ms. Jennifer didn’t share a file to download so we wouldn’t have to make our own dinosaur.  I do not like drawing in general, and it took me MANY tries before my dinosaur was presentable.  I’ve since made a freebie for you so you don’t have to draw your own dinosaur.  I’ve also made a checklist for students to refer to so they know exactly what landforms to look for on the dinosaur sheet. This is in English or Spanish for all the dual and bilingual classrooms out there.


PLEASE NOTE, I am not trying to take any credit for this great idea, it’s all Ms. Jennifer’s!  She’s the creative one who deserves all the credit.  I just wanted to help you out so you don’t have to waste time drawing the dinosaur, since I’ve already made one. 


You can download the freebie at my TPT store by clicking the image below.  Make sure to give Ms. Jennifer a shout out if you use this so she knows how great her idea really was!



Cheers!
Mrs. Castro Pin It

Persuasive Pet Letter Freebie

Are you getting ready for Open House?  We’ve been working hard getting ready and I feel like there is still a lot we want to do…one of the projects we’ve been working on is our first persuasive writing project of the year.


I’ve found animals are always a good way to engage students.  Max and Ellie are constantly a great source of inspiration.  Very few of my students actually have pets and so they have adopted Max and Ellie as their own.  The book I Wanna Iguana inspired my students to write letters to their parents trying to convince them to get a family pet.


I’ve put together a freebie so if you’re looking for an idea for persuasive writing you don’t have to look far!  This will work for English or Spanish writing, for all my bilingual/dual language friends.  Click the image below to download it from my TpT:

The BEST part about the whole project was today.  Last night I found all sorts of fun images of different cats/dogs/fish. I had a thought bubble saved on PowerPoint and projected it on the white screen.  Then each student was able to choose from the selection of pictures.  I took a picture of the student standing in front of the giant thought bubble with their dream pet.  We put these pictures on their final draft – very cute!


Here’s mine, trying to convince the “angry mermaid” to get another cat (but not really!)

Here are the cutest kids (smiles) ever:

I believe for Open House we will put the final draft together with our brainstorming organizer, cloze sentence letter and rough draft.  I want parents to see the whole writing process.  I’ll share when that’s done…Until then here you can see what the final draft looks like…(in a washed out sort of way)

The weekend is in sight!
Cheers!
Mrs. Castro Pin It