Building Mathematical Comprehension Book Study!

Summer vacation is the best isn't it?  I love getting up when I want (usually about 6:30 due to everyone else in the house being up).  I can exercise when I want, I have time to read and to blog.  I have no excuse for not blogging, but I have been busy enjoying my new freedom (taking long baths and napping mostly!)

So!  Here is one of the books that I am reading this summer!  Building Mathematical Comprehension by Laney Sammons of Guided Math fame!
Today I am sharing my thoughts on Chapter 2: Recognizing and Understanding Mathematical Vocabulary.

First off, let me say that I stink at math!  I always have.  But, I have found over the years that teaching math has made me better at it.  That being said, I am always looking for ways to improve my math instruction.  This book is perfect for me as it helps me to relate teaching math to teaching reading! It just makes so much sense to me!  Phew!

When I read Chapter one, it made me think of the CAFE menu in my classroom.  I am planning to use it next year during my math lessons as well.  I think that I am going to introduce the strategies as "Thinking Strategies" (suggested in chapter one)  instead of just reading strategies, then color code by how you would use these in reading and math.  I am still thinking on this one, but I love the idea! 

Anywho, so when I saw that title of Chapter 2 I automatically thought: Expand Vocabulary!  It just fits perfectly!

We all know how important it is to teach vocabulary.   Sometimes I forget how important until a kiddos says:  What does ________ mean?  When I just assumed that they all knew what I was talking about!  This chapter has inspired me to sit down and think about what vocabulary is going to be important for my kiddos and how I plan to teach it! 

I love that this chapter has all kinds of ideas for teaching math vocab!  I really want to incorporate a math notebook into my teaching for next year.  I am also inspired to make a math word wall (or add math terms to my current word wall).  It also has some suggestions for games to play!  Who does love playing games?  

All in all I must say that I am really enjoying this book! 
What do you think?  

Last Week...The Kids Took Over!

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire! I am officially on Summer Vaca!  Hurrah!
That being said, our last week was a lot of fun!   

My wonderful teach colleague had done "Teacher for A Day" a couple of years ago, so I thought that I would try it this year!  It mostly went really well.  There is a few things I would tweak, but the kiddos came up with some great ideas!  They had a great time learning:

How to play Chinese Checkers.

About Rocks and Minerals.

How to draw a bird.

How to make a pet rock.

No cook s'mores!

We also learned a dance from India, some cheerleading cheers, a song, about the human body, folding paper airplanes and how to warm up for gymnastics!

The kiddos got a huge kick out of teaching their friends.  I heard more than once: "Mrs. Gard!  Teaching is hard!"  All I could do was smile!

Giveaway!

Stop on By Miss V's Busy Bees!  She is having an awesome giveaway for her one year blogiversary!  I donated my bestseller:

Good Luck!

June Currently!

I love weekends when I have nothing to do!  Of course, I do have stuff to do today, but not until later!

Dog is totally zonked on the chair and snoring away.

Summer vacation is 4 (school days) away.

I have a to-do list a mile long.

We will be taking our first family vacation this summer.  My boys do pretty well traveling, but have never spent more than 2 and a half hours in the car, so I will be needing a lot of patience as we embark on our little summer adventure!

So, what are you doing currently?

Field Trip(s)!

I don't know about for you, but for me it seems that May is Field Trip season!  

 Since the start of May I have been on 4!  Two of them with my own class and 2 of them with my boys.

Every year we take walking field trip to explore our community. We go to the Police and Fire Stations and to the Library.   Not to mention that we have a McDonald's picnic lunch.  We work it off with all that walking!  This year at the Police station we got to see a K-9 demonstration.  The kiddos loved it!  They always love seeing the dogs!  


We also go to the Lincoln Park zoo which is always fun!  The kiddos spend the month of April working on their Animal Reports.  The kiddos can't wait to see "their" animal up close and personal!  

So, you may ask, what did you do with your personal days this year?  

I went on field trips with my boys!  I did get to go to some fun places, but it is almost more work than taking my own class!

With the oldest child this year we went to The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and to the Speedway and Conner's Prairie in Indianapolis!

With my youngest we went to the Michigan City Zoo.  It is also called the Washington Park Zoo!  We had a lot of fun with field trips this year!  

What kinds of trips do you take with your class (or your own kids)?

Indiana Blog Hop!

I'm just an Indiana girl from an Indiana town...  
Thank you Teaching Through Turbulence for linking up for our Hoosier Blog Hop!  

I have lived in Indiana as far back as I can remember.  My parents are from here.  I  can't imagine living anywhere else!  That said, I have lived in several places in Indiana.  I have lived up north (in da region, where I reside currently) and the central part of Indiana.  I am an Indiana State University alumni!  Go Sycamores!  

I received my Master's Degree from Indiana University Northwest!  

This Friday I had the distinct privilege of accompanying my son to The Speedway and Connor's Prairie!  Two things that no Hoosier Student should miss!

  The 500 is in a few weeks, so we had the privilege of seeing some of the cars on the track practicing!  Of course, we had to visit the museum and the gift shop!  We had a great time!

Then, we went to Conner Prairie!  If you have never been, it is well worth the visit! it was really neat!  I especially got a kick out of seeing the school house!

My son and his friend got a huge kick out of seeing the blacksmith shop!

I have lived here all of my life and I am always amazed at the history of Indiana!  I can't imagine living anywhere else! 

What is a Blog hop without a freebie?  

Here is a little race day stationery   This could also work well with a transportation unit! If you click on the picture you can see all 4 pages of this cute stationery!

I hope you are enjoying your "Race through Indiana!"  

Click on the picture to go to the next stop In the Indiana Blogger Blog Hop!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Awwwwwwwww.....

Isn't it adorable?  I also got a ton of candy today.  Gotta love Teacher Appreciation Week!  My kiddos are just adorable.  I hope yours is going well too!  :)