120 New Math Riddles for First Grade ... and a Free Sample, Too!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

As the 100th day of school approaches for many of you, I'm thrilled to be offering a brand new set of one of my favorite resources, 120 Riddles for the 120 Chart.

These riddle cards are a fun way to build number sense and review first grade skills like addition and subtraction through 20, place value, adding and subtracting tens, coins (pennies, nickels, and dimes), odd and even numbers, and comparison signs.


The original set of one hundred multi-step riddle cards for the numbers 1-100 has been through a number of revisions, notably adding in riddles for 101 through 120 and adding a projectable version which allows you to easily use the riddles on your interactive board and handheld devices. 

If you are among the more than 5,000 teachers who own the set, be sure to download the most recent update!

See the original set (Set 1) here.

Although you'll find this riddle set to be perfect for your 100th Day celebration, there are so many other uses for these cards.  From teacher comments at my TpT store, here are some of the ways that teachers are using their riddle cards.


Angie suggested using a few riddles as a math lesson warm-up.

Gabrielle uses a riddle card to introduce the number of the day. 

Heidi says, "Great way to get the kids talking about numbers and exploring the 120 chart!"

Another buyer said she uses them for calendar time and finds them easy to differentiate. 

Amy uses them as a sponge activity between lessons.

Jan uses these riddles to build number sense and ease math anxiety.

Karen uses these cards to reinforce specific math concepts.

Lisa uses them once a week for problem solving.

Kathie G. says, "Perfect for whole group, small group, or even as a filler for when you have a few minutes between activities."

Another buyer uses the riddle cards for "Out the Door" cards as her students line up to leave the classroom.

A teacher uses them with her afterschool tutoring club.

Title I teacher Darlene uses them with partners and small groups.

Kristina uses riddle cards as an early finisher activity with her document camera. 

Jacqueline H. says, "I use it as a center activity in my grade 3 class, great reinforcement of concepts they should know."

Another buyer uses them for morning bellwork, and sometimes has her students write their own riddles and share them.

Laureen took the poster version of this resource and turned it into a book for the math library -  so clever! 



So, reading all of these wonderful ideas and comments (thank you, thank you - do you know how much TpT authors LOVE your feedback??), I got to thinking that many teachers who are using these riddles might be running out of riddle cards around this time of year.  

Every one of the riddles in Set 2 is totally new.  Even the graphics are new - adorable goldfish from Ashley Hughes at TpT.

Here's a closer look.

Click here to see them at my TpT store!


Would you like to try a few before you buy? Click here to download a free sample set of twelve riddle cards from the latest set!

Happy Teaching!

Addition on the Hundred Chart - Adding by Counting On

Hi, Teaching Friends!

Do you eat your soup with a slotted spoon? Silly question - of course not! It's not the right tool for the job!


The same thing goes for math. Selecting the most effective and simple tool, or strategy, is the way to get the job done. So we fill our young mathematicians' pockets with lots of different tools, and guide them in selecting the right one for the task at hand.


The hundred chart is an awesome tool. Once a child understands how to use it for addition and subtraction, has an understanding of adding and subtracting tens, and can pop up a hundred chart in his or her head, two digit operations are a piece of cake. Truth be told, since I started to use the hundred chart more in teaching, I tend to find that it's on a little pop up menu of tools in my own head, too.


Whether you're introducing or reviewing addition on the hundred chart, here's a little Valentines version to try. All you'll need is a chart, one die, and some sticky hearts in a few different colors.


Take turns rolling the die and adding that many hearts to your chart. Record the number model for what you do each time. The first shot shows 4+3=7.

 

 

 

Roll again, use a different color heart, and this shows starting at seven and counting on five more, 7+5=12.

 

Easy practice, and the Valentines Day theme brings in some variety and holds attention. My hundred chart, by the way, is from MPM School Supplies. They're offering free shipping this month on all orders over $29. I find they have good prices and speedy delivery!


You may also want to try some cross-curricular practice with this Maddy and Matt Valentines Day printable emergent reader that practices the same skill. Maddy and Matt are putting their valentines into a box of 50 cards (aka the first half of a hundred chart). It's an easy-print book ... just collate, copy, staple along the left edge, and make one horizontal cut for each set of two books. Click on the image to see it at my store!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Happy Teaching!

National Puppy Day Freebie... and a Another Celebration!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

Today is National Puppy Day. Who knew? Not me!

But since it just popped up on my daily Zulily email, here's a pic of our own puppy, Luke. Well, he's not quite a puppy anymore.He's more of a grumpy old man who only gets up when the UPS truck needs growling at. He's actually our daughter's dog, and he's a rescue dog! Poor Lukie was abandoned at the roadside of a closed shelter in Arkansas, where he and his two buddies, Billy and Skippy, were left outside in a cage for two weeks, unfed and totally eaten up by mosquitoes. Which explains why he has no front teeth (tried to chew his way out of the cage) and also spent 2 years battling heartworm.

 I've also been looking for a way to celebrate the fact that...

This little blog o' mine just had its half-millionth view!!!!
                                        (thanks so very much to all of you for the visits and encouragement!!)

... so I've decided it would be fun to offer my Counting with Pups and Kitties on the 120 Chart FREE for today only!

Click on the image to head over and get yours... offer ends Saturday evening, 3/23, at 9:00 Eastern daylight savings time.  Hurry on over today, collect yours, and take a peek at what else is new!

Happy Teaching!

 

                                                       

Free 120 Chart Game

Hello, Everybody!

As the Common Core standards have moved our kindergarteners and first graders up to counting to 120 instead of 100, I thought I'd share this simple little 120 chart game with you. Students will count dice dots and move ahead the appropriate number of spaces. The "twist" in this game is landing on a star or sticker, for moving ahead an additional one space (+1)  or 10 spaces (+10). Common Core standards are included on the cover.

          

Click here to download your copy!

Happy Teaching!

Fall Freebie for the Hundred Chart

Hello, Friends!

Last month I posted a game set for the hundred board and, judging by the number of downloads, this type of activity seems to be something you're looking for.  So, I've cooked up a version for fall -
Apple Picking Time!

There are 2 hundred chart games, each with a full color and a black and white version, as well as a set of tens-and-ones spinners for a bonus bit of place value practice.

This is a great way for your new class of second graders to get back up to speed with using the hundred chart. First grade teachers will probably find that using the place value spinners is beyond your students' knowledge early in the school year, but you can adapt! Cut apart a copy of a hundred chart and put the numbers in a bag. Students can reach in (no peeking! :)  and pull out a number instead of spinning the spinners. 

Do you LOVE games for the hundred chart and 120 chart? Click to see these sets at my store!

Do you have a favorite activity for the hundred chart?  Please share it here!

  

Happy Teaching!