Just finished a 3 day Math Staff Development put on by my county district. It was great! Lots of ideas for lessons as well as ideas for management of supplies for lessons. I LOVE when I can attend a staff development and immediately implement activities in my classroom. This probably happens more often when the presenters are teachers themselves! One idea I am super excited about is this great number line from Educator's Outlet. We learned so many ways to teach so many skills using this one tool! As a kindergarten teacher, teaching number sense is our biggest goal - everything else builds on that. This number line is super for working on number sense. What's also great about it, there are cards to go with it for every grade level. I know it's pricey but I think my students are worth it!
                                                                          

   One of the management ideas I got was using this great storage cart for games, centers, etc. Check it out! Again a little pricey but Michael's offers a 25% off coupon. I also found these available at Walmart, Target, and Staples - all about the same price. They are also offered on Ebay - again about the same price.
                                                                                                 

 

 

What have you done this summer in staff development that has excited you?

My new design came in today! Now hopefully I can get the hang of blogging. The last few weeks have been spent with some very precious children (not all at once though:). Our twin grandsons Hoke and Will are with us now and we spent last week with our granddaughter Harper. All I can say is that we have the cutest, smartest, most adorable 3 year olds around. We have enjoyed every minute with each of them! Newborn Molly is too little to stay with us just yet (we wouldn't be able to feed her. . . ) but we look forward to the time when she can come visit by herself or with her sister too! Check out these adorable kiddos!