Tropical "Times" Multiplication Fun

Wow, what a busy year this has been! I am growing so many ways as a teacher and I have been teaching for 14 years already. This is my fourth year in 2nd grade and absolutely loving it. The challenging part this year has been meeting the kids where they are by setting up flexible groups that change as their needs change. The only block of time that I have where the kids aren't in specific skill groups is Whole Group Reading at 2nd Grade Level (50 minutes). For all my other blocks, I have groups that are working on the skills they need to be working on. One thing I can say is "Thank You Lord for TPT and Pinterest!" I am forever laminating and cutting and sorting and preparing and monitoring and rotating center activities, but I know it is worth it. I have even started making some of my own games and activities as I see the need for them. Maybe they may fill a need in your classroom, too :) I am beginning to post my files here, but also have a store at TPT. My newest creation is a multiplication game called "Tropical Times" which is a beginner "I Have Who Has" multiplication game that only includes multiplication facts of 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's, the facts my second graders come to me knowing from first grade, most of them anyway. To help them understand the concept of multiplication, I have included on each card the array of that math fact. Visual representation, eye appeal, seeing the repeated addition, and a game format helps all my students be successful. The game cards include all the math facts for the above four groups, except 0. For struggling students, I start them out with an easier card. For my students that need to be challenged, I give them several cards and make sure they are some of the more difficult facts. I also included a recording sheet to help all the students stay on task as the game is played, reinforcing all the facts in the game, not just the one or two cards they had. My kids LOVE "I Have Who Has" in any content area. Not only does it build the skill, but it builds their confidence in speaking out in a group. Here is a link to my "Tropical Times" multiplication activity at TPT.

Tropical "Times" Multiplication Fun

Thanks for stopping by. Hope everyone has a great upcoming week.

President's Day Freebie

Hope everyone is doing great! I decided to try and post a few of my creations here. Let me know what you think :)


First, I am posting a link to my first FREEBIE, "Alien Attack: Multi-Syllable Nonsense Word Game." I created this game to give my students practice for the Lexia CRT test that they take 3 times a year. They are required to read multi-syllable nonsense words correctly in order to meet their grade level benchmark. This game helps them break words into syllables so they can decode and read the words. I hope this game will help other students who need this practice. Click the link below to get your free copy :)

"Alien Attack" Freebie

Don't forget to check out my other student activities (games, word sorts, Promethean Flipcharts, etc.) at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store listed below.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Karyn-Miller

New Year, New Adventures......

Finally trying to get my blog up and running. It's so hard to find extra time to devote to blogging, but I am going to give it a try this year. Looking forward to a great new year :)


A Little About Me.......

I am a teacher. I used to teach 5th grade, but now I teach 2nd grade which I always wanted to do and absolutely LOVE. I pour my hear and soul into teaching my students, always looking for ways to improve and make their learning fun but meaningful. Differentiation is key the success and growth of my students, so finding and creating quality standards-specific activities is top priority. I have a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and a Masters Degree in Integrating Technology  into the Curriculum. I am the Technology Coach at my school and one of the Promethean Coaches for our system.

I am a Georgia Girl. Though I wasn't born in GA (military), I was raised in GA the majority of my life. I am an avid UGA football fan, live for football season, and even attended UGA for a year :)

I am a perfectionist and have been told by some I am OCD. Either way, if I do something I want it to be right. I am very organized and take pride in my work. I try to instill this same work ethic in my students, which is not always an easy task with 2nd graders, lol.

I LOVE my yorkie!!! Binky, who will be 4 in April, is our class mascot and usually gets to visit my class sometime during the school year. When she comes, I teach the kids about how to take care of a yorkie, about grooming, about health concerns, and about the importance of doing research on a prospective pet before bringing them home. I emphasize how they become part of your family and how the new owner's responsibility is to take care of them for the pet's entire life, not just until they get tired of them. Binky always show the kids all the tricks she can do, which is their favorite part. Most of my students have never had this type of experience with a pet, so this is a real treat, and of course they all want a yorkie after her visit......

I am all about Flip Flops!!! My class name is Miller's Flip Flops and we incorporate our theme every chance we get. It's so much fun!!!

So, there's a little about me. I am a very dedicated teacher and look forward to meeting other teachers and sharing ideas through our blogs.