Before I get to my observation and freebie, I wanted to share with you a fairly new product I have in my shop. It took me a while to get it completed, but I am so glad I did. It is a huge pack/set of Addition Printables that cover basic addition facts: numbers 0-20. I wish so bad I had started working on this at the beginning of the year when we were covering basic addition, but I found that I am still able to use it with my lower learners, plus it makes for a great review. I my opinion you can never have to much practice with your basic facts. This set would be perfect for kindergarten and first grade practice or review too. Be sure to click on it to check out the preview. I am currently in the process of making a subtraction set and I hope to have it up very soon.
Now on to my blog post and freebie!!!
It is that time again … the dreaded, official, formal observation time! I really don’t know why observations are so nerve racking. I have never had a bad observation, but for some reason they always just add a little bit more stress to my life.
Last year my formal observation came toward the beginning of the year. This time around it happened at the beginning of February. My class and I were well into … or should I say knee deep in 2-digit subtraction with regrouping. So for my observation I just stuck with what we were doing. There was not any dog and pony show, just real teaching taking place folks.
For my introduction I used my Subtraction with regrouping cards/mat set. It takes about 10 minutes to use and it gives you a sense real quick who is still struggling with subtraction with regrouping. I have the students to work with their face partners (Kagan Strategy). Each person takes a card and sets it down on the mat. Then the partners have to determine which number goes on top and solve. Believe it or not many students still want to write the smaller number on top in subtraction. So we have a discussion about why it is important to place the bigger number on top.
I have this small, simple, but effective set for you – for free. Just click on the image to download it from my TpT shop.
The rest of my observation was spent with the kiddos working and explaining to one another the process of regrouping. I finished up my observation with a game. Overall it went very well and I am so relieved the “official” observation is over. How do you feel about observations? Do you get a little nervous too?
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek. I can’t wait to hear how you feel about observations too!
What was the game you finished with? I am teaching dd right now too!
We used a game that came with our series. It was a quick board game where the children had to spin a spinner and use the numbers to determine if they regrouped. It they did then they could remove the cubes from their game mat!
THANKS 🙂