I
can’t believe that December is in full swing already. This past week was chaotic with benchmark
testing in math & reading and daily practices for the school-wide Christmas play. I felt like I never had a chance to really
teach this week, but my students are enjoying using my new product: ‘Tis the Season for Math Review Centers.
The
centers have been a great way to review most of the math concepts that we have
covered so far this year including multiplication, division, fractions,
rounding, and word problems. While the
students are working with their groups on the activities, I have been able to
walk around to check for understanding and reteach when necessary.
I have done this writing
project for the past four years and the final products are always
heart-warming. Instead of students just
listing what they want for Christmas, I have them choose one “gift” for their
family, one for the world, and then one for themselves. The “gifts” they ask
for for their families and the world often bring a tear to my eye. Past wishes have been for more time to spend
as a family and food for the world so no one has to be hungry.
My
students will start by brainstorming the three gifts they will ask for with
this sheet (in words and/or pictures):
They
will then turn this into a five-paragraph essay. I usually include this as a parent gift
because they are so heart-felt.
I
have also included a holiday and winter version for children who do not
celebrate Christmas.
