Choosing a New Math Program

Our county has finally decided to take the plunge and adopt a "Common Core" math program. So guess what lucky me got to do today???? Yes, you guessed it!! Me and several of my staff members got to sit through 7 hours of presentations from many of the math publishers while they tried to  convince us that they each had the best program. It was exhausting!!!!!! And my booty is sore from sitting all day.  I have to go back on Monday and Tuesday and try to narrow it down to our top 3 with other teachers from the county. Then we will choose a program from the lucky 3.  There were parts that I liked about each. It is really hard to tell when you just hear the sales pitch. I need to delve in and use it myself!! Any thoughts on Envision Math, Singapore Math, My Math from McGraw Hill, or Math Expressions from Houghton Mifflin?? I would love to hear any feedback!!

A Little Late, But Must Share!!!''

So I have been missing from the blog lately. It seems that my blog posts lately are too far apart.  I swear I do not know how you all do it. I take photos of what I am doing and plan to share, but time gets the best of me. I would like to blame it all on the fact that I am at a new grade level, but I think the real reason is that I get too wrapped up in checking everyone else's blog posts out!! 

OMG!!!! Can I say I went to the Southern California Kindergarten/First Grade Conference!!!!!

I had so much fun! I actually got to sit right next to Deanna Jump and Katie Knight at the Blogger's Bash!! They are so cool! Poor Deanna  was so exhausted from presenting for 8 hours after no sleep. In case you all were wondering... she is the sweetest thing in person. And I love Katie Knight!! She is hilarious and an amazing presenter!!! If you don't follower her blog I suggest you make your way on over to it!!! 

I am so impressed with all of the ladies that presented! They were so enthusiastic and easy to talk to!! And I was super excited when I finally got to meet Kelly Dolling from Teacher Idea Factory in person. We had been emailing back and forth since last year trying to get a Northern California Blogger Meet Up going. Did I feel like a ROCK STAR when she remembered me...Oh yes I did!!! If she faked it... boy is she good!! LOL!! 

So here are a few things I have been working on ...

I began our weather unit by having the kids answer the following questions about types of weather. Then they went back and listed words that described each particular type of weather.

We have been reading several different books about weather too. I decided to do a few experiments at the beginning of the unit to get them more excited and interested in what we were learning. Actually, my kids are always excited about learning. I have the most amazing class this year. The best kiddos ever!!

Check this out...My mom and dad came up and spent the morning doing weather science with us! We had so much fun!!

Here is my mom talking to kids about making a prediction! (She's a retired 1st grade teacher)

Here is dad running the Rain in a Jar experiment!

Mrs. Kramer (My student's grandma from last year and the best retired preschool teacher and friend!) I can't tell who is having more fun!!

My teaching partner and bestest BF!!! She went to the conference with me!!

Making snow!!

The fabulous scientists recording their results!!

This week we will be focusing on clouds and types of precipitation!!

We are adopting new math curriculum this year so I am off to see all the publishers tell me how wonderful their programs are tomorrow. I think the best part is that I do not have to be there until 9 am so I can sleep in. Woohoo!!