Valentine's Day Graphing

Do you remember when we did our post about graphing candy hearts here?  Well, we decided to change it up a little bit this year.  Instead of a bar graph, we will be completing a pictograph.  I have updated the file to represent a pictograph instead.  Just click on the picture below:

  Maybe you want to do both with your kids?  Click on the first link to access the bar graph.

Happy Graphing and have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Surveys and Graphing

Greetings world!
I have missed everyone so much.  I actually have missed blogging...a lot!  Things just get so busy don't they?  I feel like Heather and I have struggled a little in the last couple of years with the stress and management of several unruly classes. But I come to you on our 103 day of school in complete second grade bliss.  I am in love with my little bunch of babes and I wish time would slow down just a little!

The last few weeks we have been busy graphing.  Graphing everything imaginable! Most specifically we have been working on Bar Graphs and Pictographs.  I was getting a little tired of coming up with lots of survey questions to ask my class.  Then I came across this amazing file from Kim Swoveland.  Aren't they incredible? So I laminated them and put them up on my board.  Each day I assign a different group to answer the survey question as they enter the room.  By Friday, everyone has been able to answer and we are ready to use the data.

From our survey data we create a tally chart and then a pictograph and bar graph on Fridays.  It is a quick and easy way for my class to practice this graphing skill each week!  Check out the blank graph that I use each week.  I just copy the pages front to back.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Greetings Blogging Friends!
Heather and I have been stressed to the max the last few weeks and therefore MIA.  Details for our stress and changes that we are enduring will be kept to a minimum.  However, we do have a few changes happening and could use some advice.  3 weeks ago, one of our co-workers made the decision to take an extended leave of absence until May of this year.  Our county has been left very thin with certified sub positions available.  After several weeks of managing the situation, our administration has decided to dissolve that teacher's class and split the class evenly between the four remaining teachers.  What this means is that we are going from on average 20 students per class to 25 students per class (Heather actually will have 26) for the remainder of the year.  We will have an assistant to share and a substitute who will float between the 4 classes and help us for large chunks of the day.  This will be a new adventure as we welcome these new babes into our class.  Our number one focus has been to make the transition as smooth as possible for the class and to make them feel as much a part of their new class as possible.  Has anyone out there ever been in a situation in a lower grade classroom where you have had a large number of students for an extended amount of time?  Are there any tips or advice you could share with us?  We are excited for this new challenge and want to make this as painless and easy for our new students.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

I have been trying to keep up with some new activities.  We have been working on graphing and money in the last few weeks.  Last week we spent some time with coin identification as we moved into 2.MD.8.  I thought a fun manipulation station for the kids to work with would be a game working with money identification as well as graphing.  It is super cute and my class is really enjoying it this week.  Click the picture below to pick up your own copy.  The first comment left will receive this pack for free!

Enjoy!