Free Discussion Guide for The Hurricane Code. This book by James Aura poses situations, questions, and ideas that are startling, but really starting to happen now. Could hurricanes dominate Earth with soaring temperatures by 2099? Aura takes a careful look at the possible implicates of unchecked climate change. Refugees from the USA move north to escape pythons who are also on the move. Quantum computers, Artificial Intelligence, could technology save us or not? This is a Cli-fi story based on science. How might the future look? Questions written by the author and myself.
This FREE math resource includes three ready to print task cards to practice building and creating equations while using mental math, computation, analytical skills and problem solving. Each task card contains different math puzzles which vary in difficulty from easy to challenging. There is one easy puzzle, one medium level puzzle and one challenging puzzle; so, you can differentiate by choosing the level of difficulty appropriate for each student.
Each math puzzle is a square divided into four parts with a circle in the middle of the square. Each math puzzle contains four numbers, (all positive) one in each corner of the square, with the answer in the circle. Using the four numbers, (each number must be used once) the student is to construct an equation that equals the answer contained in the circle. Students may use all four signs of operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) or just one or two. Additionally, each sign of operation may be used more than once. Parenthesis may be needed to create a true equation, and the Order of Operations (PEMDAS) must be followed. Complete directions and answers are included in the resource.
A passport stamp sheet to collect stamps for all 21 Spanish-speaking countries.
Get your Spanish students excited to learn about the Hispanic world by having them collect stamps when they complete a task or lesson. Features 4 different versions for printing and 1 filled-out page with a unique stamp for each country.
You can purchase the inking stamps exclusively at our online store.
This is handy for the gifted, talented, creative and is also a reading resource with vocabulary at a level which most primary students in the third grade up should find just right. It’s also handy for your reading circle or reading center. I wrote it because there’s not much in the science fiction genre in elementary schools, and yet it’s a great, fun bridge from fairy and folk tales; and besides it's cute and motivates kids to want to read. ----------------------
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by Jason's Online Classroom Kindergarten - 5th Grade
St. Patrick's Day Clip Art - File includes 7 unique custom clip art images (as seen in the first thumbnail image) by Jeanette Baker in both color and black and white outline. Each image includes a PNG version with a transparent background as well as a JPG version with a white background.
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Recently, I watched a small group of students playing an online math game focused onplace value. It was one of those colorful, engaging games that moves students through levels as they answer correctly.
As I observed, something stood out immediately.
Some students moved through the levels confidently and quickly. Others stalled. They hesitated. They guessed. They struggled.
That moment reminded me of something we all know as teachers:
👉 When students struggle with place value, it’s usually not the lesson itself — it’s the missing foundation underneath it.
And that’s when my teacher brain went into task-analysis mode.
Why Place Value Is a Cornerstone of Elementary Math
When students don’t fully understand the concepts in early grades, the gaps follow them all year — and sometimes for years.
That’s why assessing prerequisite skills before teaching place value is critical. Learn more here!
Place Value Readiness Checklist
Before diving into tens and ones (or hundreds), students should demonstrate mastery of these foundational math skills:
🌻 1. One-to-One Correspondence
Can students count objects accurately by touching or moving each item once?
✅ 2. Cardinality
Do students understand that the last number counted tells “how many” are in the set?
🌻 3. Counting Fluency
Can they:
Count forward and backward?
Count from numbers other than 1?
Skip count by 10s?
✅ 4. Number Recognition
Do students quickly recognize numerals to at least 100?
🌻5. Composing and Decomposing Numbers
Can they break apart numbers (8 = 5 + 3) and put them back together?
✅ 6. Understanding Groups & Place Value
Do they understand that 10 ones can make a ten?
This grouping concept is the true bridge into understanding.
Why You Should Pause If These Place Value Skills Are Missing
Learning through play!
If students don’t have these skills, STOP.
I say that with love. 💕
It is far better to pause and strengthen number sense than to push forward into place value lessons that will only create confusion.
When students lack:
👍 Strong counting skills
💚 Concrete grouping experiences
👍 Hands-on number building practice
They struggle with:
✅ Regrouping
💚 Expanded form
✅ Comparing multi-digit numbers
💚 Word problems involving place value
And once frustration sets in, math confidence drops.
How to Build a Strong Foundation for Place Value
If your students need reinforcement, focus on:
Place Value
✔️ Hands-on counting with manipulatives 👍 Bundling straws or linking cubes into groups of ten ✔️ Base-ten blocks 👍Number bonds and part-part-whole activities ✔️ Ten frames 👍Math games that reinforce grouping and counting
Young students develop a deep understanding of how numbers work when they experience it physically before abstract worksheets.
Concrete ➝ Pictorial ➝ Abstract.
That sequence matters.
Assess Before You Teach Place Value
One of the simplest ways to prevent math struggles later is to assess early.
When you know your students have mastered these essential building blocks, you can confidently move into:
Tens and ones
Expanded form
Comparing numbers
3-digit place value
Regrouping strategies
And this time?
You’ll watch them zoom. 🚀
Strengthen Math Foundations with Engaging Games
If you’re looking for hands-on math activities that build number sense and prepare students for place value success, check out the Fun to Teach math resources.
Inside you’ll find:
✅ Interactive math games
👍 Math centers
✅ Number sense activities
👍 Place value reinforcement
ESL-friendly math vocabulary support
These activities are designed to make foundational math skills stick — especially for young learners and English learners who benefit from visual and hands-on instruction.
Looking for time-saving tips and tricks for teaching math and ESL? Sign up for my email newsletter to get free teaching resources and helpful strategies right in your inbox! Click here to sign up.
