THE PERFECT TRANSITIONAL THEME AFTER ST. PAT'S DAY - IDEAS & FREEBIES

The kids have been reminding me to wear green for the past week.  I think it is safe to say that Tuesday is going to be oozing in the excitement department. With this said, how in the world are you supposed to come back on Wednesday and ease 'em back down into the learning process?  I have just the quickie theme for you . . . BASKETBALL!!!  

With the BIG tournament games kicking off on Thursday, it just seems natural to swoop up this fun subject.  This will be the second year that I have leveraged the tourney's power for learning.  Last year was so much fun and it proved to be just the transition out of the chaos known as St. Patrick's Day.  

Here are some fun ideas for you to roll with.  Yeah, sure . . . I have packets with all the goods pre-made as well as follow up activities.  However, these can be easily made on your own if you have the time :)

HOOP IT UP - PLACE VALUE TOURNEY
This game can be used for ANY math sort.  You can have your babes sort fact families, sums, differences, etc.  I always like to run with place value, but that's just me.  

I am going to explain this in place value terms for the simplicity sake (I'll write all over the place on ya if I don't have a focus).  Print and laminate a set of place value cards that meet your kiddos' needs (I suggest making 8-10 sets of cards.  Each set contains a number card, expanded notation card, number word card, and a base ten card).  Place 8-10 hula hoops at the far end of the course. Put one of the number cards (number card only) in each hula hoop.  

To begin play, place your students into teams of 4-5 provide each kiddo with a place value card (expanded notation, number name, and/or base ten picture). On your signal, the first kid in each team will run the course and place his/her place value card in the corresponding number hoop (example: 20+2 would be placed in the hoop with the 22 number card).

Once the card has been sorted, the child runs back to his/her line and tags the hand of the next player in his/her line.  The steps are then repeated by this new player.  Play continues until all of the cards have been sorted into the hoops. This one knocked my kids' socks off last year.  We had to play it multiple times throughout the week.  The second time through I scattered the cards in the grass 1/2 way down the corse . . . they had to snag one on the run and sort it.  

TRASH IT - EVEN/ODD & MORE

I love this game . . . all you need is a couple of trash cans and some scratch paper.  This is another ACTIVE sorting activity and the kids eat this one up!

Decide what you want your babes to sort and label your trash cans accordingly (same sums, same differences, fact families, place value, etc).  I like to run with even and odd, but again, that's just me.  

Mark a "free throw" line on your floor. (I used a SitSpot, but you can use tape or chalk.)  Choose a team of about 8 kids to line up behind the mark and hand them a piece of scratch paper marked with the number/fact you want them to sort.  On your signal . . . I blow a whistle as it just seems fitting . . . the first shooter quickly calls out the number/fact on their card and the answer (examples:  "6+2 is 8" or "9 . . . it's ODD"). The player then crumples the paper and shoots it toward the corresponding trash can.  If he/she makes it, the rest of your class (the crowd) goes wild.  If the player misses it . . . no prob . . . teach them to rebound their shot and let them SLAM DUNK IT!  

This is the perfect transition activity in the afternoon.  We added a timer to spice things up.  We would time each "team" and see which group could complete the sort the fastest.  You can bet that we played NUMEROUS times throughout the week.  The teamwork is absolutely contagious . . . #teacherwin.

As I said, these games can be easily constructed without me.  However, if you like the flavor of these games and want more basketball themed games for your crew . . . I've got 'em.  Check out my EDITABLE  Get Into the Game Packet.  It will surely keep your babes busy and engaged after all the St. Patrick's Day fun!

  

But, I couldn't stop there.  I like to be all "matchy-matchy" when it comes to my themes, so I put together a CCSS aligned math printable packet too (appropriate for 1st - 2nd grades).  It even has a cute math craftivity tossed into the mix. CLICK HERE to check out this collection. 

But, wait . . . there's more.  I made a whole class math freebie game too. What can I say?  I think all of my own NCAA excitement went to my head. Puttin' Up the Points is always an instant hit with my crews and you can modify it to encompass just about any math standard that you wish to review. CLICK HERE to score your free copy.  

Alright, I am out of here.  Thanks so much for taking the time to visit me.  I will keep these packets on sale just in case you decide to pop these into the plans before the BIG TOURNEY starts this week.  I'll be rooting for Oregon, but when they lose, I'm Kentucky all the way (just for you Katie King).  Merry Sunday to you my friends.