Touch Money



I have learned so many things from so many people, but one of my biggest inspirations is a certain 2nd grade teacher who tells it like it is, is very clever, bold, wicked smart, and is the most captivating reader of the read aloud you will ever find.  Dare I go on?  Any-whooo, one thing that I am currently using that she uses to teach money is the touch money method.  I have found this wildly successful with my own kiddos and they are doing so much better then my little ones from last year.  It's pretty remarkable! 

 

I recently found this great little freebie and sent it home for my parents to be able to understand the symbols that we use in the classroom.   

 

 

I am constantly trying to connect with my parents in any way possible.  I so miss the parent-teacher conferences that we used to hold on our half days.  Indiana no longer has 1/2 days, which means we no longer hold "mandatory" parent conferences.  I typically only see the parents that I need to discuss matters of behavior or a child that is struggling academically...but I digress.  This is a great handout and I recommend it to anyone that teaches coins using the touch math method.  :)

 

Facebook

In an effort to combine my fairly sick and unhealthy addiction love for technology and parent communication, I started a Facebook page for my classroom.  I know that this is not cutting edge, but for me it is....and I LOVE it!  This has proven to be a very effective way of alerting parents to the happenings of our little classroom.  (Mrs. Cruz's 1st grade Class)

At the beginning of the year I sent out permission/release of image forms.  Every single one of my Firsties' parents sent them back approved, *except* one.  I just crop/edit her out of photos. 

I set this up like a business page and have my parents "Like" my page.  Then they can see all of the updates I post.  I post pictures from my iPad and I have even uploaded a few videos.  This is awesome for the parents who are wondering what their little ones are up to all day long.  One posting even clarified the homework that night for a couple of parents. 

In this fast paced world, I love that I can use the tools for good and not evil (*sounds like a movie or something!).

 

 The best part is after 30 "Likes" you can see how often your page is being visited.  Parents can comment and message me.  I have had no issues yet and I am monitoring the page very closely for safety. 

 

 

Come on over and check it out for your self!  Mrs. Cruz's 1st grade Class