Helpful Hints on Hump Day!

Howdy Y'all!  I am excited to share a few things with you today! 

First, I wanted to let you all know about a weekly link up I am starting over at Fun in K/1 !  It is "Helpful Hints on Hump Day!

It just started today, my hope is that it will grow every week.  It will be filled with links to amazing blog posts sharing ideas and hints!  (Don't get me wrong, I love freebies!  But I also love to learn from other bloggers when they share their helpful hints!)  So check it out today and every Wednesday!

The Hump Day Helpful Hint I shared today on Fun in K/1 was about my saving grace with little ones and getting them online.  Come see what I do!

Now I want to share another brain flash I had today!  It all started today during my math lesson using manipulatives while doing a worksheet and giving instruction.  Sometimes I swear they are more trouble than they are worth!  I understand they have great value and love hands-on learning; but the distraction and time it takes is overwhelming sometimes!  I work really hard to set procedures with the kids, but some take a little longer to learn them!

Then, this afternoon, I was in the Dollar Tree and BAM!  I had so many ideas and found so many things and cheap!!!  (more to come in later posts...)  On the craft aisle I found pony beads and pipe cleaners. 

I put 10 beads on each pipe cleaner and made a manipulative bracelet! I now have 20 sets of manipulatives I can quickly distribute and the students can use effectively.  All for $2.00!

We can use them to help with addition and and subtraction.  We can also use them to help us count phonemes!