Pencil Strategies

So I just wanted to share something I have used

for a few years now in math.

WELL probably a little more than a few years BUT what evs!!!

I like to call it Pencil Strategies!!!

They are problem solving steps to help the kiddos

maneuver through word problems. 

I always start the year off with a WHOLE

class lesson. I give all the kids the problem and a Pencil Strategy Pencil

(available in my Teachers Notebook Store... super LOW cost too)

We walk through the problem and color code each section based on what the

pencil tells us to do.

For example ~

the 1st section is colored red and it talks about finding and underlining the question....

soooooo...

you can see where they underlined the question in red :)

 They continue through the Pencil Strategy Steps and color code their word problem to help them make it successfully through the problem.

 having their own little Pencil Strategies Pencil really helps make the process go faster and it tells them which color they need to code it.

 I work the problem along with them on the chart paper and color code my work TOO!!!

 They use their SOAR BOARD to organize their mathematical thinking and problem solving knowledge :)
as you can see in the pic below
(sorry they are fuzzy I whipped out my fancy camera only to find the batteries were DOA....aghhhhh
what was a girl to do... I knew and planned this blog with lots and lots of pics so
being the Mc Gyver that I am I popped out my phone and snapped away... hence the fuzzy-ness)
BACK TO ...as you can see in the pic below...
they color code their word problem and also code their SOAR board. 

 I also made a HUGE Pencil Strategies Poster to hang in class.

if you would like a Pencil Strategy Pencil of your VERY OWN... head on over to my Teachers Notebook store.  I promise they are POCKET FRIENDLY!!!
NOTE**** the green and blue parts of the pencil... I train my kiddos to work in pencil here NOT work in green and blue because they might make a mistake and you can't erase marker :)....
NOW if we are PUBLISHING our SOAR boards
THEN they will trace over their work in Green and or BLUE

just a little fyi...
I copy the Pencils on card stock and laminate them in heavy duty laminate!!!
EVERY kiddo has one in their math bag to pull out whenever needed :)
My entire grade level uses it and my admin was impressed with the process of it AND NOW
my entire school uses it as their Math Strategy :)
Well I hope you like this new Math Idea and I hope you can use it in your classroom too!!!


If you would like your own Math Strategy Pencil CLICK HERE to head to my TpT store


OR


CLICK HERE to go right to my TN page :)

and can I just say how frustrated I am with this whole apple rating thing a ma doodle at TN
I have a rating of like 4 and 1/2 apples which does make me cringe...
yes I am a perfectionist and seek high levels of approval at all times *wink*
and might I add that the comments do not reflect WHY I
was given a 4 1/2 rating...
It does bug me
sorry just thought I would get that off my chest!!!
and my chest is rather large
no A here or B for that matter
so I really have a lot more to say BUT I am keeping that under wrap...
 to myself
and my poor hubby who has to listen to my obsessive need to be perfect
and my obsession over these apples
that show everyone and the world that I am only 4 1/2 apples
DARN YOU APPLES
(insert super duper frowny face here)

OK that is it... hope you head on over and look at a close up of the pencil and PLEASE for the LOVE of FARLEY don't look at my 4 1/2 apples PLEASE!!!


ALSO do not forget to enter my Linky Party for the September Currently :)...it is just one post below :)
THANKS so MUCH!!!

thanks so much for supporting my blog and listening to me rant and rave and joining my parties and entering my give aways... I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
I AM BLESSED!!!
but I really have to go now because I have to get ready for some one's
3rd Birthday Party!!!


thanks to our friend nicole for these awesome sneak peek pics
 from his photo shoot Friday...that girl is fast :)



*********update as of July 8, 2012********

I have redone the math pencils.... the content has not changed but the colors have changed a little...just a little lighter for easier reading :)  and
AND AND I made a black line master for your kids to color their own... and I think it is CUTER :)