Our Estimation Station

Want a simple class routine that boosts students' estimation skills?  Try an "Estimation Station."

I have this area set up in the window sill.  It doesn't take much room or even much preparation, but it provides some much needed math practice.

I purchased the estimation container at a teacher supply store.  You could use anything that has a secure lid and is transparent.  A cleaned out mayonnaise jar would work fine. Next, fill the jar with some small seasonal items.  Be sure you have counted them and written the exact count somewhere. I usually write it on a post-it, fold it,  and tape it to the inside of the lid so that the kids can't see it.

At the end of the month, we take a few minutes and have everyone write down their estimates.  The person who comes the closest without going over gets to pick something out of the prize box.

A good chapter book to read to the class before starting this routine is The Candy Corn Contest by Patricia Reilly Giff.  I usually read this book in late September or early October before we start this routine.  As you can see in the picture, I also have a few books about estimation propped up nearby.

Some of the things I have used in the jar: erasers, fake leaves, acorns, little Christmas baubles, candy kisses, gold coins, cotton balls (as snowballs), jelly beans, plastic hearts from Hobby Lobby, and toy cars.  Thinking up things to put in the jar is my favorite part!

Here is a freebie you can print and use with your "Estimation Station."

Estimation Paper

Do you have any class routines to help with math skills?  Please share!

Writing Brag Tag Freebie!

Do your students love collecting brag tags?  Mine do!  I love the fact that I can use these inexpensive and readily available  resources to inspire and reward my kids.  Last week I shared how I use an "Author of the Week" routine to share student work as writing mentors.  I recently created these brag tags as another way to shine the spotlight on great student writing.

Grab your freebie here.

I hope you can use them too!  Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrate the Student Author of the Week

Student writing mentors are great!

Want a great way to motivate your writers?  Try having a student "Author of the Week." This little addition to our classroom routine is having quite a positive impact on the students.

Each week, while conferring with the students, I look for one piece to highlight in the classroom.  I try to find a specific "craft move" or practice that I can share from the piece.  In this way, the student writer becomes a mentor for others.

Whoever is chosen as the "Author of the Week" not only gets to have their piece hung up in the classroom for the week (I make a copy so the student still has the original), but they also win some fabulous prizes.

The author of the week gets a blank book (usually one from the Target dollar section) to use in any way they choose.  They also get a brag tag that says "Awesome Author."

Here are a few pics from some of my colleagues that also do a similar thing.

Another fabulous writer...

This teacher actually has a spotlight shining on the poster!

This teacher makes color copies to show.

Thanks for visiting!  Please share your thoughts and ideas with me!  Do you have student mentors in your class?  How do you showcase student writing?