Introducing Integers to Students: 

Sixth Grade Math

This is my third year in sixth grade math, and every year my students seem most excited to learn about positive and negative numbers. I don't know why, but they are always hype about it and I can always see "the look" on their faces when they get it. You know that look... when it hits home and you see them think "Ahhhhh! So THAT'S what that means!" It definitely happens with integers. 

I have a ton of resources at my disposal to teach math and sometimes that can be a bad thing. Which lesson do I use? Which resource has the best pacing? Etc, etc. Sometimes I just get tired of pulling from here and there, so I created this Introduction to Integers resource to use over the course of my integers instruction. It's simple, straightforward, and aligned to the integer standards for sixth graders. Super easy to use. Find it in my TpT store! 

Open Number Line Strategy: Addition & Subtraction

The math strategies we teach today probably feel like a foreign language to most parents.  Most parents were probably taught to use the standard algorithm for multi-digit addition and subtraction. That's pretty much the only strategy we used back in the day.  It worked, right?  Well, like I've said before... when you know better, you do better.  And we know better now.  We know that teaching students number sense and strategies based on place value before going to the shortcuts of borrowing and carrying is the way to go.

Side note: if ya DON'T know that yet, or if you are new to teaching math, you should probably read this book! It's amazing! The authors go into detail with the research behind the math, and why the shortcuts and algorithms (when used too early) we were taught don't lead the the deep kind of long-term understanding necessary for continued success in math.

But how do you explain that to parents? How can they help little Johnny with his math homework if they have no idea what we've taught him?  Communication is key! For each new strategy taught, I would send home a note (doesn't have to be a full page... can just be a slip of paper attached to the homework) explaining and demonstrating the strategy.  Another option is to make short YouTube videos of yourself working out a problem using the strategy or using an app like ScreenChomp.  Upload the videos to your school webpage, send an email with the link, or embed the link in a text using a service such as Remind.

I have some great packets in my TpT store, including a FREEBIE, for teaching two- and three-digit addition and subtraction using an open number line.  Included in those packets are strategy pages you can share with parents and students to make using the strategy simple.

Check them out! Click the thumbnail image for a link to my store. Thanks for stopping by!

FREEBIE! Data Tracking Sheets

Data... the admin's favorite word, amiright? It's all about the data these days, and ya better be tracking it!  As part of our new teacher evaluation system, showing student growth is a huge component. To help keep track of pre- and post-assessment data, I created this freebie set of data tracking sheets.   The set includes forms for the classroom and for individual students. These can be used for a variety of purposes... PLCs on data, meetings with administration about student growth,  use in data binders or during parent teacher conferences...so many options!  Click the pic to check 'em out in my TpT store! 

Data Tracking Sheets

And can we talk about those Post-Its? I found that huge set marked down at Office Depot for 9 bucks! Had been $20.  Best. Day. Ever.

Hey Y'all!

Hi guys!  My name is Brandy, and this is my blog, The Foxy Teacher. Welcome! I'll be honest... I've been very shy about posting and putting my words out there, but I suppose I'm feeling brave today because here I am:)  I figure this is my space, and I should just be myself and GO FOR IT!  Readers can choose to visit and read... or not. Right? LOL.  Either way, my goal is to produce useful, helpful content and provide some further insight in implementing the curriculum resources I produce.

Speaking of which, I am a curriculum author!  After being in education for eleven years in a variety of roles (3rd/4th grade classroom teacher,  Kindergarten interventionist, instructional coach for a primary school), in recent years I've found a passion for developing my own resources.  I love doing it because I get to flex my creative muscle while keeping my foot in the door education-wise; I am still using my degree and experience while being creative and self-directed.   Currently, I'm writing resources for primary grades but with a background in intermediate, I plan to venture out in the future and produce more of that content.

My most popular resource, the lil adjective packet that could! :)

You can find my resources on Teachers Pay Teachers (my store has my name, Brandy Shoemaker).  I LOVE TPT!  Loved it as a buyer and love it even more as a teacher-author.  What a fantastic place!  I love the way that TpT supports teachers and their precious time while enhancing the classroom experience for countless students.  I've considered offering my resources on other platforms, but I believe in TpT.  It's a good place to be:) I've had the good fortune of becoming a top 500 performing seller on the site and have recently began making the weekly top 100 Pk-2 sellers list.  I'm just blown away by the site and the success my little store has had.  If you've purchased a resource from me, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

Fan-girl game STRONG at the 2015 TpT Conference!

Besides being passionate about what I do, I'm a wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend....dog mom! I'm married to Shane, a teacher & football coach (makes me a football widow) who happens to be my high school sweetheart and best friend. I wouldn't want to do life without him by my side, and I know this for a fact:) We have two amazing teenage sons, Grant and Will, who play football, make good grades, and are new drivers (bless mama's poor heart...).  We live in the gorgeous Lake Cumberland area of south central Kentucky with our two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lucy Greene and Kylo Ren. We basically love life and try to find joy and laughter in each day. We are so blessed!

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you read all of that, I've got a virtual cookie for you.  I hope you come back and find (among the overuse of commas, ellipses, exclamation points!) something that makes your life as an educator easier. Welcome:)