WIWW, Number Bonds, & Freebie!

Happy Wednesday!

I hope you're having a wonderful week!

The past few weeks I had so much fun collaborating with a lovely (& fashionable) group of ladies organized by Alison from Get Your Pretty On. Sadly, the Work Your Wear Style Me Challenge ended last week and I was left to my own devices. I'm already counting down until the next challenge starts!

Here's a glimpse of my last few outfits:

This outfit doesn't look too great in the picture, but I had fun wearing it! I ditched the green cardigan early on and the black sheath dress had a cute skinny belt. I wouldn't have chosen the nude shoes if weren't for the challenge, I would have automatically reached for my safe, basic black. The chevron scarf picked up the nude and I liked the balanced look!

I really have to remember to move my phone down - you can't see my long statement necklace :) I have to thank Alison for easing me back into wearing blazers. I've never loved the look on me, but after participating in the challenge, I dug out this vintage (aka: old) J Crew burgundy blazer. LOVE shopping in my own closet!

 This dress was what I wore yesterday for Back to School Night. It's my "no-brainer" go-to dress when I have a big day ahead of me (13+ hours at school!). It's a power dress because it's stretchy jersey knit (comfy) and I'm wearing my Lululemon leggings underneath - a must-have for any special educator who just may end up on the floor at some point in the day (coaxing a student from underneath the table). The dress is a couple years old from White House Black Market and since then, I've picked up 3 more variations - you can't have too many dresses :)

I linked up with Lovely Little Wardrobe, Tucker Up!, and The Pleated Poppy for this Fashion Snap glimpse!

Now onto Number Bonds and a throwback Freebie!

This week I started pulling my math intervention groups 

♥ ♥ ♥ 

I'm a huge believer in hands-on practice and use math mats for EVERYTHING! Hands-on also requires engaging manipulatives (cue: Michael's and Target Dollar Spot). I've already professed my love for the quietest manipulative (pom-poms)...I also love to incorporate mini-erasers and "table scatter." 

What in the world is table scatter? It's those plastic little figurines that are themed for seasons and holidays. They are ADORABLE and super-inexpensive. Unfortunately, right now my students are taking the "scatter" part seriously and the little "plinking" noises can be a little distracting for other students.

We've been working hard on understanding number relationships using number bonds. I use math mats for our guided practice and just realized that I never uploaded my THEMED math mats. My students get such a kick out of these!

I cheated and used colored cardstock, but the themed math mats could also be printed on simple white copy paper and inserted into plastic sleeves or sheet protectors. I have two formats: one with empty space at the bottom and/or four number sentence frames (above). I tend to use the four sentence frames, i.e.: my students would write 3 + 1 = 4, 1 + 3 = 4, 4 - 3 = 1, and 4 - 1 = 3. 

In the picture above, you can see three types of table scatter I just picked up at Target last weekend: yellow acorns, red leaves, and orange pumpkins. I'm also showing pasta (elbow-shaped and wagon wheel), a pom-pom (autumn colors from Michael's) and the little white bean with two eyes (ghost!) If you're using the plastic sleeves, you could also simply draw dots/write numbers using a dry erase marker. 

I just updated my Number Bonds Through the Year with 23 new themed math mats! If you have already purchased (thank you!), please redownload. This file is over 220 pages and $5.00 at 

my store. 

Here's a link to a number bond freebie for a closer look! 

I hope your students LOVE them as much as mine do :)

I'm also linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday:

Here's a picture that warms my heart & needs no explanation:

Have a wonderful week!