Five For Friday--NCTM, Stuart J. Murphy, and West, TX.

I'm linking up to share my five for Friday today from a few states away! 

...I never know how to transition into these types of things smoothly...

:)

One:

I've been in Denver, CO, this week for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting and had the privilege to present as well as attend SO MANY wonderful sessions. I cannot wait to share ideas with you!! 

Two:

I MET STUART J. MURPHY. Y'all, I was a little bit star struck--ha. He is just the nicest man and he is so passionate about what he does! If you aren't familiar, he writes children's literature targeted at specific mathematic concepts. The books are brilliantly engaging and set the stage for rich discussion, meaningful activities, and real-life connections. His website is {here} if you want to read more!

Three:

My view from this morning. Who knew that Starbucks now has fresh blueberries for your oatmeal?! 

Hip Hip Hooray!

Four:

Three ladies from Kentucky presented on math centers/stations/whatever term you prefer and how differentiation is both possible and necessary. One of my favorite activities from their session was a clever number sorting game. 

There were numeral cards 1-30 (you could use as high as you wanted), and mats labeled with ones, twenties, thirties, etc. They labeled the 11-19 mat the teens, but I think that could be confusing.

  ((What do you guys call those numbers? Are they supposed to be called the teens?? Hmmm...)) 

Anyways, it's aligned to the Kindergarten CCSS (K.CC.1 and K.CC.2), so I'd be happy to give you more details if you're interested!

Five:

Source.

Lastly, but definitely the most important of my five, West, TX.

Just down the road from where I live, a fertilizer plant exploded Wednesday night. 

Please pray for the community of West, Texas--that people would be comforted, lives would be restored, and the Church would be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Our world is such a broken and hurting place. 

Tragedies like the Boston marathon and {this} explosion make me long for Heaven even more.

Praying that you all have a blessed weekend! 

And if you're new here, please say hello--I love making new teacher friends!