Pop Thinking
15 Followers
Concord, California, United States
About the store
I have been teaching at an inner-city school for the past 25 years. During these years I have taught all levels of math - from algebra A through AP Calculus on both the traditional and integrated tracks.
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Pop Thinking: Phonics - Consonant Digraphs
This is a continuation of our growing Platypus Phonics packs.
Includes activities, crossword, word search, and spelling tasks.
Teach 12 different consonant digraphs:
ch, ck, gh, kn, ll, ng, ph, qu, sh, th, wh, and wr
Check out Platypus ABCs on the App Store for our supplementary learning app!
K - 2nd
Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Spelling, Vocabulary
Platypus Math: Fractions
This fraction pack could be introduced as early as 1st or 2nd grade, but is designed to help with topics in grades 3 and 4.
In this fraction pack, students will begin by looking at figures to determine equal and unequal parts. It will develop the connection between parts of a whole and fractional sections, as well as compare fractions by reasoning about their size.
Next, it will have students analyze parts of a group and parts of a whole with larger denominators (the words numerator and denom
1st - 4th
Fractions, Math, Other (Math)
Platypus Math: Probability & Statistics
This probability/statistics pack could be introduced as early as 3rd grade and taught through grade 6. In this pack, students will begin by looking at basic probability and their connections to fractions. It will then develop the certainty of something happening or the option of impossibility. These concepts will be looked at by using: flowers, spinners, months of the year, and playing cards. The next few pages will allow students to see how to chart combinations and calculate the probability
3rd - 6th
Fractions, Math
Platypus Math: Money
This money pack should be introduced in the 1st grade, and could be used to either differentiate for more advanced 1st grades or as part of a 2nd grade curriculum.
Students will begin by looking at coins to determine values of pennies and nickels. It will develop the connection between the value of a coin and how many coins it takes to create the next higher value.
Next, it will move into introducing dimes, quarters and then fifty cent pieces.
Finally, this pack will ask students to begin
1st - 2nd
Math
Platypus Math: Time & Measurement
This measurement pack could be introduced as early as 1st or 2nd grade. In this pack, students will begin by looking at analog clocks to determine how to read 15 minute intervals. It will develop the connection between parts of a whole hour and help students to determine how the time is read and discussed.
Next, it will provide an opportunity for students to begin measurement in both English and Metric systems. Finally, this pack will ask students to read temperatures from gauges and see ho
1st - 2nd
Measurement, Other (Math)
Platypus Math: Fractions, Decimals, Percents
This fraction, decimal, and percent pack could be introduced as early as 3rd grade, but is designed as a 4th grade level packet. In this pack, students will continue developing the connection between parts of a whole and the connections between picture fractions and number line fractions.
Next, it will provide an opportunity for students to begin seeing the connections between fractions and decimals. Finally, this pack will ask students to convert from fractions and decimals into percent and fr
3rd - 4th
Decimals, Fractions, Math
Pop Thinking: Phonics - Ending Blends
This is a continuation of our growing Platypus Phonics packs.
Includes activities, word search, cut & paste, and spelling tasks.
Teach 10 different ending blends:
ld, nd, lk, nk, sk, mp, ft, lt, nt, and st
Check out Platypus ABCs on the App Store for our supplementary learning app!
K - 2nd
Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Spelling, Vocabulary
Pop Thinking: Phonics - Beginning Blends
Kids can learn and practice their phonics surrounded by silly, persnickety, and sweet platypuses of all shapes, sizes, and colors!
Includes activities, word search, crossword, and spelling tasks.
Teach 20 different beginning blends:
bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, tr, sk, sm, sn, sp, st, sw, and tw.
K - 2nd
Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Spelling, Vocabulary
Platypus Math: Number Line Fractions
Fractions are the first place student performance begins to drop and math begins to become “difficult”. We designed this packet to allow for an easier transition into these topics with many practice pages and easy to follow directions. This Number Line Fractions pack could be introduced in 3rd or 4th grade. In this pack, students will begin to develop the connection between picture fractions and number lines, equivalent fractions, basic introduction to subtraction and multiplication of fractions
3rd - 4th
Fractions, Math
Pop Thinking: Flash Cards - Beginning Blends
This collection of flash cards works well with our Beginning Blends phonics packs or as a stand alone deck for phonics.
● For classrooms, after being introduced to consonant blends via our activities, students can make their own flash cards. Afterwards, they can break into groups to study, review, and quiz one another on their blending knowledge!
● For homeschooling, parents can cut-out and laminate the flash cards to add to their library of flash card decks.
Includes 54 Flash Cards covering
K - 2nd
Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Reading, Vocabulary
Pop Thinking: Flash Cards - Ending Blends
This collection of flash cards works well with our Ending Blends phonics packs or as a stand alone deck for phonics.
● For classrooms, after being introduced to consonant blends via our activities, students can make their own flash cards. Afterwards, they can break into groups to study, review, and quiz one another on their blending knowledge!
● For homeschooling, parents can cut-out and laminate the flash cards to add to their library of flash card decks.
Includes 71 Flash Cards covering 10
K - 2nd
Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Reading, Vocabulary
Pop Thinking: Opposites
Kids can learn and practice their opposites surrounded by silly, persnickety, and sweet platypuses of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Includes activities, word search, crossword, and flash cards
Teach 40 different opposites:
heavy / light
hot / cold
hard / soft
high / low
big / small
here / there
long / short
wide / narrow
light / dark
good / bad
left / right
near / far
open / closed
same / different
old / new
rough / smooth
noisy quiet
right / wrong
true / false
empty / full
sweet / sour
fat
PreK - 1st
Reading, Spelling, Vocabulary
Showing 1-12 of 12 results
About the store
Experience
I have been teaching at an inner-city school for the past 25 years. During these years I have taught all levels of math - from algebra A through AP Calculus on both the traditional and integrated tracks.
Teaching style
I believe that teaching has to be a combination of active learning, building relationships, and using content and as context to help students grow into complete adults. My style is a combination of direct learning, hands-on activities and a chance for everyone to learn in an environment where failure is seen as a road to success.
Awards & shining teacher moments
In my 25 years, I have won many awards:
● Teacher of the year at my local school.
● MESA advisor of the year (several times).
● Cortopassi (San Joaquin) teacher of the year.
● Presidential Award for Math education finalist (twice).
The best award came from the Carlston Foundation as Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
This last award is considered the best because it came by past student nomination and had to be verified by at least 5 other past students before I was even considered as a nominee.
My own education history
I am a first generation student who saw education as a way to succeed, but also as a way to help improve the world. I believe that through education, people can find their true paths - college or non-college based. I try to focus on the person rather than the level of math and their goals rather than their grades. I believe if students see a reason and get excited about learning, they will strive to reach their highest possible levels.
Additional biographical information
Being a parent to three young children, I know that when I send my kids to school I hope they get the best possible education available. Knowing that some students begin to fall behind starting in grade three, and that the support to help them is not always available, drove me to help with this application driven endeavor.
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