Problem Solving Super Stars!!!

Happy Easter friends!
There is nothing sweeter than a 4-day weekend my friends!  Spring is definitely in the air and summer is just around the corner!  This year our school has been focusing on problem solving in math.  As we all know, this is an essential math skills for our little kiddos but boy it can be tricky one to teach!  There is a lot of language in this math strand and that can be a problem for some of our beginning readers.  As a primary division we have been exploring which problem solving strategies are the most effective and the most accessible for our beginning problem solvers.  The five strategies we have looked at are:
*use a number line
*use ten frames
*draw a picture
*draw tally marks
*use manipulatives

I have spent the weekend putting a unit together that will explicatively teach each of these strategies.  I have created anchor charts to be displayed and my students will make a colourful flap book for them to use as their own individual anchor charts.  I have included an addition poem and subtraction poem that uses those always important "signal" words and there are 2 signal words craftivities - I love me a craft!!!  I have also made a 5 page student booklet for each of the five strategies.  I finished the unit off with an 11-page problem solving journal that will give students a chance to choose the strategy of their choice - it will help to really solidify their learning!  I chose a movie theme for this unit and used popular movies as the topics for the problems (Cinderella, Harry Potter, Snow White, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Peter Pan, Charlotte's Web, Spiderman, The Avengers ...)  ~ thank goodness I have a HUGE clip art collection!!

Here's a peek in case you are interested:)

I've loaded it up to my TpT store so you can grab yourself a copy! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Problem-Solving-Super-Stars-A-Primary-Problem-Solving-Unit

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your long weekend!!

Bye for now!
Natalie