Fresh From My Desk: New Math Kit Resources + Free November Planner Page

Hello From My Desk!

Hi teacher friends—happy week! I’m popping in from my desk with a quick update because I’ve been adding NEW goodies to Math Kit Bundle 2 and I wanted to tell you about them!

I know you’re busy (because… teachers 💛), so here’s a quick rundown of what’s new and how you can use it tomorrow.

➕ NEW: Dots in Rows – Equal Groups & Repeated Addition

Think: equal groups → repeated addition → a smooth bridge to multiplication.

Use them as:

• Quick warm-ups
• Small-group station cards
• Fast early-finisher activities

Classroom game idea (student-approved):

• Roll a 20-sided die to get a target number (ex: 14).
• Students draw cards from a dish, adding the dots as they go.
• They can put only two cards back, so they must reach the exact total before that if possible!
• Play in pairs for collaboration and conversation!

🟡 Teacher Tip: Keep dot cards in a tiny Dollar Store condiment cup or a pretty bowl. It makes the activity feel special and keeps everything organized.

🐅 NEW: Tiger Nines (Number Sense Play Mats)

Nine spaces → endless math. Use for:

• Counting practice
• Addition
• Building teen numbers
• Number stories

Perfect for centers, intervention, or just-right challenge activities.

🟠 Organization Tip: Keep a small “math manipulatives to-go bag” ready—counters, dice, cubes—so pulling things out for centers takes under 30 seconds.

🐱 NEW: Cat Play Mats (Subitizing + Number Recognition)

These might be my new favorite.

Fun visuals + number play + instant engagement = math magic.

Use them with:

• Dice
• Counters
• Little cat stick puppets (yes, puppets—kids LOVE these!)

There’s also a roll-and-color page inside the Pond Coloring Club—perfect for early finishers.

🟣 Teacher Tip: Print once, slide into a dry-erase pocket, and reuse all year.

🗓️ Free Printable: November Planner Page

Are you planning in a:

• Teacher planner?
• Creative journal?
• Day planner?

I uploaded a FREE November calendar page to my website today!

You can color the header, add your dates, doodle in the margins, and follow along with how I use mine over on Instagram this month.

👉 Grab it here: https://www.fromthepond.com/creative-planner

💚 Life Tip: If planning/organizing stresses you out, don’t aim for perfect—aim for consistent.

Thanks for letting me share what’s new from my desk today.

Wishing you a week filled with curious learners, good coffee, and small pockets of creative joy. 🌿

Until next time,
Mel x