Improper Fractions

I am officially back to work.  I've been in professional development since yesterday.  I think I may be a little strange.  Ok...let me frame this for you.  We are in the Langford training, which focuses on changing the way we teach.  We have been discussing peeking students' curiosity.  I thought since this was the topic, that I would share at my table what my current thoughts while at the training.  The conversations went like this.....

Me:  Do y'all ever wonder which toilet paper roll will empty first?  I mean does it make you curious to know which roll more people use (the place has four rolls on a stick, like a paper towel dispenser - so you could use any of the four).

Everyone at my table thank god these folks know and love me in my awkward way:  Blank stares and then a unanimous NO

Me:  Really?  Do you think the texture of the various rolls makes a difference?  Did you notice there are two different patterns/textures?

Everyone:  NO

So now I'm thinking....Shannon - there are things that maybe you should keep in your head. However, everyone at my table would tell me upon their return from the ladies room, which roll was lowest.  I am getting some data.  On the way home,  I was thinking that I wonder the statistics of which stahl is used most often.  Advertising companies should want to know that.  Ok....enough of my weirdness.

I had a few folks ask me to add another concept to my Rev Up Notebook.  I added mixed numbers and improper fractions.  I added an additional 5 pages to the file.  Here's a pic of one way to set up these cards. 

Again, all the activities can be adjusted to suit your grade level or student needs.  If you already have purchased the file, download it again to get the updated pages. 

Next time, Math Journaling...yes!!!!

BTW...I'll take a picture of the rolls, and you can tell me your guess. 

Adding Geometry to the Rev Up Notebook

I have added a new concept to the Rev Up Notebook.  A few folks asked if I could add some geometry.  Request granted.  Here's a picture of what I set up. 

I'm sure it's hard to see, but I included cards to ask how many sides? angles? acute/obtuse/right angles?  Name the polygon.  Lines of symmetry, perimeter, area 

If you have already purchased the notebook, just download it again to get the six added pages. 

Off to enjoy my last few days off. 

Rev Up Your Grey Matter Pages & A First Day Place Value Freebie!

I had a few folks request some more pictures of how I set up my Rev Up notebook.  There are numerous ways to set it up but here's how I did it. 

Monday - I plan to put a few different manipulatives in their pocket throughout the year.  I put buttons in today just to change up the pictures for patterning to show another way to utilize the page.

This page (left) is hard to see, the glare is bad (Sorry).  This page focuses on place value of specific digit, estimating sum/difference, and rounding.  The page on the right is completing a number line with the given number in two different spaces.  I use the number line to teach numerous skills (rounding, adding, subtracting, etc) and feel it's essential.  I included the pattern of multiplying by 10 and 100 because I want my students to learn the pattern.

The final page for Monday is ordering given numbers least to greatest and greatest to least.  They are two different sets of numbers, therefore they can't just write it the opposite way the second time....muhahaha

 

Tuesday's activities focus on patterns, rules, and operations.  You can use numbers and/or shapes/colors depending on your level of students.  I used buttons today just to show how you can change it up.

The back of the patterning page, I put a work space page to help with their operations practice.  I have included numerous given problems, but also blank cards in case you want to write your own - depending on your level or specific student need.  Glare is bad again (sorry)  We use Singapore math strategies, which focuses on the value of the tens and ones - in case you are wondering...what the heck is that work.

Like I said, your students may not be ready for division right away but you can make your own problems on the blank cards if needed.  The robots are my and the kids favorite activity - it focuses on understanding place value.  The students manipulate the cards to form the largest possible number, next largest, and then smallest.  That next largest always tries to trick them.  I also do this with paper plates and four digit numbers. 

Wednesdays - is a mix of skills.  I chose comparing number sentences, pictorial representations (dominos), and coins.  I included same coin cards and mixed coin cards. 

The following page is comparing fractions, which can be adding fractional parts with like denominators and unlike, or ordering fractional parts.  The possibilities are endless.  I started with what is the fraction eaten? fraction left?
Comparing two like fractions
Adding two like fractions (without reducing) 
On the right, I have a venn diagram that I use for various tasks...this picture shows the multiples/skip counting of 2s and 3s.

This page has a triple venn, which I use for comparing and ordering three fractions amongst other things. 

The last page on my orange day is comparing three fractions by converting them to have like denominators.  You can adjust this to suit your needs.  If you don't need this page, replace it with another activity or leave it out completely. 

Green Day - my favorite This page focuses on input/output tables - the rule and missing value.  I made the input/output tables where the students really had to understand the rule and not just see a pattern vertically.  They will have to calculate the actual output.  I included some blank ones as well so that you can make your own if needed.  Elapsed time is included (here it is currently a fourth grade skill, but it previously was a third grade skill and it will likely be back to third when the TEKS change again)  I also gave mine a given time and I ask if it's before, during, or after the elapsed time.  Just trying to get their grey matter thinking.

On the back, I have finding the sum of given times and comparing them.  Time on a digital clock, which should be an easy skill but still need the practice.  Temperature change over time is the last skill.  I included blank thermometers so that the teacher or students can fill in the intervals and the temp.  glare is really bad (again...I'm sorry)

The next two are just quick check for understanding.  First, I will give a time on the board and they will put it on their clock.  We need lots of practice since students struggle with that hour hand moving.  You know what I'm talking about.

Input/output table - I get my students to make up their own input/output tables and trade with a tablemate and the partner has to write the rule at the bottom. 

Friday - is my quick activities since it's mainly assessment day.  Here's my pages, but again you can mix and match whatever pages work best for you.  I did include a quadrant with all four areas. 

I'm sure you're wondering about my little graphic down here.  I use it to teach multi-step conversions. 

I hope this helped.  I need to see it to understand.  I think I printed about 30 extra pages before I finally decided what to put in.  Don't tell my hubby, we need ink!

Here's the preview if you want to see all that's included

First Day Freebie

I play this game daily as a wrap up.  The students beg to play and this can be used in any grade level.  My middle school kids LOVED it too. 

You will need one ten-sided die.  Looks like this and you can click on the picture if you need to order some.  I grabbed mine from my local comic book store.

Next print off a class set and laminate these puppies you'll use them a lot.

I also have a game board without the place value if your students don't need the labels.    Here's the directions.  Click on the directions to go get your copy for FREE!  You won't be disappointed. 

 

Hit me back if you have any questions or comments!

Thanks, friends.

Shannon