Showing posts with label fractions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fractions. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

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. 


Monday, July 22, 2013

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
 

Friday, December 28, 2012

Fun with Bloggers!

Our blogger meet up was so much fun.  The food, company, and sangria were wonderful.  I hope to go to another one soon. 
Here's the run down of who all came.  I'll go around the table clockwise - you can put some faces with blog names. 
Me - all slumped over in the lower left corner (horrible pic of me - everyone else looks fab)
Rachel @ Sub Hub
Rachel @ The OC Blog
Suzanne @ Krazy Town
Charlotte @ Fabulous Fifth Grade Fun
Farley @ Oh' Boy 4th Grade
Katie @ Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher
Lindsey @ My Life As A Third Grade Teacher
Jennifer @ Rowdy in First Grade
Reagan @ Tunstall Teaching Tidbits
Gladys @ Teaching In High Heels
Ariane @ The Science Penguin

I have had a few teachers asking me for something to put in their centers/tubs that focus on comparing fractional parts.  I've been working on it awhile and uploaded it today.  Here's the preview...


I am currently working on some more math riddles, much like these
But will focus on Geometric attributes!  Off to find some fun clip art!
I leave you with a kid snippet, which makes me laugh so hard everytime I watch. 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Fractions, Decimals, and Percents....Oh My!

Sorry I've been a slacker this week....is it just me or did it fly by?
We had a typical week for us.  EMS for a student to transported and not thirty minutes later the Fire Marshalls stroll in to do our Inspection on Monday.  I think I processed twelve referrals on Tuesday.  An evaluation on Wednesday.  Taught a class, PLC meeting, and preping testing tubs on Thursday.  Friday - I got to go to Singapore Training again!!! I was stoked, I've been to a few Singapore trainings, but model drawing is always my fav - and that's what was the focus that day.  I learned something new - using the slide method (very interesting visual manipulation).  Besides going to any math training beats discipline any day! 

So my daughter is a math nerd like her mom.  She watches a short video while I put her hair up before bed....she always requests my favorite brillant young lady....

Lately the request is Hexaflexagons

We made my daughter a hexaflexagon last week and I have a video of her flipping her hexaflexagon too.  Not sure how to upload the video, but I'll try to do that soon. 

Back to Math....
It's that time of year when we focus on fractions - which I LOVE, but the kids...not so much.  I'm not sure why fractions are loathed by so many but I blame parents who tell their children, "I was never good in Math either."  Don't tell your children this....even if it is true.  There is no math gene! 
So...I want my students to make connections with pictorial models and numeric representations.  I also want them to connect the model with the simplified fraction as well.  I made a math tub activity to help reinforce these connections.  Here is an example of one puzzle.
The set includes 41 puzzles.  I purposely did not reduce some fractions so that my students make the connections to the visual representations.  For example, I want them to make the connection that seven tenths and seventy hundredths look alike.  Therefore, not all students may create the same puzzle, yet they both may be right.  I included two variations of the recording sheet....I am a middle school teacher and I know that sometimes my little friends' eyes wonder over to their friend's paper.  Here it is...


So...It's called Puzzling Fraction & Decimal Match Up

Another thing....sorry squirrel moment.  Many folks ask me for my math tub labels.  I purposely don't put math tub one, two, etc.  I use geometric figures.  Just another way to work on that vocabulary without them even knowing.....hehehehehe
You can get them for FREE.  Click here
Time for bed.  Do you think I could close my office tomorrow to get all my testing stuff ready?  Ok...probably not! lol

Shannon

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Things may be getting spooky!


Things may be getting spooky!

So I was thinking about how my students struggled with the concept of fractions.  why do fractions intimidate them so much??? hmmm.  I was also enjoying our unseasonable cool weather (piece of heaven here).  We visited the pumpkin patch today, and i realized that i love fall!!!!!  Back to fractions - sorry for the squirrel moment (those who work with me will understand that comment!)  So i thought of a great activity to play with my kids, and later put in my math tubs.  I wanted it to kinda have a halloween theme, so I looked for inspiration (other than pumpkins)...here's where I got it....
 
that's my youngest in her pjs.  So here is my newest addition to my goodies!
So I created 4 cards per fraction.  The cards include 1 question card, 1 pictorial representation, numeric representation, and word form.  Here's what they look like...
I've included 48 cards, in case you want to play with the entire class to introduce the game.  It would be great for math tubs.  Remember, Fractions aren't scary!

Another great video from my favorite math nerdy....
Hexaflexagons! (my three year loves this video...maybe she'll be a smarty pants (a mom can dream.)