Singapore Math

I absolutely LOVE Singapore Math strategies.  I have been to numerous training sessions and everytime I gather more strategies to help my students understand math.  I have to admit that my first experience during training sessions left me a little uncomfortable since was very different from the way I learned math.  Soon I realized that I had I learned this way, perhaps, I would have had my light bulb moment sooner than my junior year.  Yes, I remember that moment with my Algebra II teacher when I realized that all of the math concepts that I had been taught FINALLY came together.  I remember thinking....this is what they have been talking about all these years.  WOW! 

Anyway, back to Singapore Math.  The first major focus is on number bonds.  Number bonds can be also called number stories.  Many students generalize the idea that, for example, the number 6 is the number after 5 and before 7.  It may never occur to them that 6 is so much more!  Let me show you a pic of what I use when working on the number bonds. 

This is from my newest math tub activity called Math Wizards Primary - Number Sense   The students use expo markers and have to write the missing number from the bonds.  I have printed the cards on cardstock and laminated them.  To keep them honest, I have a recording sheet of various bonds.  They have to pay attention since I didn't have all of them on there.  They are still required to do them all but only record the ones on the recording sheet. 

You're wondering why is number bonds so important.  Well, as adults - we've learned some tricks (as we call them) - really called number sense.  For example, when you add a list of about 6 two or three digit numbers - what do you use as a short cut?  I look for 10s.  If students learn early different ways to break up numbers, they will have greater number sense, which in turn will help build reasonablenss.  We all know how hard it is for students to understand reasonableness. 

I am working on another math tub activity for addition using another strategy.  If only I didn't have to sleep.  hahaha!

Y'all have a great week.
~Shannon~

Flying Pigs & Circus animals…What?

Flying Pigs & Circus animals…What?

 

So this weekend started off a little crazy.  I thought I’d spend Friday (Fair day) working on some goodies for my math teachers.  Well, daughter #2 ran fever from shots, so Friday ended up being a mommy-daughter shopping day.  Btw…grandma came too.  Fun for all the girls! 

I have a few teachers who ask me for the games we play in my room, so I’ve been working on them.  Here’s the first one that my kids beg me to play on a daily basis.  We call it – Let’s play pig!

I have the game boards laminated so that every student has one.  we use expo markers to keep track of our score.  This is a whole class game, which I use as a brain break or those last five minutes that no one (including myself) wants to do anything.  You'll need to 6-sided dice, and I roll under a document camera (keeps us all honest :) The entire class stands up.  Each round the students choose when to sit (which signifies that they are taking those points).  Did I mention this is great to get the wiggles out???

 

So now (Round one) I roll both dice.  If the dice are different, we add the digits.  If the dice are the same, we multiply.  For Example, let's say I roll 3 and 4.  Different so the score is 7.  If I rolled 4 and 4, the score is 16.  Ok...so the kids sit and write their score or they can choose to stand and try to more points (hints the name...being piggy!)  So...what signifies the end of the round you ask?  If I roll a 1, whomever is standing gets zero points for that round.  That round is over.  Yes..this can happen to everyone on the first roll of the round.  Here's the doozy, whomever is standing and i roll snake eyes (double ones), they lose all the points from every previous round.  Yikes!  I make my kids keep a running total (as to not take Forever at the end).  The student with the highest score wins (they usually get to roll the next time we play).  This is a great freebie! 

 

Place value Circus

The kids always love this game too.  I say it looks like a circus because it's fun and everyone has a different strategy to win.  we play this one before math warm up daily!  Yes...I said daily, did I mention they love it??? You'll need a ten-sided die for this one.  it's a great way to review place value and probability.  So, like Pig, I laminate the game boards and use expo markers.  I roll the die and the first roll (round one) must be placed in the ones place at the top of the game board.  See

 

Then on to round two.  I roll again (let's say 8).  Now each student has to decide whether to put the 8 in the ones or tens place.  The goal is to make the largest number.  this is a great opprotunity to bring in some probability.  i roll again (let's say 9)...hehehehe.  Most kids put that 8 in the tens.  Discuss what would be the largest/smallest number we could have made?  I make my students put a star by the round/row if they made the largest possible number.  After the five rounds, they total all the rounds (this can take awhile since there will be regrouping).  I ask the kids to raise their hands if they believe they have the largest sum.  we write their sums on the board and discuss why they do or do not have the largest sum using our place value knowledge. 

Both these games are freebies so go grab them.....here !

have a great week!  more games to come!
~shannon~