Math Fun

I've been having such fun creating math games for my class to play in the midst of boring NYS Module work.
The Modules do include some good instructional strategies, but the worksheets look like they were torn out of a college-level text book. No graphics, small type, no room for small people to write...and the list of issues goes on.

So, what's a fifth-teacher to do to liven up a math lesson? Make games! 

The "learning activities" (as I call them so as not to raise suspicion that we are actually having fun while learning) support module instruction while providing much needed movement and peer interaction.

One instructional component is drawing pictures to illustrate equations.  Tape diagrams, more specifically, are a key component of the math program.
To better help students learn how to place information in a tape diagram, I created a math power group lesson.  

In a math power group, kids are assembled into groups of 4-5 to work as a team. Each child has a job, as in a reading literature circle, and the jobs rotate for each new word problem.

One power group job is to manipulate the tape diagram cards that are cut out and placed in an envelope ahead of time. The blank tape diagram is used as the "game board" for the student to place the cards in a specific placement according to the word problem.

The students are picking up great habits, such as:

• working cooperatively
• reading thoroughly
• reasoning through discussion
• team accountability
• time management 
• and many more...

Look for many free downloads at my TpT store.

Next to come...Super Bowl Fraction Football! 

Cheers!

Effective Teaching

Only 1 day into a 4-day workshop and I've already learned so much.  I signed up for this workshop blindly...content unknown!

To my surprise, it's a professional development opportunity that is relevant to my instruction. 

The focus is on creating "outcomes", or objectives, and teaching ONLY to those outcomes.  I have learned that so much of what I teach is actually unnecessary.

I am on a mission to "cut the fat" so to speak, and design more purposeful lessons that will ultimately help with time management. 

I'm going to begin with organization...of course. I'm teaching math this year (after a 1-year absence) and I need to get organized and PLAN AHEAD! Last year, I taught science and ELA, this year it's science and math. I'm feeling energized and ready to take on the challenge.  And a challenge it will be...

Two years ago, we used a math series in fifth grade as our main resource.  Then, last year, we were given a directive to only use the NYS Math Modules as our resource for instruction. This upcoming school year is going to be "module-based", but we can integrate some other resources when appropriate.

I'm going to be spending a good portion of my summer searching, creating, designing, making, and many other "ings". Basically, I will be busy!  

None of the above "ings" can happen effectively without a good plan. I am currently designing an instructional math binder for each unit of study which will include the modules and other various materials (my "ings"). 

I'm looking forward to a great year...more to come!

Cheers!