Archive for June, 2011
Comparing Numbers Part 2: Whole Group and Guided Math Activities
When teaching students to compare numbers, you always want to build conceptual understanding first (see prior post). Next, you want to work on procedural fluency. See activities below to help scaffold students doing the math.
Concrete – Play a roll and show matching game. Students roll the dice and then build a unifix or snap cube tower of that number. They then match up their towers to compare the amounts.
Pictorial – Color the amount they rolled and compare the paper towers and glue them down and write about who has more and how many more. http://www.center.edu/BLACKLINES/001-061/028-032.pdf
Abstract – Use a numberline and compare the numbers rolled on it. http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/md/counting/numberlines/
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Comparing Numbers: Part 1- Activities for Whole Class and Guided Math Groups
Comparing Numbers
When teaching greater than and less than you want to teach the concept at a concrete, pictorial and then abstract level.
Activities to Build Conceptual Understanding.
Activity 4 (be sure to scroll to the bottom and look for activity sheet with mini-alligators)
Google – Intelli-tunes Alligator (a poem and a puupet will come up)
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Math Template Library: Great for use in differentiated centers or guided math groups
Here is a great Math Template Library! I especially like the “Climb the ladder” template to use as a number of the day organizer.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
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Math Mats: Great for Solving and Creating Word Problems in Guided Math Groups
Story Mats are great tools for solving and creating word problems. Here is a site that has great story mats. The new Math Common Core puts a great deal of emphasis on solving word problems. Actually, it is math practice number 1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. The CCSS says that “Younger students might rely on using concrete objects or pictures to help conceptualize and solve a problem.” I would also add that even upper elementary students could use concrete materials to discuss fractions and percents within the context of the math mat
Math mats can be used in several ways.
1) The teacher can pull a small guided math group and tell stories using the different word problem types (see p.88/89 http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_Math%20Standards.pdf) Remember naming the type is a research based practice!
The teacher should have the students work with concrete manipulatives to solve the word problems.
2) The teacher should have the students take turns telling different types of stories and modeling them with manipulatives.
3) The teacher should place the story mats in math centers with differentiated activities attached.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )Great Games for Computer Center
Here are some great games for the computer center that help students work on basic operations! A must see and use site! It is a calculation balance game where the students have to balance the math scales.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Another Great Angle Site: Great for Whole Class Smartboard Work and Center Activities
Here is a great site that teaches about protractors and angles! Students get a chance to show, make, measure and estimate angles! Great fun! Be sure to have your students talking about the math as they are working with the game. This math talk is where the learning takes place because as they talk through their work, they are making sense of the math.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Great Function Machine Game! Great Partner Center Activity
Here is a great game that can be used in a variety of ways. First, I would use this with a small guided math group so that I could work with students about thinking about the input and output. I would facilitate the discussion as the students took turns operating the machine. Next, I would have students play this game with a partner at the computer center. One partner would do the input and the other would have to explain what happened in the output. Finally, I would have this as an individual center where students played by themselves.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
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Dr. Nicki's Guided Math Blog 