Playdoh Math
Did you know that you can teach tons of stuff with playdoh? Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, measurement and geometry are a few things that you can teach! Start today. Get inspired here!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Upper Elementary Toolkits
Here are some items that belong in an upper elementary toolkit. Remember that a toolkit has 2 parts. The first part is the materials and the second part is the templates. Introduce the items as you use them. In the beginning of the year you will use many of these items in your daily routines. For example, you can use the pattern blocks during the Fraction of the Day routine.
Materials
Unifix Cubes
Fraction Squares, Circles, Bars
Pattern Blocks (for teaching fractions and geometry)
Bears (for fraction set models) (also for multiplication problems)
Base Ten Blocks
Elapsed Time Ruler –
google UEN Utah Education Network elapsed time ruler
1 inch tiles
Decimal Squares
Decimal Wheels
Templates
Unifix Cubes Paper – multiplication: groups of problems
copy links –
Click to access Unifix_211090.pdf
Fraction Squares, Circles, Bars –
copy links
Click to access fs_to_twelfths_labelled.pdf
http://www.math-drills.com/fractions/fraction_strips_color_labeled.html
http://www.worksheetfun.com/category/math-worksheetfunmenu/fraction/fraction-circles/
Fraction number line
copy link
http://www.math-drills.com/fractions/fraction_strips_color_labeled.html
Pattern Block Paper (for fractions and geometry)
copy link –
Base ten grid and Ten Thousand Grid Paper
copy link
Click to access V3%20All%20BLMs.pdf
1-inch tile Paper
copy link – http://mathlearnnc.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4507209/File/Instructional%20Resources/G4V2BL2.pdf
Decimal Wheels
copy link
http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/resources/guides/NSN_vol_6_Decimal_Numbers.pdf (page 65)
Geoboard paper (use for geometry and fractions)
copy link
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
***In many cases you have to copy the link and paste it into the url because it is a pdf and it won’t hyperlink.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Math Toolkits Part 2: Primary Toolkits
Primary Math Toolkits should be built over the year adding tools as they are introduced. In the beginning of the year, start with the tools that were introduced in the prior grade. Here are some suggestions for toolkits:
1 container (Ziploc bag, box, big toolbox for a table of students)
1 double dice
2 different colored regular spotted dice
2-4 numeral dice
20 unifix cubes and/or bears
10 clear/colored bingo chips
1 rekenrek
1 ruler
1 small set of dominos
12 1- inch tiles (especially 2nd grade)
Templates:
*see http://gigglenookmathstore.com/ for dice
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Math Toolkits: Part 1
Math toolkits are very important because they provide the tools for students to scaffold their thinking. There are two parts of a math toolkit. Part I is the part with all the physical tools and Part II is the part with all the blackline masters and writing templates. What goes in the toolkit depends on the grade level. At the beginning of the year, the toolkits should have tools that students are familiar with from prior grades and as the year progresses, you add new tools.
There are many ways to house the toolkits. Some teachers use big baggies, others use boxes, others use actual toolboxes. You have to pick what works for you. Some teachers just have a bunch of them in a specific place in the classroom, other teachers have them at the student tables (there should be enough for each student), while other teachers give each individual student a toolkit. Do what works for you. But at any given moment, every student should have access to the tools they need to scaffold their thinking.
Remember that your classroom environment is part of your toolkit. You should have big things- life-sized (ten frames, number lines, fraction strips etc) for students to see and use as they think outloud during public discussions. You should also have a variety of virtual tools that you are using during your whole group instruction and guided math groups.
During the next few days, I will post more specifically about grade level toolkits.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Another Great Resource of Ideas about Teaching Multiplication and Division
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Passport to Decimals
Here is a Passport to Decimals! Fantastic.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Build, Sketch and Record – Must See Charts!
These charts are great for any grade level (they are flashing underneath the heading Content Standard Posters). First the students build a model of whatever they are studying, then they sketch it and finally they record it with calculations! Simple and Brilliant! Try it and let me know how it goes!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Pattern Blocks: Great tools for guided math and math centers
Geometry is the only domain that spans k-8! There are so many ways to use them across the grade levels. Here are some great links to templates, with many different suggested activities. I also really like to ask students to complete the puzzles with different pieces so they have to focus on composing and decomposing shapes. Students can do these activities in guided math groups with the teacher watching and questioning, or do them in centers for practice. Be sure to have the students use the correct vocabulary and to describe the math to the teacher and to their math partners.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Geometry Task Cards
Meredith has published some great geometry task cards to do on the geoboard!
Also remember to look at my Pinterest Geometry Board!!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. NIcki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )A Must Read Article About Fractions: Use it to inform Guided Math Lessons and Math Centers
This is a great article about teaching fractions! A must read for addition, subtraction and division of fractions! Yahoo! Definitely use pattern blocks. Do these types of lessons in guided math groups so that students can talk through the math they are doing. Also, have them explore fractions with pattern blocks in math centers.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
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