So this was my first time teaching integers, and I had to learn a lot! I relied on YouTube and watched videos on how to teach integer operations with chips and number lines. Our standards specifically say that students should recognize the models when adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing integers. If you are anything like me or I guess I should say as old as me, you were taught the algorithm instead of how to perform the operation with a model. Why is a negative times a negative a positive? I had no clue, but I had been taught that, so that is what I did. So because of that, I needed to research how to show students the operation using a model and I am so happy that I did! This research helped me to understand the why behind integer operations so that I could teach my students the why behind the operations.
I modeled the operations with chips and number lines. I only modeled the operation instead of teaching the students rules, algorithms or tricks. I allowed the students to come up with those rules while working with the chips and number lines. Then as a class we tested their predictions and theories. Students came up to the document camera and led the class while completing examples.
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Classifying Numbers into Rational, Integers and Whole Numbers TEKS 6.2A
This activity is FULLY aligned to TEKS 6.2A which is to classify numbers into rational, integers and whole numbers.
The first thing I created was an interactive journal entry. I love to use interactive organizers in my math journals! I color coded the paper to make the graphic organizer pop once it was glued into the math journal. Each color stood for a different type of number. Before we organized the numbers into our sorting mat, we took notes on the definitions of each. Of course, I told students that there are irrational numbers in the world but they would encounter those later, not this year.
Once the organizer was glued into the journal, students worked in partners to sort the numbers into rational, integer and whole. I asked the students not to glue in the numbers so that we could talk about each number to make sure all numbers are placed in the proper place before gluing. I gave them about 10 minutes to talk about the numbers and then we went over it as a whole group.
Equivalent Equations and Properties of Equations
So my second week in 6th grade was a tough one! TEKS 6.7C and 6.7D are no joke! It may have been that I was so used to 5th grade standards that this one through me for a loop or it was just a hard concept. Either way, I had to develop a way to teach the concept to the kids and quite frankly, myself! So I developed an entire learning cycle to help us both!
We first explored equivalent equations using this sorting activity! It is free! And you can get your own copy here>>> Equivalent Equations Sort It also contains QR Codes!!!
Now to take those Math Properties!
First I used the 5 E model. For Engage and Explore- I always like to allow students to make sense of a concept by themselves and use me as a resource or facilitator. I developed posters to hang around the room. Students rotated around the room and tried to make sense of the math that was being presented in each poster. I gave students post-it notes and each set of partners wrote what they observed from these posters.
Evaluate- I created a google form with 10 questions. I used this as a quick check to form my small group instruction.
Enrich- I developed an enrichment question so the students have the chance to analyze the math and then justify their response. Students completed this the next day for me and I was pleasantly surprised that they did really well with this topic! (and so did I )
Afterwards I realized that a through and developed lesson plan, will always help teach a harder topic!
If you want to get your hands on all of the activities listed here, they can all be found in one download! Click Here >>>> Entire Learning Cycle on Math Operations
Until next time!
Peace, Love, Math
Prime Factorization Fun!
I love to teach Prime Factorization! This year I have added a new activity into the mix! It was so much fun! The kids were engaged and worked through many rigorous problems to show their prime factorization skills. The activity is called Penny’s Prime Factorization Predicament. This is an escape room type activity that allowed students to work out several problems to decipher clues which led to other clues hidden all around the school. The students absolutely loved it! The first clue was a coloring clue that led the students to find clue 2 in the cafeteria.
Top 5 Back to School Tips to Keep Your Sanity! Plus a Giveaway!
It is that time again, where we lose sleep over cute classrooms, professional development and engaging activities. This will be my 15th year of teaching and I am still up early worrying about stuff that I need to do! I will be presenting to the new teachers at my school today and I have come up with 5 Back to School tips to KEEP YOUR SANITY!
1. Cute Classrooms take time, especially if you are a new teacher, and won’t get paid until the end of September ( I remember this time )! Just do what you can do, to make it cute. Don’t get caught up in Instagram and Facebook photos of cute and perfect classrooms. Those classrooms took time and years to put together. Your students will love you based on the relationship you form with them, not because you have the cutest classroom ever. Super Tip– Use fabric for your bulletin boards. The fabric wont fade and will last for years! Plus you can buy fabric that has an awesome theme, print or design to make your boards POP!
2. You are NOT ALONE! The first couple of weeks are stressful for EVERYONE regardless of how long they have been teaching. Make sure to breathe, relax when you get home and remember you are not the only one who feels stress. Super Tip- Form a relationship with your team. I am so lucky to work with my best friends! I could not imagine going through a school year without them. We share our feelings and have each other’s back.
3. Set expectations and rules the minute the students come into the class. Once you have set those expectations and rules for the class, be consistent and vigilant. This will be stressful in the beginning and you will sound like a parrot, just repeating yourself, but after a month or two (may be a semester) the students will get it and then you will not have to repeat yourself anymore. Super Tip– Have students create the rules with you. You can facilitate the discussion and lead students towards the rules you want. The students will have more buy in when they are a part of the process.
4. Everyday is a new day and learn from your mistakes! There will be days that your lesson doesn’t go the way it was supposed to, or there are drills or assemblies in the middle of instruction or you spill coffee all over your cute outfit. Those days suck but the good thing about those sucky days is that they are over the minute your head hits the pillow. You wake up and guess what? It is a new day! Leave the mistakes behind you, learn from the mistakes and move forward. Super Tip- Have this same belief about your students. Kids have bad days too. Don’t hold a grudge. Kids make mistakes so let them know that tomorrow is a new day and a clean slate.
5. Prepare in advance! Know your content and standards! If it is your first year, you may want to plan out what you want to say and do each day. You never want to “wing it” because the kids will know and they will not be engaged. You want to prepare and anticipate everything that can go wrong with an activity. Super Tip- Find someone who does know their content and use them as a resource.
I am grateful to be a part of an amazing giveaway! So let’s celebrate the start of the new school year by winning some FREE GIFT CARDS!!!! 3 winners will be chosen!
I’m Moving On Up! (To Sixth Grade That Is :)
Next year I will be looping to sixth grade math. I am very excited about the change. I will be headed back down to fifth after next year so please bare with me fellow fifth grade teachers, I will be back! I am looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to share my lessons and activities with you all! If you can, please forward my blog to your sixth grade teachers, I would love to collaborate! I am currently working on an escape room challenge for prime factorization and a complete learning cycle for teaching the properties of math operations.
To help celebrate all the wonderful things in life right now, #hellosummer, #hellosixthgrade, #hellovacay, I have joined in with other wonderful teachers to offer an amazing giveaway!
Who doesn’t love a good giveaway?? The raffle begins Friday, June 23rd and ends at midnight on Saturday, July 1st. The more links you visit and follow the more chances you have to win! There are 2—$100 TpT Cards to win and 1—$50 TpT Card to win!
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
In addition to the wonderful giveaway, we will be featuring products up to half off! Just go to TpT and search #hellosummer to find amazing deals! This hashtag sale will be from June 23rd through June 25th.
Thank you all for following Math Chick! I hope you continue to follow now that I am moving to 6th grade! Share the wealth with your fellow math teachers 🙂
Until next time,
Peace, Love, Math
Jennifer
Amazing Augmented Reality in the Classroom! (An Alternative to QR Codes)
I am SUPER excited about this newest technology that I have integrated into my math class! I am sure you have seen Pokemon Go and how it uses Augmented Reality or AR to bring to life Pokemon in a game style platform. What I have done is take this AR technology and I have made task cards that come to life!
For years, we have used QR codes to provide students with immediate feedback and as a way to integrate technology into the curriculum. I wanted to find a new and fresh way to offer students that same feedback but by using a different platform. Here is where Aurasma hits the scene!
Aurasma is a free app that is available on android tablets as well as iPads.
Digital STEM Challenge Activity- How Much Water Can A Penny Hold?
I love to do STEM challenges! I have always wanted to integrate more technology into my STEM challenges but hadn’t fully wrapped my brain around how to integrate it properly. I have done many digital interactive lessons for math class so I decided to try to take a STEM challenge I already had created and turn it into a digital STEM challenge!
The result: AMAZING!!! Not only were the students able to have a hands-on experience with a science and math challenge but they were able to practice making tables, graphs and typing in text boxes. These students are learning 21 century skills in a meaningful, real world way!
Let’s Celebrate! STAAR Scores are Back!
What a perfect time to celebrate!
Let me start by saying, I believe that test scores do not define a child in his or her entirety. My students have grown so much and showed that growth on this STAAR test. With or without a test, EVERY student has grown this year, and EVERY student has evolved into a better reader, mathematician, and scientist. I strongly feel that this is the reason they are able to perform so well on the tests. Not because they have been taught how to do a test, but have learned and discovered their inner mathematician, scientist or reader and can think critically about the material.
I am very excited to announce that we received our test scores for Math and Reading STAAR tests.
I wanted to share with you just how amazing your students are!
I had 100% of my students (every student including those who has special education support and accommodations) passed the first administration of the STAAR test! I am very proud of them and all of their hard work!
Just in time to help me celebrate is a TEACHER GIVEAWAY! I have joined in on Teacher Genie’s amazing celebration! Way to go! 4000 members is AWESOME!
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!
Raffle Ends April 28th @ 12am
GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Peace, Love and Math!
Jennifer
Crazy in Love with Google Interactive Math Activities!
As you all know I love to use technology in my Math class. Within the last few months I have been diligently creating Google Slide Projects that reinforce concepts while keeping students engaged and excited about learning. Why are these projects so AWESOME!!!??? Here are the top 5 reasons why Google Projects are the future!
1. Integrates Technology!
Students need 21st century skills. Google projects allow students to create text boxes, tables and use line tools among other tech skills. The best way for a student to learn tech skills is to practice those skills in real world applications. Students are more likely to remember how to create a table, shape or drawing by actually doing the skill in a meaningful way.
2. Easy to Share and No Copies! No Paper!
If your school is like mine, you are limited in paper and copies. Google projects allow you to share the project with students without requiring ANY PAPER! or ANY COPIES! All you need to share the project is a platform to share the link out on. You can share the link through Edmodo, Google Classroom or even a QR Code. All the students need is their own Google Drive.
3. Differentiation At It’s Best!
Students require many different levels of rigor. You can allow students to work independently or with parters or peer support. You can also manipulate the slides to eliminate slides for students who may require a shortened assignment. Students may have a shortened assignment but the same level of rigor and problem solving needed for state exams.
4. Can Be Used on an Interactive White Board!
You can complete the project as a whole class, using an interactive white board! This year while reviewing for the state test, I allowed some students to go on without me while I completed the same work as a small group using the white board. Using data I knew who needed the most assistance, so I pulled those students with me to the white board. Again, this is a wonderful way to differentiate the content, but still allows the students to experience rigorous problem solving situations.
5. FUN! ENGAGING!
Students wont even realize they are learning or practicing math concepts! Students love to try something new and what better way to learn then on technology!