There is so much to talk about with respect to fractions! I hope you enjoy today's fraction lesson where we look for misconceptions and more! It was a FASCINATING discussion--try it with your students! Which is larger--1/2 of a grape or 1/2 of a strawberry? You should have HEARD the ideas they had! You should have heard the LOGIC they tried to flip out as "truth"! We had all sorts of ... Read the Post
Fractions Day 4: Example–Counterexample!
What's next with our fraction unit? Fraction Warm Up Problem Our "fractionfest" continued Friday by taking our investigations a little deeper. We started our day by checking our their homework--how they divided the 5 x 5 grid into halves. I asked students who thought they had interesting explanations to share on the document camera. We had all sorts of fun talking about ... Read the Post
Fraction Concepts Day 3: Holy “Critiquing Reasoning”, Batman!
Wow...not really sure how to start this blog entry! Seriously . . . I wish I had today's lesson on video tape! It would be so much easier (and cooler!) than trying to explain it with words. If this lesson intrigues you, it is one of the lesson in my fraction unit. If you were with me yesterday, you know I left off with a challenge to my students--they needed to commit to either a "yes" or "no" ... Read the Post
Math challenge problems–another tip!
One thing that I always want to have easily available to my students of all abilities is work for them to do if they finish early or have some "down time"...they know they can always read or write, but I like for them to have math options as well. My students have "Personal Challenge" folders that have a variety of problem solving activities in them...some of which are introduced whole class ... Read the Post
Math Manipulative Organization
It's time to talk math organization! I am a firm believer that students must be able to access manipulatives--whether they be counters, rulers, dice, or whatever--without an adult passing them out and saying "Today you will use these!". As mentioned in the Common Core, students need to be able to successfully "Use appropriate tools strategically", and helping them know how and when to select them ... Read the Post
Five on Friday! 5 great things to say to kids!
It's been a busy week...birthday excitement, finishing reading assessments, meetings. In honor of Friday, I am simply going to reflect on 5 great things to say to kids! I'd love to hear some of your favorite things...what makes a difference to your students? 1. "WOW! I am so amazed by your thinking! I never would have thought to do it that way..." 2. "I can see how ... Read the Post
Self Assess 4, 3, 2, 1! Assessment strategies to use any time, any place
Today in math we started to step up our problem solving and, especially, our EXPLAINING about our thinking...something I know I have not been modeling enough. I want to make sure we keep the climate open and honest, so today I introduced the self-assessment system we are going to use from this point forward. It is an easy system...kids can "flash" the correct number of fingers if you want to do a ... Read the Post