What's My Number?

What's My Number? is a game I've played with my students that improves their number sense and allows for time to practice reading multi-digit numbers.

Every September I would make it a point to start off the year by making sure that my students could read a multi-digit numbers correctly. You would think by 5th grade that this would not be an issue. But it IS! It's not just an issue for 5th graders. Watch the news on any given night and you can hear a news anchor read a number incorrectly. The most common mistake in reading a multi-digit number - saying "and".  How many times have you heard someone say "one hundred and one" for the number 101? It drives me crazy!!! (By the way, 101 is read "one hundred one")

It's important to get your students to understand that they should only say "and" when they come to a decimal point as in one hundred and one tenth (100.1) or one hundred and one hundredth (100.01).

My favorite way to practice this concept is by playing "What's My Number?"

Here's how it works: Each student gets a game sheet. The teacher rolls a ten sided die and calls out the number. The students must then write the number on one of the nine lines. Once the number is placed it can't be erased/moved. The teacher continues rolling and calling out the numbers. The object of the game is to create the largest number. This is where the strategy/number sense comes in. Most know they should put the 8's and 9's as far left as possible and the 1's and 2's on the right. But what about the 4's and 5's? It is great to see how their strategies change the more we play. When all nine numbers have been called, the students check their number with the other students in their group. Whoever has the largest number stands up. The teacher then asks one of the students standing to read their number. (I usually also write the number on the board.) If the number is larger than the number held by the others who are standing, those students sit down. It someone has I  higher number they remain standing and read their number. Continue until the student with the highest number is discovered. Remember - to win, the student must read the number correctly - no ANDS!

I love this game because it can be easily modified. You can use a six-sided die or only use six lines. I have also changed it up and had the students create a game board in their notebook. It looks like this. Notice I had them put a decimal point in this time.

For each round the students just draw nine more dashes. 

Would you like a copy of my "What's My Number?" game board? You can get it for free here.

Do you have any games you use to help your students with number sense and/or place value? I would love to hear about them.

Divisibility Rules Freebie!

Whether you are teaching division or fractions your students need to know the divisibility rules. Throughout the the year I stress with my students the importance of number sense.

With the switch to Common Core and the division algorithm being moved to 6th grade I hold off on teaching the divisibility rules until our fraction unit. Simplifying fractions can be a struggle for students. The divisibility rules can help.

 There are three different page 2's in this freebie. It makes it easy to differentiate your lesson based on how much you want your students to write.

This notebook page has the rules and examples provided. I just had the student highlight the key words and examples. For others, I used the page that omitted the examples and had the students come up with their own. Would you like a copy of these pages? You can get it for free here.

Do you use an interactive notebook in your math class? How do you use them to differentiate instruction? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

January What Are You Reading? Linky

The Snow Globe Family by Jane O'Connor is what we will be reading this week.

One of my favorite things to do after reading this book is to have the students write about what it would be like to be trapped in a snow globe. They always have so much fun with this assignment, even my reluctant writers.

Here is the templates that I created for my students.

 The first one has the writing prompt at the top.

 The second page is for any student that needs more line to complete their story.

The final page is modified to accommodate those students that need more assistance to complete the assignment. 

We then combine the writing with this popular Pinterest idea.

click image to see original pin

These writings always make the best hallway display!

Would you like a copy of my writing template? Click here to get the freebie.

I would love to hear about what you are reading this month.

Don't forget to head over the Focused on Fifth and see what the other 5th grade teachers are reading.

Unwrapping the Holidays - Holiday Themed Math

The holidays are a wonderfully crazy time of year. It's also the time of year when we have finally hit our stride in the classroom. The student know the expectations and are up for a challenge. It is not a time of year when we want to slow down. If anything we need to pick up the pace. At the same time. we want to enjoy this special time of year. 

One of my favorite activities to do with my students in math class is the Holiday Math Tree. It's a simple Christmas tree with eight ornaments on it. You can use it for almost any math topic you teach in December. 

This year I will use it to assess my students understanding of adding and subtracting decimals. The students will pick a decimal from the hat and write it in the star. The example below shows 1.2. The students are then required to fill in the ornaments by creating 4 addition and 4 subtraction problems that equal the amount in their star. The students put their name on the trunk of the tree. 

You could also use it to show off their knowledge of fractions. Have the students put a fraction in the star and then have them fill the ornaments with equivalent fractions or addition/subtraction problems that equal the fraction in the star.

 Then have the students color and cut out their trees. It makes for a festive display.

Would you like a copy of my Holiday Math Tree? You can get it here for free!

If you download it, I would love if you would leave a comment below and let me know how you plan to use the Holiday Math Tree in your classroom.

Now check out all the other amazing ideas from the bloggers below.

An InLinkz Link-up

What's My Number? and a Freebie!

I am so excited to be doing my first post on Focused on Fifth.

I will be discussing how to play "What's My Number?" with your students. Head on over to Focused on Fifth and check out how to play and download the freebie. Who doesn't love a freebie?

Spring in Our Step Linky, A Giveaway and A Freebie!

I am linking up with Marissa from The Inspired Owl's Corner for her Spring in Our Step linky and giveaway.

After 4 major snowstorms, 2 that were blizzards, and a record 11 snow days, I am ready for spring.

And just like that, the picnic table, swings and grass have magically appeared. It's the most amazing sight. Spring is the best!

It's been a long time since I have added a product to my TpT store. I have created several games/activities for my classroom but still need to made them TpT ready. Below is my new multiplying fractions KABOOM! game. When I came across the cute frogs from Mel at Graphics from the Pond I knew I had  to use them for my spring themed KABOOM! game.

Interested in learning more about my KABOOM! game? Check it out HERE

I did this activity a few weeks ago with my students. It was a fun way to access their basic understanding of fractions. It made for a colorful spring display.

Click HERE to get a free copy of my fraction flower. 

Check out the giveaway below and enter to win. Then head over to the other blogs below to see how they are celebrating spring.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Teaching Volume and a Freebie!

Yesterday I grab the snap cubes and had my students start to investigate volume of rectangular prisms.

They were each given 20 snap cubes and the worksheet below. You can get a copy here

After reviewing examples and non examples of rectangular prisms, I had the students work in groups to come up with as many rectangle prism as they could using all 20 cubes. 

The students sketched the prism and figured out the length, width and height of their creation.

They continued to manipulate the cubes until they had created several different prisms with their 20 cubes.

Most quickly realized that the volume was always going to be 20 cubic units. By the end of the lesson, many felt confident that they had figured out the algorithm. 

In other exciting news.............I am very close to reaching 100 followers at my TpT store. When I do, I am going to have a very special sale that only my  TpT followers will be notified about. Head over to my store and become a follower so you too will be notified when I hit 100!

If you download and use the freebie, I would love to hear about it.

Enjoy!

Kim

Thanksgiving Freebie!

Just used this in my classes today. They kids actually enjoyed practicing numerical expressions. Although I think they enjoyed coloring more.

You can get it here for free! 

I have also included a page for students to show their work.

The super cute turkey came from My Cute Graphics.

What fun activities do you do with your class to keep them engaged before the holidays?

Enjoy!
Kim

Happy Halloween and a Freebie!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. I honestly do not know how teachers find the time to post regularly while working full time. I am trying desperately to keep my head above water. This whole blog thing seemed much more doable this summer. 

Anyway, enough excuses. Here is an activity I just whipped together to do tomorrow with my classes. It is nothing fancy, just a quick way to review ordering decimals before our final assessment. 

The students will cut and color the figures, then put them in order from least to greatest. I made four different versions so each member of a group would be working on a different set of numbers. I plan to have the students paste the shapes to a sentence strip.

The adorable clip art came from

  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fun-Classroom-Creations

If you would like a copy of this activity you can click on the images above or here to download.

Please comment if you download. 

Are you planning any special activities for Halloween?

Enjoy

Kim

Homework Late Pass Freebie!

 I have always had a problem giving homework passes. I have a hard time with allowing a student to skip a homework assignment. I find many students skip the assignment that they most need the practice in. And that would drive me crazy! So my solution is these homework late passes. A student can pass in his/her assignment one day late without penalty. My students loved getting these. Many would save them for a day that they forgot their homework or would hold on to them so they would not have homework on their birthday.

Awarding Homework Late Passes -

My students can earn a late pass several ways. The first and easiest way is to donate a box of tissues, a roll of paper towels, or hand sanitizer to the classroom. I allow the students to earn one late pass each month this way. This worked so well this pass year that I never had to purchase any of the these items and have ten boxes of tissues left over. I also use the passes as rewards. I might award a late pass to a shy student who takes a risk by raising their hand for the first time in class or give them to students who go out of their way to be helpful or a good friend. The possibilities are endless and FREE. We all know how expensive it can get to fill the prize box.

So if you would like to try out my homework late passes, click on the picture below.

Do you use homework passes?
How do you award homework passes?

Enjoy!
Kim

Anecdotal Notes and a Freebie!

Anecdotal notes are a great way to gain information regarding your students and a wonderful resource when you are getting ready for conferences. There are numerous ways to keep anecdotal records. The one below is what works best for me. The idea comes from an incredible teacher named Liz who I worked with several years ago when we were both at a different school. I am not sure where she got the idea - probably Pinterest. Did I mention she also got me hooked on Pinterest?

Setting this up is quick and easy and only requires three items - a file folder, tape, and 4x6 index cards.

Open up the file folder. Starting on the left side, place an index card about 1/8 inch from the bottom on the folder. Put a piece of tape across the top of the index card.

Take the next card and place it about a 1/2 inch above the first, making sure to keep the sides lined up.

Keep going until both sides are filled. I was able to fit 14 cards on each side. That allows for 26 students (if you don't use the top card of each pile - 28 students if you do). I like keeping the top card blank - it insures privacy if the folder is left open.

Now add your students' names. 

All your notes for an entire class in one place. You can easily flip to a particular student and jot down information.

Now for a FREEBIE!

Below is a questionnaire that I give to my students on the first day of school. I then put all the papers in a three-ring binder so the information is readily available when I need it. Click on the picture to get a copy.

Due to copyright laws I can't allow for editing of this document. However, if you would like an editable copy of the questionnaire without the cute border, leave your e-mail in the comment section and I will gladly send it to you.

Enjoy!

Kim