Product for Pay Day!

It's once again time for Focus on Fifth's Products for Pay Day Linky!

This is my best selling product on TpT and surprisingly it was one of my first that I posted. I have since given it a much needed make-over. So if you already own it, you can download the updated version of free.

This product has come a long way. Long before I ever heard of Teachers Pay Teachers I had several sets of index cards with improper fractions and mixed numbers hand-written on them. Even then it was a favorite game of my 5th graders. Once I discovered TpT and the wonders of PowerPoint I knew I needed to give this game a make-over.

This is what it first looked like.....

 
And my new updated version.......

 

Boy did it need a make over.

 Now that my children are old enough to play, it's a great way for them to review converting mixed numbers and improper fractions.

 Just like regular Go Fish, the goal of this game is to make the most pairs. The catch is that each improper fraction matches the equivalent mixed number.

You can also use it to play memory. Flip all the cards over and take turns trying to find a match. To make it easier, you can divide the game board into two sections. Put the mixed numbers on one side and the improper fractions on the other. Students would then pick one card from each section. This will make it easier to get a match.

 Does this sound like a game your students would like? It is currently on sale at my TpT store for 50% off until Friday.

What type of games do you use to teach fractions? I would love for you to tell about it in the comments below.

Don't forget to head over to Focused on Fifth and see the other Pay Day Products that are being promoted.

Keep It Simple: Bulletin Boards

Head on over to Focused on Fifth and see how I "Keep It Simple" with my bulletin boards.

February What Are You Reading? Linky

My students are loving Dear Mr. Henshaw. For many it is the first novel they have read in letter/journal form. It's a great peek into a 6th grade boy's mind. Leigh has a lot going on. His parents are divorce, his dad is never around, someone is stealing his lunch, and his dad has a new family. Leigh attempts to work it all out by writing to his favorite author. 

What are you reading?

Don't forget to check out what other 5th grade teachers are reading over at Focused on Fifth.

February Pick 3 Linky!

I love linking up with PAWSitively Teaching,  Just Reed,  and Inspired Owl's Corner for their Pick 3 Linky. 

Aren't these adorable? Who wouldn't love delivering valentines to these mailboxes.

click to view original pin

Check out these free Valentine's Day Brain Breaks. A must have for any elementary school teacher.

click to view original pin

Here are 15 ways children can show kindness towards others.

click image to view original pin link

If you like these pins, consider following my Pinterest Boards.

Visit Quinnessential Lessons's profile on Pinterest.

Need more inspiration? Check out what the amazing bloggers below are sharing this month.

An InLinkz Link-up

January Show and Tell Tuesday Linky

I am so happy to be participating in the first Show and Tell Tuesday hosted by Stephanie from Forever in 5th Grade. I think I am more excited to see what everyone else has to share. I love finding out what everyone else has been up to.

I have to admit I am a real slacker with my bulletin boards. When I put up a display, it stays up for a while. That's why I love displays that are not seasonal. (It's a little embarrassing when you still have turkeys hanging in mid December). 

For this display I had each student draw a picture of themselves in the middle of the page. They then came up with eight numbers that related to them. They could use their age, number of siblings, number of pets, month of their birthday, etc. The possibilities are endless. Using a sticky note, they covered the answer. On the sticky note, they wrote an expression that equaled the answer. This way anyone looking at the poster had to do math to figure out the answer. Hence the title "Figure Us Out!" They could check their answer by looking under the sticky note.

I did this at the beginning of the year as a get to know you/open house display. I think next year I am going to wait and do it after I teach order of operation. That way the students will be challenged to create more complex expressions

Speaking of Open House, I used this adorable idea from Crayons in the City. Each family that stopped by left with this cute treat. The thing is a had a bunch left over. So now when I am out for the day, I leave one in my sub folder. I figure it's a nice little thank you for taking care of my class while I am away. They would also be great to give to parent volunteers. You can get the labels for free here.

Be sure to head over to Forever in Fifth and check out what everyone else has to show and tell.

Order of Operations Hopscotch!

Looking for a way to get your students moving during math class? Check out my post on Focused on Fifth and see how I teach order of operations.

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.