Tried It Tuesday {Math Workshop Games}

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope your week is off to a great start! I am in countdown mode for a two week spring break. We have this week and next week, then a two week spring break! Wahoo!!

It's Time for Tried It Tuesday! 

What have you tried at school or home?
If you've never linked up with Tried It Tuesday, just link up any idea school or home related and what worked or didn't work. Simple! 

COPY THE NEW BUTTON ABOVE!

My Tried It:

Math Workshop Games
I have blogged about how I started using math workshop this year during my three 80 minute math blocks a day here and here. During the "Hands On" rotation, students work on centers from my math bins. I have eight drawers in this cart from Lakeshore Learning.

Students absolutely LOVE the math "games" hands down more than any other center choice. They are so excited when I introduce a new game as a center. They are allowed to play the games at center time but also have to work on the other independent activities. They would only play the games if I let them though! Students who are fast finishers on our daily math meeting that I open the class with, have anywhere from 5-10 extra minutes and during that time, they can grab a quick game to play.  

We just finished our fraction unit, and students loved the matching/go fish game that I made several years ago as part of four fraction math centers.

One way I have found to help organize game pieces is to make two copies of the cards and laminate the cards onto a colored sheet of paper. 

I use two different colors and it is super easy to keep the stacks together!

This is the "Monster Half Smack" game from Monster Fractions. Students compared fractions to the benchmark fraction 1/2 and are able to keep fractions equivalent to 1/2 if they "smack" it first. The other cards go on the game board next to < or > than 1/2.

The concept we just finished last week was 4.NF.4 multiplying fractions addressing:

CCSS.Math.Content.4.NF.B.4b: Understand a multiple of a/b as a multiple of 1/b and use this understanding to multiply a fraction by a whole number. 

CCSS.Math.Content.4.NF.B.4c: Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. 

The students are in love with this "Monster Land Race to the Finish" math game where they must find a fraction of a whole number to determine how many places they move on the game board. If they answer the problem incorrectly (partner checks using the answer key), they don't move on that turn. They start to master this concept quickly when there is a game for it! Here is the bin I have this game in with two sets of cards (two different back colors to keep packs organized). 

This is part of this math pack and also includes another center with word problem task cards.

During the last Teachers Pay Teachers sale, I snagged two great game packs by Angela Watson. I'm really excited to use these geometry partner games.

I laminated game directions and put pieces in baggies to place in bins later.

What have you tried recently? I would love to hear about it!

This link up will be open all month. Link up anytime! 

New link ups posted the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

An InLinkz Link-up

Workshop Wednesday {Seasonal Math Workshop} and Holiday ebook!

I am linking up with my sweet friend, the super talented Jivey at Ideas by Jivey, for Workshop Wednesday.  This week's topic is Seasonal Math Workshop.  I know, I know...I am not teaching math this year (technically), BUT that doesn't mean that I can't show you some of the centers I have on hand, right?  Math is my all-time favorite subject and I have pulled out some centers this year when I have extra time with my homeroom kiddos (there are many kids pulled out for extra services at this time).  The students who are not pulled out LOVE to see me take out some extra fun math games!  

I really can't blame them! Who doesn't LOVE math?!? :)

You are sure to score some amazing Holiday themed products for FREE from the just released 2013 Winter Holidays Tips and Freebies for Grades 3-6 edition (there are also other grade levels available)!  Thank you to the amazing Rachel Lynette from Minds in Bloom for compiling the grades 3-6 edition. She is the task card "queen" and I have lost count of how many of her sets that I own! 

Fifty TPT sellers are featured with pages and links to free products for you to download!  To say I was thrilled to have one of my products chosen for this book and be featured among so many seasoned outstanding teachers, bloggers, and educational professionals is an understatement!  What a humbling experience.  The free product I created is ELA related, but there are a variety of products available!  

The host herself, Jivey, has a great new math seasonal product that can be used now and kept out after the Holidays!  Let It Snow Math is full of fun, CCSS-aligned math activities.  

It is perfect for the cold months!  The snow season lasts a LOOOONG time in WNY!

Last year I used this FREE Winter Themed Constructed Response Practice Problems by Teaching to Inspire in 5th.  It had great practice problems aligned to the CCSS and she has many other math seasonal activities available in her store.  I love her products!

Another activity I used last year were these FREE Snowman Word Problems by Time 4 Teaching.  They were great for my math intervention groups to review one step word problems!

I also have used these engaging, fun  Holiday Hoopla Math Centers (there are seven of them!) by 4th Grade Frolics.

Here is a picture of some of the centers from this set after I laminated them.

Before you go, be sure to check out this awesome giveaway that lasts until December 8th where everyone wins!  It is hosted by the amazing Erin at I'm Lovin' Lit.  Go here to read all about it!

Workshop Wednesday {Fractions}

Jivey's Workshop Wednesday topic of fractions has reminded me how much I miss teaching math this year!  If you read my blog often, you may remember that math is REALLY my favorite subject but, now that we are departmentalized, I am teaching all ELA.  I love ELA too and can't imagine not teaching reading and writing either but math is the subject that has always been closest to my heart.  

In 4th grade, fractions are the largest unit during the year and is probably the most difficult concept for students to comprehend.  When I taught 4th grade math last year and implemented the CCSS (see the standards for fractions here), my team made five "fraction booklets" using resources from various texts to use throughout the year.  We had "Fraction Friday" every week and continuously studied fractions throughout the year.
Our booklets focused on the following topics: 

Basic Fractions, Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions, Adding and Subtracting Fractions, Multiplying with Fractions, and Decimals and Fractions.  

In addition to the focused fraction packets, I always incorporated fraction math centers as choices throughout the year for morning work time.  Here are a few of the resources that I used for fractions in my math centers.  Students truly benefited from this extra practice by engaging in these fun activities.

This is a freebie Fraction Dominoes game by Ideas by Jivey.

Here is a set of four winter themed monster fraction centers that I created last year.

The students below are playing a memory game for equivalent fractions from the monster set.

 This is a line plot with fractions center that I also created last year.
It is a top seller in my TpT store.

One last set of centers I created last year was for 4.NF.4 (multiplying fractions by whole numbers).

I try not to promote my own products on my blog too often but these are probably my favorite products that I have created to use with my students.  Please accept my apologies for the self promotion. :)  I created the centers originally because it was difficult to find fraction centers for the upper elementary.  In honor of Workshop Wednesday fraction week, these centers will be on sale at 20% off until midnight Saturday EST!  Thanks for reading and good luck with those fractions. ;)  I DO miss them!

Must Have Monday!!

The wonderful Sabra from Teaching with a Touch of Twang is hosting a new linky party called Must Have Monday!!  Isn't her linky button by Michelle at 3AM Teacher adorable?

Sabra's new linky is where you link up and find ideas from other teachers that you can't live without in your classroom or ordinary life! 

I had a little blogging break this past weekend while I was trying to get my house back in order and babying my little girl as much as possible after her surgery.  I saw this linky today and thought, "I know just what I can't live without this year!"  

This might not be something most of you haven't thought of, but it was the first "MUST HAVE" that came to my mind!  With my task cards and Daily 5 craze this year, I couldn't live without my best investment last summer...my Scotch Laminator!

Here she is in all her glory at school after being used quite a bit today.

I think I need to give her a name:)

Seriously!  I am on my 4th box of 200 laminating sheets since August!  

The box of 200 is only $20 at Sam's Club and the laminator itself was about $30.  

It is worth EVERY penny!

Check out the new items I just laminated.

QR Task Cards Fractions (Identify, Compare, Order, Equivalence) 

by Kristin Kennedy from iTeach 1:1

My own two Multiplying Fractions Centers (aligned to Common Core 4.NF.4)

Here is a pile of future laminating that I have waiting on my counter!

If you are on the fence about purchasing a personal laminator, I encourage you to take the plunge.  There is no more waiting on supplies from your school, going in on the weekends, etc.  The only downfall is I can't laminate large items, but that hasn't been on my to-do list this year anyway.  Now I can laminate any time I want from the comfort of my home!

What is one of your MUST HAVES?  Link up with Teaching with a Touch of Twang or check out the other posts!

Spark Student Motivation Linky (music!) and Facebook page!

I am linking up for a quick Student Motivation strategy with the amazing Joanne at Head Over Heels for Teaching.  There are so many great ideas shared each week for motivating students.  I am really loving them!  Thanks Joanne for hosting:)

This week, we were working on Mother's Day projects and seemed to be able to relax a little since the ELA and Math state tests are OVER (we still have science yet to come but that one has barely any pressure compared to ELA and Math).  I was quickly reminded of how well the students work while listening to music.  I try to let them listen to music at snack time or during projects that involve coloring, cutting, etc.  However, the past couple months have been so demanding with the state tests drawing near that it seems like there is less and less time for these moments.  Even at snack time, sometimes I am busting my hump to get students caught up with late work and corrections. Yes, I feel like I am working HARDER than they are to get them caught up.

Okay, back on track to the MUSIC.

I use music as often as I can in lessons and try to find catchy songs on youtube for certain concepts we are working on.  Students love that.

However, this is a basic music motivator.

I am talking about playing top 40 hit songs (that I buy from iTunes) during those moments when students are working on a project, or having a snack, or at indoor recess.

The KEY?  Keep the music playing very softly and it is like magic!  The students work quietly and sing or hum to the music.  This helps to avoid inappropriate conversations and the noise level getting too loud.  As soon as it starts getting noisy, you hear students start saying, "Shhh, I can't hear the song."  

Sometimes another adult walks in my room and wonders why the students are listening and singing quietly to "Call Me Maybe".  

But, they really ARE working!  If they get off task, the music goes off.

There are not many teachers that I know of in our school that let the students listen often to songs they know and love from the radio.  I say, "Why not?"  

I know I love to work to music, so why wouldn't the students?

Students are even encouraged to give me song selections (clean versions, of course) that I will buy and download for the class.  That is a motivator in itself too.  When the students see that you care enough about them to spend your personal money to buy them songs, it goes a long way in building relationships with them.  I don't let the requests get out of hand and so far, in the five years I have been in 4th grade, no one has tried to abuse it.  This might be something I can add to my ClassDOJO trade in points day too!  Maybe they can pick the song selections for an activity or pick a few songs to add to the iTunes library!

I was busy today working on finishing up some new math fraction centers and adding a facebook page for Fourth Grade Flipper!  Yay!!  Thank you to Amanda and Stacia at Collaboration Cuties for their awesome tutorial!

If you are interested in following me on facebook, click here (I hope that works).  I need to get a button for my blog so I am not talking to myself on my new facebook page! Haha!

Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway that ends tomorrow at midnight!

Workshop Wednesday (Math Card Games)

Day one of math state testing done...two more to go!  

The students thought it was so "easy" today...that could be good...or BAD!  

I know you are nodding your head and saying, "yep!"

I am happy to link up with Jivey again for her wonderful Workshop Wednesday linky:)

This week's topic is math games with cards.

I have only recently started using playing cards a lot at centers.  

I know, I know...where have I BEEN?

Of course, I bought six packs of cards like these at Walmart.  

I wish I had checked the Dollar store.  Jivey said that she can get two packs for $1!

I picked up six different great card games that can be used just about any time throughout the year from two of my favorite bloggers, Amanda and Stacia, at Collaboration Cuties.  

You can read their post about them here.

Look at my students playing these games with partners at a center:)

I also wanted to share a quick game I play with flashcards and facts instead of a typical "Around the World".  With this game, students are engaged more often and it can be done when you just have a few minutes to spare.

1.  Students line up in two lines with the teacher facing the front of the two lines.  Have a cup on a desk or table for each group with some counters in the middle to pick up when they earn a point for their team.

2.  The two students in line next to each other say the answer to a flashcard that the teacher holds up.

3.  The student who says the answer first, places a counter in their team's cup.

4.  Both students go to the back of the line and the next two in line face off.

5.  The team with the most counters in their cups at the end wins.

*I discourage talking in the lines by warning the teams that if someone on their team is talking, they lose a counter from their cup.

**I also try to have one line be slightly shorter than the other line so that when students go through the line once, they have a different partner to face off to the next time around.

Check back at Jivey's Workshop Wednesday for more ideas on how to use cards in math!

Magical Product Swap (Math Review Game)!!!

I am so fortunate to be linking up with Jessica from Mrs. Stanford's Class 

for her Magical Product Swap!!  

I was matched with a fellow NY blogger, Rachael from the Classroom Game Nook!

You can imagine my absolute GLEE when I saw her TPT store...WOWZERS!!
She has 145 products in her store...
and is #5 for the all-time top sellers in NY!!! (YES, I said #5!!!)

So, looking through her amazing store, I thought, "How am I going to choose one product?"
In the end, state test review won since our state math test is next week.  I had Rachael send me the Math Operations Review Game Word Problems and Algorithms.

I printed, cut-out, and laminated the game board, directions, answer key, and three sets of cards for the game ("write and solve", "read and solve", and ?).

I love the fun game board that comes with this game!
When my students saw it, they said, "Ohh!! This looks like FUN!"
It comes in two pieces and I taped it into a file folder to connect the board.

Here are some pictures of my students playing the game.  

One player works out the problem as they land on a space to draw a "Write and Solve, Read and Solve, or ?" card while their partner uses the answer key to check their work.  If they get the correct answer, the students gets another turn.  They love that!

This is Rachael's description on her TPT site:

This math board game allows students to practice determining the correct math operation to use when solving word problems and traditional algorithm. There are three different stacks of cards that go with the game. Depending on where the student lands on the board, they will pick up a "Read and Solve" card to read a word problem and decide which operation to use a "Write and Solve" where students solve the problem given, or a "?" card where anything goes! There are a total of 72 game cards. This game is perfect to help students prepare for state tests or to have them use after teaching all four math operations (+, -. x, /).

I loved how there was a combination of word problems and traditional algorithm questions.  This worked particularly well with my math intervention students.  Some questions were definitely easy for them and made them feel so confident.  It was a great review of many different concepts and was just what I was looking for!!

Stop by Rachael's amazing blog, Classroom Game Nook for a peek into so many resources and ideas for use in your classroom (I love the Game Theme!).

Monday Made-It February!

Although I am a little late, I always love hooking up with my all-time favorite inspiration in the blogging world, Tara at 4th Grade Frolics.  She's the best I tell ya!  (doesn't that sound like something she would say?)  Haha!

My Made-Its are mostly products I have finally found time to print, laminate, and cut-out.  I have found so many new materials this year thanks to the blogging world and TPT.  Adding math centers and a Daily 5 revised model has been rewarding in so many ways, yet exhausting at the same time.  I am looking forward to next year when I will already have many math center, word work, and work on writing activities on hand and laminated from this year.  Then, I can add steadily without feeling like I am running around frantic all the time:)  

My students are finally working on multiplying two-digit by two-digit numbers and I laminated this cute centers activity by Tara.  I have used the other centers in this Holiday Hoopla pack and this one can obviously be used anytime of the year!

I am excited to use this next product by Nichole at Craft of Teaching.  It is a Quadrilateral 2D shape sort and aligns with the Common Core.  The students can always use practice sorting quadrilaterals by properties.  It includes 24 cards for sorting, graphic organizer for sorting by quadrilateral name, bland graphic organizer for "open" sorting, Venn diagram for comparing and contrasting attributes, and triple Venn diagram for comparing and contrasting attributes.

I invested in some more of Rachel Lynnette's task cards during the big TPT sale.  This set is on inferences and my students always need more practice using this skill.  I just love her task cards!

These winter story starter cards I actually did make:)  You can get them here for FREE at my TPT store:)  Story starters are another new idea I am trying this year that the blogging world got me hooked on.  I love reading the students' stories using this method!  They are a creative way to get students excited about writing!

One more plug for me...sorry!  I am just really proud of myself for stepping up and making some useful TPT products for centers:)  I have learned so much from the blogging world!  In January I made a math center using line plots and fractions.  In 4th grade, students are expected to graph and interpret fractional data using line plots.  I created this "Line Plots with Fractions" math center that includes the game shown below and another game using a die.  

The students here are playing "pizza party" where they flip cards showing a fractional part of pizza that they graph on their line plot (laminate and use dry erase markers at a center).  After about ten turns each, students complete a series of questions using their line plot data.  For example, students calculate how much pizza was graphed total on their line plot by adding all the fractions shown together. 

I made several variations of the line plots so that students can start with fractions that have common denominators and work their way up to uncommon denominators.

I made two sets of pizza cards for my centers, each with a different colored back to keep them separate.

 

To easily get a colored back on the cards, I run a tape runner on the back of the cards paper before cutting them out.  I place the paper on a colored piece of paper and then cut out the squares.

My Kindergartener daughter needs to make her 100th day project this weekend (or should I say she needs to assist me while I make it?).  Haha!  Anyway, I took some picture of some wonderful 100 days projects at the school where I teach for inspiration.  This project turned out awesome and the teacher said her mom got the idea off Pinterest:)  

She used a hair dryer to make the color run off the crayons. Isn't it beautiful?  I hope Lilly (I) can think of something creative for her project!  Wish me luck:)  

Congratulations to Diane from Fifth in the Middle on winning my giveaway with the Quietest Pencil Sharpener!  It is already on its way:)  She chose RED!