Wednesday, December 3, 2014

iHeart Math Holiday HOP!

Image Map

We are fortunate to join some wonderful math bloggers for a superb hop you are sure to love!  Each day in December, through the 23rd, you can hop around and snag some excellent holiday tips and gifts.  Don't worry if you are just getting in on the fun--you can hop back to previous blogger posts by clicking on the calendar image above. You can also use the calendar to hop to one blogger after the next as the days unfold, but please note that you will receive an error message until each day arrives. 

HO, HO, HO! Here goes... 

Holiday Tips: Giving Back

Our first tip is about giving back.  Courtney and I teach in what many call the city with the world's largest lighted parade--the Festival of Lights.  Many moons ago, when I started teaching, each classroom of kids made ornaments to display in the Enchanted Forest.  Some years later, the forest disappeared from the festivities, and we weren't sure why.  It had long been a special place for families to walk and enjoy the lights and handmade ornaments crafted by all of the kids in our district.  Courtney and I were sad to see it go but were pleasantly surprised when it was rekindled this year in celebration of 30 years.  Our kids made some fabulous ornaments to contribute to a tradition that was once long-lived in our community and has returned.  While this is a tradition in our community, think about starting a tradition in yours!


Another tip for giving back!  From when I was young, I have fond memories of making holiday decorations for residents in a nursing home.  This year, my class is making 2 x 4 snowmen for some residents in a care center located just across the street from our school.  Even better, we have coordinated a visit so the kids can deliver the decorations, something I was never able to do as a child.  I was truly touched by the thoughtful words my kids shared when they were told of this opportunity to give back to our community and brighten someone's holiday.  We can't wait to make the visit!


Holiday Tip: Keep Moving!

Courtney and I both love activities that get our kids up and moving, and this is great to do during the holidays.  As Courtney says, we need to just "hold on" and get through this busy time of year for EVERYONE.  Our kids are truly motivated by Gallery Walk or Roam the Room type activities, so we will be using a Reindeer Hide & Seek activity again this year.  We like to make things fun, but not with a lack of substance, as some say... Ha!  So please enjoy this little stocking stuffer!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_SExUaFVKbTA1X28/view?usp=sharing



Some Special Gifts for You!

Unwrap these goodies and enjoy this wonderful season with your students! We can't wait to have our kids make Santa Strategy Sacks and play some games with Santa's Elves. Enjoy!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_RHdGM1hFUEM4WWs/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_UUpnbUtNb3dLb3M/view?usp=sharing

Now, don't forget to stop back tomorrow to visit the next blogger,  Lucy at Kids Math Teacher!

http://www.kidsmathteacher.com/2014/12/iheart-math-holiday-hop.html

All the best to you and yours this holiday season!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Makin' It Math! Mid-Month Linky -- November

Welcome to November's Makin' It Math! linky! So glad you stopped by!


In the past month, I have put together some math tool bags for the kids to use at home. Tool bags were sent home after talking with parents at parent-teacher conferences in October.

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The following information is posted on my classroom website for parents, but it also gives you an overview of math tool bags and how they are used at home.


What are math tool bags?

Math tool bags house various math tools, games, and activities for at-home math practice.

What is in my child's math tool bag?

Various tools/items are housed in your child's bag.  Tools may include, but are not limited to---dice, clear colored counters, place value cubes, a number line, ten frame/number cards, and paper base ten tools. Not all bags contain the same tools/items (based on student need).

What should I know about my child's tool bag?

  • Tool bags are to be kept at home in a safe place.
  • Your child should take pride in caring for his/her tools for extended use. 
  • The tools in the bag are to be used for at-home math work and games.
  • The tools should not be used in any other way (as toys, for other games, etc.)
  • Your child will be able to keep all items in his/her bag at the end of the school year (unless otherwise noted when sent home).
  • Math games sent for home practice should be kept in the math tool bag.
  • Additional items will be sent home at various times of the year and should be added to your child's tool bag.

When should my child use the items, activities, and games in his/her bag?

Your child can use the items in his/her bag for at-home math practice at ANY time.  Activity/game suggestions will be noted periodically on your child's "My Responsibilities" Sheet and materials will be sent home.  Nothing needs to be returned to class as proof of at-home practice.  It is strongly recommended that your child work with his/her bag on a regular basis.

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The following items were sent home in everyone's math tool bag.  I have included links to various item--where they can be found and freebie printables.



Additional tools/items were sent home in tool bags depending on need.

Bags were purchased at The Library Store--See size and pricing information here!  2 gallon Ziplock bags would be less expensive and work well, too.

Periodically, I send home games/activities. Any games/activities are used in guided math groups/rotations prior to sending them home.

  • one page math games
  • spinner games
  • place value cube activities
  • dice games
  • card games
  • word problems
  • etc.

I hope you will find some of the items useful.  My kids LOVE these bags--I often hear comments about at-home activities/game play and have received positive comments from parents. :0)

Please feel free to link up your math made-its!

All the best for a wonderful weekend!


Saturday, October 25, 2014

You Better HOP Around!: Fly on the Math Teacher's Wall--A Math Blog Hop!

Welcome to another wonderful math blog hop!  This blog hop is devoted to place value and will not disappoint--so after reading this post, take a hop around to see what goodies you will find!


Place value--a huge topic, and such an important concept for ALL ages!

As a second grade teacher, place value is at the heart of much of our explorations in math throughout the year.  Since I cannot possibly put everything I feel to be important about place value into this post, I will focus on some MUSTs in helping my students understand place value and build a solid foundation for what will follow.

THE POWER OF 10!
We as teachers know the power of 10 in our number system and how an understanding of 10 is a ESSENTIAL for building an understanding of hundreds, thousands, and so on.  I make a point of mentioning the power of 10 to my students DAILY! Any chance I get, I recite the words, "Ha--the POWER of 10!" in a sinister witch-like cackle.  They always chime in afterward! :0)  In the beginning of the year, it's a mixed bag as far as students' understanding that 237 has 23 tens and that 23 tens is the same as 230.  I like to use various prompts for students to agree or disagree with that require their use of 10.  Here is a picture of our Bright Ideas board and the first math prompt I gave this year (the board is used for all content areas). You can see the diversity of understanding with some thumbs being in the middle to show an inability to decide.  Prompts such as these bring with them wonderful discussions and students must justify their thinking.


PLACE VALUE TOOLS!
When I say tools, I mean beans, linking cubes, straws, ten frames, base ten tools, place value arrows, place value discs, an open number line, etc.  Representing numbers in multiple ways is a MUST!

At the same time, I feel it is also important for students to understand the power of different tools as well as their limitations.  An example--from the very first day of school, we do Daily Math (includes a number of the day) as a large group (this eventually leads to work in guided math rotations).  We begin with two digit numbers and eventually progress to three digit numbers.  In the beginning we use ten frame tools (small individual ten frames) to represent numbers.  The ten frame is a familiar tool used in kindergarten and first grade, so this is a great place to begin.  As we venture into representing greater numbers, students begin to understand the limitation of using ten frames for representing and drawing ten frame models.  The tools become less efficient/appropriate in this way, so a different tool is introduced (base ten tools).  We talk about each tool, their benefits and drawbacks.  We NEVER say a tool is BAD---or that it is WRONG to use a particular tool, but I feel it is important for students to understand the differences between tools and their effectiveness/applications.  Furthermore, I never begin using a tool with students, such as base ten tools or place value discs, unless they have a conceptual understanding of each disc's value.

Tools are ALWAYS readily available for students to use during guide math rotations--they never need to ask for permission.  Tools are also housed in our guided math area for easy access during small guided math groups. Please enjoy the following freebie tools that are posted under Workstations & Games on our navigation bar.  In addition, I have shared an open number line post from our other blog, Hoots N' Hollers, that you may be interested in. Enjoy!

A Powerful Tool: The Open Number Line 

PLEASE NOTE: Courtney will be sharing a new place value tool she has just added to her classroom. Look for her post about Digiblocks in the near future!  

TALK IT!
When I say "talk it" I mean constantly talking about numbers as a composition of digits that have value.  When we add 36 and 45, we are adding 3 tens and 4 tens--6 ones and 5 ones.  We talk it!  This eventually leads to reciting our addition of place values or composing/decomposing when mentally adding .  As a kid, this is one thing that was never done, at least to my recollection.  The algorithm was the focus, and an understanding of place value and talking about digits and their values was not at the forefront. Undoubtedly, there were those that understood what was going on when using addition and subtraction algorithms at a young age, but for those of us who struggled there was a lack of conceptual understanding beyond the steps we took to solve.

One thing I require in all place value game play is the use of callouts so that students are continually focusing on the value of each digit in a number. Feel free to download this fun place value game that my students play--More, Less, or Trade?.  Hope your kids enjoy it as much as mine have over the years!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_d1MwaGU5VVl6ZkE/view

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE!
I provide LOTS of independent place value practice for my students during guided math rotations.  Workstation games and activities are cycled throughout the year.  Place value cube activities are one of their favorites.  I have included a link where you can learn about the use of place value cubes and download directions for making your own.  There are so many possibilities for using these little buggers!



I hope you have found something that will be of use to you as you help your students develop a strong foundation.

BEFORE YOU HOP ALONG...

Feel free to sign up for the following giveaways!

The Number Line by Jeff Frykholm, Ph.D.

If you haven't already, read about using an open number line in my blog post referenced above.  Then enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Place Value Cube Activities Pack

Enter to win some great place value cube activities that can be used in guided math groups and as workstations/centers.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/12-Place-Value-Cube-Activities-How-to-Make-Them-773266
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, HOP ALONG!!  Please take the time to visit Susan at The Math Spot!

http://polkadotsandteachingtots.blogspot.com/2014/10/fly-on-math-teachers-wall-teaching.html

A thank you also goes out to Brandi from The Research Based Classroom for organizing another AWESOME blog hop!

Smiles,

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Makin' It Math! -- Mid-Month Linky -- {October 15}

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by for our brand-new monthly linky---Makin' It Math!  It's a linky dedicated solely to math made-its.  To learn more about the linky and how you can participate, click here!

I have been busy with several things...

Place Value Cubes

I have been making some new sets of place value cubes to start using with my kids this week.  They are so easy to make and are a fabulous tool for independent practice use while meeting with guided math groups. The best part is that you can customize them for your students' needs.  Feel free to download my free directions for making the cubes!  You can make up your own activities, or you may like the ones I have listed in my TpT store.



Low-Prep Halloween Math Games

I shared this made-it in our previous post, but this is my newest math made-it. I just finished putting a Halloween spin on some math games I have used in past years. These games are perfect for my kids' independent practice needs right now.  Thanks to Krista Wallden for her spookly clipart--so much FUN! You can check out the games in my TpT store, but you can also enter to win one of three two copies!  Good luck to you!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Using Tens: Ten Frame Fact Cards

These ten frame fact cards really help some of my kids visualize the using ten strategy of addition before transitioning to the use of fact cards with just numbers.  Download a free copy here!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_djR5ZjRUUlFQTDA/view?usp=sharing


We hope you will consider joining us by linking up your math-made its!

Good day!



Monday, October 13, 2014

Loved that Lesson Linky and Some Other Goodies...

This is the first time linking up with Meg from The Teacher Studio for Loved That Lesson--a wonderful linky opportunity to share those lessons we love.

One of the lessons I love to do with my kids at the beginning of each new school year relates to being mathematicians.  We always start by reading and defining the word mathematician, which is usually a new one for them.  Then we begin to think like mathematicians and ask ourselves what we do when we doing math.  This year my kids came up with a FANTABULOUS list of ideas given the simple prompt, We are MATHEMATICIANS! We...  Ideas were recorded on the SmartBoard and a door display was created to remain up all year long.  These can readily be seen for easy reference.


I was so pleased with their thinking!

We are mathematicians! We... 
  • think.
  • try different ways.
  • have fun with math.
  • work together.
  • use tools.
  • learn more every day.
  • never give up.
  • sometimes make mistakes.
  • check and re-check.
  • have really smart brains.
  • are problem solvers.
  • ask questions.
  • need tons of education.
  • study math.
  • get stuck.
  • use our brains.
  • have good test scores. 

I also loved the construction paper self-portraits they made!

To read about more "loved" lessons, stop on over to The Teacher Studio!


http://www.theteacherstudio.com/2014/10/octobers-loved-that-lesson-organizing.html


I also wanted to share a few goodies that may be of interest to you...

Teaching Math by Hart TpT 1000 Followers Giveaway

Fly on over to Teaching Math By Hart for a wonderful giveaway opportunity and help Kim celebrate 1000 TpT followers! 

http://teachingmathbyhart.blogspot.com/2014/10/giveaway-prize-pack-2.html

Low-Prep Halloween Math Games

I just finished putting a Halloween spin on some math games I have used in past years. These games are perfect for my kids' independent practice needs right now.  Thanks to Krista Wallden for her wonderful clipart--so FUN! You can check out the games in my TpT store, but you can also enter to win one of three two copies!  Good luck to you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Linky on the Horizon!

http://www.guided-math-adventures.com/p/makin-it-math-mid-month-linky.html
Lastly, we have a new monthly linky on the horizon that will kick-off this week--Makin' It Math!  We hope it will bring along with it some wonderful math resources for many.  Stop back this Wednesday!

Wishing you the best for a wonderful week!


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

What Are the Other Kids Doing? Wednesday Linky ~ Anything Goes!

Good day to you! What are the other kids doing?  It's a linky dedicated to sharing independent practice activities that you use with your students that make it possible for you to meet with small guided math groups.  Many teachers call them math centers or workstations--whatever you call them, these activities are designed to engage students in meaningful practice away from the teacher. For details about linking up, click here! We'd love for you to join in the sharing!


Today's Topic---Anything Goes!!

How do kids know where they are going?

My adventure with guided math has been a very loooooong one! I never liked teaching math whole group and frankly, didn't care for teaching math at all. I was an "Reading / Writing" kind of teacher, and this went on for several years.  I blame the math program my district was doing, I was NOT a fan (and I think everyone in our district knew it), and I just couldn't find my "niche" as they say.

Then Common Core came along and I want to know why I never learned math this way!!!  I have retaught myself math and retrained myself to problem solve the way I am now teaching my students. Ask my students now what my favorite subject is and they will say "math"...true story, it actually happened today when we have some high school kids come read to our class. One high school student said his favorite subject was math and all my little pumpkins said, "That's Mrs. Stenger's favorite too!"

One thing I struggled with was time. When I had kids in groups, I would take too much time and then not meet with all the kids. I thought, "Well my high kids don't need me everyday", but that is just not true! Of course they do!!

So I created a PowerPoint (my favorite program...I use it for everything:) in which I meet with all my students everyday! I also set the slide timers so that I meet with each groups for 12 minutes (wanted 15 but it just didn't work out), and then a slide in between rotations for clean up that is 1 minute and 30 seconds.


It is working out so well for my class and for me. It keeps me on track and my students know where they are going. It's a win-win!
I put up instructions on what they are to do at each rotation/station so I am not interrupted in my guided math groups. That time is precious, right!

Please adapt or modify it as you need....I hope it helps! Download the PowerPoint here!



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

What are the other kids doing? Wednesday Linky -- Task Cards

Welcome! What are the other kids doing?  It's a linky dedicated to sharing independent practice activities that you use with your students that make it possible for you to meet with small guided math groups.  Many teachers call them math centers or workstations--whatever you call them, these activities are designed to engage students in meaningful practice away from the teacher. For details about linking up, click here! We'd love for you to join in the sharing!


Today's topic--Task Cards!

Sorry for the quick post today--just want to share some freebies, a giveaway, and some new task cards I have added to my collection to use this year.

When I think about the abundance of independent activities I have for kids to do during guided math rotations, task cards make up quite a small portion.  I have created some to meet my student's needs that are differentiated, but I have not been able to find a lot out there that "fit" my needs--even though there are oodles of them.  I have plans to create more, but as we teachers know--so many things and so little time...

With this being said, when I do use task cards I always provide an activity sheet and a self-checking answer sheet.  If one is not provided with task cards purchased, I create one.  I also organize all task cards on binding rings for ease of access/to keep them together, and they are placed in workstation drawers according to student need.

My Show Me the Money! task cards are some of the kids' favorites, and they are differentiated.  You can check them out in my TpT store, but you can also enter below to win one of two copies!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Money-Task-Cards-Show-Me-the-Money-Differentiated-Math-Center-Cards-522227

a Rafflecopter giveaway
You may also like the following freebies listed under Workstations & Games on our navigation bar...

AND Addition with Models & Numbers Task Cards. They are FREE, too!


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_dC1SaTBHUnpXSUk/edit?usp=sharing

Finally, here are a few task cards created by others that I have purchased and plan to use this year.



Please feel free to share your task card ideas in a comment or link up!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

What are the other kids doing? Wednesday Linky - Reading & Writing About Math

Coming to you a little late in the day for our linky, What are the other kids doing?  It's a linky dedicated to sharing independent practice activities that you use with your students that make it possible for you to meet with small guided math groups.  Many teachers call them math centers or workstations--whatever you call them, these activities are designed to engage students in meaningful practice away from the teacher. For details about linking up, click here! We'd love for you to join in the sharing!

Today's topic---reading and writing about math!

We would like to share some things we already do and some plans for the future. :0)

 
Class Math Books

This summer, Sarah and I participated in a reading/writing professional development workshop. The speaker was fabulous, and we got a lot of great ideas from her. One thing that she discussed was creating class books. Now this is something I have done many, many times throughout my teaching life, but what stuck out was she mentioned writing math books.....WHAT?!?!   How simple, but yet how difficult for me. When I've done class written books before they typically were by month and each book had a theme with a prompt the students wrote about. They also focused on English/Language Arts.

So my thoughts are this could easily be done during small guided math groups (in which each group writes their own books, or parts of a whole class book), or it could be done as a rotation/station.

Now, I am admitting that I have not done this yet, but wanted to put it out there for anyone to help me out with, or brainstorm with me:) so I have no pictures to share.  If anyone out in the wonderful world of teaching would like to share how they have created math class, I would love to hear your ideas and how they worked in your classroom.  I plan to come back and let you know how they worked in mine....once I get it all figured out!


Over the years, I have tried to engage my students in writing about math in different ways.  Here are some questions/prompts that I have used with third and fifth grade during independent work time while working with small guided math groups. I have tried to organize some of the most effective prompts/ideas I have used into categories in list form.

Reflecting
  • Explain what you learned today.
  • How can what you learned today be used in your life outside of school?
  • What "I wonders" do you still have about what you have learned?
  • Create an illustration showing what ______________ means.  Then write a caption to go with your illustration. (various vocabulary terms/concepts)
  • Make a list of the steps you learned today.
  • Describe the attributes of ___________________. (geometry)
  • Describe something you learned from a classmate today.
  • Why is it important to know how to ___________________? (many possibilities)

Problem Solving
  • Explain the strategy you chose.
  • How is this problem like another you have solved?
  • How did you and your partner's strategy differ? (partner problems)
  • What was easy for you? Difficult?
  • Would you choose to solve this problem or a similar one the same way? Explain.
  • How does this problem relate to real-life? 
  • Write a similar problem.  Take this problem and make it your own.
  • What worked well? Did not work well?
**I have also used many of the questions on my problem solving discussion fans as prompts for written reflection.  Check them out here--the download is free!

Vocabulary (insert words/concepts of choice)
  • What is the meaning of _______________?
  • Define _________________.
  • Describe _________________.
  • How are ________________ and _______________ different? Similar?
  • What is ____________________?
  • Illustrate __________________. Then write a caption to accompany your illustration.
  • _____________ is to ______________ as ______________ is to _______________ (analogies--used this with older students)
  • Create and label a model to show the meaning of __________________.
**For more vocabulary ideas--you might be interested in our previous post.  Another freebie is included!

Some additional writing activities that my students have enjoyed--some quick and others done over time.
  • writing math riddles
  • creating math comic strips
  • creating "teaching" mini-books (My fifth graders created mini-books to teach concepts to someone else younger than them.  They had to use language they would understand--could not make any assumptions.  This was a great project--challenging for some.)
  • math PowerPoints to illustrate concepts/key vocabulary (I am sure there are many other formats for creating these today--it was quite a few years ago that my fifth graders did this.)
  • writing math poetry or songs (Multiplication is... {two-word poetry}, Sing a song of ___________. {use familiar tunes as basis}, acrostics, shape poems)

Something I have especially like to use with ALL grade levels is list making.  Here are some examples...
  • Make a list of ways to make 20.
  • How many different things could you buy with $5?
  • Find at least 6 items in the room that are about one foot long.  Write them in a numbered list.
  • How many ways can you show/represent 100?
  • Make a list of real-life times when you need to add.
  • Look around the room.  Make a list of as many object as you see that are arrays. (love to do this one with my second graders--you would be surprised at the number of arrays in your classroom)
  • List all of the math words you know. (This is quite telling!--do at various times throughout the year.  I let my kids use the resources around the room.  They must know what each word means.)
  • Write some examples of how you can use measurement (of length) in your life outside of school.
  • List the skills you need to figure the area of a garden.

Math Picture Books

Using picture books during rotations/independent work time is something I have started doing more of in the past few years.  Most of the texts I use are those that I have used as mentor texts, so students have knowledge of the texts before exploring them during independent work time.  You can click here to see some of the texts I have used.  I have just started adding to this page of our blog, so additional texts and reflection sheets will be include in the future.  One of the texts my students liked most last year was The Big Buck Adventure by  Shelley Gill.  You can read more about how I used the text in a post on our Hoots N' Hollers blog.  This particular text was actually used during guided reading rotations.  You will also be able to download the free reflection sheet!


Please feel free to link up your reading and writing ideas for independent work time.  We love it when you share!  Don't have a blog--please share in a comment!

All the best for the rest or your week!

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Dr. Nicki Newton Q & A #2 -- Guided Math in Middle School

At the beginning of August, we finished a wonderful book study of Dr. Nicki Newton's Guided Math in Action.  Over the course of the study, Dr. Nicki contacted us and offered to help in any way she could--SO we asked followers to send us their burning questions.  You can click here to read Dr. Nicki's first Q & A, and today we share her second Q & A.


We received various questions related to using guided math in middle school, so we compiled a few questions to sum them all up and sent them on to Dr. Nicki. Below are her responses.

Have you used guide math with middle school students (6-8), and how might the structure and procedures compare with K-5?

I have used guided math with middle school students.  The framework is the same.  There should be a fluency workstation, a digital workstation, a writing workstation (try using interactive math notebooks --- another notebook resource), and then a workstation that addresses the current unit of study.

How might guided math look in a middle school classroom with a schedule that allows for meeting with students during 40-45 minute blocks daily?  

The flow should be:

  • 5 min. Routines (Number Talks, Number of the Day, Fraction of the Day, Decimal of the Day {alternating these})
  • 10 min. Whole Group Mini Lesson
  • 20 min. Student Activity Period (Guided Math {10 min. each group: 2 groups a day} and Workstations)
  • 5 min. Debrief  

What specific suggestions do you have for using guided math with older students (6th grade and up)?

I think it is really important for middle school students to be working with manipulatives.  They should be using the decimal squares, base ten blocks, decimal wheels, fraction bars, etc.  I will be doing a post on my blog about Tool Kits for upper elementary and middle school in a few days.

Can you recommend some guided math resources for middle school teachers?

Here are a few middle school resources:

Thanks again to Dr. Nicki for taking the time to do two great Q & As with our followers!

If you haven't already, check out our What are the other kids doing? Wednesday Linky basic facts post for some great freebies and a chance to WIN a fabulous resource for teaching basic facts!  Click here to read more!

http://www.guided-math-adventures.com/2014/09/what-are-other-kids-doing-wednesday_10.html

Until next time! All the best for a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

What are the other kids doing? Wednesday Linky -- Basic Facts

Welcome back to our Wednesday linky--What are the other kids doing?  It's a linky dedicated to sharing independent practice activities that you use with your students that make it possible for you to meet with small guided math groups.  Many teachers call them math centers or workstations--whatever you call them, these activities are designed to engage students in meaningful practice away from the teacher. For details about linking up, click here! We'd love for you to join in the sharing!

Today's topic-----basic facts!

There are oodles and oodles of ways to independently practice basic facts, and we have probably used an oodle of them. :0)  We would like to share a PHENOMENAL basic facts resource for teachers, some free stuff, and a couple of apps/websites.

First up is a resource that is a MUST-HAVE for anyone teaching basic addition and subtraction facts---Mastering the Basic Math Facts in Addition and Subtraction: Strategies, Activities, and Interventions to Move Students Beyond Memorization by Susan O'Connell and John SanGiovanni. It is worth money--TENFOLD!! Not to mention, a multiplication and division version is available as well.


Each year, I pretest students, as their knowledge of basic addition and subtraction facts is wide-spread--this never changes.  Once I have formed groups based on student's needs, it's time to begin meeting with guided math groups and providing independent practice opportunities for students that are differentiated.  O'Connell and SanGiovanni's book helps a teacher accomplish all of these goals.

A CD is included that contains assessments, tools (from dot cards to ten frames and number lines), parent letters, activity sheets to accompany literature suggestions, reflection sheets, and tons of games and activities.  AND its editable!!  I edited all of the games to include a list of materials, changed the font, and changed up some of the directions to meet my kids' needs.  EASY!

Here are just a few of the games provided on the CD that I have edited for my students...


Woohoo! You can enter to win a copy of Mastering Basic Addition and Subtraction Facts OR Mastering Basic Multiplication and Division Facts!

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Organizing independent practice workstations/games for easy student access is a must.  To learn how I organize workstations, click here!



 Enjoy a few of my basic fact freebies, too! Download here!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_c0Y4akZGT3A2R1E/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_1w1VapXOL_YUl1YUFwTlctcDQ/view?usp=sharing

Courntney and I both use apps on the iPad and some great websites for practicing basic facts as well.  Here are a couple Courtney's kids like:


I use a wonderful number bond program that I purchased on CD years ago, but it is also available as an app. Both addition/subtraction and multiplication/division versions are available at Crystal Springs Books.  

http://www.crystalspringsbooks.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=number+bonds


Another great resource is gregtangmath.com! He is the author of Grapes of Math and many more math picture books for kids.  My kids love Math Limbo!

http://gregtangmath.com/games

We would love for you to link up or share your basic fact independent practice ideas in a comment!