Developing Number Sense: Let's Play a Game

I totally agree with the NCTM on this one and I do believe that with time and attention all students can gain solid mathematical understanding. But I will say that it is a challenge to provide the time that some students need. Our third grade math curriculum is jam packed and if we are to get students prepared for the state tests we need to keep a fast pace. Unfortunately, some students enter third grade with limited number sense.  I recognize how important a firm understanding of the number system is if they are to understand more than just a procedure to follow to get a right answer. 

Here is where I rely on guided math and math stations.  Here is a fun but effective number chart game to give students more exposure to patterns and number relationships.  It was one of my students' favorites last year.  Teach it in the fall and keep it in the rotation for the year.  I promise kids will want to play it and will stay engaged while you meet with small math groups.   When I introduced it I used cheerios to represent the flying saucers and they got to munch and play if they were being productive but after the initial teaching, we used small circle markers.

Would you like to give it a try with your kids?  It's free on  TeachersPayTeachers Come grab it here!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Blast-Off-Developing-Number-Sense-with-the-Hundreds-Chart

I know, I know, some of you are asking what's up with all the math posts! Actually math is on my brain since a friend and I are doing some math work on the side and it would help if some of you would/could review this game for me in a comment or email. I'd love to know what grade you teach and if you think this would be something that might help your students. Thanks a bunch!  I promise language arts stuff is in the works too!

Sunday's Words for the Week

Gosh, I love these lines.  They really speak to me. 

This weekend we dropped my daughter off at an away camp.  She brought one small bag of clothes and a pillow and sleeping bag.  She is out in the woods with no cell phone, Ipad, Ipod, computer, tv, nothing.  I was in awe of her contentment, her happiness.   She was super excited to go and  just be outdoors with her friends.  She'll swim, hike, climb, boat and will enjoy every minute. She will come home with nothing purchased, but her mind loaded with  fun memories that no one can take away and that  won't get discarded or thrown away later on down the road.

So this summer I can learn a lesson from my daughter.  I can  focus on something other than the stuff in my life.

  I can do more and be more.  

Algebraic Thinking in Third Grade: Exploring Equality

My ideas on teaching math have evolved through the years. One point that I am convinced of is that it is never too early to start thinking in terms of algebra. Algebra in the early years helps to set the groundwork for later learning. Having a high school son who just finished Algebra 2 has convinced me of that. If students are to solve for unknown variables later on, they need lots of experiences with situations involving the idea of equality now.
One misconception some third graders have from the start is  that the equal sign means : "the answer is".  Early on I do a quick mini lesson on the symbol itself.  We soon discover that we can replace the symbol with the words  "is the same as" or "has the same value as" .  I like to jumpstart this lesson by reading this cute book:

From there we start exploring the idea of equality with this equation balance scale.  Students LOVE using it and  makes the learning concrete. It is a MUST HAVE tool in my classroom.

Here are some other balance scale games that I have found online. I love lots of the crickweb games. You can find all kinds of engaging math games on this site.

  

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks1numeracy.html

Here is an app for the IPAD using a number balance.

Have you checked out the illuminations site? FANTASTIC resource from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activities.aspx?grade=all




I understand the importance of multiple exposures to math concepts so I will introduce a few games that deal with equality.
They will get placed in our math station boxes for use throughout the year.

Here is a game that gives students practice identifying if addition equations are equal, greater than or less than each other. It has students identify statements as true or false.  The key to the success of this game is making students accountable for proving their thinking instead of just calling out true or false. They must tell why it is true or false.  Students are tested in similar ways on the standardized tests they face at the end of the year so it is great practice for this as well.

You can grab yourself a copy of this game here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Walk-the-Plank-An-Addition-Comparing-Numbers-Game

Effective Math Instruction and Journaling

Ha!  Isn't this the truth!

 We met to discuss the results of our spring math test before school let out.  It was a tough test and the rigor has been increased tremendously.  Students need to work through tough multistep questions and must be flexible in using logic and strong reasoning skills  if they are to do well on these tests.

Because of the new testing expectations, teachers are gearing up and planning on spending even more time and attention on improving mathematics instruction.

So herein lies a positive outcome! 

One important component of my math program is the math journal.

My students split a marble composition book  in half last year.  The first half was for note writing and the second half was for problem solving.

Sometimes I will give my students a math problem to respond to in their journals.Other times it is much more open ended and students respond to their learning using a thinking stem (see below).

I am careful about what I use for graded pieces here.  I am fearful that a graded journal would communicate that there is a "right" or "wrong" response.  I would rather see the journal used for a place to write about their insights, understandings or partial understandings, connections, conjectures, and questions. I learn so much about what they know from reading these journals.

Note taking, including math vocabulary was done in the same journal but in another section.  We often referred to prior learning before starting something new.  Having notes recorded was helpful in building these bridges.  

Here are some inserts that I use in the front of the math journal:

Here is an example of the student math responsibilities that I stress with all students. Being a productive math student fits in with our PBIS behavior plan.  

Our school system is using the Exemplar Program to help students develop further in the area of problem solving.  Next year I plan on focusing much more on this.  We use a standard rubric to assess students.  Key here is to teach the rubric to the students so they begin taking control over their own math learning and development.

Here are some of the math inserts I use for the math journal.  Visit me on Teachers Pay Teachers to grab a free download of the ones shown below.

Sunday's Words for the Week

It's over! Another school year done. I've got mixed emotions about it. I had some super sweet kids this year but in some ways it was a very difficult year. So here are my thoughts on it:

How about you? Are you all finished and ready for summer break?

Sunday's Words for the Week

It's the last week of school! We all know what a hectic and crazy time this is for teachers. Lots of packing, filing and paperwork to do plus figuring out how to get through the five days with 27 kids who are beyond ready for the summer.   So let's keep the words for the week simple:

Doris