Winter Problem Solving

Before Winter Break, students worked vigorously on Problem Solving. One strategy they use to solve 2 digit by 2 digit addition/subtraction is the Empty Number Line. The number line allows students to visualize their thinking. For example, when adding 32+24, students will mark 32 as the starting point on their number line. They will then look at the number 24 and decide how many tens and ones they will need to jump to get the sum of the two numbers. The number 24 has 2 tens, so from 32 we would jump 2 'big ten jumps' to get to 52. From the 52, we would jump 4 'tiny 1 jumps' to get to the answer of 56.

Here is an example of a subtraction story problem that was solved using the empty number line:

 

In a subtraction problem, students must jump back instead of forward on the empty number line. I made a laminated sentence strip and drew an empty number line on it for the students. They use their dry erase markers to solve their problems.

I Have, Who Has?

Students recently learned a new game called "I have, Who has?" This game consists of a deck of pre-made cards for different topics in Math. One game focuses on counting coins. Each student receives a card. They must count the value of the pictures of coins presented on their card and ask the class who has that amount. The amount will be found on the top of another students' card- written this time instead of pictures. This game involves a lot of thinking and the kids seem to really enjoy it. We also have a time game that shows clocks with specific times written on them. Here are a few pictures of the students playing in smaller groups:

Warm Fuzzy Jar

The students finally filled up the warm fuzzy jar! To decide what their reward would be, we used a function on a new application they are using, Edmodo, to vote for the best reward.

 We also use Edmodo for a variety of other things for learning. It is a program that we use to share thinking, share creations, post about what we are learning, give feedback, take quizzes & polls, and much more. Each subject area has its own page so students can keep their work organized.

To Inform/Entertain

 To Inform & To Entertain:

 

Students used a past issue of Scholastic Books to cut and past into a 'T Chart' under the correct category. Does someone read this book to be entertained or informed? This activity was in addition to the work we have been doing on Fiction and Non-Fiction, and also goes hand-in-hand with the reading logs students do daily.

The hardest part was determining whether some of the animal books were fiction or non-fiction. Some students had difficulty with with this because many of the non-fictions texts they check out of the library are about animals, so they always associate animal books being non-fiction. They did very well with this activity and really enjoyed it!

Apple TV

For the past month, our class has become acquainted with a new technology feature in the classroom. It is called 'Apple TV' and it is a product that works with our iPads to project student work onto the white board. This capability helps students share their thinking and reflect on the work they do. The students use an App called 'Educreations' which allows them to create drawings, write text, and record their voices. Then during sharing time, they can project that work onto the big screen and let the students hear what they have created. It is a great tool and the kids love it!

Here is a photo of the students working on the applicatoin 'Counting Coins.' I gave the students an amount and they had to make the amount and share how they counted out that value.

Counting Coins

The students are busy learning to count coins. We are doing this in a variety of ways:

The students track the days of the school year using pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. We add these to our classroom 'bank' and they record it in their Coin Calendars. Can you believe we are already on day 56?! That means, we have $2.10 in our bank!

We are also using a great application on the iPads called 'Counting Coins.' This app allows the kids to make values of different amounts and show how different amounts can be made using different coins. We recently downloaded 'Counting Money,' so we will be starting this app shortly.

Here are a few pictures of our class teaching and working with Mrs. R's class on the iPads during math:

Students are also working vigorously with plastic 'school' coins to make different amounts. We are trading coins, adding coins, subtracting coins, and making large values with our coins and dollar bills. The students help each other tremendously with this skill. They use their 'mathematical thinking' to explain to their classmates how to make values with the least amount of coins.

Happy Halloween!

Here is their scary pose:

Here is their smiley pose:

and their silly pose: