Fall is in the air!

I stole this image from Starbucks website, but I'm thinking this is free advertising, right? :)

I adore this time of year! I am so happy to be sipping Pumpkin Spice Lattes (Starbucks of course!) and groovin along at school. This is the sweet spot for getting so much done. I've taught them how to be in small groups and now we are moving fast! This week I will be finished with my first unit of study (shhh.. I was supposed to be done weeks ago! But you have to move slow to go fast, right?) We've learned how to ask and answer questions (we're still working on that citing evidence part) and we've done some prefix and suffix stuff, and also figurative language.

We are going to finish the unit this week with Lovin Lit's freebie featured in TpT's newsletter this Sunday. It says for grade 4-8, but I think my third graders can handle it! Is it bad that it caught my eye because it was teal chevron?

We will also be starting on rounding. Normally, rounding was really hard for third graders, but I learned last year how to make it a ton easier. First, we start off by counting by tens and hundreds in our counting circles. This helps them better understand where numbers end up. I also teach them expanded notation addition which helps them to know what the number "means" not just what it says. Finally, I teach them how to make a number line for finding the numbers that they are between before they start to round.

When they understand how to round on the number line, then we start using chants and other things to help us remember in a pinch.

I also show them this visual of a car. We talk about if they were on the road and the gas station was at zero and 10 and when they got to a certain point they would need to decide to turn around or go ahead. This is a great visual for them to understand. There are little cars with numbers for us to practice as a class where the car should go.

Finally, with these visual reminders, we are able to do the kind of rounding that is more likely to show up on a standardized test, where they are just given a number. I also included the car visual to help them remember!

I'm excited to get started and I think they are going to get a kick out of the car graphics (made by my hubby!)

If you are interested in Rounding Road you may purchase it in my store! There is a freebie rounding page in the preview as well!

Addition Practice

We've been working hard on addition so far this year. I've worked a lot on truly understanding what addition means, and what place value means. We started off by doing number bonds. I talk about it in this post {Singapore Math}. Pretty much we did A LOT of review on making ten, and bigger numbers and how to break apart numbers. With the help of Singapore disks (Thanks Donors Choose!), we made ten frames with dry erase markers on our desk and added one digit numbers. My principal got to see this, and luckly I didn't get in trouble for writing on the desks! :) 

After tons of practice with making ten and number bonds, we are working on simple addition to the thousands place. The method that has been really successful for me is expanded form addition.

By using expanded form addition, my students are able to add numbers in their head with lightning speed. I'm not quiet there this year, but last years' students amazed me with their math abilities, especially mental math. I think this form of addition also encourages a thorough understanding of place value, instead of following a rote procedure. Since CCSS asks that students do not learn the traditional algorithm for addition and subtraction, this helps students to be able to quickly and easily complete addition problems. This method also cuts down on errors from incorrect use of the standard algorithm.

This packet, with 13 worksheets for teaching this method of addition and number bonds is available at my TpT store {here}.

 

I'm BACK!

Wow! I've been missing in action for awhile! :) I'm excited that it is summer, but I can't believe it is all ready July! Insanity! I've been working hard with my hubby to fix up our house, so that has been exhausting! When it's too hot to work, I've been working on TpT products. My most recent addition is this Volume and Mass Scoot. Hopefully, it will make BORING volume and mass much more interesting!

It's aligned to CCSS 3.MD.2. It has real world examples, word problems and beaker reading. My students last year loved to play Scoot and it gives them the movement they always need! I hope it will help you out! Download it for free by clicking {here}! For those of you just starting your summer, happy summer! I'll be back soon with my next MAJOR product for teacher organization!

Now I can Breathe...

I can breathe again! We wrapped up testing this week and I finished and passed my dossier! I am SUPER excited to be done with that craziness. My class is all hyped up for Spring Break which is STILL one week away!

In the mean time, I've been searching out new websites and trying new things in my classroom now that the testing crunch is over. A couple new websites I've found have provided me some inspiration.

I went to a CCSS Math training two weeks ago and learned some great tips. One of the great resources they shared was illustrativemathematics.com. This website was created by one of the author's of the Common Core Standards, so it has great examples of the rigor required by the CCSS.

This example shows an example for 3.G.2, a geometry standard. The examples have higher order thinking and a commentary for teachers. These problems can also allow for more than one answer and require talk between students. I think this website is great for finding examples of tasks required of students to be successful with the CCSS.

Not all standards have an example yet, but the site seems to be expanding! I will check back often for more examples!

If you are on Spring Break, enjoy it! Happy Easter to everyone!

Valentine's Day

 Wow! Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Next week is conferences so I don't have school on Valentine's Day, so we will be celebrating on the 13th which just seems wrong! One of the things we will be doing is my newest product, Valentine's Day Math Centers. There are 5 centers and one whole group activity.

It includes measurement, graphing (pictographs, bar graphs and line plots), multiplication, subtraction and fractions. These are all things my students need some more review on!

This activity is working on measurement to the 1/4" and line plots. The students will measure the objects then place their data in a table. After that, they plot their line plot.

Also included is fractions on the number line. We have been working on this for awhile, but fractions are a major topic for third grade. In this activity the students have hearts with fractions on them that they have to find the matching number line.

There is also a subtraction game. My students are beginning to be proficient in this area, but I want to make sure this skill is solid.

Also included in the bundle is a multiplication match. Students will match the array with the multiplication fact and the area drawing.

Two data and graphing sheets are also included. Students will collect data about their friends' favorite candy, and create a bar graph. In addition, students will create a pictograph of colored candy using the candy of your choice. This page is available as a FREEBIE!! when you download the preview.

I plan on using these centers during my math rotations next week.

Super Sunday Sale!

 

I'm super excited for the Super Sunday sale tomorrow! I will be happily munching on buffalo chicken dip, guacamole and watching the Super Bowl ads. I will also be filling my cart to the brim with TpT goodies! To take advantage of this great sale, click my store, and enter SUPER at checkout!

My most recently added product is my Fraction Unit. Before I  saw the CCSS standards for fractions, I had never thought about putting fractions on a number line. Now that I have done this with my class, I see the benefits for the students of understanding how fractions work.

 After placing fractions on the number line, both visually and with numbers, I moved to comparing fractions. The 3rd grade CCSS requires comparing fraction with like numerators or denominators. They understood the common denominators, but numerators were a little more difficult. This is where manipulatives were helpful!

Comparing fractions led to equivalent fractions. With these lessons, manipulatives are so important! We used fractions strips that are in our math kit.

There are 3 games included in this packet as well as a number line for the bulletin board. I hope this is helpful for you!

Click here to purchase Fractions ~ Number Lines, Equivalents, and Comparing. A FREEBIE of the Comparing Fraction page seen here is available in the preview!

Avoidance

So I should be working on grading assessments, and math continuums and ESL paperwork, but instead I will write this blog post.

This week is killing me with the teacher paper work! My head is going to explode! Anyone else in crunch time?

My birthday was this week so I gave myself some school time off which led me to being so behind! Ah!!

Anyways, in class we are working on subtraction. This was something my students are still struggling with so I did a review lesson today. I used the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives. If you haven't checked it out, it is awesome!

I started by having students complete the problem on their white boards then we went over it together.

The great thing about this website is that when you put the red cubes on top of the blue cubes the blue ones disappear. Also, when you borrow, you just move the rod to the ones, and it will break apart into the ones. The students seemed to really understand how it works now.

We did several problems like this and I also showed them how to subtract by expanding using the Singapore methods. In the above problem, you would say that it was 100 +60+12 and the bottom number was 80+5. Then subtract the 12-5 and get 7 and 100-80 and get 20 plus the 60 that is there, so 80 plus the 7 left over. So the answer is 87.

I think I cleared up some misconceptions. Now, to work on other things they are confused about before they take the NWEA next week (equivalent fractions, number lines, line plots etc!).

I hope you all are going less crazy then me! If you are equally crazy, please tell me what you are procrastinating!

Top 8 Tech Sites for Test Prep~ Math Magician

It's been awhile, but I am back at sharing some of the resources I use for my students on the computer.

#4- Math Magician

Math Magician is an interesting way to practice boring math facts! I have my students start with addition and go on through subtraction and multiplication. Level One gives 50 facts in 2 and a half minutes, and Level Two is 100 problems in 5 minutes. The format is pretty simple and easy to use.

 This site used to allow you to chose which fact to practice, such as multiplying by 2, but as far as I can see this is no longer an option. Another downfall of this program is if your computer runs really slow the timer seems to take longer than the set amount of time.

Overall, this is an interesting and engaging way to practice math facts! Anyone else use this program or have another way to practice facts on the computer?

Subtraction with Singapore Methods

I'm 8 weeks into school now and I feel like I'm drowning! Report cards are due next week and I'm thinking of all the things I was supposed to cover but didn't. This year with the implementation of Common Core, my district has come up with units of study. While they are a great tool to use, I'm used to going at the pace my class needs! I still did that, but now I feel kind of guilty!

I worked for a long time on number sense. Adding and subtracting took FOREVER!!! I was supposed to do that, perimeter, area, time and elapsed time, and multiplication arrays. Anyone else think that was a lot? Well, I got through addition and subtraction and time, and area is next week.

To teach subtraction, I came up with some activity sheets that teach subtraction in a non-traditional way. Many of my students came in knowing how to borrow, but they struggled to do it correctly and didn't know why they were supposed to do all the steps. Some of the sheets used Singapore methods, while others used number lines or hundreds charts. Either way, I think my students truly understand what subtraction is and not just the rote process for subtraction.

This sheet was great because students were still struggling with how to use a hundred chart. This helped show them patterns in numbers. This is also part of the Common Core standard.

I also did subtraction with doubles and near doubles which again built number sense. The near doubles was hard for them and definitely something I need to revisit. After this sheet, they completed a subtract 10 and 100 sheet. They needed to see the pattern where they would only have to change the tens or hundreds digit. Finally, I had them complete a subtraction sheet with Singapore methods where you decompose the number instead of borrowing.

There are several other sheets that go with this unit and all of them are available at my TpT store.

Singapore Math Strategies

My mind is swimming with thoughts of Common Core! I had a meeting about common core for math today and I am exhausted! Don't you think teacher meetings are more exhausting than actual teaching?

I've been trying to wrap my mind around some of the Singapore math strategies. I was fortunate to receive a training 2 weeks ago about numbers sense and Singapore math strategies. A lot of what was talked about was building number sense and ability to play with numbers by students. I have noticed that when I ask students what makes ten, they are able to tell me, but they are unable to decompose and compose numbers.

I started by having them use two ten frames. They were able to make the numbers using place value disks and see how many until they got to the next ten. They would exchange the ones for a ten so they could add simple two digit numbers, like 8+6.

They used the place value disks to do the worksheets that I had created to break apart numbers in order to add them. The hope is that they will learn mental math strategies and will be able to add in their head instead of using their fingers!

To answer this gap in their learning I have created a few worksheets. These have number bonds and decomposing numbers for addition. I am working on 3.NBT.2 right now, and these are the first step towards getting them to add and subtract to the thousands place.

 When students are able to add by breaking apart the number, my next step will be addition using expanded form. So if the problem is 22+17, they would add 20 and 10 and then 7 and 2. So they would get 30+9=39.

In addition to these pages, I also have these same pages but harder, as well as some addition pages with scaffolding for carrying.

Anyone else use Singapore methods for math instruction? What great resources have you found? I am in need of resources. I have found a couple books, Math Practice, Grade 3 (Singapore Math), Mental Math, Grade 3/Level 2: Strategies and Process Skills to Develop Mental Calculation (Singapore Math) and 70 Must-Know Word Problems, Grade 3 (Singapore Math) which were really helpful.

All of these sheets and more (13 worksheets!) are available on my TpT store.

Math Rotations

Today was my first day FINALLY breaking out into small groups! I feel like I've been tortured with too much whole group! I am still teaching routines and procedures for literacy centers this week, but next week I start full force!!

My math rotations went awesome today! I was super impressed with how my students behaved.

I don't use math centers because that is A LOT of planning! Kudos to those of you that pull that off! I started these rotations last year and they worked really well. I stole this idea from Beth Newingham (click the link for a much better explanation from Beth and it includes pictures!) and it has really improved my test scores.

I divide my class into 3 groups. I give them a pre-test of the material on the first day of the unit to assess what they all ready know. I then level them by how well they did on the pre-test. So the groups are constantly changing. My three groups usually end up being a high group that aced the material and needs pure enrichment, a middle group that knows about half of the material and just needs some nudging, and a low group that may need me to go back to the beginning for certain concepts.

Each group goes through 3 rotations: work with me, independent practice and game. The game relates to the topic being taught and may use the SMART board, games from Lakeshore, or stuff I found online.

Now that I have my three groups, I will teach my mini lesson about the days topic. I will explain it enough that the high group will be able to do it on their own. After my mini lesson, the low group comes to me for direct instruction. This is where I may back up a few steps. I also go through the problems from their practice book or worksheet I'm using that day. While the low group is with me, the high group is doing their worksheet independently and my middle group is playing a game.

After 20 minutes I switch groups. The high group moves to games, the low group goes to independent practice (so they don't forget!) and the middle group comes to me. The middle group generally needs just a little instruction of going over the first few problems and then they are off on their own. Once again I switch groups for the last rotation. Low group ends on the skill building game, the middle group goes to finish their practice page and the high group comes to me. When the high group comes to me they are generally finished with their practice page. We grade it to make sure they are getting the concepts, then I lead them in an enrichment activity or worksheet. This is where they get to practice problem solving, or go deeper into the topic.

Everything went pretty well this morning, just a couple reminders about voice levels. There was a bit of confusion about how to play the games, which my assistant principal got to see (why does that always happen?).  I will definitely model the games better tomorrow!

Ok, I'm off to make chicken soup. I am all ready sick! Anyone else battling the back to school cold? Do you use rotations for math? What works well for you? What is difficult? Tips or tricks are much appreciated!

Craziness

Wow! This week has been crazy so far! I have been working hard testing all of my students! I have professional development tomorrow and a work day on Friday and my students start Monday. So far, my students seem so sweet!

This week I finished my Common Core Math Assessment with all standards from third grade. I plan to use it to quickly assess student progress on a standard. Each page has 3 student tests with 3 questions each.

This is the one for 3.MD.8.There are three of the same thing on one page. This way I only have to make a few copies, can cut them out and have a quick idea of how much my students know. I think these would be great to use before the end of quarter for those of us who have to have a grade for every standard at once!

You can purchase the packet by clicking here!

Anyone else as nervous as I am about starting Common Core?

SMART Board Resources Blog Hop

I'm joining with Margaret at Kinder Journey for her first time hosting a blog hop.

I've started a technology series focusing on test prep that I'm still working on that you can find {here}. For the blog hop, the resource I would like to share is The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives. I found this thanks to my wonderful colleague.

 

This site is broken down into the subject like algebra and geometry and by grade level.

For third graders, I usually start with the virtual manipulative page that shows addition and subtraction using base ten. I usually keep going to the next problem until it gets to double or triple digit. The problems get progressively harder as you go along.

For each problem you use the SMART board (or mouse) you move the cube down to make ten. When you make ten you can circle the ten cubes and it will turn into a rod (or click and draw a square around the cubes).  Make sure you go around ALL of the cubes to make ten or it won't work.

Now that it is turned into a rod, you can move it to the tens column and it will show the answer.

This site has nearly every kind of manipulative you can think of, as well as ways you've never thought of to teach a particular topic!

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

P.S. Am I breaking bloggy rules by posting twice in a day if I didn't post yesterday? :)