Equivalent Fractions on a Multiplication Chart

There's no getting around it, fifth grade math can be really challenging- especially for kids that are still struggling to understand the foundational skills. I have had so many kiddos over the years that could not master adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators just because they did not know their math multiplication facts. Math facts are super important, but as a teacher I always felt it was my duty to find a way to help them understand the more abstract concept of equivalent fractions. So, I started using multiplication charts to help my struggling learners understand and create equivalent fractions- but maybe not in the way you are thinking.

We all know that kids who haven't memorized their math facts benefit from multiplication charts. That is no surprise! The process for using a multiplication chart to find equivalent fractions is time consuming, though. You have to find the correct product for 2 numerators and 2 denominators- that is 4 separate math problems to solve before you can even begin to solve the problem. That is a challenge for kids with low attention spans, processing speed issues, or even just kids who are easily distracted. Instead, I have my kiddos use the multiplication chart as a reference sheet for equivalent fractions for benchmark fractions.

If you look at the chart, you can use the factors listed on the left hand side as the numerator and denominator. In my example above, the rows colored red show fractions that are equivalent to 1/2: 2/4, 3/6, etc. The rows that are colored blue show fractions that are equivalent to 3/4, yellow shows fractions equivalent to 5/6, and so on. I train my kids to find the benchmark fraction they are looking for, and then look at all the equivalent fractions shown for the original fraction. We talk about why this works, too, which is an incredibly important part of understanding so this doesn't become just a "trick" that they will memorize without any value or meaning behind it. Since both the numerator and denominator are multiplied by the same number, it creates an equivalent fraction. To deeper understanding for all of my kiddos, we talk about the identify property of multiplication and the fact that it relates to all numbers- fractions included! Since you are multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the same number, for example 2, that is the same as multiplying the whole fraction by 2/2, or 1 whole. 

In the past, I have printed a blackline box on cardstock to help kids track the fractions. The guide works to help kids with tracking issues to follow the equivalent fractions across the page. It also helps students with focus or attention trouble stay on task with a reduced amount of visual "clutter." On the colored multiplication chart, I like to use a white guide and on a white multiplication chart I like to use colored cardstock.

If you want to give this idea a shot, I've created a freebie with a blank multiplication chart, a color coded chart, and several variations of those. The freebie also includes a template to cut the paper guides to help students track the fractions across the page!  To download it, click here.

Order of Operations Scavenger Hunt

So many of you are off on Spring break, and I am SUPER jealous! In Massachusetts, we don't have one March spring break, but instead have a week in February and a week in April. That leaves us with this loooooooong, endless chunk of time right before state testing that I affectionately refer to as March Madness. The kids are going stir crazy, the teachers are tired, and the test is almost here. It's hard for everyone! So, in an effort to get my friends to pay attention, I decided it was time to jazz up my lesson plans. With the help of a super creative co-worker (who thought of so much of this) we decided to do an Order of Operations Easter Egg Hunt Egg-stravaganza!

I started off by reviewing the order of operations and using my "Order of Operations without Aunt Sally" freebie. This really helps my kiddos understand the correct way to perform the order of operations without relying so heavily on "PEMDAS."

If you are interested, you can read more about that from my previous post here.

Thanks to Easter egg sales and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this lesson was pretty easy to put together. I found the Order of Operations bingo from the NCTM Illuminations website. I made a few modifications to make it work with an easter egg hunt though.

First, I labeled all the problems with letters so the kiddos could put them on their recording sheet and keep track of which one they solved. This would help me correct their work later on in the day, as well.

After that, I cut up the problems and removed the answer. Then, I put 2 or 3 of them in each Easter egg. 

Then, I hid the eggs (in plain sight) all around my classroom!

The original game is meant to be played as Bingo, so the recording sheet is built for that.

I love the idea of having the kids record their answers in a column that corresponds to the value, so I decided just to cut the word "bingo" off the top when I photocopied them. As the kiddos found the values of the expressions, they wrote down the value AND the the letter that I had labeled the strip of paper with. This way, when we went over our work it was easy to tell if they solved the expression correctly. To amp up the "fun factor" my kiddos were trying to fill an entire card with correct solutions for a small prize. 

So, with a few modifications, Order of Operations Bingo become our Egg Hunt Egg-stravaganza! How do you add the "fun factor" into teaching this time of year?

Get your students started in writing (with a freebie)

I was sitting with a reluctant writer last week, conferencing with her on a personal narrative. She had only a few sentences down, even after she had been writing (or trying to) for almost 20 minutes. She was disinterested in continuing, and said to me, "I just can't get started. I know what I want my story to be about, but I don't know how to start it and make it sound good." This isn't uncommon- so many of my fifth graders struggle with the same issue! So, this week I really focused on helping those struggling students find some way to start and helping the rest of my students enhance their beginnings.

We worked together as a class to create a continuum of beginnings. We thought about all the different ways we could begin a story, and then arranged them with the more sophisticated beginnings at the top of our chart, and the more basic beginnings at the bottom of the chart. In retrospect, I would have added an arrow to the side.... but there wasn't room left when I was done, so I just added it on the whiteboard next to it.

1. Use a motion word or sound.

2. Pose a question. 

3. Use a quotation.

4. Just jump into the story and start "talking" to the reader.

5. Restate the prompt. Rearrange the words to create an opening paragraph.

My students really responded to the idea of a "continuum" of beginnings to chose from. In another conference after this lesson, one student said that he liked that the could "start with number 5" as a beginning to get over his writer's block, and then edit it later to be something more interesting. As a teacher, I loved how this lends itself to differentiation for the students!

Best of all, I made a little miniature anchor chart for my kiddos to paste in their notebooks- and thought I'd pass it along to you as a freebie! I left it at full size (8.5 x 11) and they fold it in half to paste it in. I like the words to be big enough to be easily read. If you prefer it slightly smaller, though, it shrinks well on the copy machine! I made three versions (all included)- one blank so the students can fill it in, one with just the ways to begin and a blank spot for the students to fill in their own examples, and one completely filled in.

Download the freebie here!

The Order of Operations & a freebie!

When I was a middle schooler (a few years ago now!) I learned the order of operations with the acronym PEMDAS. We remembered it with the pneumonic phrase "please excuse my dear aunt Sally." I definitely remember the phrase, and I always remembered what they stood for... but I didn't really conceptually understand what I was expected to do. I followed the order strictly as it was written- parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. I remember struggling through algebra and wondering why sometimes division came before multiplication. My mind as further blown when a student moved in from another state and knew the order of operations as BEDMAS. How could that be the same?? The problem is pervasive- check out some of the popular meme pages for math problem postings. Grown adults solve problems incorrectly regularly, and argue about their strategy. Even those that solve it correctly generally back their answer up by sayings "I followed PEMDAS." That's troubling- because that is an acronym, not a mathematical procedure. 

I have been introducing the order of operations in a new way to my kiddos to try to prevent these types of misconceptions.

The two triangles above are what I give my kiddos now. They paste both into their math journals to refer back to. Why two different organizers? Well, I think it illustrates the fact that division and multiplication (or addition and subtraction) are to be completed in the order they appear, from left to right. If students constantly hear the operations in a specific order, many of them will memorize that and inadvertently solve problems in that order. The use of two graphic organizers with the operations reversed in each section helps reinforce that equal weight is given to "MD" and "AS" in each step. I also usually have my kiddos draw an arrow from left to right in the three lower sections of the triangle just to make it a bit more clear.

In fifth grade, we do not have to learn about square roots, but I give my kiddos the graphic organizer with square root on it anyway. I read an interesting article a few years back about "rules that expire" which inspired me to create it this way. The basic idea of the article was that throughout a child's life, they learn things in math that continually "expire" as they go on. For instance, when you multiply by 10, just add a zero! Well, that "expires" in fifth grade when they begin multiplying decimals. 42.5 x 10 is not 42.50! Conceptual understanding clears this up, of course, but trying to avoid the rules that "expire" is very helpful, too. In this case, the order of operations "expires" when square roots come into play if the students have not heard about them before. 

I love that the triangle shape takes the form of the problems as they are being solved, too! Each step along the way makes it smaller and smaller, until the work is eventually in the shape of a triangle. 

If you are interested in using this graphic organizer in your classroom, check the freebie here. I have posted several versions of the organizer, including as pictured above, with and without square roots, and a blank triangle to be filled in.  Enjoy!

Sunday Scoop and a Guided Reading freebie!

Linking up with the Teaching Trio for the Sunday Scoop!

Must do:

1- I am seriously SO BAD at keeping my online gradebook updated! I keep an old-fashioned paper gradebook. I think that's why I always forget to update online? I'm not sure. Whatever the reason is, I have to get on that. Eek!

2.  I keep a regular planbook with the things I am doing each day, and then a separate binder just for my guided reading plans. The plans are just too large to put in my planbook! I have 6 groups in 6 different chapter books, with strategies, vocab, and comprehension questions for each. It gets crazy! I also like to keep a separate "guided reading notes" sheet to jot down things while I am working in the small groups. It keeps me on track, and helps me to remember exactly where I left off when we meet again. It's not easy keeping track with so many groups and books! I created a simple, clean guided reading notes sheet. 

There are a MILLION guided reading notes templates out there, but I like this one because it gives me a place to record the info I need to know, and nothing extra. Definitely a favorite! If you want a copy of this freebie click here.

3. My desk at school is a MESS. Not just a little mess, but like "Oh THERE is that paper I lost two weeks ago" type of mess. I need to get on that! I am so nervous that I'll be out sick and a sub will come in and see it. Eek!

Hope to do:

1. I've been really good about being planned 1 - 2 weeks in advance this year. It makes Sunday nights so nice! I am relaxed and ready for the week. I am generally done with al my copying a week in advance, too. It is so nice! I would like to get an extra week of copying done this week, to bring me up to Thanksgiving. We have conferences the week after Thanksgiving, so any organization before will help!

2. Tying in with the previous, I have to think about my grades! Grades close Thanksgiving week, and report cards come out as soon as we come back. Organization NOW will definitely pay off in a couple weeks. 

Happy to do:

Spend Veteran's day with my little one at my favorite Veteran's house- my Grandfather's! I can't wait for a relaxing midweek day off. 

Don't forget to enter the Classroom Friendly Supplies giveaway I am hosting! Tomorrow is the last day. Runner up prize is a $10 gift card to the store of your choice! :)

Wowza- lots of freebies!

There are tons of blog hops and freebies going on this week as many bloggers are switching over to bloglovin' from Google Reader. It's crazy, and I'm loving every second of it. First blog hop is through Tori's Teacher Tips.

Super fun and easy link up to list your blog as one that is on bloglovin. Check it out and link up!

Next up, I finally decided to add a facebook fan freebie. Head on over to my facebook page to download some cute new backgrounds!

Finally.... A GIVEAWAY! I know, there are about 246  bazillion other giveaways this week... but how can I resist?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can't wait to enter all the other awesome giveaways going on this week! Amanda and Stacia over at Collaboration Cuties are hosting this great linky.

Here is the list of all the great bloggers participating!

RELAX poster

Happy Friday everyone!

Check out this quick freebie I made for our upcoming state testing. I've had this posted on an anchor chart in my classroom, but decided to give it some color and make it digital. I don't take credit for the strategy terminology- that is an old one that has been floating around on posters since I was in school! :)

Download it (free!) here.

Now time to for the Friday linkup with Doodle Bug's 5 for Friday!

1. Our school track team has sold almost 600 bracelets to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. Wowza! So proud of them and how they have chosen to be "helpers" instead of bystanders as our state and it's people recover. 

2. As I already mentioned, state testing is coming up! I went and bought snacks, gum, and drinks for all 4 days of testing for my kiddos. I was out of a few other classroom things, like papertowels, lysol wipes, and tissues, but I ended up spending about $100. Eek! At least this will all get me through to the end of the school year. 

3. I'm a bit of a crazy cat lady, if you didn't know. Today is my fur-baby's birthday! He is 6. I can't believe how time has flown. Happy birthday, Joey!

4.  Spring has finally sprung! It looks like a beautiful weekend. My husband and I are thinking about taking our first bike ride of the season in our local park. I don't know if you are from New England, but the feeling when spring arrives is simply euphoria. We've struggled through blizzards, temperatures in the negatives, grey days, and the sun setting at 3 PM. When the sun starts staying out until 7, your energy is renewed. When you get a 70 degree day, it's as if you have won the lottery. It's almost worth the spring fever the kids have!

5. Along with spring, promotion season is upon us. I can't believe it! My fifthies are going to be moving on to middle school. I'm not sure what I am going to do to celebrate just yet. I'm thinking slideshow and a little party with some treats, but it just seems so blah. Do any of you have promotion ceremonies? If so, what do you do to celebrate?



And, finally, a fun & inspiring linky. Rowdy in First Grade's "tell me something good."

The idea is to tell one good thing from home and another from school. Here it goes:

Home

My grandfather has been undergoing chemo treatments for b-cell lymphoma since September. He had his last treatment a couple weeks ago, and had his final bone marrow testing done. He got the results from his oncologist, and the news is great: he is cancer free! His blood counts are back to normal. It's a miracle! Yesterday was his 76th birthday. Best present ever!

School

I have a student in my class that suffers from an immune system deficiency which causes her to have to receive IV treatment monthly. She missed some school because of this, and as she has been at our school since 1st grade, most of the students know about it. Not only do the darlings in our school accept her as she is, but recently they started a "business" making hair bows. They sell the bows for $2 each, and are donating their proceeds to the hospital that the student receives treatment at. Talk about inspiring! Those little girls warm my heart. They've sold through their first two batches, and are working on making their third. Amazing.

Lots of great giveaways to share today. Check them out! I signed up for them all... here's hoping for a win. :) 

    

    

Have a wonderful weekend!

Freebie Friday & Five for Friday

Woo, it's Freebie Friday! This is my first time participating, and I am making it in right under the gun. I wanted to make something fresh and new for this linky party, so here it is. A colorful mean, median, mode, range poster to use in your classroom!

Download it (free!) here.

It's a busy day of firsts for me in the bloggy world. Today, I'm also doing my first 5 for Friday by Doodle Bug!

 

It's all about sharing 5 random facts about your day or week. So, here we go...

1. Our school auction is tomorrow night at a local country club. All proceed go to our technology fund. Can't wait!
2. My hubby is a mechanic. He just recently passed a certification test which makes him an ASE Master Technician. So proud of him!
3. I booked a few day excursions for our April trip to London, today! Woo!
4. Our state achievement test, the MCAS, is coming up quickly. It's such a stressful time of year for the teachers and the kids. ELA is in March, math and science are in May. 
5. I'm loving how my kids are catching on with fractions! They've worked hard and the benefits are paying off. They are doing so much better with them!

I had big plans in my classroom today. We were going to finish up our light and sound unit, and start a unit on adding and subtracting mixed numbers. Mother nature had other plans, though. All week they had been predicting rain, rain, rain. Well, surprise surprise- the rain began and quickly turned into snow! Over a foot of the heavy wet stuff, when all was said and done. Since the temperature dropped enough for the rain to turn to snow, it also turned the rain on the ground onto a whole lot of ice. Not great for travel! I was surprisingly productive, too. I cleaned my entire kitchen and bathroom, did 3 loads of laundry, and vacuumed the whole house. So unlike me for a snow day! :) Here's to a surprise long weekend. Hope you all have a great weekend, too!

Dreamlike Magic

Check out my blog makeover, courtesy of DreamLike Magic. I love it! I had a free template before, which was cute- but just not quite me. Every time I looked through all the super cute blogs I am subscribed to, like Young Teacher Love, I was so jealous. Last night, I decided it was time for a makeover. My husband and I searched the blog design sites for a while, but kept coming back to all the bright and colorful designs at dreamlike magic. So, I made my order! I love it. I can’t get over how fast it was, either. I made my order at 9:30, and the completed template and files were in my inbox at 11:30. Seriously! I can’t say enough good things.

  Check her out!

Meanwhile, I found this comic online and had to share. How funny is this? I love it!

So true, isn't it? I'm always amazed at how much money professional athletes make, especially when you compare it to what the average person makes. 

Congrats to Hokie Teach for reaching 100 followers! To celebrate, she's having a giveaway.

Check it out!

Collaboration Cuties is also having a giveaway. They reached 300 followers. Wow!! 

Check it out!

Time to get to business. It's getting late and I have papers to grade before The Biggest Loser comes on... man, I love that show. Hubby and I love to watch it while eating frozen yogurt. YUM! :)

Happy Monday!

"I Can" statements

Check out these Common Core 5^th Grade Math “I Can” statements I made. The statements are set up two per page so they can be printed on standard 8 ½ x 11 sized paper and hung in your classroom. The statements are color coded by domain.

Operations and Algebraic thinking- black and green rosette

Numbers and Operations in Base 10- black, pink, and green polka dot

Numbers and Operations- Fractions- pink, green, and white stripe

Measurement and Data- green and pink rosette

Geometry- pink and green argyle

The standards have been made a bit more "kid friendly,” however, some of the language is intact to ensure vocabulary rigor for the students as prescribed by the CCSS. Each statement also contains the standard in the lower right corner in small print for teacher reference.

I use these in my classroom as I teach lessons. The students and I talk about the “I can statement” at the beginning of the lesson, then revisit it at the end of the lesson. I also post them on my math wall, which I refresh at the beginning of each new unit.

Like them? Download them (free!) at TpT.  I hope you find them useful as well!