We did a quick review of right angles today in math class.  The kids really enjoyed writing their names using only right angles.  Some of the letters like "K" and "R" were a bit tricky.  This activity was one of the things I had them do while at the Teacher Table during math rotations.

For a quick wrap-up at the end of class I sent the kids off in pairs to find examples of right angles around the school. They took photos with the iPad and used the PicCollage app to show their understanding. 

Here are a few examples:

I liked how this group drew the arrows to point out the right angle in each picture.

I thought this group's title in the shape of a right angle was a clever addition.

This group used their hand to form the right angle shape for a lot of their photos.

Overall, it was a simple enough activity to do in the last 10 minutes of class.  The students were thrilled (like always) to use the iPads and while they were hunting for right angles, I was able to do a quick assessment of who "got it" and who didn't.

3 Math Must-Haves!

Did you know I love the letter D?  Disneyland, driving, dreaming, and of course, my name Dorlisa.  Well, my love for the letter D is evident in my math class, too.  I have 3 go-to items that I use almost every day in my math centres:

Dominoes

Dice

Deck of Cards

Partial Products Practice

I LOVE using dominoes in math class.  Here is how my Grade 5 students used them this week to practice 2-digit multiplication using the partial products method.

Step-by-Step

My Grade 5s have been mastering 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication using the distributive property this week.  While at the "Teacher Table" during math rotations today, I checked their understanding of the steps with a simple activity.  I posed the question and the students wrote each step of the process on a separate strip of paper.  

The final addition step was done on the Boogie Boards.  Easy peasy!

Introducing Fractions

We used Legos and our new Boogie Boards to write fractions 3 ways.

Prime & Composite Numbers

My Grade 5s learned about Prime and Composite Numbers this week.  Here are a few photos of the activities they did:

QR Code Activities are always a hit with my kids.

A whole class activity.  Each student was assigned a set of numbers and they had to decide which of their assigned numbers were prime and which were composite.  We used pink stickies for the prime numbers and yellow for the composite.  This is a great visual in the classroom.

A simple sorting activity.  I wrote random numbers up to 100 on milk jug caps.  I asked the small groups to sort the caps, then I challenged them to do it as fast as they could.

Who doesn't love making an avatar and teaching their friends about prime and composite numbers?

This free app was a real crowd pleaser.

Magnets + Math = Much Loved Lesson

I was at the Dollar Store picking up some prizes for my husband's classroom store last night when these number magnets caught my eye.  I bought a few cookie sheets while I was there & just like that I had a math lesson ready to go.  I was a little worried that my Grade 5 students would think the lesson was a little "babyish", but they surprised me.  Everyone made a positive comment about it!  The lesson was a review on rounding.  I gave the students a number, and they used the magnets to show the number rounded to the nearest 10, 100, or 1 000.  

A Month To Go

It's still business like usual in Canada.  Our last day of school is one month from today - June 27th!  

My Grade 4s started learning about fractions last week.  Here are couple activities we did.

For the whole and half activity, I had my students use Jot Thoughts (a Kagan strategy).  I challenged them to create as many fractions that were equal to one whole in one minute.  Then I repeated the process with 1/2 fractions.

Underneath each flap is a picture showing the fraction.

An Oldie, But A Goodie

Don't you love when you can pull out a classic lesson that you know will be a hit with your students?

My fourth graders loved making their Area Robots.  Every year I tweak the activity a little bit.  This time around, I provided the students with a typed question and answer form to attach beside their robot. Here are a couple finished pieces.

Guess What We're Learning About In Math ...

The first day after a long Easter break is done, and I'm exhausted!  Can we start counting down til summer holidays yet? 

This week in math, my Grade 4 class will be attacking perimeter and area.  As soon as I saw this idea on Pinterest, I knew I had to put it on my classroom door.  Doesn't it catch your attention?

It's a little hard to see in the photo, but on the outside blue trim, I wrote "Perimeter is the distance around a 2D object". I think my students will benefit from this visual.

I'd love to hear about your favourite perimeter and area activities.  Please share!

Back To School

Easter break is over and it's back to school tomorrow.  I am excited to try this little math review activity from www.shutthedoorandteach.blogspot.com with my kids.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Have a fantastic Monday!

Get Crackin'

I forgot to post this activity from yesterday's math class.  Each plastic egg had a long division
problem that the students had to solve.  A little more exciting than a worksheet, I think.

Check out my TpT Store for this product:

Division Fun!

This is sooo much better than a worksheet:

I punched the numbers from foam sheets and kept them coloured-coded so it was easier for the kids to find what they needed.  We used a bendy straw for the division symbol.  I thought it was cute to see some kids using pencils and erasers for the subtract symbol, bring down arrow, and subtraction line.

A Remainder of One

My Grade 4 students were introduced to long division a few days ago.  I found this little gem at the public library and shared it with them to help explain the concept of remainders.

My Grade 4 students were introduced to long division a few days ago.  I found this little gem at the public library and shared it with them to help explain the concept of remainders.  As we read about Joe's bad luck with his army troop, the students showed the different long division statements on a simple handout I put together.

Spring Is In The Air

Mother Nature finally decided to smarten up today.  We hit a high of 24, and I was in heaven.  I took full advantage of the nice weather with my students, too.  First thing in the morning we headed outside for a little hopscotch with a math twist.  Before class, I drew several hopscotch designs on the playground pad and filled in the spaces with division and multiplication facts.  I had the students partner up.  One person hopped through and said the answer out loud.  The other person checked and helped if needed.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well they did.  Towards the end, I gave the students a challenge to see how quickly they could scoot through one of the hopscotches.  They loved this!

Next time I might have the students create their own hopscotch

What Time Is It?

I didn't plan it, but Thursday turned into a day of clock activities. First, my Grade 4 students made a clock in math class.  This will be a good reference as we continue through our Time unit.

I apologize for the upside-down picture.

Then I got these little guys prepped for next week.  We'll do a little mingling around the classroom and read each others' watches.  Not only will the students record the time on the watch, but they'll also record what the time will be in 10 minutes.

Then later in the day my Grade 5/6 class started a Salvador Dali project - Melting Clocks.  I melted old records ahead of time, then the students did a first coat of white acrylic paint.  Next class we'll do another coat of white, then finish up with a trim and clock face.