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Grading: Is "C" the new "F"?


     It's one of those realizations that sort of creeps up on you.  I didn't discover it in a flash of understanding or read it online somewhere.  I simply realized one day that to have a student earn a grade of "C" in a subject is as concerning to parent/teacher/student as a grade of "D" or "F" used to be.
     As a teacher, having students master, internalize, and be able to apply content is my goal. Regardless of benchmark or annual state assessment results, I want my kids to feel comfortable with how well they learn curriculum requirements, and be fairly happy while they're doing it. :)
     Of course, grades (Oops, did I say grades?  I meant to say assessment results) are supposed to tell the tale.  While teachers know that is not always the case, we do increasingly have to depend on data, data, data as the catalyst for what we do in the classroom.
     Have grades always been important?  Sure - I dare say that all parents, students, and teachers are happier when grades show mastery of subject materials.  Who doesn't want an "A"?
     My question is this: When did parents begin to cry during conferences when they find their child is on grade level, works hard, understands the majority of the material, and earned a "C" in a subject?  When did we start writing PEPs (Personalized Educational Plan) and action plans for performance that is average?  When did parents start wanting me to refer their child for special services because a "C" is "not acceptable"?  In other words, when did "C" begin to be read as "failure"?
     Is it just me or are other teachers dealing with this?  Is it new or has it been around for awhile?
     I'd love to hear your comments or insights.  Please drop me a line!
Growing Grade By Grade
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3 Steps to Great Math Collaboration


     My students are still learning to collaborate in most areas.  It's exciting to see their growth, especially in math!  Thanks to help from an awesome teaching friend, I whittled down what I want students to be able to do during a collaboration activity and came up with this poster that we review before most sessions.
     This can be used with any collaborative activity.  We use Super Star Math each week. It's a great program for developing critical-thinking in math. 
     The poster helps students to:
1) develop the habit of being prepared for their small group meeting with pens only and their Super Star paper, 
2) be actively involved and focused only on this task, and 
3) begin their contribution with their strategies, not their answers to the problems.  I remind them that to start with the answer shuts down the conversation.
     Please let me know in the comments what you use to help develop good mathematical conversations in your classroom.
 We're all in this together!
Pat
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Measurement Conversions With A Memory Trick


    
     By 5th grade, students have been making measurement conversions for a while.  I still like to review the history of both measurement systems, both standard and metric, the three measurement attributes we use (standard: length, capacity, weight, and metric: length, volume, and mass), and the basic facts.  I supply students with this information in their math notebooks.

     When making conversions, I like to show a number of examples and let kids tell me what's happening when we convert from one unit to another.  For example, I might put this on the SmartBoard:
12 feet = 4 yards
60 inches = 5 feet
8 quarts = 2 gallons
4,000 pounds = 2 tons
     I ask students three questions:
1.  What can you tell me about the change in units: did we convert from large to small or small to large?  In this example, we converted smaller units to larger units. 

2.  Then, I ask what happened to the numbers.  They reply that the numbers got smaller.  Through discussion, I want students to see that when you take a lot of little things and put them in larger groups, you'll end up with fewer groups.  For example, taking 12 feet (a smaller unit) and grouping them into yards (a larger unit), I'll end up with fewer yards than feet.

3.   The last question, then, is: What operation did I use to do that?  The answer is divide.  When we divide, we'll end up with a quotient that's smaller than our dividend.

     Of course, it's just the opposite when we convert from larger to smaller.
6 yards = 18 feet
4 feet = 48 inches
6 gallons = 24 quarts
3 tons = 6,000 pounds
1.  We converted from larger to smaller.
2.  The numbers got bigger.
3.  We multiplied to make that happen.

     Still, it can take some time for students to process this concept so that it's automatic for them.  In the meantime, we still have to make conversions.  Several years ago, I learned this memory trick and it's really been helpful.  A picture is worth a thousand words: 
     We focus on the beginning letters of the phrases: 
Snakes Love Ditches = When we convert from small units to large units, we divide, and  
Large Snakes Multiply = When we convert from large units to small units, we multiply.
     To pull it all together, the display looks like this:
     I don't remember when we decided to name the snakes "Monty", but there it is!
     A student's work looks like this:
Write the problem and label the units as small or large.

Say the correct "ditty": Snakes love ditches" and record the operation you'll use.
State the basic fact: There are 3 feet in one yard.  Record it.

Use the number you've been given; in this case, 12 feet.  Almost done!

     This is a long blog post, but when it comes to the conversions, it honestly can be done in 15 seconds.  Give it a try and let me know how it works for you.
Complete the math.  You've made a successful conversion!


Growing Grade By Grade
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Hands-On Volume, On a Budget, On the Fly


     My 5th grade students have pretty-well grasped the concept of volume, but I wanted them to get some more practice measuring, recording, and labeling different items.  Last week was typically hectic and I forgot (imagine that) to ask them to bring in empty boxes from home.
      With my mind racing like a hamster in a cage - does yours ever do that? - I started scavenging items from around the room and a few from the discarded boxes pile in the hall.  Here's what I collected:
  • a tissue box
  • a paper box lid
  • some rectangular prisms from my geometrical shapes box
  • the geometrical shapes box
  • some boxes with things still in them
     I put them in 11 spots (stations), used sticky notes to number the stations, and dropped a tape measure at each one.  I used my craft sticks with names on them to quickly create student pairs.  Students paired up and went to a station.
      Instructions were to measure all three dimensions in inches, record the dimensions, find the volume, then record and correctly label the volume in cubic inches.  We'll do metric next time.


  It worked pretty well.  The pro results: Students were quickly engaged in meaningful, hands-on math.  They followed directions, for the most part.  The noise level was pretty good.  The con results: Due to my on-the-fly preparation, some of the stations had the same kind of box.  Believe me, the kids let me know.  Oops.
     As usual, I had a few early-finishers who asked, as usual, "What do we do when we're done?"  After I replied, as usual, "Well, you never ask me the question 'What do we do when we're done'", I suggested they find another rectangular prism to measure. A filing cabinet sufficed nicely.
     Do you have a favorite volume activity?  I'd love to hear your comments!
  
Growing Grade By Grade
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The Hundreds Chart With A Twist: A Powerful Math Tool


    

     Most primary and many elementary teachers use a hundreds chart as a powerful tool in their math classes. It can help students master so many concepts: counting, skip counting, one-to-one correspondence, patterns, basic facts,...the list goes on. In addition, the visual and kinesthetic components of a hundreds chart are powerful tools in developing number sense.

     I've used hundreds charts for years in 5th grade.  My kids especially like the activities where I ask a question or present a problem, they put a chip on the answer, and it makes a self-checking picture at the end - much more fun than a skill worksheet.

     Several years ago, it dawned on me that the traditional hundreds chart, starting with the one (1) in the upper left-hand corner, might seem backward to some children.  It certainly did to me!  

     Starting in the upper left corner and moving down to add, or moving up to subtract is contrary to our language and our algorithms. Of course, algorithms are not our primary focus in math.  However, we often physically move down for subtraction and up for addition.  Most importantly, our language should match our math.  We say, “Add up the numbers”, “low numbers”, “one step forward, two steps back” and “count down”!   One day, I sat down and developed this chart to help my students connect what they hear with what they see and do.

     This chart starts with 1 in the lower-left corner.  It allows students to move up the board as they count higher or add.  They subtract and move down the board, more in line with algorithmic directions.  

     This “upside-down” hundreds chart is just what many of my students needed to develop number sense and see how our number system works with our algorithms!    

How to use the “Different Hundreds Chart”:

     Begin by providing a cube or game piece for students to move when finding numbers.  As students become more confident, they may move a finger to find sums or differences.

     Start with easier tasks, such as adding/subtracting tens. Here are some sample directions.

1.     Add/Subtract 10:  Call out a beginning number for everyone to mark.  Help students see that if they add 10, they will move directly up one line, a full ten spaces.  If they subtract 10, they move directly down one line.  Challenge students to add/subtract 20 or 30 and see where they land.  Try these:
         ➤Start at 50.  Add 10.  Add 20.  Subtract 10.  Add 20.  Where should we be? 90.
         ➤Start at 60.  Subtract 20.  Add 30.  Subtract 10.  Subtract 10.  Where should we be?  50

     Next, explore the patterns of adding/subtracting elevens and nines.

2.    Add/Subtract 11: Once students are confident with tens, help them discover that adding 11 moves directly up and to the right one space.  Subtracting 11 moves directly down and to the left one.  Try these:
       ➤Start at 40.  Add 11. (Students will have to move to 51.)  Add 22.  Add 11.  Subtract 22.  Add 33.  Where should we  be?  95.
       ➤Start at 35.  Add 22.  Subtract 33.  Add 11.  Add 11.  Where should we be?  46.

3.     Add/Subtract 9: Continue with 9s.  Adding  9 moves directly up one line and to the left one space.  Subtracting 9 moves directly down one line and to the right one space.   Try these:
         ➤Start at 25.  Add 9.  Add 18.  Subtract 9.  Add 27. (Students will have to move to 70.)  Subtract 9.  Where should we be?  63
         ➤Start at 46.  Subtract 9.  Subtract 9.  Add 27.  Add 9.  Where should we be?  64

4.     Now, you can challenge students to follow a series of mixed additions or subtractions and see if everyone lands on the correct number.  Try these:
          ➤Start at 45.  Add 10.  Subtract 11.  Add 20.  Add 9.  Subtract 11.  Where should we be?  62
          ➤Start at 12.  Add 30.  Add 11.  Subtract 9.  Add 11.  Where should we be?  56

     You can get this Little Different Hundred Board as a freebie right here.  

Please download, try it out, and let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear your feedback! 
 
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Writing About Our Math


    When we teach students to write about the math that we do, we are automatically raising their level of critical thinking. We are also strengthening their non-fiction writing skills.  I want to make this a central focus of my math lessons this year and, believe me, I'll be building this airplane while I'm flying it!

     Our first lessons during this past week began with a fairly simple word problem.  I tried to lower potential stress levels by reminding students that we were training ourselves to write in math and that grades were not an issue right now.

      I started with an anchor chart that explains the basic steps in the process.  It is a really simple list of steps in the process.  Each step could be fleshed out, but I'm starting small.  The big deal that I'm stressing is to justify, justify, justify!  Prove it!  Convince me!


 I solved the problem myself, following the steps on our anchor chart.  The problem was:

 "Jennifer earned $5.25 per hour last week.  She got a raise and will receive $5.85 next week.  She works 40 hours each week.  How much more will Jennifer earn next week than she did last week?"

My response went like this:

1.  The question asks for the difference in two amounts, so I know I will subtract at some point.
2.  I need to find the amount Jennifer earned last week.  I know I can add $5.25 for 40 times or, to be more efficient, I can multiply.  
3.  I multiplied $5.25 times 40 hours and got $210 for her salary last week.
4.  I need to find the amount Jennifer will earn next week with her raise.  I will multiply again.
5.  I multiplied $5.85 times 40 hours and got $234.
6.  Now, I'll subtract the two amounts: $234 - $210 = $24.
7.  Jennifer will earn $24 more next week with her raise than she earned last week.

     Students worked in pairs to solve a new problem.  After they agreed on how to solve the problem, they wrote their steps on paper, making sure they justified each step.


     They went to a Chromebook and created a document with their steps.

     Their last step was to set up their Chromebooks on their desks and we did a "gallery walk" around the room, reading each others documents.  I told them they would see some documents that had a better explanation than their own and some that didn't sound as good as their own.  Either way, we're learning.
     I'll be honest - I could use some help with this.  How do you teach writing in math?  I'd love to hear your comments!
Growing Grade By Grade
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Scoot Games:How To Make Your Own and A Freebie!


     I've trained my students to play Scoot and we love it!
     If you're new to the game, here it is in a nutshell: You need a set of cards with one problem or task on each one. The cards should be numbered (1,2,3,...) and you need one for each child.
     Decide how you want students to move from desk to desk, that is, the traffic pattern. Place a card on each child's desk, according to your traffic pattern.
     Each student prepares a sheet of paper numbered like the cards (1,2,3,...).
     When all is ready, have students push under their chairs and stand behind them.
     You say, "Go", and students solve the problem or do the task that is one their own desk.  They write the answer on their paper at the correct number.
     When you feel they've had enough time, say, "Scoot!" and students move to the next desk.  Again, give them just enough time to solve the problem, then say, "Scoot!"
     Continue until each student is back at his/her own desk.  The game is over.
     Scoot can be used as a fun, movement-filled review activity or as an assessment.  Consider putting up cardboard privacy screens to keep eyes from wandering. After all, the students are standing and can see better.  Once it's over, you can share and score their answers.
    Other Scoot games are just for movement and can be used as a Brain Break or an indoor PE activity.  Here's my latest one and it's free for you here Brain Break Scoot! Freebie
     I recently wanted to play Scoot to practice simplifying exponents on our calculators.  It was a last minute idea - many of mine are! - and I didn't have time to prepare the cards.  Flying by the seat of my pants, I told students to take out their slates and markers.  They were to write a factor form 1 to 10  in the middle of their slate and give it an exponent from 1 to 6.  I quickly walked around and number the slates.

     It worked!  Students left their calculators on their desks and cleared them each time I said, "Scoot!"  I'll be making a Scoot game for exponent soon!
     Do you play Scoot?  Are you interested in trying it out?  Let me know how you use it in your classroom and about your successes.
Growing Grade By Grade
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How Many Kids Can Fit Into a Cubic Meter?


     We've been studying volume lately.  I love to put together a cubic meter using some of our meter sticks.  The kids have to hold the sticks together at the vertices.  Then, we see how many students can get into the cube, kind of like the phone booth gag of years ago.
     My students particularly enjoy seeing what such a large unit cube looks like. They like to speculate how a rectangular prism of, say 3 by 2 by 4 meters would fill the room.
     I like how clearly they can see the three-dimensional characteristics of volume and, of course, how much they enjoy crowding into the meter cube!



     I mentioned that one day I'd love to have someone make a hinged or foldable or disassemble-able cube that could be put together and apart quickly and easily.  Volunteers, anyone?
Growing Grade By Grade
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Venn Diagram Power!


     The Venn diagram is simple, straightforward, and has been around for a long time.  Maybe that's why I have been bypassing it for other strategies to develop critical thinking.  Recently, though, the power of the Venn struck me again and I'll be using it more often as the powerful, engaging, critical-thinking tool that it is.
     Our science state standards ask students to compare the characteristics of various ecosystems. I wanted students to collaborate, research the ecosystems, and make a display, all within two to three class periods.  I decided to have students make their display using a Venn diagram.
     I was really pleased with the outcome. I put students in groups of three. They did their research while we were in the computer lab, but to be honest, they had a head start because we had been studying ecosystems. Their research became more focused with this activity.  I made a model display myself to demonstrate different components of a good display, such as strong content, clear handwriting, titles and labels, and even borders.  I had students make a rough draft, then gave them a piece of bulletin board paper for their final product.  You can see their results here.



    How have you used Venn diagrams?  Please consider sharing.
    Here's to the power of the Venn!
 
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Exponential Notation...What Does It Look Like?


    
     My class and I had fun making models of exponential notation, or exponential growth, using base ten blocks.  I made task cards for groups to use.  They were given a base factor to use and modeled that base as far as they could, usually to a power of between 4 and 8.  For example, one group did the powers of 2...2 to the first power (2), to the second power (4), to the third power (8), and so on.  Groups with larger base factors couldn't go quite as far as the twos!  Below are pictures of our results.




     I like this activity because it's such a strong visual for an abstract concept.  Maybe we'll pool all of our base ten blocks and see how far we can go with the same base!  Stay tuned!





 
Growing Grade By Grade
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Getting Absentee Work Returned


     Do you have trouble getting students to ask for and return work when they've been absent?  It's always been a challenge for me.  I've tried a number of different ways with only moderate success.  The problem is not just having students ask for the work.  I can remind them of that.  It's also keeping an accurate record of what is given...to whom...when...and when it's due back to me. 
     Last year, I thought about printing all of that information on each activity.  That sounded like a lot of writing!  I then thought about labels. I printed some labels with the information I needed students and parents to have for the activities.  When a child came to me for missed work, I quickly filled in the blanks. That worked for about a day.  Unfortunately, my "Teflon brain" could not remember everything I had sent out.  Frustration!
     A friend and colleague suggested using my iPhone to help!  She explained that if I quickly took a picture of the work I was giving to each child, I'd have a great record for myself with almost no work.  When the work was returned, she said, just delete the photo.  Brilliant!  You can see the system in action below.

     So, how did it work?  I'd say pretty well.  I'm thinking about trying it again this year.  It doesn't account for notes and things for which I don't have a printed sheet - and quizzes and tests will be my responsibility to find time and administer.
     Do you have a system that works for you?  Please let me know!                       
 
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A Few of My Favorite (Math) Things


     I've made a decision to pull out the "fun stuff" more this year.  With the focus on Common Core standards and the time spent creating them, I've rather forsaken them in the past few years.  No more!  Kids only get one chance in 5th grade and I want them to have at least pleasant memories while at the same time practicing the skills they need.
     To score as one of my favorite math things, an activity has to be rock-solid in addressing curriculum skills.  I particularly love games and activities that improve number sense.  Winning activities also need to be continually"fresh"; that is, every time students play, it should take them in a new direction.
     One of my favorite activities is the game Contig.  I did a blog post about it last year, but my kids and I love the game so much, I decided I wanted them to be able to play it at home.  I put together a class/home version this summer.  You can get it here.
     Another favorite is the Everyday Math game "Factor Captor".  It really challenges kids to use the factor/divisibility relationship. There's a beginning and an advanced game and you can find it online. 
Kids an do an awful lot of math playing games!






 
      I'll let you know what other favorites make their way back into the classroom this year.  What are some of your favorite things?


 
Growing Grade By Grade
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The Gobstoppers Science Experiment


    While I was looking for a way to let my students practice the Scientific Process, I came across The Gobstopper Experiment.  After getting the general idea, I tweaked the activity to fit my class.  The kids loved it and I was very pleased with the way they handled themselves in the "lab" setting.
     I put together a simple sheet of directions with four diagrams, which are a main part of the activity.  After reviewing what each student should do, they collected their materials, and began.  Here's what happened:
We started with dry candies and added a little water.

 Our candies started dissolving some of their color.

Here's what the dish looks like after about 5 minutes. Isn't that cool? The colors dissolve into triangle spaces. Here's why: Each candy has a waxy coating. As they begin to dissolve evenly, the waxy coating acts as a barrier. Shhhhh...see if the kids can guess what's happening!
After another 5 minutes, it begins to look like this...and eventually the petri dish was a mass of color.


We finished writing up our experiment and put it in our notebooks.

I really like this activity for several reasons:
     First, it's really inexpensive!  Less than a whole box of Gobstoppers served both of my classes.  I had eight petri dishes and we used the bottom half, but we could have used the top half if we'd needed to.
     Second, the directions and diagrams were simple to create.  Third, it was easy to see whether students could follow "lab" procedures correctly and follow directions correctly.
     Give it a try and let me know how it works!
Growing Grade By Grade
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