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Growing Grade by Grade 2016

Make A Rules of Divisibility Flip Book

Make A Rules of Divisibility Flip Book






     It's time to learn the Rules of Divisibility as part of our study of factoring! We factored all of the numbers from 1-100. We discovered what makes a number prime or composite. 

      We combined what we discovered in a layer book. You can find directions to make the book here. Each page, or layer, has a number on it. When you lift the flap, you find the rule for that number. I used the last page to emphasize a "Major Math Concept", which you can see in the picture.  I try to drive home the relationship between factors and divisors.  

      The kids are actually referring to it frequently, which makes me happy!  

      Who else has used a tool like this for math?
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A Simple Team-Building Routine With Big Results

A Simple Team-Building Routine With Big Results

     

     I learned this team-building strategy from a fellow teacher and adapted it for my 5th graders.  

      I call it "Triple H"- it stands for "Hug, Handshake, or High Five".  Every Friday as my students are lined up to go home and I'm telling them good-bye, each child and I share one of the three gestures - student choice.  OK, we also add fist bumps as a choice, but that ruins the acronym!   

      Triple H gives me a chance to let the kids know that even if we've hit bumps in the road during the week we are still a family and I care for them.  

     I've always been too focused on getting academics covered in the classroom and I really needed a custom or ritual like this. I'd heard that the single most important indicator of success for a child is the relationship with the teacher. A regular team-building activity or ritual would strengthen our classroom family. 

      I like that Triple H is not invasive, the student gets to choose what we share, and I have a moment with each individual. What has been surprising to me is the number of hugs I get! Both girls and boys seem to value giving and receiving a hug before the weekend. 

      We used Triple H for most of a year. I believe that my kids appreciated the weekly check-in. I was really touched one Friday when I'd been out for a meeting. I returned to campus right at dismissal and waved at a group of my students who were waiting for rides. Two students waved back anxiously and said, "We didn't get to do Triple H! Can we do it Monday?"

      Do you have a classroom custom like this?

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The Order of Operations: A Global Collaboration Tool

The Order of Operations: A Global Collaboration Tool

     

     When I ask, "What is the order of operations?", many of my students chant, "PEMDAS!" or "Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally!"  While this is a way to remember the steps in the algorithm, this is one of those concepts where I want students to fully understand not just how to do it, but why we use it.
     We discuss examples of doctors, mathematicians, and scientists around the world wanting to work together to solve big problems, but coming up with different answers.  It helps kids see that, if everyone is on the same page, we have a common language and we can truly collaborate.

      This is why I call the order of operations a global collaboration tool. It's a globally accepted definition and the order in which all mathematicians calculate operations. It allows us to work together toward common goals.

      Download this FREE readable that helps kids understand more about the order of operations. It's full of information and classroom help.
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Having Fun Learning About The Scientific Process

Having Fun Learning About The Scientific Process

     Our first science activity of the year was "How many drops of water can you fit on a penny"?   We discussed the steps of the Scientific Method: 

  • Set a Purpose or Ask A Question 
  • Research 
  • Hypothesize
  • Experiment
  • Record and Analyze Data
  • Draw A Conclusion  

     Materials are inexpensive and readily available: 

  • napkin
  • dropper
  • penny
  • a cup of water to share at the table

      I like this activity for so many reasons. It quickly gives students experience with the Scientific Method, it leads to other questions, such as, "Why does the water look like a bubble? or Why does it take so long for the water to spill off the penny?", it gives them experience using equipment, and because they like it!  Happy Science!
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Growing Grade By Grade
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