Week 18- Picture Pie Fractions

Last week, at the Blue Ribbon Conference, I attended a session about using art in the general education classroom. When the presenter shared Ed Emberley's Picture Pie, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I ordered both of these books from Amazon and was ready to go!

This is a page inside the 2nd book. It shows students how to cut shapes to make a bulldog. 

So I shared my vision with my math classes and they went to work. I told them I wanted them to create pictures with cut circles and squares. After they made their pictures I asked them to use the pieces to create fractions. I also had them take any mixed numbers they had and convert them to improper fractions, which is what we did this week. 

I was excited about the way they embraced this project and ran with it. Most of them were really excited to be able to do art during math time. :)

Each of them put their own spin on the project, which is exactly what I wanted them to do!

The most challenging part for them was writing the fractions after their pictures were finished. I reminded them that I wanted them to use fractional pieces somewhere in the picture because this would be a 1st grade project if we just used whole numbers. The picture above used fractional pieces but when adding them all she ended up with whole numbers. So this student added a little more to her art project to end up with fractions!

The kids are still working on these projects but these are a few finished ones. I love how they each made something to reflect themselves!

STUDENTS: Did you like the Picture Pie art project during math? What was the best part of the project? What was the most challenging? Explain why.

Week 30- Fraction Review, 3D Shapes, & Leadership Day

This week we started with a review of fractions. Each table played a game as a team. Every table worked the problems and could "steal" the points if the table who selected the problem had the wrong answer. I loved seeing my students synergize and help each other find the mistakes they made. 

The Fraction Review Game Show, found on TpT, was a great resource and my kids were excited to solve the problems. 

Then we used QR code task cards to learn about 3D shapes. I gave each table a set of cards and they took turns scanning the code to learn about several shapes. Each student had their own chart to complete and add to their math interactive notebook.

This week we spent time preparing for our Leadership Day. Each grade level sang at our assembly and then there were student lead tours. Some students stood in the hallway to share with visitors about how we are using the 7 habits. Others shared their leadership notebooks.

This is the 5th grade display where the students wrote about their favorite habit. 

We have been making video newsletters and this is our first one with the green screen. 

I recorded our students singing our song for the MES Leadership Day. Thought I'd add the lyrics so you can sing along with us!

STUDENTS: What is your favorite habit and how do you use it often?

Week 22- Dividing Fractions & Super Bowl Habits

I started the week by doing my own random act of kindness. If you have ever used the bathroom at school you know the toilet paper is pretty much a step up from sand paper. So I made this little basket of Charmin for the teacher bathroom! 

We had a day where we were delayed and then we missed another day due to extreme cold. It was 7 degrees outside and we are in Alabama! That's way too cold for this southern teacher!

So when we came back to school we had a little fun. The kids created football players that represent the team they think will win the Super Bowl.

Then I had the kids write which team they think will win and which habit the football players use. These turned out really cute!

We have been learning about dividing fractions this week. So we made this flip book in our interactive notebook. You can lift the flaps where the words are and see more detailed instructions. 

My students have also been watching the Kid President videos. They love them and he is always talking about how to make the world more awesome. So the students wrote about how they can make the world more awesome.

STUDENTS: Why do you like Kid President? What can you do to make our school more awesome?

Week 19- Fractions & A Number Line

This week we were working on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. Check out a few of the pages in our interactive notebook.

Thursday we used our new number line to review ordering fractions. I don't have anything magnetic in my classroom so we moved to the hallway on the lockers. I added a 0 and 1 on each end of the number line.

I gave each student a card of their own to add to the number line. They each had to add the card and then explain why they put it in that place. Then other students could either agree with the placement or share an argument to move the card.

I didn't correct the mistakes because the students did it as we went. I also told them I would leave the number line up in the hallway for them to look at and see if there were other cards they wanted to move.

Once we returned to the classroom I had the groups discuss which mathematical practices this activity covered. They all came to the conclusion that it covered all the ones in our flipbook so far.

I also traded desks for tables this week and I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

The tables make it much easier for group work and collaboration. We are working out the kinks but I think this is going to work for us!



STUDENTS: What is your math goal for this 9 weeks? What do you plan to do in order to reach your goal?

Week 16- Fractions & RAKs

I have so much to share about this week! We started learning about Holidays Around the World this week in social studies. Check out the file on TpT. It is a close read format and my students had fun learning about traditions in different countries.



We started learning about fractions this week and had several fun activities. We started with a living number line. I gave each student a fraction card and they placed themselves on the number line in the correct order.





On Thursday, during our small group rotations, I taught the kids how to play a game called From Here to There Fractions.





We used fraction cards that my former math coach, Haley James, gave me last year. The kids loved using these cards and couldn't believe I had playing cards with fractions on them.



Here is a picture of one of the game boards.



Want to know how to play? Watch this Gami that Haley and Avery made to explain the game.



I also had to do the chocolate bar activity with fractions. I love any excuse for chocolate.





We answered questions about fractions using the chocolate bar pieces.



Want to see the powerpoint I made for this? It is free on TpT: Chocolate Fractions 

And have I mentioned lately how much I love using Padlet with my students? This week we took pictures of our pages in the interactive notebook and I added them to the fractions padlet. That way students could go back and access it from home in case they forgot their notebook at school. It is also a good resource that shows the different ways I teach fractions. I like to show my students several different ways to do things and let them pick what works best for them.

Created with Padlet

My mom stopped by school this week and brought us a beautiful wreath for the classroom door. I love it!



Mrs. Reasner and I have been doing Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) with our students during the school day. I gave my students a choice board and challenged them to do all of the items on the board this week. Find the choice board idea I found here. We also created a Motivation Wall in the teacher work room. I have seen several of these on Pinterest and knew we had to do this for the teachers. This is what we did. We also left other post it notes so that teachers can add some of their favorite motivational quotes to the wall. We didn't add a bunch because we wanted to leave room for others but I have a list of quotes I plan to add it no one else takes advantage of this.



To go along with the Random Acts of Kindness we started using the Christmas Kindness Countdown. It gives a different RAK each day for the students to do. This week we picked up trash, smiled at everyone, and made cards for our principal. I also showed them this RAK video and we talked about doing nice things for people and not expecting things in return. I think this is a great life lesson and I've seen my students doing nice things for others all week.


We also chose names for the Secret Santa RAK. Each student drew a classmate's name (I added my name too). We will do nice things for that student and reveal ourselves before the Christmas break. I also plan to have them make a picture of their RAK person and list things they have done for them. I found the idea on Pinterest (here it is). 

Mrs. Reasner shared the idea of writing positive notes for the teachers in each grade level so of course I was on board. We have been randomly selecting a grade level and writing a positive note on a post it note for the teachers. Then we go and stick them on their doors. I hope we have brightened some days this week with our little notes of love.

STUDENTS: We started doing RAKs this week. I loved seeing everyone doing nice things for each other. Has this carried over into your life at home? Have you done a RAK for someone at home or has someone done something for you? Share what was done. I'd love to hear about it.