Link: http://multiplication.com/flashgames/pingpong/Pong.htm
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Ping Pong the Panda: Multiplying Action!
This week's math game of the week is Ping Pong the Panda. Similar to Sketch's World, this game allows you to choose which factor to practice with, and it also include a range of factors. After answering a certain number of facts, you play as Ping Pong. He is out for sticks of bamboo, but watch out for the fighting rabbits! How many math facts can you master? How many levels can you complete? Find out in Ping Pong the Panda!
Link: http://multiplication.com/flashgames/pingpong/Pong.htm
Link: http://multiplication.com/flashgames/pingpong/Pong.htm
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Data Folders + Math Facts = Progress
By kids learning their basic math facts, more difficult concepts will be easier to learn. Adding/subtracting factions, finding lowest common denominators, or balancing algebraic equations all rely on fact knowledge.
While facts are so important, that's not all we do in math (actually we take a mere 10 minutes or so working on math facts and computation each day!). Here's a look into these 10 minutes:
1. Mental Math: During this time, we review previously learned concepts, using it as a warm up time. This unit, mental math has revolved around factors, multiples, fact families, and even prime numbers.
2. ATTACK OF THE 6020s!: Students have 60 seconds to answer 20 facts; each fact has a common multiple. These are completely optional, as students who aren't ready to take them will not benefit from an impossible struggle. However, if they opt out, those students will spend time practicing those particular multiples. Once a student defeats a 6020, s/he gets to fill in that number on a data folder sheet. It's a sweet one minute that is differentiated to meet each child's level!
3. 50-Facts Test: This is the grandaddy of them all! We only do these even 2/3 weeks, and it is more of a progress tracker than anything else. Students are given 50 facts to answer and three minutes to do so. During the first minute, they cannot skip any problems. In the last two minutes, they can work on problems they choose. We then score and graph these in our data folders as well. However many facts students answer correctly in the first minute is how much they will shade in green. Their total score for the entire three minutes is scored in blue. I've posted a link to an "ideal growth" example. Again, we do this quite sporadically, but it a perfect way for students to see their growth over a longer period of time.
Include these three aspects with lots of fun math games, and I'm expecting all students to exceed their goals with math facts (and concepts!). All of this, in turn, adds to their love of learning!
While facts are so important, that's not all we do in math (actually we take a mere 10 minutes or so working on math facts and computation each day!). Here's a look into these 10 minutes:
1. Mental Math: During this time, we review previously learned concepts, using it as a warm up time. This unit, mental math has revolved around factors, multiples, fact families, and even prime numbers.
2. ATTACK OF THE 6020s!: Students have 60 seconds to answer 20 facts; each fact has a common multiple. These are completely optional, as students who aren't ready to take them will not benefit from an impossible struggle. However, if they opt out, those students will spend time practicing those particular multiples. Once a student defeats a 6020, s/he gets to fill in that number on a data folder sheet. It's a sweet one minute that is differentiated to meet each child's level!
3. 50-Facts Test: This is the grandaddy of them all! We only do these even 2/3 weeks, and it is more of a progress tracker than anything else. Students are given 50 facts to answer and three minutes to do so. During the first minute, they cannot skip any problems. In the last two minutes, they can work on problems they choose. We then score and graph these in our data folders as well. However many facts students answer correctly in the first minute is how much they will shade in green. Their total score for the entire three minutes is scored in blue. I've posted a link to an "ideal growth" example. Again, we do this quite sporadically, but it a perfect way for students to see their growth over a longer period of time.
Include these three aspects with lots of fun math games, and I'm expecting all students to exceed their goals with math facts (and concepts!). All of this, in turn, adds to their love of learning!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Take TIME to Learn Your Multiplication Facts!
In the October newsletter, I mentioned that I will start posting a featured multiplication game each week. Well, here is the first one:
http://multiplication.com/flashgames/sketchPlatform/sketcher.htm
Sketch's World is a fantastic way to work on particular multiples. For example, if you wanted to practice the multiples of seven, simply click "7" before you begin.
To play, first, select your multiple. You can even select a range of numbers! Second, answer ten multiplication questions correctly. Last, maneuver through each level, collecting pencils on the way. Once you have collected the paint pad, open the door to advance to the next level. All the while, however, avoid the erasers along your journey!
In addition to the variety of multiplication games, students have started a game I call "6020!". In this game, they have 60 seconds to answer 20 problems. Upon doing so, they move to the next level, a more difficult multiple. Students started with zeros and ones, and they now move to the tens and fives. Students also have the choice to pass on particular days. We will do this about three times per week.
All of this practice will pay off in the end. One accomplishment on our "Team Achievements" board is to score 100% on a 50-Facts test (three minutes with any basic multiplication fact). More importantly, your child will know their multiplication facts instantly, which will lead to an easier time learning how to convert fractions, find equivalent fractions, and solve a variety of problem solving questions!
Tune in next week for another game that will help "clean up" any unknown facts. Until then...!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
"Spook"tacular October Events
Let's take a look into the month of October:
Language Arts: The kids will be taking their Unit 1 reading test, which covers comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and literary elements. These are all skills/strategies we have been learning and using over the first five weeks of school. I will be using these results (in addition to classroom observations and reading records) to continue to provide your child with the appropriate help needed to develop into a successful reader. In the upcoming weeks, we will be reading about topics such as baseball, immigration, Chinese artifacts, Benjamin Franklin, and an apologetic girl.
Math: Attention! Attention! Our class average for facts solved in three minutes is currently at 34/50. While it is a good start, I have every intention of making sure your child has his/her multiplication facts mastered by the end of the year. Through learning the basic facts, more difficult mathematical concepts will be easier to solve. I'm going to feature an online math game each week to help support this. Also, I have lots of files I can email to you if you are interested in "going the extra mile" with your child. Additionally this month, we will be working with fractions, decimals, and very large numbers!
Science: We have learned the functions of our skeleton, and we have recently been learning about the important of joints. We have already immobilized our thumbs, but we will also be immobilizing our wrists and fingers. After joints, we will be looking at muscles and creating replicas of our hands and thumbs. Some fantastic hands-on opportunities await!
Social Studies: We are close to wrapping up our introduction to the United States. We will finish by researching a US president or first lady. Before studying the regions of the United States, the kids will be labeling important cities and landmarks as well as all states on a map. My expectation is for that all students to be able to identify all states by the end of the year, as well as several cities and landmarks. After that, we will begin our exploration of the Northeast, creating lobster buoys and enjoying a New England breakfast.
Lots of interesting and entertaining lessons await October. As always, please let me know if you have any concerns or questions about the school year. I am always here to help. Have a "spook"tacular October.
Language Arts: The kids will be taking their Unit 1 reading test, which covers comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and literary elements. These are all skills/strategies we have been learning and using over the first five weeks of school. I will be using these results (in addition to classroom observations and reading records) to continue to provide your child with the appropriate help needed to develop into a successful reader. In the upcoming weeks, we will be reading about topics such as baseball, immigration, Chinese artifacts, Benjamin Franklin, and an apologetic girl.
Math: Attention! Attention! Our class average for facts solved in three minutes is currently at 34/50. While it is a good start, I have every intention of making sure your child has his/her multiplication facts mastered by the end of the year. Through learning the basic facts, more difficult mathematical concepts will be easier to solve. I'm going to feature an online math game each week to help support this. Also, I have lots of files I can email to you if you are interested in "going the extra mile" with your child. Additionally this month, we will be working with fractions, decimals, and very large numbers!
Science: We have learned the functions of our skeleton, and we have recently been learning about the important of joints. We have already immobilized our thumbs, but we will also be immobilizing our wrists and fingers. After joints, we will be looking at muscles and creating replicas of our hands and thumbs. Some fantastic hands-on opportunities await!
Social Studies: We are close to wrapping up our introduction to the United States. We will finish by researching a US president or first lady. Before studying the regions of the United States, the kids will be labeling important cities and landmarks as well as all states on a map. My expectation is for that all students to be able to identify all states by the end of the year, as well as several cities and landmarks. After that, we will begin our exploration of the Northeast, creating lobster buoys and enjoying a New England breakfast.
Lots of interesting and entertaining lessons await October. As always, please let me know if you have any concerns or questions about the school year. I am always here to help. Have a "spook"tacular October.
Community Service at Twin Pines Golf Course
On Friday, we had the privilege of completing a community service project. We walked from Pierce to Twin Pines Golf Course. From there, we learned about the importance of trees, how to correctly plant a tree, and how to work as a team!
Before the project started, 93 trees needed to be planted. After we split each fourth grade class into three groups, each group was set on a mission to plant 2-4 trees. All in all, the fourth grade class helped plant about thirty trees total (which we consider a pretty successful morning!).
At the end of our service, we were treated to granola bars and cans of pop. The kids were incredibly helpful in cleaning up as well. Our hard work goes to show that working together, we can all make a difference.
Before the project started, 93 trees needed to be planted. After we split each fourth grade class into three groups, each group was set on a mission to plant 2-4 trees. All in all, the fourth grade class helped plant about thirty trees total (which we consider a pretty successful morning!).
At the end of our service, we were treated to granola bars and cans of pop. The kids were incredibly helpful in cleaning up as well. Our hard work goes to show that working together, we can all make a difference.
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