Five for Fraturday

One week down! WOOHOO!

I can’t remember if I told you (I’ve slept since then…), but I am doing a long-term sub position in 3rd grade math and science.

I don’t know about you, but I am tired. There’s no tired like a teacher after her first week of school. People in the corporate world just don’t get it I think.

To let you know about my week, I’m linking up with Doodle Bugs for her weekly linky party.

Let’s get it started!

ONE

To practice our addition facts, we played a simple dice game. Students play in pairs and get two dice. One player rolls the dice. You add the two numbers. Whichever play says the sum first gets to roll the dice next. Play continues until time is up…or until you’ve had enough!

TWO

We have been working on place value this week. I taught them how to compare numbers using the one dot/two dots method. The bigger number gets two dots, and the smaller number gets one dot. Then just connect the dots to compare them! If they are the same, both get two dots to make the equal sign. It’s so much easier than the crocodile or alligator method. I don’t even know is people still use that!

For this activity, we were comparing four numbers, so they put 4 blanks with a comma. Students put the cards (numbers 1-9 or you can add the King to equal 0) in a pile facing down. Flip over one card. Each player puts the number in a spot in one of the four blanks. Cover their answer so the other player doesn’t see it. Once you write it in a spot, you CANNOT erase it and move it to another spot! Continue flipping cards until all blanks are full. Then players show the numbers and compare the two numbers, using the one dot/two dots method. It’s such a fun way to compare numbers!

Here is our anchor chart for comparing numbers.

In my higher class, we took it to the next level and compared five digit numbers. They got pretty good at it!

THREE

We practice our facts every day. After playing the dice game several times, I taught them Addition War. Using a deck of cards with the numbers 1 (Ace) – 9, players divide the deck up between them. On the count of 1, 2, 3…flip, each player flips over their card. Players add the two numbers. The first player to say the sum gets to keep the two cards and puts them at the bottom of their deck. Play continues until time is up or one player has all the cards. They loved it! I love the sounds of fun and laughter in my math class!

The next day we added in a new element to the game.

Players keep score on their paper, with each player keeping score on their sheet. If Yovanni said the answer first, then we both write down the fact under Yovanni. If Ms. H says it first, then we both write it under Ms. H. It’s a great way to make the students accountable.

FOUR

Have you ever made a human number? All you need to do is write the numbers 0-9 each on a separate sheet of paper. Add in a comma (or two) depending on if you go to the thousands or millions place. Pass out the papers so that students have one paper. Some students won’t have a paper and will get to play in the next round.

Call out a number and have the students go up to the front of the classroom to make that number.

Then….make it fun and challenging! I call out a different number using the same digits.

I ask for a volunteer to go up to the front and physically move each human number to the right spot. I then ask the students for a thumbs up or thumbs down if the number is correct.

They absolutely loved it! It was challenging for them when I added in a 0. It sometimes took several helpers to get the correct number.

They have begged me to play it again!

FIVE

Did you read my blog yesterday? I am participating in the Texas SIZE LinkUp Party and am giving away one of my newest products! Go HERE to participate and possibly win it!

Here are some of the photos you’d get!

Have you ever used photographs in the classroom? Here are some great ideas!

Go enter the giveaway now! It ends tonight!

Hope you had a great week!