Friday, February 28, 2014

AKINDI















I am a HUGE fan! Grading tests easy and fast. Our school has recently started using this grading system and it is fabulous. Very quick and efficient. Takes the place of scantron sheets and machines. I print bubble sheets for the students and afterwards I scan the sheets and within 5 minutes I get back grades and graphs to show how well the students performed on the test. I highly recommend you get signed up.

Why Akindi?

CHANGING FRACTIONS TO DECIMALS

This seems to be an area everyone needs practice. We will practice this skill starting Monday (likely to be our bell ringer)

ARE YOU READY

Students are getting ready for the next unit on Ratios & Proportions. Today they completed a worksheet from one of the textbooks I use. "Are You Ready?" this worksheet gives students a heads up on what is needed for the next unit making sure they have all the prerequisite skills necessary.


FROM PRE-TEST TO POST-TEST

95% of the students had 40% growth or greater on the unit test!!!!!

FRACTION JEOPARDY TEST REVIEW GAME

To play the game students were put on teams. I did not share whose team they would be on. I do this so they do not rely on team mates to get all the bonus points for them. I call on all students during the game and do not let a select few do all the work. At the end of the game I let the class know their teams and how many bonus points they would be getting on the test.


SEAT ROTATION PRACTICE (TEST REVIEW)

To review for our test over FRACTIONS each student desk was labeled with a review problem. Students were given 1 minute to complete the problem at their desk. Sorry didn't get any photos :(

  • Addition
  • Subtraction
  • Multiplication
  • Division
  • Change Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
  • Change Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers
  • Create Equivalent Fractions
  • Reduce Fractions
After the activity students were given this assignment

FRACTION PRACTICE WITH ALL OPERATIONS






















Students worked each problem and then checked the answers under each paper on the board. If they missed a problem they had to conference with me.



















Lastly we practice fraction equations. We did a quick review of algebra.

**To solve equations

  • identify the operation
  • do the opposite with the number that is on the same side as the variable
  • do the same thing to both sides of the equation
  • solve the problem using your fractions expertise

I GOT IT!!!!!

On Wednesday we played a not so new game called "I Got It!" (basically BINGO)
  • Students were given all the answers to fill out their playing card
  • Students were given a package of smarties candy to use as their place markers
  • Problems were presented on the smartboard
  • Students were given 1 minute (give or take a few, especially if I forgot to set the timer) to complete the problem
  • To make sure we were understanding I called on a student to give the correct answer each time. If they were correct a bonus point was given.
  • We discussed any problems along the way

















Here is an example of a students "I Got It!" Card. Usually we use dry beans to mark our places but I have changed my ways. I do not like picking up beans off the floor. To avoid that I started having the students use smarties. They want to eat them so they don't let them hit the floor. It worked great!!!!

DIVIDE FRACTIONS

A couple examples from the powerpoint. *Remember to change all mixed numbers to improper fractions *You can use the shortcut if you like *You must simplify all answers

Monday, February 17, 2014

2/17/2014 HOMEWORK






















Don't forget to write all whole numbers as improper fractions. The easiest way to do this is to write the whole number over 1.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

2/13/14 HOMEWORK & REVIEW

Practice subtracting fractions. From proper fractions to mixed numbers to regrouping, this assignment has it all. We are preparing for a short fraction subtraction quiz tomorrow so we can move on to multiplying fractions.



SUBTRACT WHOLE NUMBERS AND FRACTIONS

Worked with regrouping again today so we could subtract a fraction or mixed number from a whole number. Kiddos learned really quickly that their first instinct wasn't correct and that is alright.

Here are a few examples

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

SUBTRACTING FRACTIONS



















In class we practiced working these problems on the smart board using the AirSketch app. As we got to the mixed number problems students were showing signs of a struggle with regrouping. 

To practice regrouping we completed this worksheet

I am not requiring students to diagram the regrouping. We did this to help our understanding. By the end of the worksheet most students were seeing the short cut.
  1. Subtract 1 from the whole number
  2. Add the numerator and denominator
  3. Keep the same denominator
Today I used this worksheet to determine if students needed homework. I am happy to say NOT ONE STUDENT HAD HOMEWORK TONIGHT!!!!!!!



ADDING FRACTIONS MYSTERY
























As part of a task rotations my kiddos were trying to solve the mystery. This activity I created can be used as a scavenger hunt for the whole class to be up and moving around, task rotation, or a worksheet.

Teachers Pay Teachers - Fraction Addition Mystery

ADDING FRACTIONS QUIZ






















I love this type of quiz. Students have 3 chances to make 100%. I gave quiz #1, graded and then returned it to the kids quickly. We then had a quick discussion hoping to fix any problems.

If students made a 100% on the quiz #1 - quiz #2 and quiz #3 will count as bonus points
If students made below 100% on quiz #1 they will get 2 more chance to make 100%

I record the highest score. After 3 chances if a students has not made 100%, I assigned the following problems for homework. These problems have the answers already given. I think this is helpful so the kids can work the problem and try to get the answer given. If they don't they need to rework the problem until they do.


NOID - Number One In Disguise






















My goal to make sure my students understand improper fractions. Yes they can identify one and yes they can change a mixed number into an improper fraction. The problem is that my students do not always understand that an improper fraction is greater than 1. So with the NOID we are looking for the whole hiding inside.