Showing posts with label math. Show all posts
Showing posts with label math. Show all posts

Data Detectives Math Mystery Classroom Transformation

Saturday, December 1, 2018
When I first learned about this idea of "classroom transformations," I was weary. They seemed expensive, complicated, and prep-intensive...but I also read and heard so much about how engaging they were! I contemplated the idea for a long time. I knew that if I was ever going to try a classroom transformation, it would need to be cheap and simple, but meaningful. I also knew that I wanted any transformation happening in my classroom to be directly connected to my curriculum and not just a transformation for the sake of it.

I tested out a few classroom transformations last year and, despite my initial reservations, I loved them! I was amazed at how much some minor tweaks to our classroom and a prop here or there could increase my students' engagement. I definitely went a little over-the-top with prep time in some of last year's transformations, so reducing prep time has been my goal in planning transformations this year. Well, our first classroom transformation of the school year was a huge success, so I wanted to share it with you!


Multiplication Fact Fluency Challenge

Saturday, November 24, 2018
Multiplication is a huge topic for third graders. I spend a lot of time building conceptual understanding of multiplication with my students, practicing multiplication with manipulatives, pictures, word problems -- you name it! Ultimately, though, in order for students to be able to solve problems using multiplication efficiently, they do need to learn some of their multiplication facts. Thus, the Multiplication Challenge was born.


When I was a third grader myself, I had to get my "multiplication license." On the big day, my teacher made us all go down a row and verbally recite our multiplication facts. I think I must have passed, but I remember the whole experience being very stressful. I hated everything about it -- practicing my facts at home, reciting them, the anxiety of needing to pass...my stomach hurts just thinking about it! Now I'm a third grade teacher, forcing my students to memorize their multiplication facts. Hmm...

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