Fraction Towers

Fraction Towers are a manipulative that have many uses.

They are labeled with fractions, decimals, and percents on the sides of the tower. Generally, they come in a rainbow of colors so the students can easily differentiate among the values.

You can teach:

• Converting fractions, decimals, and percents
• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals
• Equivalent fractions
• Comparing and ordering fractions and decimals

QR Codes

I love to use QR codes in my class. My first time using QR Codes with my class was awesome. I bought a "Find Someone Who" Activity from Teachers Pay Teachers. It was well worth the $2.25. I posted the cards around the class and the students had to use their devices to scan the QR Code. The code revealed who the students had to find. For example, Find someone who brings their lunch. Be sure there is a QR Code Reader on the device. There are tons of free Apps. Some iPhones even let you scan QR Codes with the camera.

I have posted the QR Code that links to my Exit Ticket and one that links to my Teacher-Student Conference Form. So the students just have to scan the code and it'll take the student to my form.

You can Google a QR Code Generator and create your own QR Codes. Usually, you can create a website, text, image, phone number, among others. You can have it linked to an answer key to your learning centers.

The opportunities are endless.

Two-Color Counters

I've only used Two-Color Counters to add and subtract integers.

Red = Negative
Yellow = Positive
Red + Yellow = "Zero Pair" = 0 (zero)

ADDITION

(-3) + (-2) = -5

3 Red + 2 Red = 5 Red

(+4) + (+1) = +5

4 Yellow + 1 Yellow = 5 Yellow

(+4) + (-2) = +2

4 Yellow + 2 Red (Remove 2 Zero Pairs) = 2 Yellow

(-5) + (+3) = -2

5 Red + 3 Yellow (Remove 3 Zero Pairs) = 2 Red

SUBTRACTION

(-5) - (-2) = -3

Start with 5 Red, then remove 2 Red = 3 Red

(+3) - (+2) = +1

Start with 3 Yellow, then remove 2 Yellow = 1 Yellow

(-8) - (+3) = -11

Start with 8 Red. You can't subtract 3 Yellow because you don't have any, so you have to add 3 Zero Pairs. Now you can take away the 3 Yellow = 11 Red

(+6) - (-2) = +8

Start with 6 Yellow. You can't subtract 2 Red because you don't have any, so you have to add 2 Zero Pairs. Now you can take away the 2 Red = 8 Yellow

Equity Sticks

Are you tired of hearing about Equity Sticks yet? Do you know what equity sticks are? Equity Sticks are used as a Random Name Picker. They are popsicle sticks with your students' names written on one end. The end with the names on it are put down in a cup or bucket. I even color the opposite ends with a specific color of those students that I want to hear from everyday (i.e. special Education Students, English Language Learners, or even extra quiet students).

Routines

The use of Equity Sticks enhances your classroom management and looks good on your formal and informal observations. You can even let the students choose the next student to answer the next question or the next student volunteer.

Purpose of Equity Sticks

• To choose students randomly
• To hear from specific students every day
• Stop the same kids from raising their hand daily and monopolizing the class discussion
• Get those quiet students participating

Virtual Equity Sticks (Random Name Picker)

Class Dojo has a Random Name Picker. Classcraft has one too, called the Wheel of Destiny. You can also Google Random Name Picker. There are other virtual ones, but you may have to put the students' names in each time. I recommend either Class Dojo or Classcraft since you would already be using them.

Geoboards

General Information
Geoboards are those timeless manipulatives. They are one of the first manipulatives that I've ever used back in the ancient days.  They are square shaped with pegs in rows in columns on one side and the other side, the pegs are in the shape of a circle. Generally, they come with rubber bands, called "Geobands". The Geobands come in various shapes and sizes.

 

Some Skills Used with Geoboards

• Symmetry
• Area
• Perimeter
• Fractions
• Circumference
• Angles

Management of Geoboards and Geobands

It never fails...a Geoband goes flying across the room. Have a conversation with the students about how to properly use the Geobands on the Geoboards. Encourage responsible behavior and care of the manipulatives. I always give 2 minutes of exploration time when I introduce a new manipulative. That way they get some of that play time out of their system and they are less likely to play during instruction.