Algeblocks

Eliminate student struggle with concrete understanding with Algeblocks. Provide meaning to variables, combine like terms with understanding, use an area model to represent multiplying and factoring polynomials, and solve first- and second-, and third-degree equations.

http://www.hand2mind.com/item/algeblocks-study-group-set/4879

http://www.hand2mind.com/item/algeblocks-study-group-set/4879

Problem Solving in Math - C. U. B. E. S.

Many of you have heard of the C. U. B. E. S. Strategy to help students navigate and solve word problems. It requires the students to annotate their word problems and really dive deep into what is in the word problem.

C. U. B. E. S.
C = Circle the numbers
U = Underline the question
B = Box key words
E = Eliminate what you don't need
S = Does your answer make sense? or Show your Work

I use this free artifact from Teachers Pay Teachers. I got the download from Fun in 5th Grade's page. I post it in my class and we go through each poster when solving all word problems and tasks.

Transitions

Have you ever played music in your class? Music is a great way to transition from one task to another. Transitioning can be hectic and even chaotic, if routines are not in place.

Centers/Small Group Rotation
I use music to transition the students when we're in small group rotation. Once the music plays, they know to clean up their stations and move to the next location. By the time the music stops, the students should be beginning the task in their next rotation.

Collecting Papers
Music can help with the collecting of papers too. Just let the students know to pass the papers forward or backward and you should have all papers by the time the music ends. 

Getting the Students in Line
Let the students know that it is time to line up and that they should be in a straight, quiet line by the time the music stops. 



The most important idea is to not play the entire song, only a snippet. In the beginning, you may start with 90 seconds of a song, then with more practice, the amount of time the music plays should decrease.

Poker Chips

Poker Chips are a great tool to use to teach for place value, counting, equations, combining like terms, among others. You can get them from Target or the Dollar Tree.

Place Value

Each color could represent a different place value (i.e. red = ones, white = tenths, blue = hundredths). 

Counting

Use them as counters to add, subtract, multiply or divide. To take it a step further, use them as decimals (see Place Value above).

Equations

One color could represent a variable and the other two could represent positive or negative numbers. Use an index card for the equal sign and the operation.

Example:

Blue = Variable

Red = Negative

White = Positive

 1 blue + 2 whites = 3 reds. What is the value of a blue? 5 reds

Combining Like Terms

Each color could be a term.

Blue = x

White = y

Red = Constant

Create this problem:

blue white blue white blue white red red red red white white

Then the students to put the like colors together and write an expression.

Answer: 3x + 5y + 4

Donor's Choose

DonorChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need.  Public school teachers create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

Think about any materials or resources you need or want for your class.  It's a good chance you can get them for FREE.  Go to DonorsChoose.org and create your account.

When you create a project, you are completing a small proposal for the materials/resources that you want/need for your class.  It's really easy.  

• You just say what you want/need in the proposal fields and why.  (i.e. iPad)
• You go shopping with Donor Choose's vendors.  (i.e. Best Buy)
• Select the item(s) you want.
• Go to check out as if you were going to buy.
• The items will transfer over to Donors Choose.
• Once everything has been filled out completely, you are ready to submit for approval.
• They will review it and if there are no questions, they will post your "project".
• People can now donate to your project.
• Sounds too good too be true right? What's the catch? If your project is funded:
• Write a thank you letter to your donors.
• Post 6 pictures of the students using the items you received.  Be sure students complete a press release permission slip.
• Have the students write thank you letters (if donors donated more than $50).
• You have about 5 months to get funded and 5 months to return thank you package.
• If people donate to your project and the project doesn't get funded, their money is put back into their Donors Choose account for them to donate to another project.

I've been funded 17 times.  I've received math manipulatives, science materials, math learning centers, science learning centers, Science World Magazines, 2 iPads, class set of individual white boards with markers and erasers, math games, and much more.

So are you ready to start your first project?

National Elementary Honor Society

The National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) was established in 2008 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). NEHS recognizes students in both public and nonpublic elementary schools for their outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated personal responsibility. Through NEHS, students provide meaningful service to the school and community and develop essential leadership skills. NEHS supports these purposes by strengthening the lives of our nation's elementary students and the schools in which they are enrolled.

By starting a chapter, elementary schools create a method for acknowledging achievement and focusing on the needs of the total child. In addition, NEHS provides information and resources to enhance the culture of achievement in the whole school, not merely the culture of a select few.

As the nation's newest student recognition program, NEHS joins the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and National Honor Society (NHS), the nation's two oldest and largest student recognition programs, in creating a continuum of excellence being established throughout the elementary, middle, and high school education community.

Virtual Manipulatives

nlvm.usu.edu

This is a website that has virtual math manipulatives by grade level, PK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  Not only is it divided by grade level, but it's separated by standard: Number & Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis & Probability.

These virtual manipulatives work well if you have an interactive whiteboard.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work well on iPads. It wants you to download Java. It suggests you download the app; however, I couldn't find it. My suggestion is to use it on your computer and display it via LCD Projector.