Measurement Fun

In my district, one of the last units of the year we teach is measurement.  In years past, it's focused on length, area, capacity, temperature, and time.  We usually compare lots of objects to each other  (Which object is shorter? Which object is longer?) before actually measuring.  This year I'll be using some activities I created called "Measure ME! (and you too!).  Students will trace each other (or I may use a traced drawing of me) and we'll measure length, width, and height with nonstandard units.  I also created an area and perimeter unit that I'll try to squeeze in as well.  It will be fun!  If you're interested, visit the freebie in my TPT shop.  I have the full product available as well!

The Measure ME! (and you too!) Bundle Click here to see the product

I also have the freebie!

The freebie is available for download in my TPT shop.  Click here to download

Cheesy Math Chants...

Academic vocabulary is big in my district (and I'm pretty sure elsewhere as well).  To help my kiddos learn some important words in math, I made up an addition and subtraction chant.  I must admit it's pretty catchy, and something I whipped up in my head one day on recess duty.

Addition:
When you add
The addends make the sum
part-part-whole
ADDITION SENTENCE!

Subtraction (said like a rap):
Hey, are you ready to go?
When you subtract
The answer is the difference!
Start with the whole and get the part-part!
SUBTRACTION SENTENCE!

I feel funny just typing this.  My hubby has been making fun of me.  Yes, these chants are silly, but they will help my students learn the language of math! OK, I'm off to begin much needed work on my comprehensive final!  Wish me luck! 

Math Stations

Hello!  It's been awhile, but I hope to be here from time to time.  I don't have much time between working all day and going to grad school.  I just wanted to share a little bit about math stations.  The way I use them over the past few years has evolved, but they are usually used daily after the whole group instruction and independent practice time.  I can pull up kids for reteach time as necessary while others go to their assigned station, for about 20 minutes.  It works pretty well.  I can also differentiate by assigning kids to different tubs.

Here is a picture of how they are organized.  They are labeled by color and number.  The activities are review from past units of study and current units as well.  A group of these stations lasts about three weeks (we don't always have time to do them every day).

On the side is the rotation chart.  I move the clips to the right one time at the end of each day.  It works well for me!  Kids can be partnered off according to needs or interests.