JJ's Guide 2 Math

Sunny Hook Elementary

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Thinking about school

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 19:24:00 +0000

One week at the beach visiting my mom, three weeks plus sick, and I'm just now getting started on things for school.. I can't believe that people have started back and I start on Aug. 20th.

I'll be making a phone call to my secretary to see if floors have been done and starting my pilgrmage to school to start setting up my classroom.

I haven't receive our beginning letter, but with a lot of staff changes I'm sure we are going to have a lot of meetings at the start up of the year and I want my classroom to be done. Then I can spend my time planning with my fellow teachers and run off papers.

I plan to do interactive notebooks this year and I'm in the process of planning exactly how I want my notebooks to look....so I will be posting soon with what I have so far.

Summer Vacation!!!

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 23:51:00 +0000

I'm back! I will be posting again. School, coaching soccer, health issues (knee and hand) kept me from posting. School is finally out and my summer vacation has begun. I hope everyone has finished for the year and you are looking forward to relaxing and recharging.

What topics do you want to see? What do you think is missing from a math blog? I can't wait to get my blog on!!!!!

Quick Scientific Notation Cards

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:22:00 +0000

Here is a quick way to practice Scientific Notation with cards. I'm going to copy them onto colored paper or card stock. Then I will cut them out and then laminate them with my wonderful Scott Laminator.

I have a small white mailbox in my room. You can click on the mailbox link to see it. I got mine from Oriental Trading. I have my students write me notes about things they need help with, want more practice, or if they need a change in their seating due to a problem with another student. Each note is addressed quietly and without "ratting" out the student.

Hence, the reason I'm doing this. I had a student who asked for more help with Scientific Notation and I wanted something quick to use. I'm hoping if they work with a partner then it won't take more than 10 minutes.

I made 2 sheets so if can be done another day in the week to re-enforce that practice. I hope you find this useful and helpful.

Week 7 Clutter-Free Classroom Project

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:09:00 +0000

This week is all about your teacher bag. As you can see I have a "31" bag. The Clutter-Free Classroom site said to show your bag and tell the things that you like about it and the things you might want to change. I love my bag! It has lots of pockets- one I use for pens, pencils, highlighters, clips, school keys, and many many other things. I put my pens and pencils in zip lock bags so they don't bleed or mark up my bag.

This is the bag that I use!

This is the other one that I got.

Both of my bags together!

The contents of my bag.....Oh My!!

Closer look....

There is only one thing that I would change about my bag- I would add a zipper pocket or pouch inside. This would help with the things that might fall out of the pockets- flash drives.

What teacher bag do you use? What do you like about it? Can't wait to find out what is in store next....

Week 5 Clutter-Free Project

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Where does the time fly? I can't believe that it is week 5 in the great Clutter-Free Classroom Project.

Week 5 was all about storage containers. How I love a storage container. I love color, but clear storage containers make me drool. Storage containers with drawers make me itch to fill them.

So our task this week was to answer the following prompt: SHARE YOUR FAVORITE CLASSROOM STORAGE CONTAINER. EXPLAIN WHY YOU LIKE IT AND WHAT YOU USE IT FOR.

Drawer containers are wonderful for paper of all types, task cards, etc. So check out my favorite storage containers and why I like them (more what I use them for).

Love these drawers for task cards. I have these and a few more. I even need more of these to completely hold all the task cards I've collected and use.

Love these drawer containers- they hold so much and with this station I want the students to have everything they need. One of the drawers even has paper if a student forgets to make sure they have paper from home.

Love these colorful drawers. White board markers, black socks for erasers, colored pencils, markers, used file folders and much, much, more.

Still looking for some more great storage containers and more ways to organize what I have in my classroom. Hope you are doing well with your classroom!

Lesson Plan Templete

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:43:00 +0000

I'm always on the look-out for a lesson plan format that I can stick with and like. I've used a lot of pre- made books.

This past weekend I made another one. I wanted my entire week on one page and I would love for it to be portrait style but its too small.
So far I'm really happy with this one.

I hope someone can use it.

Week 4 of the "Clutter-Free Classroom" Project

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:59:00 +0000

Week 4- The Teacher Desk!!! (There should be some loud scary music playing here!)

Jodi gives wonderful tips this week over at The Clutter-Free Classroom, all of which I can't follow. I love pens, different pens, fuzzy pens, feather pens, all colors, etc. The office likes "black or blue," they are so business, business like. I love post-it notes- yes, she does too.

I can't get rid of my teacher desk! (check out my link to week 2 and 3) It is the one area in the room that I call my own. I have my corner set up as my station and hub.

One of the things that I do right on the first day is explain my procedures- hands off my desk. I know it is terrible, but it is a pet-peeve of mine. Students usually are okay with it. I set a station for them and they have lots of materials on hand provided for them- markers, glue, colored pencils, while boards, black sock erasers, expo markers, writing paper, scissors, staplers, hole punchers, highlighters, etc. I label all the drawers as well. I also read one of the other bloggers that posted already saying I keep my own set of supplies so that I don't have to touch markers that have been in mouths and/ or noses. Yuck! I'm not saying that 6th graders would put them up their noses, but I agree with her- power to you and a shout out to Ms. M Check her out!

Jodi even gives reasons for keeping a clean desk which I agree with all of them. I definitely agree with the last one. I have found myself very relaxed this week with a clean desk.
This weeks prompt was the following:
What do I like about it.- Everything. I feel less stressed when I can see the desk.

How would you change it?- well, after reading a few of the tips, I went back to school and tried to clean off even more. I have a bench that the students come to me for one on one. I put away a few of the containers of pencils and clips. I still have a container of pencils, my post-it note apple dispenser, stapler, desktop calendar, and electric hole puncher. I want to get a few more of these off my desk- especially the hole puncher. I'm just waiting to get 2 more book cases.

I'm still making progress and taking baby steps in this wonderful project. I'm enjoying the tasks, the questions, and the reflection. I can't wait to see what is in store for next week.

Have you signed up yet? Come on you can do it!

This what my desk area looked like before. I had a trash bag that I was purging those files you see under the green container and in the container. I even had stuff on the bench.

Okay, I wasn't really thinking about a really close shot of my desk. I want to get rid of the mailbox behind my desk and the computer table. I want to put a bookcase so I can get the hole puncher off my desk top. It isn't clear, but I have a tissue box holder, pens, etc. I've taken a few more things off my desk even after this photo.

This is a better picture and I will need to take some closer shots to update this, but I can see the desk- Can't you?

This is one of my student stations- red basket- is notes from home, the mailbox is labeled "In" and "Out" with each core- I have 3. Two pencil sharpeners only to be used when they first start class. Highlighters int he blue bucket. White mailbox is for students to communicate to me about issues they are having with another student or they need extra help and want it to be on the "low-down." The drawers have hole punchers, staplers, regular paper, graph paper, scissors, glue, etc.

An even closer shot of the Student's station.

Multiplicative Inverse or Reciprocals

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:55:00 +0000

Today my class did a lesson with Multiplicative Inverse or Reciprocals. Hope this helps you in some way.


Lesson Introduction and Title

Their definition for the terms multiplicative inverse or reciprocal.

Example 1

Example 1 continued showing the reciprocal.

Showing that the reciprocal of the example is 1.

Example 2

With example 2 you have to make it an improper fraction first before doing the multiplicative inverse.

Example 2 continued with applying the reciprocal to the example.

Example 2 showing that the answer is or will be 1.

Next step in Solving Equations

Example 1

Example 1 - I teach my students way before this that variables want to be alone. I really stress the alone part by telling them a story about how the variable is always sharing his games (playstation,xbox, wii, etc.). So with equations you do the opposite and the opposite in this case is multiply the number that is with your variable. What I do to do one side I have to do to the other side. You should hear my students on this on.

Cross simplify and then multiply. The variable n is alone and equals 28.

A multiple choice question using equations.

In this example the variable has an entire fraction. To solve you do the reciprocal of the fraction to both sides. I put that in ( ).

Solving the equation and getting the multiple choice answer of d.

Week 2 and 3 "Clutter-Free Classroom Project"

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:54:00 +0000

Clutter-Free Classroom Project. Week 2 was all about making a plan before you buy those wonderful containers, and colorful baskets. I knew that I was going to have two workdays and some time to tackle my room, but it was going to be after week 2 came and went. So I started thinking, what is it that I want to do with my trouble spots? I know that I want them to be organized, easily accessibly , not cluttered, and I want my room to be inviting. I don't do a theme, but I do use color and a few touches of "paw" prints- Our school mascot is the "Bulldogs." One of things that I've been doing since the end of the last school year was to empty my file cabinets. Get rid of all the extra copies and only keep one copy of something. I'm also working on making the paper copy an electronic copy, and that is ongoing.
I went into school on Friday- workday one and worked on my cabinets.

My cabinet doors open- I have a little more to purge on these. The book case holds my task cards and Homeworkopoly items.


I've taken all the symbols and definitions down and will be using them on my bulletin board.


Organized my teaching books, books to read aloud that pertain to math topics, and in the target bag- my cheap koosh like balls.

This cabinet has the current smaller notebooks that I use.

Week 3

Is all about purging. I've been doing this for a while. I had so many bulletin board materials that I couldn't and wasn't going to use that I gave it to my former elementary school. Workday 2- today was purging, cleaning, and getting rid of things.

Here are the picks of me purging my desk items.

Here is the trash I'm starting to build up.

This is my bottom drawer. Bean Bags are on top for a game I haven't made yet.

Second drawer.

Top drawer.

I worked hard today to get these cleaned out and I know I have more to do, but I think it is a great start!


The final trash bag after cleaning the drawers of my desk.

More purging to go! I have to do an inventory of my materials still. I think that was a wonderful tip, but then again she has lots and lots!

Thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:47:00 +0000

I know I haven't blogged all week, but 3 days with students and nasty, dreary weather haven't helped things. Grades were due today! You all know what that means!!!! Trying to get work submitted is tough and I wish I had the answers on the magical ways to change chasing down those last minute papers, but I don't. I just keep trying something new and see what happens. If I do ever find the magical answer I promise to share it.

I do want to thank you, my new followers, and let you know that I really appreciate the fact that you joined my blog! I hope that I can do half of the job that you do with your blogs. For those followers that don't have a blog, please leave a comment and tell me what I can offer you as a reader of my blog.

Clutter-Free Classroom Project Week 2, 3, and 4 will be combined. I made a plan and I'm purging like a mad woman. Look for that blog post by Monday.

Weekly Teacher Tip #3

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Extra Papers

I know you have them. I know we all need to know better ways to deal with them.

Here is what I am doing this year. I have this lime green hanging pocket that I have put file folders in for each week. Sorry for the lamp in front. I don't have any updated pictures. I'll have to do that when I get back.

When the students have passed out the copies, I place all the extras in the correct file folder.

I even put tabs on the file folders so they can be flipped around to become weeks 10 - 18. This way I have file folders that can be both the week 1 and week 10.

Students can go look for extra papers and get busy on any owed work they might have lost, given to the dog to chew up, dropped in a mud puddle- you know what I mean, the list is endless.

How do you keep up with those extra papers?

Division of Fractions Continued 2

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Let's continue with division of fractions using one mixed number.

Okay here is your problem. You can see we have a fraction and a mixed number. Before I can do anything I have to make the mixed number an improper fraction.

As you can see in this step we made the mixed number an improper fraction.

Now we can apply LCF to the division problem. Remember this means (Leave, Change, Flip) If you don't remember you can go back to the first post and refresh yourself.

Now we look to see if we can cross simplify, in this case there isn't anything to simplify, so we now just multiply across. The answer is 4/21.

Fractions- Division Continued

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Yesterday, we did Division of fractions and today we are going to continue that, but with mixed numbered fractions.

This is the mixed numbered problem.

Step 1: Before you can use LCF, you have have to make the mixed numbered fractions improper fractions. 2 multiplied by 6 and add 1, which would be 13/2. The sign does not change. 7 multiplied by 3 and add 5 is 26/7.

Step 3: Now you can apply LCF. Remember the first fractions stays the same 13/2. The sign changes from division to multiplication and the second fraction flips from 26 over 7 to 7/26.

Step 4: Now, you have applied LCF and can do the cross simplifying of your fractions. The 13 and 26 are the only ones you can simplify. 2 and 7 are already simplified. 13 goes into itself 1 time and into 26 once, simplifying it to 13.

Step 5: Last step! Now all you have to do is multiply straight across. 1 x 7 = 7 and 2 x 13 = 26. Thus, leaving you with a simplified answer of 7/26.

I hope this is helpful! Let me know your thoughts!

Fractions - LCF

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:22:00 +0000

I'm new to blogging and I'm doing more posting. I got a Bamboo tablet for Christmas and I'm trying to learn how to use it. After I get the hang of it, I want to start doing videos in the future.

Today, I'm starting with the easiest of fractions. Which one is that you say? Well, division of fractions of course. I'm always trying to find fun ways to teach students. Hopefully this will be new to you and you can try it with your students. I wish you much success!

Have you ever had students blurt out something that you taught them during the year such as, "Oh Yeah!.....Mrs. So and So said do this." This usually happens when they are taking a test. I love when this happens. This means that you have got them to a point that they remember things and hopefully will be able to apply that knowledge to anything they are given.

So, with division of fractions, I'm going to teach my students to follow these three letters: LCF. What is that suppose to mean? Well, let me tell you. The "L" stands for: leave the first fraction alone. "C" stands for change the sign from division to multiplication (multiplication you would cross simplify). Please see the steps below. Finally the "F" stands for flip (reciprocal of) the second fraction.

Now here is an example of what that would look like and the process you do to complete the math problem.

Step 1: This is the division of fractions problem.

Step 2: This is the problem again and now we are going to apply the letters- LCF- which mean leave alone, change, and flip. This means that we leave the first fraction alone (3/4). We change the division symbol to a multiplication symbol. Finally we flip the second fraction (1/2 becomes 2/1).

Step 3: You've applied LCF (see above) and you are now going to cross simplify your multiplication. You can simplify the 2 and 4, but you can't simplify the 3 and 1. The 2 can go into itself and 4, thus simplifying the 2 to a 1 and the 4 to a 2.

Step 4: Now you take your problem and multiply straight across. So 3 x 1 = 3. 2 x 1 = 2. So the fraction is now 3/2 (An improper fraction).

Step 5: You are almost done. As you can see we have an improper fraction and it must be simplified. To solve an improper fraction, you take the bottom number (2) and divide into the top number (3). This will give you 1 with a remainder of 1. The denominator will be the same. The answer is 1 1/2.

Clutterfree Classroom Project! (Before Pictures)

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Week 1

I know some people have asked me about the Clutterfree Classroom Project, so I hope you have joined in the fun.

I'm joining the linky party to make my problem spots clutterfree.

She will have freebies, ideas, and a linky party each week to help those of us that need help in our classrooms. I can't wait! I've already been trying to clean, throw away, and just make my room the best it can be.

Here are my pictures and problem spots. I have a few....so if you have suggestions or comments, come on post them.

Worst problem area. My work area space that I love to bring kids over to me to work with them. My desk has a lip to the front and I have a bench in front for them to sit at.


This on the left as you walk into my room. Yes, even my mom has said that it is busy.

My computer table. This is on the right hand wall as you come into my room. The wires are a mess and I'm going to do something here as well.


This is on the right in the back corner as you come in my door. I need to do something here and want to do something different.

Organization

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:55:00 +0000

The Clutter-Free Classroom Project has begun.

She is asking teachers to take pictures of your room and keep them in a folder on your computer desktop entitled "Before Pictures" and work on problem areas of your classroom. She also reminds us that you have to plan before you tackle.

Let's join her and declutter and organize. Take charge of our working spaces and make ourselves smile with pride as we take on the challenge.

I plan to take my camera tomorrow when I go back and take pictures to begin the challenge.

Go on over to her blog and read what she has to say.

She has given the following prompt: She is giving the following prompt: What were your thoughts when you took your before pictures? Was your "current state of affairs" better or worse than you thought. What are you most excited about tackling?

Stay tuned for what happens as I share on my blog my pictures and results of the challenge set forth.

Will you take the challenge?

New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Okay bloggy land. I'm going to shout out across the roof tops my New Year's Resolutions for 2012! I can't even believe that I'm typing that 2012!

So here it goes: #1 Lose weight- yes this a personal goal and most people make it all the time, but I have to take this by the horns and really make this a goal that I have to reach. This goes hand in hand with #2 and #3.

#2 Exercise more! Ride my bike, walk more, and build up to other things...

#3 Stretch, Stretch, and Stretch

#4 Bog more! I'm going to make this my goal and work hard to keep it. I plan to blog at least 2 to 3 times a week and if I do it everyday, then that's just icing on the cake!

#5 Continue to organize my classroom, my teaching materials, my house, and my life! I know it is a tall order, but I've had some help over the Christmas break and it has already begun.

#6 Be a better teacher! This is something I always strive to be and achieve!

What are your New Year's Resolution?

Organization for Absent Work

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:08:00 +0000

Organization- I love it and hate it at the same time!

In a previous post "While Your Were Out." I posted my sheet that I currently use for absent students. You can click on the above link to go to that post.

In this post I want to show you where I put that sheet and absent work.

I teach 3 cores and find that if I have a central location, then the students can go right to the spot and get cracking on getting their owed work done.

As you can see I have the three cores labeled and I just drop the sheet with the paper clipped work into the appropriate file folder pocket. Simple, but effective!!!

Sorry for the bad pic. This was when I first started this year and the classroom was in the "process" stage.

What do you do for your absentee work? Share your ideas and tips!

Homeworkopoly

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:56:00 +0000

Have you heard about this? Do you play in your classroom?

I've played Homeworkopoly with 5th graders and customized the streets so they are the street names of my students- they really loved this.

I've even been playing it with my 6th graders. The individual spaces are not named, but the kids love to play regardless. I love the fact that it rewards the individual students instead of rewarding the class if all students have completed their homework. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with teachers doing this, I just prefer using Homeworkopoly.

I play once every week, usually on Friday and sometimes on Monday. Students only get to play if they have completed their homework on time. NO LATE assignments.

I have these colored dice for students to use while playing.

I have made the prizes simple and easy. I use homework passes only if students land on the HW space, erasers, candy, pens, coupons (usually post-it notes that have the following messages: Do 1/2 of a CW assignment, Do 1/2 of a HW assignment, and Do 1/2 of a WB page. The last three give the student some practice on the skill being taught or reviewed, but they don't have to do all of them.

I also set up one of the spaces so that they get a ticket- this is to be traded in for candy, and homework passes.

I have a metal cabinet so I've put magnets on all of my pieces and then I bought round magnets from Walmart that the students put a neon round sticker on and write their name with a fine point sharpie pen.

Click here to get the downloads to make your own: HOMEWORKOPOLY

Weekly Teacher Tip #2

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:28:00 +0000

While You Were Out Sheet

One of the tools that has helped me, my students, and parents is a "While You Were Out" sheet. I try to list everything that I might do in my class and make it as easy to fill out as possible. Some teachers on the web would allow a student to fill them out and attach papers given out for that day. I need to give up that control, but haven't yet. It is also a working document and can be revamped at any time. I'm into making less and less copies, so I have put two to a page. Use bright colored paper so they are easy to spot. Have a general location in your room that doesn't change for them to always check and get their work when they come back from being absent.

Click here to get a copy- "While You Were Out"

Math Poke a Fact

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:34:00 +0000

In this day and age where budgets have been cut and you as a teacher are being asked to use less paper and worksheets. Here is a way to practice math without a worksheet. If you haven't joined "The Organized Classroom," you should. She has videos and lots of freebies. She is great! I took one of her ideas and adopted it for my students. I put problems to practice Integers in place of the multiplication problems. I didn't want to do a worksheet and yes it takes a little bit of time to make them, laminate them, and hole punch them, but after they are done, you don't have to do them again, unless you become addicted and have to have them to practice other things in math.

Addition of Integers-

I personally print them on neon card stock. Then I use a cutting board to cut them the same size. I put the answers on the back and then laminate. I'm a little crazy when it comes to certain things and I had to hole punch them before putting the answers on the back and then hole punch them again after laminating. I know I added more work for myself, but it is just how I did them.

Students work with a partner. One student puts the pencil in a hole, says the problem out loud, and the other student knows the answer by reading the back of the card that is facing them. Students got the necessary practice without doing a worksheet. As the teacher, I could facilitate and I could walk around and observe the students practicing and very quickly see who was having trouble and who wasn't.

I will be adding subtraction and multiplication in the next few days, so, please come back and get those as well.

Hope they are something you can use. Let me know what you think?