Learning Ideas - Grades K-8

Using Manipulatives to Learn about Digital Clocks

2012-02-27T10:33:00.001-05:00

Children need to learn how to read and write TIME using Analog and Digital Clocks.

In a previous post, I shared some ways to use manipulatives when learning Analog Time. See post here.

In this post, I want to share some fun manipulatives to use when practicing Digital Time.

Smarties (Candy)

Food is a great motivator with kids!

With a paper plate or napkin and some Smarties Candy, kids can have fun practicing Digital Time.

M and M's and cereal such as Cheerios will also work well. Candy Hearts can also be used!

Let the kids put a paper plate digital clock beside a paper plate analog clock and have fun showing the same time on both clocks.

Have fun teaching time to kids!

Paper Plate Clocks Round-Up and Telling Time Resources

2012-02-25T12:11:00.000-05:00

Telling Time is such an important skill for kids to learn.

In this post I want to review (in one place) some of the paper plate clocks that were created for this month's Measurement Theme and share with you other inexpensive but cool paper clocks for kids to use as well as give you links to free online clock handouts and worksheets. I also have links to Telling Time Videos and a Slide Show.

Paper Plate Clocks from this Blog

Click here to view directions.

Click here to view directions.

Inexpensive Store Bought Clocks

(purchased at Dollar Stores and a Book Store)

5 clock for $1.00

4 clocks for $1.00

1 clock with marker for 99cents

1 LARGE foam clock for $1.00

Free Telling Time Online Printable Resources

~ Super Teacher Telling Time (Clocks) Worksheets

~ The Teachers Corner Free Printable Worksheets

~ Math-Aids. com Printable Time Worksheets

You Tube Videos - Telling Time

~Telling Time for Kindergarteners

~ Learn to Tell Time (Part 1)

Slide Show from Scholastic Study Jams

~ Tell Time Slide Show and Follow-up Online Quiz

Have fun learning about TIME!

Circular Geoboards - Fun Hands-On Math Tools

2012-02-24T14:16:00.006-05:00

Here is a Circular GEOBOARD (hands-on math tool) that can be used with kids for FUN Measurement lessons as well as geometry and other areas of math.

Circumference and Diameter with an elastic and hair bands

The above picture shows how kids can use the Circular Geoboard for finding the Diameter and the Circumference of a circle. It could also show symmetry, fractions, etc.

Circumference and Chords

You can purchase geoboards or make your own. Some geoboards are double sided (a square on one side and a circle on the back).

The Geoboard that you see above was inspired by my trip to the Dollar Tree. (I go often! I'm kind of obsessed!!! It's in the same mall as Michaels' Craft store and Marshalls.) I found this great package of 5 Wipe-Off 12 Pin Circular Boards.

I asked my husband for a spare scrap piece of wood. He cut a square for me and sanded the wood. Then I glued one of the circular Wipe-off Boards to the wood and hammered push pins into the 12 dots that formed the circle. Voila, an inexpensive hands-on manipulative. You could add a push pin to the middle to demonstrate Radius.

If you wanted to make a board but can't find the Wipe-off Boards, you could use a compass and protractor to sketch a circle right on a piece of wood. I'll provide links in case you'd rather check out the store-bought versions of geoboards. :)

Have fun with math!

Measurement with Paper Airplanes

2012-02-24T10:27:00.001-05:00

Here's a MATH MEASUREMENT ACTIVITY that involves Paper Airplanes and Measurement Tools.

Materials

paper airplane
ruler/yardstick/meter stick/measuring wheel
painter's tape (optional)
pencil and paper for recording results

There are several different resources to use that have directions for making paper airplanes.

***You could use a plain piece of paper and view the You Tube video (below), then follow the directions.

***You could purchase an inexpensive paper airplane kit(s). I found these at a Dollar
Store. Each kit comes with 8 planes to construct and directions.

*** You could purchase or borrow a book from the library that has instructions.

Directions for the Activity

Use a piece of painters tape and mark a starting line on the floor.
Have students take turns standing at the starting line.
Give each student a turn to make their plane fly the farthest.
Have students use measuring tools (rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, measuring wheels, etc.) to measure and record all turns.
Students could have several turns then compute their averages.

Click here for directions to make a measuring wheel.

Have fun with math!

Measurement and a Jumping Frog

2012-02-23T09:13:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun Math Measurement Activity and Crafts Project that involves a ruler and a jumping frog!

Materials

square piece of paper
marker
ruler
pencil and paper

Directions

Create an Origami Frog (Directions can be found here.)
It works well for students to work in pairs (or with the teacher).
Have one student hold a ruler (cm. or inch) on a flat surface (lower numbers at the bottom, of course!).
Have the other student, place the frog next to the ruler then press on the bottom back edge of the frog's back and quickly let go to make the frog 'jump'.
The partner can measure and record how high the frog jumped.
Students can reverse roles.
Students can repeat this activity several times.
Then they can compare and contrast their results noting the lowest and highest jumps.
Older students can compute their averages and possibly the mean, median, and mode for this activity.

Have fun!

Volume Slide Show and Online Quiz

2012-02-22T09:59:00.009-05:00

Here's a slide show from Scholastic Study Jams about VOLUME. It can be used to introduce or review the meaning of Volume and the FORMULA for finding the Volume of a Rectangular Prism.

There is also a short online quiz that the students can take to check their understanding.

Just click on the link below.

~ Scholastic Study Jams Slide Show: VOLUME

To view a fun hands-on volume activity for kids, click here.

Enjoy!

Measuring Volume with Manipulatives

2012-02-21T21:13:00.007-05:00

VOLUME

Here's a fun math activity for kids that uses a square or rectangular box and some foam blocks (cubic units) to find the VOLUME of a RECTANGULAR PRISM.

Start by showing the students the small box and the cubes. Have them estimate how many cubes will fit in the box.

Have students start to fill the box by making one layer on the bottom. Let them count the cubes/ (cubic units). Give students a chance to change their estimate of how many cubes they think will fit in the box.

Have students add another layer.

Continue adding layers until the box is filled. Students could keep a count of how many cubes are in the box with each layer and can keep adjusting their estimate.

Students can construct the same shape without the box to better visualize all the cubes (cubic units) and layers (levels).

Students can try this activity with other boxes and then compare volumes. Which box has the smallest volume? Which has the largest volume? Can they find 2 different boxes with the same volume?

Younger students can count all the cubic units that fit inside particular boxes and older students could use the Formula to find the Volume of their Rectangular Prisms.

These foam cubes can be found at dollar and craft stores. Other manipulatives to use could be sugar cubes or unifix cubes. Even marshmallows (although not cubes) could be used with young students to learn about volume.

To view a Volume Slide Show, Click Here.

Have fun with math!

Online Measurement Games with Rulers

2012-02-20T20:16:00.011-05:00

Using RULERS, YARDSTICKS, and METER STICKS to measure with can be a lot of fun for kids.

Kids LOVE hands-on tools!

Rulers come in different sizes.....6 inches, 12 inches, and even 18 inches plus different colors!

Dollar Tree is a good source for inexpensive rulers and Home Depot is a good source for inexpensive yardsticks (in the paint department). I bought a yardstick for under a dollar! Some stores such as Home Goods have free colorful paper yardsticks for their customers (to use when shopping). But, then the paper yardsticks can be used later in the home or classroom.

For young children, I like the rulers with large numbers that only have inches on them or perhaps the half inch also marked off. As students get older the quarter inch, eighth inch, etc, can also be marked on their ruler.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kids need LOTS of practice measuring with rulers.
Here's some free online measurement games that the kids can play.

The first game uses a ruler and measures both centimeters and inches. The kids can choose the easy, medium or hard problems.

Click on the links below to play the games.

~ FunBrain Measurement Game

~ PBS Time to Move Game

~ The Ruler Game (more advanced)

After playing the online games kids could practice using the real rulers (or yardsticks and meter sticks) and have fun MEASURING!

Enjoy Math!

Finding the Surface Area of a Cereal Box (Rectangular Prism)

2012-02-19T16:33:00.001-05:00

Here's a fun MATH MEASUREMENT activity for kids that uses a recycled cereal box.

Surface Area is the measurement of the OUTSIDE of a solid figure.

Materials

cereal box or other rectangular prism shaped box
scissors
pencil
markers (optional)
ruler

Directions _- Activity 1

A cereal box bought at the store is a 3D Shape.We need to turn it into its NET (2D representation of a 3D shape).
Empty everything out of the cereal box.
Use your scissors to cut the box open. You may need to tape the top and bottom flaps back together because of the design of the box. Your box should look similar to the picture above with 6 areas. (front, back, 2 sides, top and bottom----all flattened out)
Next you need to use a ruler to find the AREA for each box section. You could do the work and write the area(s) on each section of the box. Remember: Area = Length x Width
After you have found the Area for each section, you need to ADD all the 6 different areas together to find the Surface Area!
Voila, you now have the Surface Area of a Cereal Box/ Rectangular Prism in square units!

Directions - Activity 2

This is an alternative method to find the surface area of a rectangular prism.

You could use the following Formula and a ruler to find the surface area of a rectangular prism

l=length, w=width, h=height

Have fun with math!

5 Minute Interval Paper Plate Clock

2012-02-18T13:16:00.001-05:00

Making paper plates clocks to learn about telling time is an easy and inexpensive craft activity.

When the students have learned the basics of telling time and are ready to move on to learning to tell time in 5 minute intervals, you might want to try using 2 paper plates. The smaller inside plate would have the numbers 1-12 and the larger outside plate could show counting by 5s to help with reading the minutes.

Click here to get a list of materials for making the basic paper plate clock.

Today's clock just needs an extra larger plate. You can also secure it to the top plate using the same paper fastener. Then just use a marker or more stick-on numbers to count by 5s on the larger circle.

Have fun learning about TIME!

Make a Shamrock Paper Plate Clock for St. Patrick's Day

2012-02-17T11:52:00.002-05:00

St. Patrick's Day is almost here! So it's 'TIME' to make a Shamrock Craft!

So in honor of this holiday let's make a paper plate shamrock clock with the kids and sneak in some math measurement lessons.

Materials

paper or thin plastic plate
shamrock sticky-back foam or felt stickers (can be found at crafts stores)
marker(s)
cardboard or foam to make clock hands
scissors
paper fastener
glitter glue (optional)

Directions

Adhere 12 shamrocks stickers around the clock.
Write in the numbers 1-12 in the appropriate spaces.
Draw and cut out 2 clock hands.
Insert the paper fastener through both clock hands then through the center of the plate.
Students can decorate their clocks with glitter glue or other materials, if desired.

Have fun combining a holiday and math!

Using your Tile Floor to Teach Area

2012-02-15T20:02:00.004-05:00

Here's an easy way to demonstrate AREA. Lots of homes and classrooms have tile floors. If you do, you might want to use your floor and some painters tape to teach area.

Area = 2 square units

I like painters tape because it comes up easily after the lesson is over.

Area = 1 square unit

Start by marking off some squares and rectangles with your painters tape. Have students calculate the area. Younger students can count the floor tiles (square units). Older students can use the formula ( Length x Width = Area). Then reverse, name an area (such as 4 square units) and allow the students to mark off the area with tape.

Area = 4 square units


Area = 6 square units

As a follow-up students could copy and label sketches of the tiles in their math journals.

Have fun with math!

Learning to Tell Time with Manipulatives

2012-02-13T20:23:00.001-05:00

Learning to tell time can be difficult for some kids. That's why it's important for kids to have lots of practice and learn in a happy, fun environment.

Here are some manipulatives to use with children to make them eager and happy to learn about analog clocks and telling time.

A paper plate or card stock clock will be needed. With the card stock all you need to do is draw a large circle. The numbers can be written in by the student or they could use the self adhesive foam number stickers available at dollar and craft stores. If the numbers are written in, the card stock could be laminated for durability.

Here is a sampling of some fun, inexpensive manipulatives that the kids can use for the hands on the clock.

pipe cleaners

straws

popsicle sticks (2 sizes)

Now some edible manipulatives!

pretzels

Twizzlers

Gummi Worms

With all the munching and giggling going on with these manipulatives, children should be able to enjoy this special 'time' of learning about TIME!

Enjoy math!

Make a Baseball Paper Plate Clock Craft

2012-02-13T14:24:00.002-05:00

Baseball season will be starting up soon. The major league teams have headed off to their training camps.

So in honor of a new baseball season, let's make a paper plate baseball clock with the kids and sneak in some math measurement lessons.

Materials

paper plate
baseball sticky-back foam stickers (can be found at crafts stores)
marker(s)
cardboard or foam to make clock hands
scissors
paper fastener

Directions

Adhere 12 baseball stickers around the clock.
Write in the numbers 1-12 in the appropriate spaces.
Draw and cut out 2 clock hands.
Insert the paper fastener through both clock hands then through the center of the plate.
Students can decorate their clocks and add the names of their favorite baseball teams to their clocks, if desired.

Here are some variations.

Use 2 baseball bats for the clock hands.

Add in the name of your favorite team!

You can also make a football, soccer, or basketball clock. All of these stickers can be found at craft stores.

Don't forget to take your craft coupons! I used one to buy the stickers. I often post the coupons on my facebook and twitter pages. Please follow me there. :)

http://www.facebook.com/learningworkroom

http://twitter.com/learningwr

Have fun with math and sports!

Easter Paper Plate Analog Clock Craft Activity

2012-02-10T10:09:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's post and craft activity was a Valentines Day's Paper Plate Clock for kids. Today I have a cute Easter Paper Plate Clock craft that kids can make.

Students can use these ANALOG CLOCKS when learning to TELL TIME and also when learning about ELAPSED TIME.

Materials

paper plate
Easter themed foam stickers (found at Dollar or Craft stores)
paper fastener
markers
magic marker
foam or cardboard to make clock hands
scissors

Directions

Place a medium or large sticker in the center of the plate. (bunny, egg, etc.)
Place 12 smaller stickers around the edges of the plate.
Write the numbers 1-12 in the appropriate positions on the smaller stickers.
Draw and cut 2 heavy paper or foam hands for the clock.
Insert a paper fastener through the clock hands then through the center of the paper plate.

Have fun learning about TIME!

Valentine's Day Paper Plate Clock Craft Activity

2012-02-09T21:25:00.007-05:00

Whether children are learning to tell time or doing more advanced math with elapsed time, they'll enjoy making their own clock.

Here's a VALENTINE CLOCK that kids can make.

Materials

paper plate - your choice of color (I found some decorated plates at the supermarket!)
heart shapes (I cut these from foam sheets purchased at the Dollar Store but a package of precut stick-on heart shapes would work great. )
magic marker
heavy paper or foam for clock hands
paper fastener
glue stick
scissors

Directions

Use a decorated Valentine's Day paper plate or draw a heart in the middle of a solid color paper plate, if desired.
Color or decorate the edges of the plate, if desired.
Adhere 12 heart stickers around the plate or make your own hearts with foam or paper and then glue them on the plate. If you have a heart punch, that would work great!
Number the hearts (1-12).
Draw 2 clock hands on paper or foam sheets, then cut them out.
Insert a paper fastener through the 2 clock hands then through the center of the plate.
Now it's 'TIME' to enjoy math your new paper plate clock!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Using Manipulatives When Learning to Measure Perimeter

2012-02-08T19:17:00.004-05:00

Here are some inexpensive manipulatives that kids can use to make polygons.

Then depending on their ages and abilities, they can use nonstandard or standard measurement tools to find the perimeters of their figures.

Popsicle Sticks

Straws

Tooth Picks

Pipe Cleaners

Attribute Blocks

Construction Paper 2D Shapes

Elastics or Hair Bands on Geoboards

Glow Stick Bracelets

Now for the edibles!

Pretzels

Twizzlers (candy)

Gummi Worms

Hope the kids have fun finding the PERIMETER!

Perimeter Slide Show and Online Quiz for Kids

2012-02-07T20:25:00.002-05:00

Perimeter is the distance around the outside of a plane figure.

To find the perimeter add the length of each side.

Perimeter = 10 cm + 7 cm + 4 cm + 7cm = 28 cm

The kids might like watching a Slide Show from Scholastic Study Jams on Perimeter. Then they can take a short online multiple choice quiz after viewing the slide show to check their understanding of perimeter.

Next they might enjoy measuring the perimeter of some plane figures. In tomorrow's post, I 'll mention the different materials (manipulatives) that I like to use. Here's a picture of one of my favorite "edible" manipulatives to use!

Click on the link below to view the Slide Show.

~ Scholastic Study Jams - Perimeter

Thanks for stopping by!

Perimeter and Area Videos and Songs for Kids

2012-02-06T17:28:00.000-05:00

Music makes learning fun!

Here's a few catchy Perimeter and Area videos and songs that are presently on You Tube. Just click on the LINKS below to enjoy!

~ Math Rocks! Perimeter and Area

~ Area Formula Song

~ Area Song

Enjoy!

Using Word Walls with Kids in Math

2012-02-05T22:54:00.004-05:00

I LOVE WORD WALLS (for all subjects)!

Math Measurement Vocabulary

Word walls can be created by teachers, parents, or students with just a few pieces of cardstock and a marker. I buy lots of blank cards at the dollar store. They come in different colors and designs.

Science Word Wall Cards - Animal Classification

If I want to add a picture or illustration to my cards, I usually create the cards on the computer in a word document and use clip art or simple illustrations that I create on the computer such as shapes (for geometry).

Geometry Vocabulary

When I make word walls I choose the vocabulary words that children need to know to understand a particular topic or concept. The wall provides a visual reference for the students.

If you have limited space, you only need to display a few words at a time on a wall, pocket chart, white board, refrigerator, etc.

Children need to interact with the words multiple times and in multiple ways. Have the kids play games with the words (Hangman, Concentration {need 2 sets}, Bingo, etc.). Pronounce the words together with the kids, have the kids clap out the syllables, alphabetize the words, illustrate the words, define the words, and/or act out the words. Choose a Word of the Day! Play "I'm Thinking of a Word" and give clues.

Have FUN with Word Walls and watch your kids' Vocabulary SOAR!

I have some Word Wall Cards for math and science at my new TPT store, if you are interested in viewing them click on the link below.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Marcia-Murphy

Investigating Area with Graph Paper

2012-02-05T10:50:00.003-05:00

Investigating the AREA of Squares and Rectangles

With just some simple graph paper which can be downloaded for free at multiple sites and a few pencils, crayons, or markers and a ruler (optional) kids can have fun exploring the concept of AREA.

Have the kids draw and color different sized squares and rectangles on graph paper. Younger kids can then count the squares (square units) inside the shape to calculate the AREA. Then they could find the shape that has the smallest area and also the shape with the LARGEST area.

Older students can also use the Formula for the AREA of a Rectangle to find the area of each shape (Area = Length times Width).

Area of a Rectangle

As a follow up, discuss with children when we would need to use AREA in our everyday life. (buying a rug, carpet, wallpaper, tile, etc.)

A good source to download free graph paper is Do2Learn. You can click on the link below to go to their website.

http://www.do2learn.com/activities/mathhelpers/index.htm

Have fun with area!

Exploring AREA with Manipulatives in Math

2012-02-04T13:19:00.028-05:00

Using Manipulatives is beneficial when kids are first introduced to the Concept of AREA in math.

An easy inexpensive manipulative to make is little squares. I used foam bought at the dollar store but you could use construction paper, cardboard from cereal boxes, etc.

I used my paper cutter to cut the foam but you could use a scissors or a square paper punch. The squares can be any size as long as the squares are all the same size.

Children can start by making square or rectangular shapes and counting the small squares to find the AREA.


Area = 6 square units


Area = 12 square units


Area = 16 square units

As children get older they can learn the FORMULA for the AREA of a RECTANGLE (length x width = area).

Here are a few other manipulatives that can be used (borrowed from other math manipulatives if you have them available).

The squares from a set of Attribute Blocks

Area = 6 square units

The squares from sets of Tangrams

Area = 4 square units

If you didn't see my previous post about using Cheez-Its, you can view it here.

Have fun with AREA!

Learning about Area using Edibles!

2012-02-03T16:13:00.003-05:00

On Pinterest (where else!), I saw a cute picture of a lesson where students were using Cheez-It Crackers to learn about AREA. I loved it and of course pinned it! The lesson comes from Mrs.Gold's 3rd grade classroom. You can view the picture and website here.

Here is my version done with the Cheez-It Crackers that come in the LETTERS of the ALPHABET.

This is what it looks like!

Area = 4 square units

I think this visual representation will help students remember the CONCEPT of AREA as well as the TERM.

Area = 8 square units

Students could write the word twice and double the area!

Area = 12 square units

.... Or write the word three times to triple the area!

Students could write their own sayings or even their names! If you need a space, flip over a cracker. There are no letters on the back of the Alphabet Cheez-Its.

Area = 10 square units

You can also use Saltines or other square crackers to investigate AREA.

I'm sure the kids can come up with more inventive ways to use the Cheeze-Its with Math. I'd love to hear how else you are using "edibles" in math.

Have Fun!

Measurement Word Search Puzzle

2012-02-03T10:04:00.001-05:00

WORD SEARCH PUZZLES are popular with lots of kids. They are also a great way to introduce or review important vocabulary for a particular topic or a whole unit of study.

For a MEASUREMENT unit some of the important words are Length, Angle, Weight, Perimeter, Area, Volume, Units, Temperature, Etc.

I have a Free Measurement worksheet uploaded at my website. If you would like a copy, just click on the link below then go to Free Worksheets.

~ http://www.LearningWorkroom.com

Have fun!

Bill Nye Video on Measurement

2012-02-02T10:48:00.001-05:00

We all know that Bill Nye the Science Guy is a really cool guy that has some GREAT Science Videos to help us learn LOTS of science topics in a really fun and interesting way. BUT, did you know that Bill Nye the Science Guy also has math videos????? (Should we call him Bill Nye the Math Guy now?)

Bill has a great video on MEASUREMENT. It's divided into 3 segments which makes it real convenient for watching.

Click on the link below to view Bill Nye the Math Guy 's Video on Measurement.

~ Bill Nye on Measurement

Enjoy learning about measurement!