MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

 

See you all in 2015!

 

Sunday Night Games

Online Christmas Maths Games

Here are a few Christmas Maths links to help you finish off the year!

ABCYa Christmas Lights: the more maths questions you answer... the more lights you get to put on your house! Students can choose from addition, subtraction, multiplication & division as well as 3 levels of difficulty.

Super Santa Kicker: use different angles and force to get Santa through the chimney. (This one is not for the feint hearted - the reindeer gives Santa a kick to send him on his way!)

Holiday Fun: answer multiplication questions to decorate your gingerbread house.

The Elves' Games Chest: has a range of games and activities including; telling the time, money, flash cards and puzzles.

Have fun with your students over the last few days before we have a break over Christmas!

Christmas Freebie

Hello everyone,

Seeing as Christmas is starting to sneak up on us... just a reminder that we have another Christmas Freebie in our TpT store (for Foundation to Year 2).

 

Roll A Christmas Tree



 What you need:

* ‘Roll A Christmas Tree’ template (one per student)
* Dice (six sided)
* Coloured pencils/textas/crayons

 

How to play:

 Play in small groups (approximately 4)
 Take turns to roll the dice, then colour the corresponding section of the Christmas Tree
 Colour each section once - if you roll the same number again – miss that turn
 The first person to colour all sections of their Christmas Tree is the winner

 

Extension:

o When a player wins the game – keep playing until all members of the group have finished their tree. All players continue to roll the dice, instead of colouring sections of the Christmas Tree – add your own decorations/presents under the tree (however many were rolled)
o Make your own game – draw a Christmas picture using 6 different shapes. Give each shape a number between 1 – 6, copy and play with your friends (use blank ‘Roll a __________’ template)
o Use a 10 sided dice – add 4 decorations to the list that must be rolled before the game is finished

 

Have fun and enjoy the last few weeks with your students before Christmas!

 

 

Noughts and Crosses

Just posted - this print and go for O's and X's and revise addition while you play.

Year 1/2 Number Sentence – Noughts and Crosses

17 Pages

Write number sentences using the four operations and make them equal to a number in the present.

Play with a partner and take turns to write a number sentence. The answer must always be equal to the number inside the present. The winner is the player who has three in a row. Each player is to use a different color

Demonstrate how you can use all four operations to get an answer.

A freebie for you

Here is a freebie for you - just to kick start your Christmas season as well as revise some times tables.

Instructions to copy......

Copy the pictures below and save to your pictures

Go to your pictures and print from there

There is also an answer key for you.

Enjoy!

Throwback post about Aussie money

Australian Money and a throw back post......

This packet was fun to put together, once I found the right clipart to use. 

The content for our Grade 1's is to be able to recognise, describe and order coins. 

Read through the weekly planner to know what the relationship is between the different parts of the lesson and the resources. 

This pack contains 60 pages

Print off “Our Learning about coins” in colour and enlarge to A3 – this is a brainstorm chart to use to record learning as it happens

Tags for your shop items– determine which set or sets you will use. Depending on skill level you may use just the coins, the numeral tag or the word tag. These tags are to be attached to your items for sale

Coin rubbing sheet to assist in noticing the detail on the front and back of coins

Coin profiles – to be done in groups and then share the learning

Cards to match coin, amount and words. There are seven sets – six in colour and the seventh in black and white. This black and white version you can copy onto coloured card to create different sets.

Venn Diagram – bring in foreign coins and compare them using the graphic organiser

Two sets of assessment pages. 

One set has room for the whole grade and is tick based, the other has three pages – one page for each outcome and room for notes.

AND THEN...........

 Money Multiples for Year 3 in Australian Money!

Money Multiples  has 75 pages

This unit focuses on multiples of coins and notes in Australian money. 

Each task is designed to consolidate this and provides opportunities to explore and articulate the processes and strategies they use.

It covers the following

Australian Curriculum Content Strand: Money and Financial Mathematics            

Australian Curriculum Content Description: (ACMNA059) - represent money values in multiple ways

(This unit does not cover - count the change required for simple transactions to the nearest five cents)

It has....

I Can Chart - Share the ‘I Can’ chart and display. Refer to it at the start and conclusion of the lesson as a reflection.

Money in Piggy Banks - Copy in black and white or in colour. I would recommend copying 6 of your choice as this will assist when you have a group using them. Laminate and use as a learning centre.

On top of each piggy bank place coins or notes to show an alternative way to show that amount. Use play money or the money at the back of this pack.

Thinkboards

Copy one for each child and model how to complete the tasks.

Draw the coin

Record what you know about the coin

Where can you use this coin?

Write some equations using this amount of money

What can I buy? Copy one for a pair of students to use. Use catalogues and find items that you could buy and glue them on the bags. Display when completed. You will need to have the discussion about how difficult it is to now find items below $2.00. Perhaps take photos of items from your canteen or local milk bar.

How many ways can I show money amounts? Copy in colour and use as a learning centre. Cut each card out. The cards could be used for

Sequencing in order of value

Placing other coins or notes on top to show other ways of displaying that amount. i.e. 20c could be 2x10c or 4x5c

Use play money or the money at the back of this pack to place on top

Dice - Copy and cut out the dice. Fold the flaps and glue or tape to make the dice.

Roll the dice. Using play money or the money provided to show how you could make the amount using alternative amounts. i.e. $20 could be two $10 notes or 1x$10 and 20x50c

Some students could just record the alternatives, or orally share with a group

Roll dice and add - Copy one grid for each pair of students. You will need the two dice from the preceding task as well as a six sided dice. Take it in turns to roll the dice, each student is to use a different colour to record an answer. If a space is full you miss a go. The winner is the one who has been able to fill the most spaces

Roll and equate - Copy and laminate – write using a dry erase marker. Roll the dice and add the money amounts. If you roll a 4 that is 4x5c which is 20c. Exchange the 5c pieces for a 20c piece. Continue to roll and add the money.

Money black line and colour - There are colour as well as black and white versions for you to copy and use

Sunday Night Game - Snakes and Ladders

Snakes and Ladders is a very old game. It teaches our kids to use dice, follow rules, add, subtract and go up and down.

I have posted about this game before and I just love the conversation that happens around these old board games. 

Kids love playing and they could even make their own boards. 

Get out those old boards and have a game or two!

This board is from pinterest and you can click to go to the source. 

     

   

Multiplication Tables

Take a look at our newest unit of work...

Multiplication Tables

2x 3x 5x 10x

Australian Curriculum – Level 3

This unit is designed to support the introduction of multiplication and division, with a specific focus on learning the multiplication tables expected at this level.

This unit includes:
· On overview of the concepts and strategies relevant to the development of multiplication
· A Student Progress Record sheet
· Tasks to support the teaching of multiplication and division
· Resources to support the teaching of multiplication and division
· Identified assessment tasks to support a differentiated teaching approach

 

There is also room to include your favourite multiplication tasks and activities that are relevant to the strategies being taught, or to practice the multiplication concept.

If you have any handy hints for assisting students to develop their understanding and automaticity when learning their tables - please let us know!

kpisurf@gmail.com

Sunday Night Games (LEGO Part 2!)

Loving LEGO!!!

Part 2 - Year 3 - 6 students

 

Continuing from last week...

 

LEGO helps children build their fine motor skills, develops problem solving skills and encourages creativity... why not harness this for our maths program too?!?

 

Below are some ideas of how Lego can be incorporated into your Maths program...

(Use as a whole class, small group, pairs/individual task, or as an early finisher's challenge.)

 

• Show a picture/photo completed model and ask students to create the model as best they can (spatial awareness)
• Give students a limited collection of blocks to use and a task to make with these eg make an animal/transport/housing/toy etc (design and creativity/problem solving)
• Estimate the number of blocks it would take to build a tower that is 50cm high (select your own measurement!), build and check (reasoning/estimation)
• Make a model township based on a book you are currently reading (spatial awareness/problem solving/design and creativity)
• Use Lego to make arrays and square numbers (number and algebra)
• Use Lego to make symmetrical designs (measurement and geometry)
• Use Lego to make 3D objects (measurement and geometry)
• Explore fractions with Lego
• Work our the mean, median and mode using colours or numbers of studs (the bumps on the top of Lego)

Most of all... have fun!

Talk, create and share!

 

There are heaps more activities to enjoy - these are just a few to get you thinking

If you have any fantastic Lego Maths activities - please let us know!

kpisurf@gmail.com

 

 

The language of Mathematics

How important is the language we surround our students with when we talk about Maths???

 

The answer... language is EVERYTHING!

 

Mathematical language (along with language related to everything else we learn) is key!

It not only gives us the words to describe our learning but also puts us all on the same page.

 

A recent example:

A new Year 2 student arrived at school and was settling in well. He had made great friends and appeared to have a solid understanding of maths in all areas currently being covered. The teacher then wanted to spend time with the class revising the concept of 'Tens Facts" - all the combinations of numbers that add up to 10. The term "Tens Facts" drew nothing but blank looks from the new student and the teacher could not understand why he was not joining in.

 

After several conversations, modelling and use of resources... a light bulb suddenly went on!

"Friends of Ten!" came the shout!

The connection had been made - a common language and understanding had been built between teacher and student. Without that time and commitment to talking and sharing - this learning opportunity would have been lost. Instead, he was able to happily join in and participate fully in the lesson. "Friends of Ten" was also then shared with the rest of the class - growing everyone's vocabulary in the process.

 

It is impossible to think that language from school to school, and even classroom to classroom, will ever be exactly the same. However, sparing a few minutes at the start of a lesson to ensure everyone has the same understanding of the language being used is time well spent. Strategies such as Word Walls, information posters, Maths journals or brainstorming words when starting a new topic are all great ways to consolidate student's understanding, dispel any misconceptions and broaden everyone's mathematical vocabulary.

 

If you have any other examples where mathematical language has proven difficult for students - please feel free to let us know, along with how you solved the problem!

kpisurf@gmail.com

 

 

Sunday Night Games (LEGO Part 1)

Loving LEGO!!!

Part 1 - Foundation (Prep) - Year 2 students

 

Wonderful childhood memories spring to life whenever someone mentions the word LEGO!

In fact, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it still today!

But now I can appreciate it from a slightly different perspective and can see the amazing benefits from time spent with the little bricks and Lego men!

 

LEGO helps children build their fine motor skills, develop problem solving strategies and encourages creativity... why not harness this for use in our maths program too?!?

 

Below are some ideas of how Lego can be incorporated into your Maths program...

(Use as a whole class, small group, pairs/individual task, or as an early finisher's challenge.)

 

• Show a picture/photo of a basic (3 - 5 peices to start off with), completed Lego model and ask students to re-create the model as best they can (spatial awareness)
• Use Lego blocks to practice addition (number)

                +        =

• Use Lego to practice counting, make patterns, sorting and classifying (number/geometry/problem solving/reasoning)
•  Make towers and explore 'greater than', 'less than' and 'the same' (number/reasoning)
•  Trace around single blocks and have students match them (geometry)
• Trace around groups of block - can students match the shape? How many different ways can they make that shape? (geometry/problem solving)
• Use Lego bricks to practice subitising - show a number of bricks quickly and ask students how many there were - check to see if they were right (number)

Hints:

Allow a set amount of 'play time' when you introduce Lego into your progam - this is just as valuable as the Mathematical learning you are about to undertake!

Use plastic zip lock bags to make up kits students can use for certain tasks - large amounts of Lego is not only tempting to play with but can be overwhelming when trying to find certain peices to work with.

 

Most of all... have fun!

Talk, create and share!

 

There are heaps more activities to enjoy - these are just a few to get you thinking!

If you have any fantastic Lego Maths activities - please let us know!

kpisurf@gmail.com

 

Money Multiples - Australian Money

Introducing Money Multiples for Year 3 in Australian Money!

Money Multiples  has 75 pages

This unit focuses on multiples of coins and notes in Australian money. 

Each task is designed to consolidate this and provides opportunities to explore and articulate the processes and strategies they use.

It covers the following

Australian Curriculum Content Strand: Money and Financial Mathematics            

Australian Curriculum Content Description: (ACMNA059) - represent money values in multiple ways

(This unit does not cover - count the change required for simple transactions to the nearest five cents)

It has....

I Can Chart - Share the ‘I Can’ chart and display. Refer to it at the start and conclusion of the lesson as a reflection.

Money in Piggy Banks - Copy in black and white or in colour. I would recommend copying 6 of your choice as this will assist when you have a group using them. Laminate and use as a learning centre.

On top of each piggy bank place coins or notes to show an alternative way to show that amount. Use play money or the money at the back of this pack.

Thinkboards

Copy one for each child and model how to complete the tasks.

Draw the coin

Record what you know about the coin

Where can you use this coin?

Write some equations using this amount of money

What can I buy? Copy one for a pair of students to use. Use catalogues and find items that you could buy and glue them on the bags. Display when completed. You will need to have the discussion about how difficult it is to now find items below $2.00. Perhaps take photos of items from your canteen or local milk bar.

How many ways can I show money amounts? Copy in colour and use as a learning centre. Cut each card out. The cards could be used for

Sequencing in order of value

Placing other coins or notes on top to show other ways of displaying that amount. i.e. 20c could be 2x10c or 4x5c

Use play money or the money at the back of this pack to place on top

Dice - Copy and cut out the dice. Fold the flaps and glue or tape to make the dice.

Roll the dice. Using play money or the money provided to show how you could make the amount using alternative amounts. i.e. $20 could be two $10 notes or 1x$10 and 20x50c

Some students could just record the alternatives, or orally share with a group

Roll dice and add - Copy one grid for each pair of students. You will need the two dice from the preceding task as well as a six sided dice. Take it in turns to roll the dice, each student is to use a different colour to record an answer. If a space is full you miss a go. The winner is the one who has been able to fill the most spaces

Roll and equate - Copy and laminate – write using a dry erase marker. Roll the dice and add the money amounts. If you roll a 4 that is 4x5c which is 20c. Exchange the 5c pieces for a 20c piece. Continue to roll and add the money.

Money black line and colour - There are colour as well as black and white versions for you to copy and use

Sunday Night Idea

Here are some books about counting to 10 and friends of ten books. Edwina helps us predict how many out of ten eggs will be girls and boys and we can write equations for them.

I have saved one of my all time favourites until last. This book is great for skip counting and place value. If 1 is a snail - 4 is a dog, the legs are used to represent numbers. Pretty cool

               

      

One is a Snail - is great for place value and number bonds too!

I just love these books 

Design a Running Course - Metric

Introducing a new pack called -  Running Course is in metric units

 

There is a three week planner that will engage students in the task of measuring a running course that they design. 

They will brainstorm ways to make sure that the course is 1km.

Discuss and model how to step out a metre, check with trundle wheels or measuring tape

Skills needed are measuring length, scale/ratio, time, weight, mass and compass skills for direction.

There will be a large amount of class time needed for stepping out the course and checking measurements.

There are three weeks of planners and depending on how your grade move through the tasks they may take less or more time

Explicit teaching components are….

Why do we use scale – ruler interactive notebook (INB) page

Length, time, mass, capacity INB page

Ratio INB pig, girl page

Scale in our world

House plan for scale

Capacity INB page

Mass or weight INB page