Wednesday 25 February 2015

Multiplication Tables Freebie!

This week we are sharing a Multiplication Tables Freebie...
 

Hit The Target

 
Students complete the ‘Hit The Target’ task as a way of identifying their multiplication strengths and areas for improvement.
 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Tables-Freebie-1731098    https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Tables-Freebie-1731098
 
Instructions:
• Print one ‘Hit The Target’ sheet per student
• Students complete as many of the multiplication facts as they can in 5 minutes (or less)
• Use a stopwatch to track the time – students call out ‘stop’ when they are finished. The teacher calls out the time for them to record at the top of their sheet
• Students then colour the centre of the target to indicate their progress with that set of multiplication facts. This can then be used to set goals for individual learning. 
 
Once students have identified their area of need – they can carry out an investigation of the specific multiplication facts they need to learn. This may include; looking for number patterns, investigating different strategies and identifying the strategy that best supports their own learning.
 
This Multiplication Tables Freebie can also accompany our
iSURF Multiplication Tables Level 3 unit of work.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Tables-Year-3-1565441

 

Sunday 22 February 2015

Adding 1 can be tricky



Adding 1 to a collection can be hard for some kids as they need to go back to the start and count form one.

Subitising is a pre requisite that is needed to do this task. 

Do lots of trusting the count before you add one. 

This pack will help to see a collection and then add 1.


iSURF© is a mathematical structure that will support AusVELS and the Australian Curriculum, as well as the CCSS in the USA  - 36 pages

You will find.....
Poster - I can add 1 to a collection

Peg It - Adding a collection and clip with a peg

Spin and add 1 - Laminate and add the spinner with a split pin. Spin and add one. Some students may be ready to record the equation

Read the Room - Adding 1, there are two sets. Color copy and laminate – then display around the room. Students then locate the cards and record the answers. Set 1 is to 10 - children identify the sea animal and record the answer next to it. Set 2 is to 20 and is labelled alphabetically

Roll the Dice - There are recording sheets for 6, 10 and 12 sided dice. Each child needs a best fit dice. They roll the dice and then record the answer vertically and horizontally.
                                       
CCSS standards are included 
K.CC.A.2 Counting and Cardinality – know number names and the count sequence. Count forward beginning from a given number within the known sequence (instead of beginning at 1)
This task fits in with the following

AusVELS Content Description:  
Establish understanding of the language and processes of counting by naming numbers in sequences, initially to and from 20, moving from any starting point (ACMNA001)
Represent practical situations to model addition and sharing (ACMNA004)

Thursday 19 February 2015

Bird's eye view

We have been busy looking at bird's eye views this week. 

We are working on a pack for adding 1 and it should be ready to go on Sunday night...






Sunday 15 February 2015

Number Scrolls

 I am a huge fan of number scrolls. 

They are just a strip of paper that start at any number (depending on ability) and can be used to add 1, add 2, skip count, double, add or subtract from.

What I love about them is that kids love them and they are learning at the same time. 

This little group were being independent and were using the constant function on the calculator to check each response as they were recorded. This ensures a self checking component and you don't just have a random string of numbers. 

They can be done individually or in pairs or in a group of three. 
If the paper was bigger - the group can be bigger. 

This group were setting their own goals and some were skip counting by 6, 8 or 11 from a non zero start. 


Wednesday 11 February 2015

Money, money, money

We have working on money multiples and enjoying our topic. 

Here are some photos of us working hard. 

Below is the link to our two current money packs. 












Sunday 8 February 2015

Zooster Shapes Study

Recently the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne hosted an exhibition by DreamWorks Animation - sharing many of their drawings, models, storyboards and design tools.
 
While wandering through the amazing displays and admiring the creativity of the many individuals who work together to create such wonderful entertainment, I stopped to look more closely at...
 
Craig Kellman, Zooster Shapes Study - DreamWorks Animation, 2005.
 
I couldn't help but think about how engaging this would be for our students as they learn about 2D shapes and 3D objects.
Real people doing real jobs... relating their work back to topics they would have studied in primary school.
What a great starting point for discussion and a great springboard for creative design!
Imagine what our students could come up with when presented with such an opportunity...
maybe there are some future animators amongst them already!
 
If you have any other suggestions to assist our students to make mathematical connections to the real world... please feel free to share!
Comment on our blog or FB page, add a pin or send us an email at kpisurf@gmail.com
 
 

Wednesday 4 February 2015

Multiplication Tables

We all know how tricky it can be for students to learn their multiplication tables.
We now have two units of work available that are aimed at supporting students to not only learn their multiplication tables, but to understand them. Multiplication tables are one aspect of teaching multiplication but these facts are critical to further learning in multiplication.
Available are:
Multiplication Tables - Level (Year) Three
Including: 2x 3x 5x 10x
AND
Multiplication Tables - Level (Year) Four
Including: 4x 6x 7x 8x 9x
 
We also have available a great value bundle with both units included at a reduced price.
 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Tables-Year-Four-1673380  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Tables-Year-Four-1673380  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Tables-Bundle-Yr-3-Yr-4-1688352

 All unit include:
• 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 (including ‘Speed Check’ sheets, individual and partner games/tasks, dominoes and flash cards)
• 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.
 

Sunday 1 February 2015

Making Maths Connections With Families

As we begin the new school year in Australia, we start to think about how we can help our students make genuine connections with what they are learning. One way to help support our students to make these connections is, where possible, engage our student's families too!

Below are some ideas that might assist you in making maths connections with your families...
  • Send home a classroom newsletter that includes the Maths topics you will be covering throughout the term
  • In student's diaries - students record the maths topic they are focusing on that week. This could also act as an invitation to families - they can contribute to the topic if it is relevant to them (for example a brick layer may be able to share their knowledge about tessellations)
  • Hold a 'Maths Morning' - invite families into the classroom to enjoy some of your favourite maths games 
  • When making maths games for the classroom - make a few extras. Send these home with students and encourage them to teach their family how to play. When you build up a bank of these - they can be sent home with every student on a weekly basis. And yes... some may go missing from time to time - however, this shouldn't deter us from trying!
  • Hold a 'Maths Information Evening' - use this night to outline the current strategies used for 'the basics' in each year level. Keep it simple and have a one page overview for families to take away with them
  • Set Maths Investigations for homework - these could be linked to current topics being studied. For example, if you are studying symmetry - ask students to collect photos or make drawings of items they find around their home that are symmetrical and bring these to school to share
  • In your school newsletter - include a Maths Corner. Each class can contribute a puzzle, activity or game to be published
  • As students arrive in the mornings - have a variety of maths games out and ready to be played. Students can play with other students or invite a parent/carer to join in if they have time
  • Invite in parents as guest speakers - ask them to share how they use maths in their daily lives
  • As parent/teacher/student meetings are held - invite students to share their favourite pieces of work (share work from a range of subjects, including maths)
  • Build a Maths Dictionary with students - as each topic is investigated, add in new definitions as appropriate. This can then be shared with families at school or sent home
We recognise that it is not always possible to make connections with all families, however, this doesn't stop us trying! We also understand that for many adults, mathematics can be quite intimidating, particularly if they struggled with this at school themselves. It is important to make these connections with families as inviting and supportive as possible, so that all involved feel comfortable and able to contribute.

If you have any other great ideas you have used to help make home - school connections in maths,
please feel free to share!