Learning Mats- Tens and Ones

I have always struggled with math small groups.  Where to start, staying focused, having a complete meaningful lesson.  In an attempt to better myself, my lesson planning, and most importantly my students I starting working on an interactive learning mat.  The mat focuses on the standards we are working on that month/week, depending on the rigor of the standard.   I incorporated basic math skills we work on all year.  After using the mat for the first time, I was hooked!  The lesson went smoothly, students were having ah ha moments, and I felt SUCCESSFUL!  Isn't that the best when you walk away knowing you did your best and it worked!  Here is an overview on how it works and the lesson I taught!

I use 5mil laminate.  The students can write and wipe right off!  

 One of the biggest struggles for my students is understanding 1 ten can equal 10 ones.  

 Organized kids are successful kids!  I like the students to keep their materials in neat organized piles.  The designated area really helps with keeping students organized. 

While teaching small groups I have a focus student.  The student is usually the one I need to progress monitor.  On top of progress monitoring, I usually spend a little more time on the main skill taught.  While I am working with that child the rest turn their mat over and complete the 100's chart activities and fact families.  I love how they are focused on foundational math skills and are able to stay engaged while I get some great one on one time with my focus buddy. 

So here is how the lesson goes!

 I give the students a number!  They then count out tens and ones to make the number

After they have counted the number out we talk about how many tens and how many ones.  We write it in expanded form and on the tens and ones table. 

Next we practice exchanging a ten for ten ones and determining the new amount of tens and ones.  We document the change on our tens and ones table. 

After a few numbers, I have the students turn over their sheets and work through math review while I work with a focus student!

I love that smile!!!

I hope this gives you some great ideas for math small groups!

Also available as a hard good!

Small group set of 6- $25.00!

iPads in the Classroom-QR Codes

We have been an iPad school for a little over 2 years.  The first year was a learning curve for me in how I would use iPads with 6 year olds.  Little did I know they would teach me!  One of our favorite iPad activities are QR codes.  They just love to scan stuff!  Whenever we see a QR code whether on a snack bag, in a book, or magazine we HAVE to scan it.  It's an easy activity to reinforce skills and keep engagement.  My students each have an iPad buddy!   Their picture is the wallpaper on their iPad so it is easy to keep track of who's iPad is whose.   To prep for the QR lesson I print and laminate the cards.  I then tape the cards all over the room.  That is the fun part!  The kids are moving the whole time!  The rule being only one set of partners at a code, at a time.  They do so well with it!  They are too engaged to be silly!  As they are moving around the room I am walking around helping where needed.  The students read the card and solve the problem.  They write their answer on the recording sheet with a marker.  The marker is key!  They then scan to see if they answered correctly.  If the answer is not correct they X it out and write the correct in.  When I collect the sheets I can easily see what questions the students need more assistance on.  After today's lesson I noticed most students need additional support with expanded form.  Here is a look at a review math lesson using QR codes.  

We used the recording sheets, iPads, clipboards, and markers.

 iPad buddies worked together to solve the problem, record it, and check by scanning. 

I love being able to check their work without them erasing!  If it was crossed out I know they answered incorrectly and need additional support on the skill! Alternative assessment ;)

Happy Teaching! 

Math Performance Task

Part of our math curriculum is focusing on performance task as a testing option. My kids really struggle with these. They are very broad and the children are essentially creating their own math problem. My kids are definitely not use to this!  We are working weekly on a practice math performance task to help prepare for the topic test!  Take a look and keep scrolling for a freebie sample! 

Happy Teaching!