Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Tried it Tuesday-Order of Operations Project


Finally linking up with Holly for Tried It Tuesday, on Wednesday. 


It was supposed to be Saturday Spark with Joanne, but I just couldn't get it together. 

Last week, I assigned my first project to my advanced students. 

They were given a room number from our building. We just completed our Order of Operations unit. Their assignment was to create a 6-8 step equation using all four operations, parenthesis and an exponent to get that classroom number. 

Students then created a mobile with each step. 

I only gave them one week for this project. It was a major grade. It was their homework for the week. 

Here's the results: 


I have over 100 of these hanging.  
I would also like to post the project. Keeping my fingers crossed to do that this weekend. 
It was fun, simple and quick! 






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Friday, October 4, 2013

5 for Friday- October 4th


It's Friday. 
I have pizza on my plate.
Adult beverage in my hand. 
And I am finally blogging! 
Thanks to Doodle Bugs for her weekly link! 

I actually have three drafts going. I was trying to plan ahead for some favorite linky's for the week, but never made them. Boo Hiss. 

My week started Sunday. My friends and I did the Color Run. 
It was dirty and hot and F-U-N!

Before, nice white shirts!
 At the start line! 
 After. What a mess! 

We just completed stations for factors and order of operations. We were task card crazy. It was fun, but a lot of work. 
I have been able to get the exponent cards in my store. I am working on the others. 

Then mid week, I had a date!!!! My husband took me to a movie and dinner. We were out until after 10pm! WHAT?!! On a school night? What was I thinking? He offered me a sneak peek for Runner Runner; Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake. No way, was I gonna say no! Movie was simple, but great eye candy!!! 


I ended up with all this from centers. Again, what was I thinking? next time, they will be grading their own work. Live and learn. 

And now, the rest of my week and even this weekend will be focused on baseball and tball... cuz that's what we do around these parts! 



I have got to get more regular with my blogging. I really, really miss it! 




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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Sparking Student Motivation- Smarty Pants Club


For this weeks sparking student motivation, I have taken something I received from our wonderful hostess, Joanne at Head Over Heels for Teaching,  and made it work for my kids. 


We had our first major test. I had several students make a 100!  I wanted to reward them. So with Joanne's "smarty pants" rewards, I created the "Smarty Pants Club". Students signed a card and received a Smarties candy! Then I posted this behind my desk, which is the only blank wall space I have in my room!!! 



My students informed me that they like Nerds candy a lot, so I need a "Nerdy Club" too. Silly kids! 
Good thing candy is everywhere right now so I can pick some up for them. 





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Friday, September 20, 2013

Five for Friday-Math Notebook Edition

Once again, it's Friday from a full and busy week. Time to link with Doodle Bugs for 5 for Friday.

I started this week with 2/3 of my work out buddies. 
We completed an 8k run. I like 5k runs more, but it was good afterward when we said, we finished. I was pleased with my time, there were lots of hills! Our "sergeant" as we call her, won 3rd place in her age group. She ran fast and was still upset with herself because she "could have one better!" We just roll our eyes at her. I was just glad I didn't pass out! 


Then math, math, math note booking fun. 

We started our Unit 2 this week, factors, factors and more factors! 

Prime factorization: Thanks to Runde's Room for this cute idea! 
 The left side is a warm up the next day. This way students can show what they know. 

This lead to Exponents
I have never taken notes on exponents, but I know this is going to make a huge difference next week we start order of operations. 

Greatest Common Factor:

This is FREE here.

Least Common Multiple 
Saw this on Pinterest this summer. It was easy and quick and the kiddos loved how big the M was. Next week, they will write on the left side about how to find the LCM or I might do the difference between factors and multiples since they seem to get those confused. 


It's Friday night, it's raining and we are off to our local Mexican restaurant with friends for yummy food and even yummiest drinks! Oh happy day! 





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Sunday, September 15, 2013

MS Sunday Funday- Something Good to Share

This week Julie from ispeakmath asked to share something positive from the beginning of school. 


I have been in school three weeks. It as been GREAT!! Seriously, I am finally enjoying work again. The past two years have been hard. I am so pleased with how things have started. 

My students are sweet and overall, well behaved. 

Incorporating Class Dojo in my class has helped with my talkers and helped me manages randomization. 

But, what I am choosing to share is more personal. 

During the second week of school, before the first bell, one of my students asked if she could talk to me. We went into my room and she started talking about Girl Scouts and that she is going for something called the Silver Award. Then, she asked if I would be her sponsor. 

I was so moved. I wasn't even exactly sure what it meant, but I was so honored that she thought of me and asked. 

I am thrilled to be building more personal type relationships with my students. I know it will translate success in their learning as well. Plus, honestly, it just feels good to be liked, even by 6th graders! 

Saw this on Pinterest and this fits my classes this year! 

Keep calm because 6th Grade Rocks!








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Saturday, September 14, 2013

Sparking Motivation- Interactive White Board Lesson

This week I planned a lesson without even knowing how motivating it could be. When it was over and my kids were asking to play again, I knew what I would share today. 

It's Saturday with Joanne over at Head Over Heels for Teaching
.

This week, we talked about integers. Our standards are weak in this area in my opinion. But, with my advance classes, they will use negative numbers this year and do all operations. 

I created an interactive Promethan board lesson. 

We played integer golf. 

First, we reviewed some vocabulary and facts about integers. We went over this the day before. We made a foldable, a vertical number line and practiced + and - integers with a little story. 

Then I explained how the game of golf works. They needed to know that negative or "under par" was actually good. 

They loved the golf courses as backgrounds. They don't have a lot of experience with golf, but this helped them visualize better. 


They created their own score card and we played together on the white board. They used a cube to keep track of the score with their vertical number line from their notebook. 


We used the awesome dice roller as our "stroke" counter. Some of them had never seen this,  they were very impressed. 
Just by clicking on one button, and they were instantly adding or subtracting the integer to see if we were + or -. 

I also incorporated the randomization tool from Class Dojo to call on students  for answers and to roll the dice. This way they knew it random and not favoritism. 
In several classes, they begged to play again. We couldn't because of time, but I told them we would play again a reward. 

They absolutely loved using the Promethean pen. It was a treat! 

These do take one time to create, but are worth it. 
But, no need to reinvent the wheel. There are tons created already, by teachers, and for FREE!!!!! 

Check out Promethean Planet. I used a divisibility interactive chart I found last year. 

I have figured out my students love it, so I am tapping into it for as long as it works! 



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Friday, September 13, 2013

Five for Friday & a Freebie!

So, if I start this on Thursday night, maybe I will actually post it on Friday. (Fingers crossed) 

Click here for Doodle Bugs Teaching 
1. I am 3 weeks into this school year. I have woke up every day at 5am and worked out! I hate waking up early, but it actually been a great addition to my day! I am doing Jillian Michael's Revolution. Week 1&2 were okay. She kicks it up a notch in week 3&4! I curse her daily, but always glad when I am done.
 
2. I set up Class Dojo with my classes this week and it is awesome!!! 
I blogged about it here
3. My boys had their first baseball and Tball game last night! 
4. I did a fun interactive lesson on integers this week and my students begged me to "play again"
Seriously, that has not happened for me in middle school. I will be blogging about it tomorrow for Head Over Heels Motivation link party. Be sure to check it out! 
5. We have our first home football game tonight! Go Wildcats!!! 
Short, sweet and to the point, but I actually feel like I accomplished something on my to-do list! 
And as a Friday bonus, here's a vertical line freebie. 
click here for the link party
We did this for integers. I wish I had the dotted lines when I gave it to my kiddos! there are two per sheet and yes, I printed mine in color for my students, but it is not a must. 
click here for the freebie!




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