Giving Kids the Answers

WHAT?!! Give them the answer? What am I thinking? I am supposed to teach students how to solve problems, not give them the answer. 

Well, let me just say that the best activities I have given my students lately have been the ones where they already have the answers. 

Let me explain: 

1st

Secret Message Order of Operations

Students had to solve 10 problems that matched a letter in a riddle. 

As students were solving, if they came up with a number that was not on the riddle space, they knew they had made a mistake. They were working in small groups, and listening to them was truly awesome. They talked it out, they tried everything. There was one problem that was tough because they didn't use their subtraction integer rules, but once explained, they were like, "oh yea!"

2nd: 

We used 4mula Fun's Solve n' Snip Christmas Story. 

It was great for reviewing decimal operations. 

But, really what I LOVED LOVED LOVED, was the math talk I kept hearing. They were using reasoning. They would say things like, "well, it's a money problem, so it has to work." When I looked at their work, they were actually underlining important information. 

HALLELUJAH! 

3rd

Another one I have used is several looping activities from Live. Love. Math 

Students solve one problem, and find the answer on a different problem. If they don't find it, they know they have made a mistake. 

4th

Like above, I have completed several scavenger hunt activities that loop around. This is where the question is on the bottom and an answer to another question on top. Students solve the bottom and then find the answer on another card, then begin working the problem on the bottom. 

When they loop around, they know they have completed the activity and gotten them right. 

This is awesome for so many reasons. 

First, seriously, middle school kids reasoning? and talking about math? SOLD!!! 

But, the other thing is grading is DONE for me! I do love that. 

When I was grading the solve and snips, I could see easily that they had the correct answers, I was looking at their work. I am that mean teacher who takes points off for NOT showing their work. 

But, even with that, students are not bombing the activity. 

The idea behind all of the above activities is that my students get math practice. I want them to be successful. I don't want to grade them, mark everything they got wrong just to have then redo it and try and "bring up their grade". 

Giving Back

Have you been remembering to enjoy the iHeart Holiday Hop? There have been some fantastic sharing of giving back and some fantastic freebies as well. Remember, each day send you to that link. Each link opens on that calendar date! 

Don't miss out! 

I wanted to share with you how our middle school "gives back" here in our community. 

First of all., for those who don't know, I live and teach in a small community East of Austin, Texas. We have 1 high school, one middle school and three elementaries. We are low socioeconomic and primarily a Hispanic culture. I feel like we are very diverse. 

Each of our advisory classes is given a child from a local elementary to "adopt" for the holidays. They provide a wish list and our students try and fulfill those list.

The younger students are brought to our school one afternoon and we provide them with their gifts and a party celebration. Santa makes an appearance too. 

This was the scene in the cafeteria. Many of the parents of the chosen children came as well. They were so touched by the generosity of our students. 

Several of our advisories are small, so we do combine with other small advisories. That is my situation. My 10 kids partnered with another class of 10 and we provided for a little boy. 

Super yummy Christmas tree cupcakes! 

They even decorated to set the stage! 

Our little guy was six years old and very shy. (as expected) 

He received transformers and legos and was very excited. 

One parent was very generous and provided a bike for him! 

Sorry you can't see his H-U-G-E smile!!! 

Trust me, it was precious. 

The whole experience is really great and really good for our students. They know these kids. They are related to some of these kids. They are generous, they put other first. 

The showed what the holiday spirit is all about. 

Daily 3 (Math)

I have read about Daily 5, but since I am Math, I just kind of passed over it. This week I was introduced to Daily 3 for Math. 

Our principal sent us to watch a 3rd grade teacher implementing Daily 5, for Math. 

At first, we were wondering why 6th grade teachers would watch a 3rd grade classroom. Our attitudes changed really quickly once we saw it in motion. 

First of all, the teacher we watched was A-MAZING! It was so clear her classroom management was top notch! 

I loved seeing her classroom, the walls, the structure, everything!!!! She even mentioned that she spends almost 2 hours a day on Math!!!!!! OH!!!! can you spell J-E-A-L-O-U-S!!! 

I might add that she uses Daily 5 for Reading, Math and Science. I think that makes a huge difference. Her students are experts!!! 

We left to debrief and our minds were racing! 

Long story short, we are going to implement Daily 3 into our classrooms starting in January. I think we are excited, but also a little nervous as to "how it will actually work", but we are ready for the challenge. 

So, today, I did the fun part. I made signs. And they are FREE for you. 

I was thinking if do Daily 5 and want me to add some, just leave a comment and I will. 

iHeart Holiday Math Blog Hop

Have you been following the iHeart Math Blog Hop. It has been soooo fun! 

I have the pleasure of linking up with several wonderful math bloggers for a month long holiday hop. 

We are excited about this collaboration because each day you can access a different blogger with 

great holiday tips and a special gift. You can click on each date of the calendar, but remember that it's an advent calendar, so each day is unlocked on that date. 

Stocking Stuffer #1

I want to share how our middle schoolers give back. 

Each of our advisory classes is given an elementary student from one of our 3 local elementary schools and they "adopt" that child for Christmas. 

Our students provide them with presents and a Christmas party, specifically for them! 

It is a really awesome time in our school. We are low socioeconomic school, way over 50% free and reduced lunch ourselves. But, our students NEVER let these young kids down. 

This will be our 3rd year and each year it just gets better and better. 

The week before the holiday break is hard for all grade levels. 

For me, at the middle school level and high school, our students have semester exams. They are required to take a two hour test for ALL their classes. Our schedules are crazy and there are days that I don't see my students. So, my tip for you teachers that have to deal with the same issues is to make reviewing interesting. Play a game, work in groups, allow students to teach the class, just mix it up and have some fun. Not only will they review, they will have fun and hopefully not make you lose your mind. 

                                                       

To help you with my Holiday Tip from above, I want to provide you with some 

Order of Operations Review 

 A fun activity next week to keep yourself sane and help your students review.  

Here is a forever freebie for you. 

Thanks for hopping along with us.

Tomorrow, Christina at the Recovering Traditionalist will provide you with wonderful holiday tips and a special gift.

                                                     

Happy Hopping!  

              

A Wonderful Wednesday- Equations vs. Expressions

If I tell you it was a wonderful day, maybe it will be! 

No, today was not too bad. I want to share quickly about something I whipped up, literally. 

(This is when having first period planning is useful)  

We have started our algebraic unit which is my least favorite to teach. 

Even last night, I was dreading what I was going to do. 

But, thankfully, Jennifer at 4mula Fun has a freebie that I was able to use. 

You can get it here. 

I needed to teach the difference between equations and expressions. I wanted an activity to go along with my notes and yea, this one was PERFECT!!!! 

 I made one for equations and one for expressions, printed them on colored paper and along with a simple foldable, it was a great activity! 

And... I received a walk through while using them!!! PERFECT TIMING! 

See, it was a wonderful Wednesday! 

Don't forget the iHeart Holiday Hop is on Day 3!!

Remember, you can click on each day to go directly to that blog, but they do not unlock until that date, just like an advent calendar. 

Happy Hopping! 

Terrific Tuesday- Technology

Today is terrific for so many reasons. 

1) I have a half day off. I know, we just got back, but my son has his first post-op appointment, so we travel back to San Antonio this afternoon. I don't like driving, but I do like working half days! 

2) Secondly, we get a SECOND day to shop at TpT and get CYBER Monday prices!!! 

I did some shopping last night, and yes, I will probably do some more today! 

3) It is also day 2 of the iHeart Holiday Hop 

Have you seen this? It is so cool.

It's an advent calendar and each day it unlocks so you can get some great tips and FREEBIES from lots of math bloggers. 

Day 1 and 2 are open, click away!!! 

                   


4) And because it's Tuesday, let's talk
TECHNOLOGY

If you follow my blog you know we are now a 1:1 iPad school. We have been challenged to use as much technology with our students as possible. 

I have implemented iTunes U and shared about that here. 

We have also been encouraged to use an app called eBackpack. 

eBackpack is like an assignment log. Students have all their classes in one place, all their assignments, and they can turn in assignments there. Teachers can grade and return grades to students as well. It is obviously we are headed toward a paperless school. 

These may help: 

This is my homepage. The student homepage looks similar. They have all their assignments in a calendar and they are colored coded as well. 

I can tell what assignments are upcoming and what I need to grade. 

eBackpack is like a mini computer because I can store my files on eBackpack. 

Here's an example of what an assignment would look like. 

This is what I see when I grade and when I am complete, I can send it to them with the grade attached. I see this as no more lugging tons of papers home on weeknights or weekends!!! That is a WIN for me!!! 

So, here's how I used it in class with task cards. 

I love task cards. I use them a lot, but I thought I would try something different. 

My issue with paperless anything is I require my students to SHOW THEIR WORK and if students don't have a stylus for their iPad, using the "marking items" on eBackpack can be cumbersome. I decided to try it anyway. 

I added my homework for the week. That is helpful because now if they lose it, they have access to it. They can turn it in this way as well. (I could do this on iTunes U too, except they cannot turn it in to me) 

I still gave them a paper copy of their homework each day. I told them they could use either method. 

For our classwork, I decided to try it as well. 

I uploaded my task cards for exponents and prime factorization into each class on ebackpack. 

During class, I had each student open the document and gave them the choice again. They could either use a paper copy to show their work OR turn it in through eBackpack. 

The majority of students used the paper copy. I am okay with that. I asked my students if they liked having the task cards on eBackpack and they did. It was different and worth trying. 

I have told my students to ask Santa for a stylus. They just looked at me weird. LOL 

We also sell them here at school and students can earn them with our PBIS incentive program as well. I think if we implement more eBackpack assignments they will start using them more. 

Have you heard of eBackpack? Does your school use it? 

What do you think I would love to hear your experiences.