Depicting Larger Numbers

In a training with one of our district math strategists, we learned a technique to get students to show what they know. Each group has a different pen or marker color and completes one portion, task, or question at a given station. They then rotate to the next station and do the same. They either add to what the other group has done or come up with a different answer. Using this idea, I created Place Value Depictions to 120. These worksheets allow students to depict numbers in pictorial models (sticks and dots for tens and ones), on a tens/ones chart, in expanded form, and in written form. I set up stations around the room with one of these worksheets at each. The students rotated to each station until all the ways to depict the numbers were completed. I loved it because the students could not always rely on completing the portion that came the easiest to them - someone else may have already done that portion. The kids loved it because they got to work together and it was like a puzzle to them. I plan to continue having the kids work on these in math tubbing. Once we have a complete set, I will bind them as a class book for them read as review. You can download the file here.

The Shape of Things

We read The Shape of Things by Dayle Ann Dodds to introduce the attributes of shapes. After reading the students were each given a random shape that they had to turn into a real life object, just as in the book. They then told me about their shape which I typed following the style of the book. The pictures were bound together in a class book for them to read during Daily 5 and Math Tubbing. I believe it is important for students to be exposed to math vocabulary in all subjects.