Day 109- Math Explorations

We finished our math unit on measurement and took the test yesterday. Instead of starting the next unit, on time, I decided we needed a day of Exploration. My students have amassed a lot of information from the beginning of the new year till now, so today was a day to process what they had learned. I set up 5 stations.

Station 1: Fact Family Review. 
Students used Dominoes to create fact families, 2 addition problems, and 2 subtraction.Addition and subtraction strategies have been a reoccurring theme in the math units this year. Knowing fact families helps students see that numbers are related.

Station 2: Money Dominoes
Students practice matching coins with their denominations. This was one station I stayed close to. If a student got confused, we recited our Money Rhymes.

Station 3: Weights and Balances
This was the most popular station. Since we worked on measurements and weights in the last unit, this seemed like a fun...er...educational activity. Students were given a balance and some different objects to compare. They also had a recording sheet that included finding 3 things that were heavier than something else, 3 things that were lighter, and 4 things that were equal in weight.This was another station I stayed close to.

Objects included crayons, coloring pencils, plastic counting chips, the tv remote, a candle, and unifix cubes. Once I explained that they were to take turns, things went a little smoother.

Station 4: Making Numbers
Students used number cards and unifix cubes to make numbers. Students picked a card and created the number using cubes, then had to draw what they created on a recording sheet. In unit 12 we worked on place value, so this was a good review.

Station 5: Flippin' for Addition
Students played a flip 'em and add 'em card game. Pretty simple. They flipped two cards, added the two numbers, and recorded the problems and answers.

 My students had a good time, and I have recording sheets that give me some data on what they understand and what I might need to revisit. Overall, I think math was a success. :)

But it wasn't just a big day for my class, Kindergarten celebrated their 100th Day today! Their count is a little different from ours since they have 2 weeks on phase-in at the beginning of the year. Today they celebrated by having a 100 Day Parade!

Literacy center pictures:

 Spelling texters, Buddy reading

Check out the Soldier in the blue shirt. He wrote some awesome, detailed sentences during his center time!

Word Wall

** Don't forget to check out the blog tomorrow! A new Celebrity Reader reading a wonderful retelling of a classic tale!**