Fractions in the Fourth Grade

Fractions in the Fourth Grade

Here’s a fun way to tie in some fraction work. Students will be making their own number trails using inch graph paper and then using them to develop their understanding of fractions. It’s nice to give them the ownership of making their trails any way they want. Just make sure all students have trails that are the same length in numbers. CCSSM: 3.NF.A.1; 3.NF.A.3a; 3.NF.A.3b; 3.NF.A.3c; 3.NF.A.3d; 4.NF.A.1; 4.NF.A.2; 4.NF.B.3b; 4.NF.B.3d

Identify, Describe, Analyze, Create, and Reason with Shapes and their Attributes

Identify, Describe, Analyze, Create, and Reason with Shapes and their Attributes

Here’s something super easy to do with kindergartners and first graders that covers a lot of the Common Core geometry standards. You will need one geoboard per student and some geobands. Working in small groups, ask students to design different shapes on their geoboards. Discuss the attributes of the shapes and compare different shapes such as rectangles and triangles. Next, have students create different shapes within specific parameters. For example, design a triangle that touches exactly 4 pegs. See photo…

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Testimonial: Nifty Numbers and Math Medley Family Math Night Event

Testimonial: Nifty Numbers and Math Medley Family Math Night Event

It makes us smile when we receive letters like the following: Dear Karyn, I am absolutely delighted with the outcome last night. You cannot believe the amount of positive feedback that has been coming my way. Each and every family left here last night with a huge smile on their face. To quote, “That was awesome Mom”. One teacher said and I am not kidding here – Dad’s were over the top happy with the event they were giving her…

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Subitizing with Dominoes

Subitizing with Dominoes

I love doing this activity with kindergartners and first graders! Not only is it a great way for them to practice their addition facts but these little guys LOVE writing on their individual white board, so it’s a win/win! And it’s so simple. Here’s what you do: Without turning it on, put ONE domino on the overhead projector or doc camera. Tell students that you are going to flash a domino for a few seconds and their job is to…

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Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively

Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively

Estimates help us predict the reasonableness of an answer. Having students make an estimate before they perform the calculation, and even writing the estimate next to the problem, can help them to focus on making the numbers (and the problem) make sense. Example: 3.2 x 9.8 = Students use benchmarks to determine that 3.2 is close to 3 and 9.8 is close to 10, therefore, a reasonable estimate would be 3 x 10 = 30. If students perform the actual…

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