Karyn's Blog

Teaching Polygons Using Rubber Bands

June 5, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

Here’s a super easy and fun way to reinforce attributes of polygons. Using a rubber band that is not too small or thick, students create shapes using their fingers. It’s a great multi-sensory activity. Ideas: -show me a triangle -show me a triangle with one obtuse angle -show me an iscoceles triangle -show me a quadrilateral -show me a trapezoid -etc. Shapes larger than a quadrilateral (4 sides) are more difficult to make. Students can partner up to make pentagons…

Sticker Addition

May 28, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

Why not empower kids to create their own addition problems to solve? They love it! Here’s an activity I do with kindergartners and first graders. An easy way to adapt the lesson for beginning of the school year kindergartners is to have them simply place stickers (less than 10) and write the total.

Multiplication of Fractions. What Does it Mean?

May 24, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

So that’s what it means to multiply fractions! Visual representations make all the difference! I acutally have students first do this using a geoboard. Then we transfer to grid paper (see above photo). After collecting a number of samples, students look for patterns and discover that multiplying across gives them the same answer. But now it makes sense! CCSS: 5.NF.4; 5.NF.5

Common Core State Standards in Mathematics – Geometry

April 27, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

Why give students the definitions? Why not give them enough information so that they can create the definitions on their own? The Common Core state Standards in Mathematics along with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards emphasize allowing students to be actively involved in creating their learning. Through this, they will learn to: -reason abstractly and quantitatively -construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others -attend to precision -look for and make use of structure Besides, the…

Really, Texas? No calculators?

April 21, 2012 Karyn Comments 0 Comment

I just read that the Texas State Board of Education is getting rid of calcuators in the elementary grades. It’s a good thing, too, because I’ve no doubt that every kindergarten through fifth grade teacher hands their students calculators so that these teachers can get out of doing what they love doing…teaching. Honestly. Although not approved yet, it’s only a matter of time. Because, as we all know, politicians know best. And, yes board members, you are politicians. I remember…