Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Math Work Stations Chapter 7

Reflecting on my past years, I can say that my geometry stations address a variety of geometry goals.  Students sorted real 3D shapes, built designs with pattern blocks, played games where they had to identify and recognize 3D and plane shapes, and made books about shapes.  I need to include symmetry, positional words and geoboards in my stations.  After reading Math Work Stations..., I realize that I should be making sure that students are using the vocabulary.  One way is to create anchor charts with the students. 

A favorite geometry station for my students in the past is making pictures with pattern blocks.  Sometimes it was in the form of a puzzle.  This was a little frustrating for some students, but they felt a sense of accomplishment when they completed a puzzle.  Other activities allowed students to create their own picture.

This activity was found at Fun to Teach and Learn.  We integrated math with one of our reading series stories.  Students had to record how many of each shape they used, and then write an adventure about their robot.

http://sites.google.com/site/fun2teachandlearn/math
Scroll almost to the end.  Under Enrichment Activities is shapes.  You'll see Pattern Block Robot/Robot Response Sheet.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Is It a Condiment Tray or Teaching Tool?

Thanks to Teacher Tipster, I made a run to Dollar Tree. They had the condiment trays featured in the video that Mary at Guided Math shared. http://www.youtube.com/user/teachertipster?feature=mhum#p/u/18/0ch4fTFFgcs

My dice are still at school. I bought 2 trays so that I can still use one in small group and have one at a station.  I'm so glad that I have such awesome Blog Buddies!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Rainbow Fish

This summer, I am volunteering at a Learning Center/Day Care.  Right Now they have an Ocean Theme.  I read Rainbow Fish, and talked about how important it is to share.  Then we did a little poem about "5 little fish swimming by the shore..." As I read, one child at a time removed a colored fish.  We talked about how the poem rhymed, we counted the fish, and recognized colors.  Next we fished for "f" pictures.  Two boys were distracted at the bottom of the ocean. :)  They missed their turn to go fishing.  I was impressed with the ones who did fish out pictures of a fox, a flower, and a pig. They put them in the correct buckets.  Then we made our own version of a rainbow fish. Finally I shared some colored Goldfish crackers with them.  Next week it be beach day.  I'm looking for ideas. ;)

Fishing for /f/ pictures
Interactive Poem

Our Version of Rainbow Fish



The owner/director of the learning center is a friend.  I am confident this where I want my grand-daughter to go.  I thought this would be a good opportunity for my grand-daughter to get acquainted with the other children and see how they interact with each other.  She fits in perfectly.  I just hope that she won't be another handful for my friend.