Items filtered by date: May 2012
Another Math Dice Game: Teaching the Concept of More and Less
Is it greater than, less than, or equal to? Whatever it is, it's in the bag!
Yesterday I posted the fun addition and subtraction dice games.
While I was making those example Baggies, I thought how perfect this idea would be for the greater than, less than concept, as the Baggies are clear, and when flipped over would reveal the opposite symbol!
All I had to do was include a small square that said = on it, for students to cover the < > signs, when they rolled doubles, and I was in business!
Students can either work independently or choose a partner and play against them, seeing who can solve the most equations before the timer rings.
Here’s how to play the game:
Children roll 2 dice and find that equation on their paper.
They rewrite it, and then show it in their manipulative Baggie, flipping the bag to whatever side they need to show greater than or less than, or covering the symbol with an equals sign if they roll doubles.
If they roll the same 2 dice that they already have an equation for, they lose their turn.
Baggie Manipulatives:
Put 10 buttons, or whatever manipulatives you have, in large Ziploc Baggies. Draw a greater than sign in the middle. Trace a black line above and below it.
Give it a few seconds to dry and then flip it over and retrace to make the less than symbol. Using index cards or old file folders, cut squares and label them with equal signs. Tuck one in each baggie. I’ve also made greater than and less than label templates if you want to stick those on the top of your Baggies to help your students associate the words with the symbols.
Simply put a 30-on-a-page Avery label sheet into your printer and print. Students move the manipulatives to the right and left to show the equation they rolled. For example: 5 < 6, 3 = 3, 4 > 1
Click on the link to view/download Greater Than Less Than Dice Game
My Baggie idea was inspired by Mrs. T’s addition Baggies on her First Grade Blog. Click on the link to see how this creative teacher uses her Baggies.
If you like this greater than less than game, you will also enjoy Alligobbler. It's a quick and easy "craftivity" where you make an aligator out of a long envelope.
His toothy grin is the symbol. Students have fun "feeding" him numbers.
Click on the link to view/download Alligobbler.
Feel free to PIN anything on my site you find worthwhile.
Do you have a greater than / less than concept that helps your students understand things? I'd enjoy hearing from you. diane@teachwithme.com You can also post a comment here as well.
Do drop in tomorrow for another teaching tip, until then, remember:
"Students don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care!"
My Long and Short Vowel Easy Reader Booklet
Dice Game Stuff
Greater Than Less Than Or Equal To Dice Game
Addition and Subtraction Dice Game
Playing Dice Games To Teach Addition
Whenever you can think of a way to teach a concept via a game your students will enthusiastically want to learn.
Dice are the perfect way to introduce simple addition for numbers 1-6 and then move students to subtraction.
To make the game even more fun, I’ve included clip art to guide them. Because I want students to practice writing their numbers, I have them not only solve the dice equation, but rewrite it in all numbers.
I also feel that student need to “see” counters to visualize the true concept of addition and subtraction.
I have a variety of ways for my students to do this, but stumbled across bead bracelets and manipulative Baggies via 2 creative teachers on Pinterest.
I decided to incorporate the “seeing-is-believing” and the “doing-is-understanding!” principal to this dice game by making it even more hands on. After students write the equation they SHOW it, using either the bracelet or Baggie.
Ta Da! Hopefully the light bulbs will be going on while the kiddo’s are having a fun time.
Students can either work independently or choose a partner and play against them, seeing who can solve the most equations before the timer rings.
Here’s how to play the game:
Children roll 2 dice and find that equation on their paper.
They rewrite it, solve the problem and work it out on either their bead bracelet or manipulative bag.
If they roll the same 2 dice that they already have an equation for, they lose their turn.
After students have played the addition version of the game, have them switch to subtraction.
Click on the link to view/download Addition and Subtraction Dice Game
Bead bracelets:
To make a class set of bead bracelets for this game put 6 pony beads on 25 pipe cleaners. (Or however many students you usually have in class.) Twist the ends so they look like a bracelet. Students move the beads to show the various rolls of the dice. i.e. 3http://tunstalltimes.blogspot.com/2011/08/number-bracelets.htmlQ + 2 = 6
I got the bead bracelet idea from: Mrs. Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits click on the link to check out her cute site and how else she uses her bracelets.
Baggie Manipulatives:
Put 6 buttons, or whatever manipulatives you have, in small Ziploc Baggies. I used poker chips becaus you can buy them at The Dollar Store. Draw a blue or red + sign in the middle of the bag with a black line above and below it so that the line runs down the center.
Make another set of Baggies for subtraction and put a minus sign in the middle. If you only want to make one set of Baggies, simply put a line down the middle.
I really believe that it is worth the few extra dollars to make separate addition and subtraction bags, because I think that the more students see thosee math symbols, the more the concept gets ingrained in their brains.
Students move the manipulatives to the right and left of the line to show what equation they rolled. i.e. 3 + 3 = 6
I got the Baggie idea from Mrs. T’s First Grade Blog click on the link to see her sweet site and how else she uses her Baggies.
Hopefully your students will enjoy this game and things really will start to add up in your class!
Thanks for visiting today. I hope you can drop in tomorrow for another teaching tip!
Feel free to PIN if so inspired.
What Are Students Learning In Your Class? Displaying Student Progress
Proud Pupil Peacock Progress Pals
Now there's a tongue twister to rival Peter Piper!
These adorable birds are a wonderful way to build a student’s self-esteem, show progress and let others know what students are learning in your class.
They are easy and simple to implement and can last the entire year, making a nice keepsake of all that a child has accomplished in preschool Y5’s, kindergarten etc.
At the beginning of the year, you can keep the peacocks in a student file folder or their portfolio.
As students learn new report card standards and pass assessments, earning feathers, the peacocks acquire lots of plumage.
Design a makeshift bulletin board in the hallway to display your students’ progress for the rest of the year and watch their self-confidence grow as they get to “strut their stuff!”
Your caption can include that concept:” _______________’s students are strutting their stuff. (S)he is so proud of their accomplishments”! Or “Look what ___________________’s students have accomplished this year! We’re proud peacock pupils who have earned the right to strut our stuff!”
Here’s how to make a Proud Peacock Progress Pal:
Run off the templates on brightly colored construction paper.
You can have students cut out feathers as they complete an assessment, or have them pre-cut by a room helper. To expedite things I have them pre-cut as well as the circles.
Students could also color these in, but I like the extra pizzazz the construction paper makes.
Students cut out their peacock and write their name on the tummy.
If you want to add some 3D pizzazz, students can add wiggle eyes, 4 rhinestones at the top of the bird’s head, a 3D beak and yellow construction paper feet.
When a student passes an assessment, the child adds feathering detail with a complimentary colored marker and the teacher writes down what report card standard they have mastered.
Feathers should be glued to the backs of the birds in an alternate ABAB pattern. The next row should be another set of 2 different colors.
Click on the link to view/download Proud Peacock Progress Pal
I hope you and yours enjoy showing off some appropriate pride this year, as they learn how to spread their wings and fly.
Do you have any tips of how you build your students’ self-esteem or show what they are accomplishing in your class?
I’d enjoy hearing from you. diane@teachwithme.com You could also post a comment here. If we all add something to each other’s bag of tricks think of how much lighter the load.
Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN anything on my site you think is worthwhile!
"Children learn more from what you are than what you teach." -W.E.B. DuBois
