"O Geome-Tree" Activity UPDATED

Happy December! I can't believe ANOTHER year is nearly complete. WHERE does the time go??!

I just revisited and updated one of my math activities that I posted about a loooooooong time ago (from 2011, to be exact). My 4th graders helped me create an interactive bulletin board for Christmas. Here is the original post:

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Our bulletin board for the month of December was entitled "O Geome-Tree" (after the ever-so-popular "O Christmas Tree" song). This was a good opportunity to talk with my students about what geometry is (since, for whatever reason, my students said they had never heard the term). Geometry is something that students have had experience with all the way back to when they were learning shapes. Don't be afraid to introduce the term to them in the early grades! Anywho, here is the board!:

This was a very simple introductory activity. We actually will not get into geometry until late March (other than reviewing what was learned in past grade levels) so I kept it simple. All the students had to do was make a polygon, write a fact or two about the shape and decorate it. They then got to staple it to the board as an ornament for the tree (this was their favorite part). Here is the sample I made for them:

The activity gave me a little insight into what they already knew about polygons; it was NOT a good sign that half of them had to ask what a polygon was :/. Anyway, some students did a really great job while others decided to do a very basic job. Here are some student examples:

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Activities like this make me miss being in the classroom! :)

Anyway, I updated the file today--all activity directions and a grading rubric are included PLUS a set of task cards and recording sheets to use with your bulletin board.

This activity is PERFECT for this time of year! Enjoy the freebie!! :)

Array Cards UPDATE!

Back when I started blogging (wayyyyy back in 2011) things were pretty different! Fonts came from very few places, clip art was limited, and styles were much different. I realize this every time I look back at one of my old blog posts or when I take a peek at some of my older TPT products. It actually makes me cringe--some of the cover pages I made were just SO ugly--lol. SOOOOOO, I am making it my mission to update them all, one by one. And not only update them, but add in some new things!

So out with the old...

...and in with the new!!!

WHAT was I thinking with that first one, right?!?

I also updated the Array Cards:

This is such a great resource for the classroom that is working on multiplication fact fluency! These can also be used for measurement (area and perimeter).

The Array Cards Pack has the cards for multiplication facts 1-12.

The Activities for Array Cards Pack includes 8 task card activities for students to do independently, in small group, or whole group.

And I now have a discounted pack with BOTH products!!

So, what is special about these products?? Well, there is ample research (and a little bit of common sense!) to support that fact fluency helps students be more proficient in other areas of math. They aren't having to focus on "what's this fact" when they are completing an algorithm (such as long division). Ya know, it just makes sense to have the kids know their facts! Period! ;)

Array cards are wonderful little visuals to support the students' learning of multiplication facts. Each card has the dimensions on the front and the total area on the back:

We all know how important visuals are, especially if students still do not have a concrete understanding of numbers. Students will not only see the fact with its product, BUT they will see how much the product is. They will see the arrangement of the number of squares that make up the product. They will see and compare the area to other arrays. Students will be able to see and hold a visual representation of each fact (1-12) in their hands. And for students struggling with fact fluency and/or spatial representation, this will be a powerful tool in their hands! So play a game with them, match them, have a discussion about them--there are many possibilities and much to be learned.

Interested? Comment below for a chance to win a free copy of the combo pack! :) I will choose a winner around 2:00 p.m. CST. :)

Click below to check out the products! They are on sale for TODAY only! 

 

Square Numbers and Daily 5--What Do They Have in Common??!?

What do Square Numbers and Daily 5 have in common??! They are the newest products in my store! I made an activity pack on Square Numbers to go along with a multiplication unit. You can see below that the pack includes a math journal page, 3 games, bookmarks, a chart, vocab cards and a cute little minibook with tutorial! I am so excited about it and sad that I won't get to use it with first grade, hahahahahaha. I hope this is something that you are able to use!

I also made rotation cards to go along with my ocean-themed Daily 5 and CAFE poster sets. I posted this to my store a few days ago and a lot of you have already downloaded it. Feel free to head over and download your FREE copy!

Available in kid clip art...

...or ocean clip art!

Snag any of the products listed above by visiting one of my shops! Click below to get there!

As always, if you are one of the first 3 people to comment, I will send you a free copy of the Square Numbers Activity Pack! Don't forget your email! :)