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Friday, April 5, 2013

My Week in Review

      WOW!  This has been a looonnnggg week!  I was so glad to wake up and know that today was finally  Friday!  Did your week feel long?

       And, it just wouldn't be Friday without linking up with Amanda at Teaching Maddeness and Doodle Bugs Teaching for my week in review!
                fiveforfriday                             

•  Teaching Blog Addict is having a little birthday bash!  They are hosting the ultimate freebie celebration with freebies for grades Pre-K through 6th grade!  Head over there to grab up some great freebies!!

                                      First Grade and 2nd Grade Free Download - Teacher Freebies on Teaching Blog Addict

•  We had to have a little crisis drill lockdown on Tuesday.  They were all super sweet and stayed as quiet as a mouse!  It was so quiet and still that a few decided it would be a great time for a nap!  Wish I could have joined them!  Ha

•  We've been working a bit on practicing basic fractions and how the whole must be in equal parts.  I learned about this little game while taking my masters classes in math education.  It is so simple and yet the kids LOVE it!  They make the game  pieces and practice fractions and it keeps them actively learning!  What more could you ask?
 The materials are:  construction paper (at least 4 colors) and 
                              a die that can be labeled with 1/2, 1/4, 1/8

How to prepare:  Decide which color will represent each fraction of the whole.  (I used blue for 1/2, yellow     
                           for 1/4, and hot pink for 1/8.  For the gameboard, I used brown.  The gameboard 
                           represents the whole.)
                           For your color that represents the half, I tell them to fold the paper in half, crease it, lick it 
                           (I know, but  it helps with the tearing!), and then tear it.  Set this aside.

**Side note, my professor said that if was really important for them to actually tear the pieces instead of cutting them with scissors.  She said that they make more of a connection of how the pieces fit together to make the whole.  I've always had them tear it and they understand the concepts  I want them to learn so why mess up a good thing, right?

                           Do the same thing for your paper that will represent the 1/4, but then tear each half in half.
                           Do the same thing for your paper that will represent the 1/8, but tear each 1/4 into 1/8.  
                           Are you still with me????  Hope so, because your kids will love it!

How to play:  Each kiddo puts their gameboard in front of them.  The first player rolls the die and the student 
                           covers whatever the die tells them.  The next player does the same thing.  They must cover
                           the entire gameboard with none overlapping and none overhanging.  It must be a perfect 
                           fit.  The first one to cover their gameboard is the winner!  So easy!




      As students play this game, they come to see equivalent fractions and begin to use these equivalent fractions to cover whatever their die lands on.  It is so cool to watch!  They love it!  If you have any questions, just ask!  I know those directions are about as clear as mud!!

•  We all have them...the day that just won't end.  Today was my day.  Today has not been the easiest of days.  The kids are ready for spring break, I'm ready for spring break, and we still have two weeks to go.  UGH!  My kiddos, who are normally so, so sweet to each other are "Whah-whah-whahing" my to death!  Bickering about this, that, and everything in between... I am just so exhausted from it!!
   Anyway, I digress, you get the idea!  I know you can relate!  I drag myself to my car after school and I find a beautiful bouquet of flowers inside.  My sweet husband had taken his lunch time to go get flowers, drive from his job, and put them in my car with a sweet note for me to find!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!  He had no idea that I'd had a rough day, which makes it even more perfect!  It was just the pick-me-up I needed to start this wonderful weekend!


I hope you had a great week!  Now, go link up and blog about your it!!

Till next time...

11 comments:

  1. Ugh. What a sad day when we have to have lockdown drills at school... :(
    Erin
    I'm Lovin Lit

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  2. Wow! Two more weeks until Spring Break? That's crazy! We had ours the week of March 11! Hang in there :)

    The Frizz

    The Frizz in First Grade

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  3. What an awesome husband! Aren't sweet surprises the best? I hope the next two weeks go quickly for you!

    The REAL Teachers of Orange County

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  4. awwww! what a sweetie!! this was the longest week ever for me because my Spring Break is official as of 3:15 today... and I thought mine was late! I'm so sorry you have 2 more weeks!!
    Jivey
    ideas by jivey


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  5. I can't believe the little guy fell asleep during the drill. That is so cute. It's sounds like you did have a busy week.

    Jeanette
    Third Grade Galore

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  6. We will definitely try out your fraction game. Our kiddos will like that a lot!
    Tamra and Sarah
    First Grade Buddies

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  7. I just found your blog on the Five for Friday Linky. I am a new follower! We just finished our spring break and I couldn't imagine having gone longer without it. The kids were SO ready and so was I. Good luck in the next two weeks! I hope they go by quickly.

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  8. Your husband is a keeper! Relax this weekend! Love your blog's name & glad to be your newest follower!

    Molly
    Lucky to Be in First!

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  9. So sweet! What a great way to end your day! Have a great weekend!

    Karen
    Anappleadayinfirstgrade.blogspot.com

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  10. Firstly, love your blog name. I found you on Five for Friday. Second, that fraction game sounds great. Just one question, if a student rolled 1/2, could they use two 1/4 pieces to cover their board? I'm going to be starting fractions soon (eek). 3rd, how lucky are you to have such an amazing husband.
    Good luck these next two weeks!

    -Becky
    Musings from the Foreign Teacher

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Becky! Yes, if a student rolled a 1/2, they could certainly use two 1/4 pieces to cover the board. This is a great way to help them with equivalent fractions. I wouldn't necessarily start with that option unless they have had practice with that before. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

      Thanks for stopping by!
      Robin

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