Inequalities

A little more than 3 weeks until the NJ Ask and we are flying through our math topics.  I am so proud of my kids and how they've decided to put on their critical thinking hats and try their best at solving tricky problems.  We just finished inequalities and the kids really got them!  To keep the kids on their toes I am constantly having them move around and using any manipulatives I can find.  Easter eggs are a great one and the kids loved them.  We used them as our variable when we modeled how to solve one step inequalities.  In the beginning of every period we are playing Around the Room in 2 minutes... I hang 5-7 problems around the room (both current and old topics) and as the students file in from lunch they grab paper and a clipboard and start solving.  They know the rules are that you don't have to go in order (you go to the empty stations first), you can't talk, and you sit down right after you finish.  The students absolutely love this because it's a contest.  Whoever gets them all correct gets a prize... It isn't about time, just correctness. Between Around the Room, scoot, and my centers the kids are hands on mastering all of their math topics!! 

Here are a few questions we used for around the room to work on 6.EE.5 and 6.EE.7!

Also, here is a sample of some real worl ratio problems we worked on.  I am trying to cross all of the topics we have to get to so we mixed converting measurements and ratios. It was hard work but they all got it!

Spring is in the air!

Today was Shadow Day... we take our 6th graders to the middle school that they'll be going to next year.  The students get a tour and get to experience what lunch is like over there.  Coming back from Shadow Day is rough..the kids are ready to move on to middle school, but there are still 3 months of school left!  In the next month I have so much planned to help get my kids fully prepared for the NJ Ask.  I am literally eating, sleeping, and breathing math 24-7.  Do you have any successful test prep strategies that you use??

Thesis Statements

Today we did an introduction lesson to thesis statements for our argumentative essays.  Overall, the students knew what a thesis statement was, but they struggled to write them for their papers. We did a learning goal self assessment and this is what the outcome looked like...

I am excited to show the students more examples tomorrow and to take our digging a little deeper.  How do you teach thesis statements?  Do you use any graphic organizers?

Finally...Friday

This has officially been the longest week... the 90 minute delay on Monday feels like ages ago!! I spent today writing 6th grade argumentative essay curriculum and I have to say that it was extremely beneficial.  I have been writing math curriculum since August, so when I thought about doing writing curriculum I was a little nervous.  Overall, it was extremely helpful because I was writing the unit of study that we are currently teaching.  I got some amazing ideas on how to take the kids to the next level when it comes to organizing their writing and revision.  Argument writing is turning out to be one of my favorite units so far.  The students are picking such mature social issues to research...they are so aware of what is going on globally.  I can't wait to see the final products!!

Now I'm off to a weekend filled with report card comments and creating reading strategy groups for next week :)

First Day of Spring

Ahhhh finally the first day of spring!  It is 60 and sunny and I got home early enough to go for a long run :).  

Spring means that NJ ASK is right around the corner!  I've been doing a lot of reflecting on where my students are in math and what topics I definitely need to cover in the next month.  In my reflecting I've noticed that my students have gotten so much better at self evaluating themselves.  We started using a new chart to keep track of the weekly goals and the students progress.  I find that when they see the goals and track their own progress each day that they are more willing to put in the effort.  Students are asking for goal specific homework because they've mastered some goals and realize they need to focus on others.

I am excited to start my test prep unit because it is filled with centers and hands on activities that keep the students motivated and eager to learn.  Sometimes we try so hard to jam all of the information down their throats and they end up coming out of the unit with no new knowledge because they are completely overwhelmed.  I think that our weekly goal tracker and centers will help ensure theta students are working on topics specific to their needs.  How do you keep track of your class goals and student progress in the classroom??

Integer Fun!

We tested out of decimals the other day and I am quite excited about integers.  The students seem to have great background knowledge on the topic so it should be a quick one.  We started on Monday was an introduction to integers (foldable!) and the kids were done early!! I am becoming an expert at creating foldables and the hands on part of the lesson is great for my kids.  After the intro we moved right into opposites and absolute value.  At first, the kids seemed a little lost...but once the lesson was over they all got it! Every one of them!  As a formative assessment to had the students come over to our life size number line and find the absolute value and opposite of given numbers.  I was also able to use my number line to help kids work out problems that they were stumped on, and to give enrichment problems to some students.  Tomorrow we are starting comparing and ordering, so I hope that the lessons continue to go well!  Wish me luck!

New Year Resolution

This is our first full week back to school and I have to admit I am pretty excited!  With every new year comes a New Years resolution, so of course I have made a resolution for teaching.  Unfortunately I am not the type of person to do only one thing at a time, so I ended up setting about five New Years resolutions for the classroom.  I am hoping to achieve them all by June...I know that it sounds easier then it probably will be, but here goes nothing!

1) Make my math classroom completely hands on and related to the real world: This is something that I have been working on all year.  I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to write the new 6th grade math curriculum so I am trying to take my teaching to the next level.  I am proud to say that today was the first day my students even opened a math text book.  We are doing all hands on lessons that my students can really relate to.  We are constantly discussing when we will use math in the real world.  I would love to continue to build up my centers and my task card station, but I have a good base to start with.  I would also like to continue with project based learning in math. The students really respond well to being able to solve something that is meaningful to them on their own.

2) Continue to incorporate 21st Century Skills into ELA.  

3) Organize all of my data on Google a Docs and my flash drive... Wow life would be easier and Jen wouldn't want to kill me for being unorganized.  I do have to say though, I have my own organization system, it may not seem practical but it works very well for me!

4) Take my students on some virtual field trips - I have joined a group on Google Docs, I just have to commit and do it!

5) Continue my research on the importance of social media and technology in the classroom.

I will keep everyone updated on my progress, I am off to work on number 1 right now!