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Multiplication Monday - Part 1 Basic Facts

As teachers, we know the important strategies students must learn to gain a conceptual knowledge of multiplication. We demonstrate arrays, number bonds, equal groups...all of which are great strategies, but are not helpful in the area of efficiency.

After students can conceptualize multiplication, it's time help them become quicker mathematicians. Fluency, in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is essential. Over the years, I have met many teachers who assist students with fluency in various ways.

Here are a couple of my favorites: I hope that you can utilize them with your students also.

Travel Trivia (5-10minutes)

This is a competition in which I hold up a multiplication fact (usually on flashcard) for two students. The student that correctly gives the answer first is the winner of that round. The other student takes a seat and the winning student moves onto the next competitor.  If a student is able to win 5 rounds, I offer a free homework pass, allow him to get something out of candy jar, etc. Your rewards may vary in your room. I do not allow this person to go past 5 rounds so that other students may have an opportunity for fair competition. You will always have 1 or 2 ( hopefully more) students in your room that are naturally quick at this and exceed the majority. I attempt to speak highly of these students and congratulate their success without allowing them to dominate every game...and in turn...cause other students to lose hope of winning.

I always have lots of flashcards in my room and encourage students to study them frequently in their spare time (early finisher task). If you have 2 Know Remotes available, they have a flashcard function that is a variation of the typical flashcard and may peak student's interest.

 During my multiplication unit, I have a Travel Trivia competition a few times a week. I announce which days I will host the competition and encourage student practice at all times so that they learn to use their time wisely and it pays off!

Multiplication Fluency Pack (5-10 minutes)

In addition to the Travel Trivia, I also use a fluency pack I created as daily practice. We begin with 2's. Every day, students have a set of time (less than 5 minutes), to complete the day's worksheet. After we check, students can graph their number correct. Each day, students are able to see their growth which encourages them to continue practicing. You can download the 2's Multiplication Fluency Pack here for FREE!

Screen shots of what you will receive with the free pack:

 

 



If you like the free preview, you can download the full set from my Teacher's Pay Teacher's store:

Multiplication Fluency Pack

It contains 12 weeks of practice with graphing for each week!

Happy Multiplying! :)

Lovin' Line Plots

One of the hardest skills to teach for me is line plots. They are essential with common core so I created a Valentine themed line plot activity bundle.

This bundle is filled with great activities to assist students with learnin' those lousy line plots :)

The first activity is a set of task cards that can be used for whole class as a Scoot game, Around the Room, or placed in centers.

Next, I included some partner activities that could be used during class, as an early finisher or in a center. Here is an example of a Dice game that would result in a line plot that students would create with the data.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, students would have the opportunity for some individual practice with several line plot worksheets. Here is an example:

 

 



 

 

 

You can download this activity at my TPT store:  Teacher's Gumbo

 

Soon you and your students will be "Lovin' Line Plots"!!!

 

Jenn



Toad-ally Yours!

Ever since I started teaching, frogs have held a special place in my heart. Not the real ones, of course! :) Any stuffed, animated, or breakable one for decoration.

For many years, I decorated my classroom with frogs galore. Luckily, my students caught on and as you know...purchased everything "frog" for me. I haven't used frogs in a while and felt they needed a serious comeback...especially around Valentine's Day.

I created this set of Valentine's Day clipart entitled: Toad-ally Yours. Download yours  here at my TPT store.

And a Chevron background freebie to coordinate: Download here.

 

 

Enjoy!

Tis the Season for Sweets

Walking around the store the other day, I ventured off (as I normally do) to the candy isle. Having a two year old gives me a scapegoat and no one questions my looking at every possible candy on the shelf.

So many Christmas candies were jumping off the shelf into my buggy...without my assistance. Feeling a full sugar rush coming on, I immediately began brainstorming a set of clip art that would capture the excitement for the upcoming season.

So here is a FREE set of candy frames available at my Teachers Pay Teachers store!  No calorie, no guilt. Enjoy!

www.teacherspayteachers.com./Store/Teachers-Gumbo

Framing it all up!

I was remembering back to my childhood this weekend and a flash of these decorative straw hats my mom used to make came into view. She used to put moss, fake flowers, and a bow on these hats. We had them on all the doors -- all over the house. Don't see much of these anymore, but they were so popular back in the late 80's.

In my nostalgia, I remembered their country feel and thinking of them made me think of home...which is always a good place to remember.

I began drawing and created some bows which eventually turned into these cute frames. I wanted to share with you so that you could make some "homemade" teaching materials that will bring back some memories for you too.

This bow frame preview is available at my teachers pay teachers store.

If you like them, I also have a full set with a variety of colors including a black and white bow set for worksheets.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teachers-Gumbo

Enjoy!

Jennilee

Labor Day has passed, love bugs are swarming the air...which is so thick with humidity, it takes effort to breathe.  Nevertheless, here in the heart of Louisiana, I refuse to give in to the unending summer. I am searching for anything that will lead to Fall. I love the smells, the colors, the decorations. Fall has always been my favorite season.

I was so inspired that I created these fun fall colored Chevron backgrounds and they are a FREE download on my teacher pay teacher site.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teachers-Gumbo

Enjoy!