Graphing in all Four Quadrants--Coordinate Graphing Activities--Math Intervention

How can my students practice coordinate graphing?

Coordinate graphing is usually a topic that my students caught onto pretty quickly. It was a lesson that could be hands on and those lessons are the ones that students caught onto more quickly. 

However, in the year of COVID-- a lot of students were remote during the coordinate graphing lesson and missed that hands-on lessons. As we progressed throughout the year, I realized students were still not getting how to graph so I created this activity to help reinforce the skill. 

I pulled students into groups of 5 or 6 and had expo markers, the cards, and a poster-sized coordinate graph that was laminated. My school had a poster maker so I could make the coordinate graph poster size. If I didn't have a poster size coordinate graph-I would print several copies of the graph for students to have access to. 

First I had students work in pairs. I gave each pair a card and had them work together to find their ordered pair based on the instructions. I asked each student pair to explain how they found their ordered pair. The expo markers were helpful because I asked students to trace the path they took to find their ordered pair. I ask them to to the same thing when they are taking a test. It is a more concrete way to learn this concept. 

Overall, this was an easy activity to prepare and got students talking about finding their ordered pairs. Any activity that gets to students to talk about their thinking in math is a win. 

Get the activity here.  

If you need more activities to teach coordinate graphing, you can find them here. 

Students Talking in Math: Activity to Get Students to Talk about Math

My favorite thing about teaching is hearing students talk about math. It is what brings me joy as a math teacher. But believe it or not, math is not a student's favorite thing to talk about. 

Why should students talk in math class?

1. Students want to talk! I want to give them as many opportunities to talk as possible-and keep it on topic as much as possible. 
2. When a student says something out loud, it helps solidify it in their brain.
3. When students hear their classmate say something out loud, they remember it better. 
4. Speaking about math helps students clarify what they are thinking until they understand it. 
5. Students will be more engaged when they have opportunities to talk to each other. 

Unfortunately, most students don't come to math class knowing how to talk about math and need scaffolding to get where we want them to be. 

One of the activities I have used to scaffold conversations about math is a True/False response. Each student gets a red and green card. They could also have different colored post its. Two colors are better so you can easily see the responses from the class. 

Before starting the activity, explain to students they are going to read the statements and determine if they are true or false. BUT, they cannot tell the class. Instead, they will turn to their neighbor or group and share their response. If students disagree, they will explain to each other why their answer is correct. If they change their mind, great. If they don't change their mind, great too. They don't have to be successful at convincing each other, the most important thing is talking. 

You put up a prompt--this can be done with any topic. I have an example below. 

Students talk with their neighbor group. When you are ready--give 1-2 minutes-tell everyone to hold up their red card for false and their green card for true. (Or whatever colors you have chosen)

These are low-stakes conversations. Students don't have to talk long--but any talking about math is a good start. The more confident they feel in their skills, the more they will talk. 

Click here to access a free True/False activity about integer operation models. 

Interested in other math activities? This has warmups for several 6th grade math topics that encourage students to talk about math. It can be used for STAAR review but also works throughout the year. 

Using Algebra Tiles to Teach Solving Equations

How to use Algebra Tiles?

I was first introduced to algebra tiles the year I taught 6th grade math. The Texas standards had just changed and all Texas math teachers were scrambling to learn the new standards. What I had learned in 8th grade advanced math, I was now going to be teaching my 6th graders. 

8th grade math is where math got hard for me. I was very good at following steps exactly like I was told with problems exactly like the teacher showed--any variation and I was lost. Because I didn't actually understand the what, why and how behind math. It actually took me until college algebra to really understand algebra--and I was a good student! 

Algebra Tiles are great for taking an abstract concept like solving equations--and making it more concrete. Even middle school students need concrete examples--and algebra tiles are great. 

After you teach students how to use algebra tiles to solves equations and inequalities, you can use this free resource for them to practice reading the models and using them to solve. 

If you aren't familiar with algebra tiles, I would definitely recommend checking them out. There are tons of videos on Youtube that can walk you through how to use them to solve equations, inequalities and integer operations. 

Here are some other Algebra Tile resources.

Multiplying Whole Numbers Color by Numbers-Free Math Worksheet for Homework

How to practice multiplying in 5th grade?

Sometimes you just need to quick assignment for sub plans, homework, extra practice, etc. 

This no-prep activity is a way for students to practice multiplying whole numbers. 

Download the activity here. 

If you want more color-by-number activities, you can find more over in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. 

5th Grade Math Coloring Pages-Easy Sub Plans for 5th Grade

What to do for 5th Grade Math Sub Plans?

Planning for a teacher absence is quite possibly the worst. So much planning goes into making sure the kids are engaged in activity and a substitute, who may or may not have any teaching experience, is able to get through the day.  When the absence is unexpected, it is nice to have some go to activities to print and copy for an easy substitute plan.

Do 5th Grade Students like Coloring Pages in Math?

One thing my students grumbled about the least was math coloring pages. They still had to practice some math, but they got a color at the same time.

I wish I had had a coloring page for every math topic last year for the days when teachers had unexpected absences and they were out. I created a coloring page for each set of topics in fifth grade math.

If you want a FREEBIE, you can download this Converting Measurements Coloring Page. 

Introduction to Inequalities with Desmos and Real-World Situations

 I think introducing inequalities is so much more interesting and fun than equations. There are so many more real-world situations that students can relate to. 

"Your mom says she will give you no more than $20 for lunch this week. How much money could she give you?"

"You need to be at least 48 inches to ride the roller coaster. How tall could you be and still ride it?"

"The elevator can hold up to 750 pounds. How much can the elevator hold?"

You can have some fun discussions with your students and even those students who struggle with math can participate because it is something they can relate to. It is  great way to help students build confidence. Math isn't just a set of steps and algorithms--its a way to explain the world around us. 

So this year, I was in the classroom because of lack of substitute teachers and got to start the inequality unit with some 6th graders. These are the two activities I used with students. (My campus currently has enough devices for every student.)

1. Desmos Inequalities on a Number Line

Have you used Desmos? You might know it as an online graphing calculator, but it is so much more. There are lessons on there that you can walk students through, see what they are doing in real-time, and give immediate feedback. 

The assignment I have linked has students place value on the number line with prompts like "a number less than 3." This starts students thinking about how there are multiple numbers that fit that prompt. One class would only every pick whole numbers and I had to push them to see 1.5 as a value they could select. 

Eventually this assignment shows students how we use a shaded number line to show all possible solutions. 

2. Google Slides Beginning Inequalities

Next, I had students look at some real-world statements on the board and place possible solutions on the number line. I had several students come up to the board and use a marker to mark their possible answers. Again, all students were able to participate because theses were situations they experienced in their daily lives. 

Now I know that when we get into solving and writing inequalities, that students may struggle. But by starting the unit with some low floor activities, the students can build their confidence and it is something I can continue to refer back on. 

Modeling Adding Integers with Algebra Tiles Free Google Drive Resource

 Virtual. Learning. 

Remote. Learning.

Distance. Learning.

Online. Learning.

Whatever your district calls it--this isn't easy. Not that I expected it to be. But this is just so much harder than I thought. There are so many decision to be made as new circumstances come up. I worry that our online learners aren't getting what they need. I worry about our in-class learners. I worry about my math teams and the stress they are under. I am constantly worrying. 

Hopefully in a year we can all look back on this time glad that school is filled with students talking, laughing, not on the computer all day long, etc. 

We've been working on our integer operations lessons. I filmed a video today with my favorite lesson that really needs students talking to work! I was just sitting at my desk talking to myself about the excitement that is integer operations <--that is not sarcasm. 

I love algebra tiles so much. When I first learned out them 7 years ago, I loved them. Where were these when I learned algebra, where all my math problems began!

If you aren't using algebra tiles or colored counters to teach integer operations--start now. 

This assignment has students model simple addition expressions, create zero pairs, and simplify the expression. 

Click here to copy the activity into your Google Drive. 

Using Integer Vocabulary to Get Students to Talk in Math | Free Resource

I don't like just introducing new concepts in math without talking about real-world implications. When introducing integers, we start with talking about vocabulary that show positive and negative situations. 

On the day you introduce integers, display this slide to your class and ask them to pick one word with their group that means positive and one that mean negative. 

Having your students talk in math class is important. Not just to explain math, but to build skills of sharing ideas in respectful ways with their classmates. This is a low floor questions where most students will be able to find at least 1 word that they can explain as positive or negative. It is also important for ELLs to practice their academic vocabulary with their peers. 

Talking in math class doesn't always have to be about explaining how to solve a problem. This is still math talk! It will also help students be able to connect math class to outside the classroom. 

You could even extend this to a writing activity and have students write what about the words their groups talked about. 

Click here to add this resource to your Google Drive.

Fraction Decimal Percent Google Slides Digital Assignment

 Are you are trying to figure out virtual learning and face-to-face learning at the same time? Is your school doing just virtual learning? No matter what your situations, the 2020-2021 school year will be one to remember. The first few weeks of school have been exhausting and overwhelming. 

I want to do what I can to help. I wish I could do more! 

This resource has students look at models and name the fraction, decimal, and percent modeled. 

Click here to download to the Free Activity

Multiply or Divide Decimals Word Problem Sort | Google Classroom Resource

I have learned a lot about using Google Drive to create resources for math the last few months. My district does not use Google Classroom, but we do use an LMS that allows Google Drive resources to be assigned. 

When students read word problems, they may struggle with deciding on what operations to use. Throw some decimals in there, and some get really confused. 

I made this sort in Google Slides. It has 10 word problems which similar situations. Students have to sort them into columns based on whether they will use multiplication or division to solve. 

When I introduce this topic to students, I ask them to do 2 things. 

1. Replace the numbers in the word problem with whole numbers. Does that make it easier to decide the operation to use?

2. Look for the Total. Do you have the total? Or are you looking for the total? If you have the total and you are splitting it into equal groups, it is division. If you are looking for the total and you have equal groups you need to combine together to get the total--its multiplication. 

Click here to get the sort to add to your Google Drive. 

Rounding Decimals Using a Number Line Free Lesson and Activities

When I was in school, I always felt that rounding decimals and estimating numbers was a waste of time. That’s because nobody ever explain to me how rounding and estimating could help me solve problems. There is a lot of math that needs to be precise in the real world however I find that most the math I do on a daily basis can be an estimate. I think that rounding and estimating help students become flexible with numbers. 

The lesson that I am sharing today is rounding decimals. This is a topic that students have previous practice when they learned how to round whole numbers. The Texas TEKS 5.2C reads “round decimals to tenths or hundredths.” The common core standard reads “use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.” 

Most of us have probably heard a rhyme that similar to “Five or more? Raise the score. Four or less? Let it rest.” I am not 100% opposed to teaching students a rhyme, however I think students need to understand why the rhyme works. If students aren’t able to connect the rhyme to anything they will be less likely to remember it. This lesson uses number lines to help students round. The last lesson I share, comparing decimals, also used number lines. Number lines are becoming one of my favorite math tools because they help students become more flexible with numbers. I will try to incorporate them as much as possible. 

You can download the lesson and activities here.  The lesson plan is in editable form for you to change as needed. 

Reviewing Previous Skills: Beginning of the Year 5th Grade Stations

The school year is over or almost over and I'm planning for next year. This year I want to focus on reinforcing skills that students learned from the previous year that directly scaffold into the next year's standards. I work with 5th and 6th graders so I looked at 4th and 5th grade TEKS and made a list of the ones I could easily make a station, that directly scaffold the next grade level, and hopefully combined a few skills. 

At the beginning of the year, I set up stations that I wanted students to get used to so that I could do the same station and just switch out the topic. I also started with skills that student's generally excel at. I want them to feel successful at the beginning of the year so we all start the year with a good attitude about math. 

This set of stations is Bump It games for 5th grade. This is a fun, easy game for students to play and they can get a bit competitive and still practice. 

The skills I included are:

• Dividing Whole Numbers: Up to 4 digit dividend and 1 digit divisor
• Finding Perimeter with Whole Numbers
• Equivalent Fractions
• Finding Area of Rectangles with Whole Numbers

These are skills that "should" (coronavirus) have been taught in 4th grade and are definitely skill students need to use in 5th grade. If we get to use these in the classroom this fall, I would suggest doing a quick mini lesson or warm-up a few days before playing the game. Something to jog student's memories. 

Click here to get the stations!

I love these dry erase sleeves for students to write on during stations. It erases much easier than lamination and stays around longer than sheet protectors. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Comparing Decimals to the Thousandths Free Lesson Plan and Activities

The lesson that I am sharing today is comparing in ordering decimals to the thousandths. In previous grade levels, students have compared and ordered decimals using models and they compared and ordered whole numbers using <, >, and =. This standard scaffolds into higher grade where students need to compare and order all rational numbers. Since rational numbers can be converted into decimals if students have a strong foundation and understanding decimals in their value than it will help them with the higher level comparing. 

The TEKS this lesson covers says "compare and order decimals to thousandths and represent comparisons using symbols >,<, and =."  The common core standard states "students will compare two decimals to thousandths based on meanings of the digit in each place using >, <, and = symbols to record the results of comparisons."

When you work with students comparing in ordering decimals you see what types of misconceptions they have pretty soon in the lesson a lot of students may feel that 0.49 is less than 0.432 because the second number has more digits. 

Anytime students are comparing two numbers I like to use a number line. Students have used number lines before and have placed numbers on the number line and I believe it is important for them to be familiar and fluent with how to place numbers on a number line. You can start by providing students with teacher created number lines but I think it is more beneficial for students to eventually create their own number lines. This lesson begins with students looking at a number line and placing numbers on the number line. 

You can download the lesson for free here. I left the actual lesson plans in Word form so you can edit it as need. 

If you would like any more resources for comparing decimals to come back to this topic for review throughout the year, you can check out these items in my TpT store. 

Decimal Place Value: Writing Decimals with Expanded Notation Free Lesson

Place value is such an important topic to make sure that students understand. 

It’s usually the first topic of the school year and sometimes it gets glossed over because the students easily complete the place value tasks they are given. However we need to make sure students truly understand place value. 

One of the first math lessons of the year for a Texas 5th grade student is writing decimals in expanded notation. The TEKS reads that "students will represent the value of the digit in decimals through the thousands using expanded notation and numerals." Expanded notation was first introduced to students in third grade and in fourth grade they wrote numbers in expanded notation through the hundredths. In fifth grade we are adding writing numbers using expanded notation through the thousandths. 

This is not a lesson I would spend more than 2 to 3 days on because you can spiral it throughout the year in warm-ups and homework and in-class station. The lesson I’m sharing with you today has the following components: 

1. Activates prior knowledge by asking students to read and write numbers 
2. Has a pre-assessment to determine where students are at with writing expanded notation 
3. Introduces the thousandths place value using a place value mat 
4. Gives opportunities to practice writing expanded notation and writing numbers in standard form from expanded notation with a station, assessment, and practice.

Click Here to download the lesson

Each day's lessons are short but can also be extended if needed. I always jump into math lessons by the second or third day of school and continue to teach my routines and expectations through the lessons I am teaching--post about that coming soon. 

Here are some more place value resources available in my TpT store to be used for extra practice throughout the year. 

Free Digital Resources for Math to Use for Remote Learning

"This is crazy."

Something my current co-worker (my husband) and I said to each other several times a day at the beginning of this social distancing. Now, we mostly have settled into a schedule and it seems "normal" that we just stay home all the time. My kids haven't seen the inside of anywhere except their house in over a month. No church, no school, no dye-jobs (my poor gray roots). We are making it.

Transitioning to remote learning has been a learning curve. I have learned a lot about my school's LMS and Google Classroom and Boom Learning and Seesaw! So many tools to learn quickly for the students at my school and my own daughter's school work.

At the beginning of this, the other instructional coach and I worked quickly to get packets made and lessons up on our Canvas website. It was extremely helpful to turn to resources other teachers had shared. I would like to return the favor.

As much as my schedule will allow--(working from home, teaching a kindergarten, keeping a toddler entertained, and parenting), I am trying to create some quick digital resources that can be assigned virtually to students.

Check this space to see all my free digital resources . I will added free resources to this as I get finish them. Here are a few that are included.

Statistics--Finding Mean, Median, Mode and Range with Your Name

Statistics is one of my favorite units to teach. It is something every person should understand. It is used against voters and consumers all the time and we should be able to recognize when the statistics aren't really saying what we're being told they are saying.

In a statistics class in college I had to read the book Damned Lies and Statistics. It was eye-opening to see how bad statistics can be used influence people.

I explain all of this to my students when I start our statistics unit. We only spend about 3 weeks on it, and its usually the end of the year, but its a unit students usually enjoy.

I wanted to share a freebie with you today. I gave this to students for homework. Students use their name, turn the letters into numbers, and then calculate the mean, median, mode, and range to their names.

Name Mean, Median, Mode and Range

Students like it because it is their own name so it is a little less headache to get them to complete it. 

If you are interested in other statistics resources I have some in my store. 

   

**This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.***

Free Editable Math Game for Middle School or Elementary Math

One thing my students liked to do is create challenges for each other. When they do that, the get practice in two different ways. First, they have to create problems/games for others to solve and then they have to solve and play other student's games. In my experience, students usually try to stump their classmates.

I created this template that you could use to have students create a Spin and Cover game for others to play.

You can give students this blank template and and topic to create a game for. Give them some time to make the game and then when they are done, they can switch and play. 

Some topics they can make the game on: 

• Integer Operations- students pick 8 numbers to place in the spinner. Then they have to write enough integer operation problems where the solution is one of the 8 numbers they selected. 
• Multiplication facts- Students pick 8 numbers and write multiplication problems where the solution is one of the 8 numbers they selected. 
• Equivalent Fractions- Students pick 8 fractions and then they fill the circles with fractions that are equivalent to the 8 they selected. 
• Solving Equations- Students pick 8 numbers to place in the spinner. Then they write equations where the solution is one of the 8 numbers they selected. 

Some topics will be more challenging than others, but you can vary it based on what your want your students to practice. 

Here is a completed game board where students will compare numbers. 

Finally, here is an editable version of the game so you can add your own numbers and problems. 

Best Ted-Ed Videos

I love Ted Ed videos. They are beautifully done and explain topics in a unique way. I want to share some that cover topics we might teach in math or science.

The videos are not meant to teach an entire concept to students, but rather a way to understand the concept in a more real-world situation.

To be honest, it would be nice if teachers had more time to teach mathematical and scientific concepts in the actually situations and money for better tools. Like the soccer one, how cool would a lesson on force, velocity, and friction be where students figure out the best way to do the impossible kick and take measurements as they go?!

Why can't you divide by zero?
Topics covered: Division, Multiplication, Properties of Operations, and Zero


Why do airlines sell too many tickets?
Topics covered: Statistics (binomial distribution), probability


Football Physics: The impossible free kick
Topics Covered: Newton's 1st Law, Velocity, Force


The weird and wonderful metamorphosis of the Butterfly
Topics: Metamorphosis



Pangaea Pop Up
Topics: Plate Tectonics


What happens when continents collide?
Topics: Plate Tectonics, Plant and Animal Migration, Fossils as Evidence

Valentine's Day One-Step Equation Escape Room

In my last post I share how to use Google Forms to create a digital escape room.

I made one for Valentine's Day where you can see that in action. I made the task cards in Powerpoint, saved the photos as JPEGs, then uploaded them to a Google Form. I used the Response Validation Option to require students to put in the correct answer before they can move on.

You can download the freebie here. 

Inside the file is a link to copy the form into your Google Drive. If you use Google Classroom, this allows you to see who completed the escape room. 

Four 4s--Week of Inspirational Math

I did this activity with my students at the beginning of the year two years ago. It was part of the Youcubed week of inspirational math. This is a week of activities that promote growth mindset in math and thinking of math beyond word problems but as relationships between numbers.

I had a great time doing the week of inspirational math with my students. There are now even more lessons then when I first started this.

This activity was called Four 4s. Students had to create expressions using only four 4s that equaled numbers 1-20. They could use any expression and any math they wanted. They loved it and I think it would be a great before a holiday activity. Students wanted to learn new math to keep creating expressions. I taught them square roots and exponents and they just gobbled that stuff up.

There is nothing that says this has to be done with only fours. If your students find expressions for all these numbers, move onto a another number!