Meaurement

We are finishing up a unit of study in measurement.  In the beginning of the unit, we focused on customary measurement, using inches and feet.  After break, we came back and started learning about the metric system....millimeters, centimeters, and meters.

This unit really focuses on estimating how long something is, and using the appropriate tool to measure something.  It is more efficient to use meters to measure a table, and not centimeters.  We also started talking a bit about the perimeter of shapes.  We each had 8 tiles, but we discovered our shapes had different perimeters depending on how the tiles were arranged.  Good stuff!

This math unit was quite different for us.  I have changed how our math time is structured.  At the beginning of every Math class, we do a math warm up.  I pose a math problem to the class that requires them to work together and may have different ways to find an answer.  It is a way for kids to talk about their own thinking, and also listen to the thinking of others.  It also gets us "warmed up" for the main lesson.

On Mondays, we have a whole group math experience.  This is where I can introduce new concepts, clear up misconceptions that kids have, and expand on something that we have worked on before.  At the end of the session on Monday, I give the kids an Exit Card.  This Exit Card is just a way for the kids to show me what they know about the day's lesson.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, we have math groups.  Math Groups are organized by the needs of the children.  After looking at the Exit Cards, I see where the kids are and what they need.  I put them in small groups with other kids at their same level.  The groups move through different activities.  For kids who are still struggling with the material, it gives me small group time to work with them to give them review.  For kids who are ready, I can go ahead and extend the learning into the next step, so they are challenged.

Thursdays are dedicated to solving word problems.  This is our shorter morning due to Library and PE in the morning.  It gives us a dedicated period to really learn how to read and solve word problems.  It is very challenging for our young students.

Fridays are Flashback day.  We do a review page together and then the kids go to WorkPlaces. WorkPlaces are games and activities that that we have done in the past.  Fridays are a good time for kids to go back and remind themselves about skills they already know, or they want to get better in.  For example, if a student knows they are still not telling time well, they can pull out the activities that will help in telling time.  We really talk as a class about "knowing what we don't know," so we can get better at it.

This weekly structure has really allowed me to serve the needs of our class much better.  The kids also seem to like knowing what to expect each day.  They know they will get review time if they need it.  They also know that things will be at their level which can ease some math anxiety that some kids may feel.