Adding Jenga in a small group center is one of my favorite ways to liven up ordinary review or task cards. Jenga is extremely versatile, and even the plain ones can be used with any set of task cards (read about playing Jenga this way for test prep here). This post will specifically share how to use the colored sets to review fractions (4th and 5th grade fractions games ... Read More
8 Ways to Help Students Be Successful with Word Problems in Upper Elementary
Word problems can be really difficult for upper elementary students. The complexity of the word problems increase, the length of the problems themselves increase, the numbers are larger and more abstract, and often key words just don't work. Today I want to share with you eight ways to help students who struggle with word problems in upper elementary grades. 1. ... Read More
Solving Word Problems Without Relying on Key Words
One of the toughest things about teaching fifth grade is definitely the word problems. By fifth grade, a lot of students have become so dependent on using key words that they no longer even read for meaning when they're solving word problems. However, as fifth grade teachers know, key words only take the students so far. I have read many articles and blog posts that are ... Read More
FREE Snow Day Fraction Word Problems
I don't know about where you live, but there is something about snow in the South that has people getting bread, milk, and measuring tapes! We recently had a pretty good amount of snow for North Georgia (although it was melted within two days...womp womp). All over Facebook, people were posting their measurements of the snow. I took this opportunity to make a fraction ... Read More
Differentiated Fraction Tasks {And FREEBIE Computation Challenge}
If any skill will be the death of me, it is definitely Fractions! They are so hard for 5th graders to wrap their heads around. And the standards for 5th grade? Gah, I remember learning some of these standards in middle school! But, unfortunately, they must be taught. In order to make Fractions a bit more tolerable, I created Fraction Tasks and Challenges ... Read More
5th Grade Fractions | Pacing and Checklist
Fractions..most either love them or hate them. I have a love/hate relationship with them. I love the models and how the skills can sometimes be made pretty concrete. I don't love how all the skills build on each other and all the skills the students must have mastered to complete one problem. By the time the students get to 5th grade, if they have gaps in their fraction ... Read More
Multiplying Mixed Numbers: Free Printables
When teaching fraction skills, I always try to make it as applicable and real-world as I can. I will admit that when I got ready to teach the skill of multiplying mixed numbers, I was a bit stumped about how to make this relatable. The focus of the first few multiplying mixed numbers lessons that I teach on the computation process and the conceptual process. ... Read More
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions: Fraction Fun with Snacks! {Freebies}
Multiplying and dividing fractions are some of the most difficult skills for my fifth graders to understand and master. The actual solving of the equation is not difficult and many prefer these operations to adding and subtracting fractions. However, my students struggle with word problems involving multiplying and dividing fractions because their conceptual understanding ... Read More
Free Fraction Center {Nacho Math}
I just found out today that our Math night is a nacho theme. It is called Nacho Ordinary Math Night. I thought that was the cutest idea! So, I made this cute nacho themed free fraction center using these fun nacho graphics from Ashley Hughes (LOVE her work). On another note, the heat was running full blast in my room this morning. It reminded me of that ... Read More
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions: OH MY!
I must admit, I was a little rusty when it comes to some of the more advanced math skills when my district first implemented Common Core. Like many of us, I was taught the traditional algorithm for everything! Well now, Common Core is pushing some of these middle school skills into 5th grade. I have taught multiplying and dividing fractions in 5th in the past, but nowhere ... Read More
