In Math we have been working on many different concepts. This week we are working on different algorithms for multiplication. As many of you have probably already realized in Everyday Math, we use many different ways to compute multiplication as well as other operations. I am still seeing students struggle with basic addition and multiplication facts. As I explain to the students, everything we do builds upon these facts and not knowing these facts only makes each thing we do more challenging. In school we have been playing some games to help us build these facts. The pictures show students playing a multiplication game very similar to Slap Jack. This can be played at home with a regular deck of cards to help students practice basic facts. Also on the right side of this blog are some websites that can be used to help students practice these facts.
Thanks for all you do to help our students be successful!
We have been busy learning and practicing our routines for Daily 5. We do two rounds each day during our Language Arts block and students have gotten very good at knowing what they are suppose to do during each round. I am very pleased with how well we are doing with each of these. These pictures show students during "Read to Someone". We have also been learning new comprehension during the CAFE portion of our reading block. Some of the strategies we have been working on include Prior Knowledge which we use the connections Text-to-Self, Text-to-World, and Text-to-Text. Students are getting very good at using these strategies.
I am one of the 5th grade teachers at Manson Northwest Webster at the elementary in Barnum, IA. I will be starting my 15th year at MNW this fall (2011). My first 2 years I taught 2nd grade and then I taught 1st grade for 1 one year. I have been teaching 5th grade since the fall of 2000. I love teaching and learning with my students. I received my undergraduate degree from Buena Vista College and then earned my masters degree in education from Buena Vista University.
I am married and have 2 sons, 1 stepdaughter, and 1 stepson - all who are married. I also have 9 grandchildren who bring so much joy to my life!
When not teaching, I love to ride bike, swim, camp, and spend time with my kids and grandkids!