Math Games with a Deck of Cards

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Summer learning is so critical, especially for students who are already struggling.  I've been working with a peer tutoring group this year (5th graders tutoring 3rd graders), and I wanted to give them a gift for completing the program.  I bought each of the students a deck of cards, and my idea was to create a booklet to give them containing instructions for easy math games they could play using the cards.  In scouring the Internet for ideas, I came across the website of an organization called the Positive Engagement Project (PEP).  It's a nonprofit organization whose mission is "To get students positively engaged in active learning, while getting ourselves and others positively engaged with schools and communities."

On their website, they have a downloadable booklet called Acing Math.  It is 69 pages of games, for grades K though 6, that can be played with a standard deck of cards. It's an amazing resource.

I still had the booklet idea in my head, and I wanted to choose games that would be appropriate for 3rd through 5th graders, so I reformatted a selection of games from their e-book and made them into a booklet format.  Of course I included a credit and link to their website.  You can download my booklet format here.  You'll need to copy it double-sided and then fold and staple it.  Be sure to visit PEP's website for other great resources and spread the word!

 

Resource Alert: Greg Tang Math

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Just a quick post tonight to share a wonderful resource with you.  You are probably familiar with the name Greg Tang from his best-selling math books, most notably The Grapes of Math.  Or you might have seen him speak, as I have, at any one of a number of national conferences.

So how exciting is it that he is now making all of his resources available for FREE on his new website.  This is a great resource, so head over there and explore!

Bagels and Blogs, May 19

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I am enjoying my bagel and coffee in the Texas Hill Country this morning as I get out of town for a weekend of R & R with some friends.  I hope you all enjoy the posts I gathered for you!  Please remember to show your appreciation by leaving a nice comment as you visit each blog, and have a great Sunday!

Oh, this is a goodie.  Check out this link up on math mentor texts organized by Amanda and Stacia at Collaboration Cuties. 

Looking for an easy game for practicing multiplication?  Head over  and check out  Race to 100 shared by Blair at All Things Upper Elementary.  I got a kick out of her Top Chef reference. :)

Understanding the meaning of the equal sign is a hot topic, so you'll love this freebie that Rene at The Reading Corner shared.

Jodi at Fun in First created this amazing summer calendar of daily activities for her firsties.  

Finally, something a little different.  The weather is warming up, summer vacation is on the way, and it's time to get outdoors!  Debs at Learn with Play at Home assembled 10 great ideas for getting outside to play in her weekly Tuesday Tots feature.

Appy Hour: Switch Zoo

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Welcome to Appy Hour!  I depart tonight from math apps to bring you a really fun and creative science app--Switch Zoo.  In this zoo, the animals are limited only to your child's imagination!

The feature that will attract kiddos to this app is the ability to mix the head, tail, and legs of different animals to create their own unique creation, which they can then name and even write stories about.  The pictures are beautifully done and very lifelike.  Stories and pictures can be printed to share.  A cool 'shake' option with the iPad creates random animals.  But aside from the fun factor, there's learning going on here, too.  The app contains profiles of each animal, including diet, predators and threats, habitat, life span, scientific name, and a written summary.

The version I reviewed was free, which limits you to the zebra habitat.  What that means is that the zebra will be the base for all of the animals you build.  The paid version ($2.99) gives you access to 142 animals and 9 habitats.  There is actually also an online version of Switch Zoo which your kiddos could use on your classroom computers.  It features links to the profiles of all the animals, as well as educational games, lesson plans, and more.

Switch Zoo is a real educational find, combining science and creativity!

Technology and the CRA Sequence of Instruction

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I got an email from a reader last week asking about the impact of technology on the CRA sequence of instruction, so I thought I'd blog about it.  First, let me remind you that CRA stands for concrete, representational, and abstract.  From Van de Walle (pg 99):

"...this model reflects a sequence that moves from an instructional focus on concrete representations (manipulative materials) and models to semi-concrete representations (drawings or pictures) and images to abstraction (using only numerals or mentally solving problems)."

Lots of problems occur when we skip steps in this instructional model or move too quickly through them.  For example, before students start practicing with traditional flashcards (very abstract), they need to have lots of concrete and representational experiences to develop understanding.

Van de Walle makes a great point, however, that the stages need to overlap.  That is, we need to connect the abstract to the concrete and representational along the way.

"...it is essential that there is parallel modeling of number symbols throughout this continuum to explicitly relate the concrete models and visual representations to the corresponding numerals."

What this means is that while you are using base-10 blocks to model addition or subtraction with regrouping, you need to also show the connection to the algorithm or students will never move past the concrete or representational stage.

Now back to the original question about technology.  I've actually been reading lately that research has shown that there is little difference in learning between actual concrete manipulatives and virtual manipulatives, such as the ones you find at the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives or NCTM's Illuminations website.

I think what's important is that when choosing technology, whether it's computer programs, websites, or apps, you have to consider the CRA stages, just like you would when choosing any instructional activity.  For example, I reviewed a number line app last week.  I would consider it quite concrete, because you move the frogs along the number line.  Another app I seriously love is Mathtopia +, but it is strictly abstract fact fluency practice.  Does that means it's bad?  No, it's a great app!  It just means that kiddos need lots of concrete and representational experiences before using the app.

I hope this all makes sense.  I would love to hear your comments!

Bagels and Blogs, May 12

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On the heels of Teacher Appreciation Week, we have Mother's Day! I hope you felt appreciated this week at school and that you're being majorly pampered today.  My son will be home from Connecticut on Wednesday, so we'll be having a belated celebration. Enjoy these great posts by some talented and creative bloggers.  Be sure to leave a comment when you visit to show your appreciation.

Mo at More Than Math by Mo shared this free activity for comparing numbers using operators.

I know it's Mother's Day, but it's not too early to start thinking about Father's Day!  Fran at Kindergarten Crayons shared this great freebie kids can use to honor their dads!

Wow! Janaye at Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes posted links to her favorite YouTube videos.  What a great list!

Yahtzee was one of my favorite games growing up!  Anita at Mrs. Bremer's Kindergarten shared  a Kindergarten version she uses with her kiddos. 

Finally, I had to share this tribute to moms from Kid President!  Enjoy your day! :)

Appy Hour: Little Monkey Number Lines

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Happy Friday, friends!  I hope you had wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week, and thanks for joining me for Appy Hour tonight. :)

Tonight I want to feature an app from Little Monkey Apps.  They have a terrific suite of apps for math, including apps for subitizing, friends of ten, coordinate grids, graphing, place value, and multiplication facts, just to name a few.  The one I've chosen to highlight is one of their free apps, Teaching Number Lines.  There's an important word in that title--teaching--and you will see that's one thing that sets Little Monkey apps apart.  While there are independent practice activities included in the apps, they are meant to be used interactively with teacher and student working together.  The app even contains teaching notes to help guide your instruction.

I love it when developers include videos for their apps, especially when it's a paid app. I like to see more than just screen shots before I commit to a purchase.  Take a few minutes to watch the video for Number Lines:

With the free version, there are ads at the top of the screen, but they are just for other Little Monkey Apps.  You have the option to remove the apps for $1.99.

The main menu is easy to navigate.

The practice tools for Jump Forward and Jump Back contain unlimited problems.  The Little Monkey apps do not include voice over, so while there are visual clues to show students they have a correct answer, the affirmations are all text, rather than verbal.

I'm really impressed with the Little Monkey suite of apps.  They feature great math, teacher interaction and notes, and they are very reasonably priced.  Check them out!