Decomposing Fractions

My class is still working on fractions this week.  Fractions are very much a part of the new 4th grade common core performance standards.  This week my students are busy decomposing fractions.  We began with simple fractions, but, have now moved on to decomposing mixed numbers.  This concept is not a difficult one for 4th graders, however, it is one that takes a bit of work.  We have come so far learning about fractions but, are only about half-way through the fraction standards.  The pictures below show some of the strategies my students have been using to decompose fractions. 

Ordering Fractions

     Well, I am still moving along on the new common core standards.  Last week my students practiced ordering fractions with unlike denominators.  I was very, very proud of them.  There was a day when I taught this very thing to 6th graders. Now, here were my 4th grade babies "getting it."  The final activity we completed before moving on to the next standard was called Order Up!  The object of the activity was to put sets of cards, (six to a set), in order from least to greatest by finding common denominators.  We worked with partners but, the cards can be used with groups or in centers too.

                 

Once the partners picked a set of color-coded cards, they proceeded to find the least common multiple of each denominator.  

     From this point, they found the common denominator for the set of cards.

     When the new fractions were created using the common denominator, the set of 6 cards were placed in order from least to greatest.  The final step was to record the order on a recording sheet. 

     These kids worked their hearts out!  I am so proud of them!  They liked hearing me brag on them but, they especially loved hearing about how they were working like 6th graders.
     If you would like to view the Order Up! activity, please click the Order Up! cover page below.

Anyone Have an Umbrella I Can Borrow?

Wow...I don't remember the last time I saw the sun.  Here in Northwest Georgia it has been raining or overcast since before Christmas.  I have a solar powered dancing flower in my classroom that sways back and forth in a happy little way and greets my students when they enter the room.  It was a gift from a former student several years ago and my kids love watching it every year.  Sadly, my flower is barely moving these days.  Several students are very concerned about its health. :)  
Yesterday, we were on a 2 hour school delay because of all the continuous rain.  I found out a few hours ago, that school will begin 2 hours late again tomorrow.  I don't know about everyone else, but, most of the teachers at my school, including me, do not really care for 2 hour delays.  The kids are not in their regular routine, so, some days it's like the first day of school all over again. Plus, I have to shorten my lessons and feel like I am running a marathon to try and get everything in.  I feel most sorry for the  poor Kindergarten teachers and their students. On a delay schedule, they have to eat lunch almost as soon as school starts.  
On the bright side, I had a student bring in a picture she had painted on a canvas for my classroom.  (There should always be a bright spot in everyday).  The picture is of owls and you can tell she spent quality time painting it.  (She painted it in some type of craft class). 

She created it just for me since she knows how much I am "into" the owl theme in my classroom this year.  I truly appreciated this painting, esp. after her mother told me that she could have painted a picture for any family member or friend, and she picked me.  That always makes you feel special.  So, even though I have to wear rain boots with my pants tucked into them, (my husband says I look like I am going to milk the cows, instead of to teach), and wrap my computer and notebooks in plastic bags before placing them inside my tote bag, I still had a little sunshine in my day!   

Giveaway Winner!

A big shout out to Ashley G. for winning the $25.00 Visa Gift Card this morning!  I appreciated everyone who participated.  This has been such a pleasant experience that I am planning another giveaway before too long.  The fear of the unknown is now behind me.  Well...almost behind me.  If anyone knows how to announce the winner through the widget, I sure would appreciate some help!  The direction page and gadgets do not actually match the website page and gadgets.  Rafflecopter picked the winner but, did not give me the option to announce the winner.  I am not sure why.  So, here I am making the announcement myself. :)  Everyone have a great Sunday!

Mrs. C's New Year Giveaway

I have decided I am going to jump start both my new year and my blog in 2013.  I want my blog to be a place where teachers can absorb ideas and find creative activities and materials.  To get the ball rolling, I am having my first ever giveaway.  It is a Visa Gift Card worth $25.00.  This way you can spend the gift on whatever you wish.  Good Luck!  Please stop by and visit often.

Simply scroll down and check the options on the giveaway ticket for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prime or Composite?

My students will never have to stress over forgetting what a prime and composite number are after I finished with them this year!  :)  We practiced, then practiced some more. One activity we completed in class was a cut-n-paste activity where the kids had to decide whether each of the numbers was prime or composite number, and glue either a P or C over each number.  This activity was completed after making sure we had plenty of experience with prime and composite numbers.  The kids enjoyed this activity, and I am fairly certain our custodian, Missy, loves this cut-n-paste activity since there is really only 1 scrap of paper left over after the activity is completed.  Once the paper is cut on the dotted line, the students cut out the P's and C's in one big square, then cut the individual pieces out with no scrap paper in-between.

You can find the handout Prime or Composite? along with many other activities, handouts, and mini-posters in my TPT store, Mrs. C's Classroom. 

 Click on the picture below to stop by and visit!

Sounds Like a Good Giveaway!

TPT Sale

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am having a sale in my Teacher Pay Teachers Store to celebrate the beginning of a new year!  The sale runs from January 1 - January 3.  Everything is 20% off.  Please feel free to check it out by clicking on the following link:  Mrs. C's Classroom