Nets to Solids Card Sort

My class just finished my 4th grade geometry unit.  One of the last activities we completed was a card sort where the kids had to figure out what solids a net would make.  The categories were Prisms, Pyramids, Cubes, and "Does Not Make a Solid."  I gave each child a plastic stencil with basic geometric shapes cut out and a piece of white construction paper to draw any nets they did not know for sure.  My students were familiar with some of the nets but, there were some they had never seen.  I wanted to make sure the kids knew the shapes by the characteristics of the faces, not by the common nets that generally make a solid.
I enlarged 3 of the shapes that the students would not be able to make with their stencils and gave each group a set of these 3 nets to try out.   When they were satisfied they had the correct answer, they glued the net under the correct heading on 1/2 piece of construction paper.  

I have included the link to view this activity, Nets to Solids Card Sort.  The card sort also comes with LARGE nets for students to fold if desired, and an Answer Key.  My students used stencils this year, but, have used the large nets in the past.  

Prisms and Pyramids

After spending a couple of days on the differences between prisms and pyramids, I was not satisfied with my students ability to distinguish between the 2 solids smoothly and with ease.  I decided to backtrack and try another approach.  I pulled out some stencils with basic geometric shapes, some pink paper that had been cut years ago, and construction paper.  
I placed students in groups and let them experiment with the stencils.  The groups came up with as many prisms and pyramids as possible and glued them to the appropriate column on their "ancient" pink paper.  They also kept the prisms and pyramids  that didn't work and wrote about these solids and explained why they didn't work.  I am so glad I went back and tried again.  My students now have a "solid" knowledge of the shapes and can classify the prism and pyramid now!

Graduate School

One of my partners, also a very good friend, decided to work on our Specialist degrees this last summer.  How hard could it be we thought?  After all, it would only be 1 year and then we'd be done.  So...we innocently, with pure hearts, signed up for the courses that made promises of only taking 5 hours per week of our precious time.
This graduate course has been absolutely one of the most difficult, time consuming, stressful things I have done in a very long time, if ever!  I believe through the process though, I have developed a patience I never knew I had.  Plus, the good news is I only have 3 months!  I can do it!  I can do it!  I can do it!

Angles Everywhere

My 4th graders have been working on angles since the beginning of 2012.  We have classified, measured, and rotated them!  I believe my kids know about as much as there is to know about angles at this point :)  We have had a good time learning about them.

Classifying Angles 

My students drew Venn Diagrams on white paper and figured out which pattern blocks they received were classified as either Acute, Obtuse, or "Other" angles.  They used a manipulative called an Ang-leg to help classify the angles.  Ang-legs are plastic sticks that snap together.  They used a protractor to draw the circles.  Of course, I modeled how to draw a circle  with a protractor on the white board.  Students were also allowed to use the notes from their math journals.

Making New Angles by Combining Pattern Blocks

First, the students used regular sized pattern blocks and made new angles by combing the pattern blocks.  Then they measured the new angle with a protractor.  Finally, they used large pattern blocks and enlarged their new angles on chart paper.

Figuring Out that the 

3 Angles of a Triangle 

Always Equal 180 Degrees

The Large Triangle

The Finished Product

After all the work of drawing and measuring the large triangle, they then cut the angles from the triangle.  They had to figure out how to place the angles so that when placed together they created a straight line, or 180 degrees.   

Wintry Tales

Here is a sample of my Wintry Tale story cards.  Please click on the link in my previous post to download the whole set of Wintry Tales for free.

Wintry Tales Word Problems - Freebies

I have created more word problems for my students similar to the ones from my post, "The Dreaded Word Problems" dated December 18, 2011. I believe the more exposure my students have to word problems the more comfortable and confident they become. My latest word problems/problem solving tales are called "Wintry Tales." There are 8 colorful story cards, a student recording sheet, student and teacher directions, and an Answer Key. I have included directions for using the "Wintry Tales" as a math center or take-to-desk folder activity. These story cards are samples taken from my new winter themed unit, "Winter Wonderland Activities." Click on this link to download the story cards: Free "Wintry Tales" Math Center / Take to Desk Folder

Brings Me to Tears!

I have always enjoyed getting cards and notes from former students.  I have kept each and every card, letter, graduation or wedding invitation I have ever received from my former "kids."  One cherished letter I received a couple of years ago, I keep close at hand so I am can read it when I am feeling down and wondering if I am making any difference in my students' lives.  This particular child was placed in my classroom several years ago right after the Thanksgiving break.  He had always been an extremely difficult child and that year was no different.  He was so misbehaved for his 4th grade teacher that he was taken out of her classroom and placed into mine.  Although at first, I thought this unfair to my other students and myself, I persevered.  I became attached to this child as I made him tow the line the rest of the year.  I found items he was interested in...mainly historical figures and worked with him on his social skills. I became so attached, I almost cried when he left the elementary school.  I couldn't help but worry if his teachers in the future would guide him and care enough to make sure he followed the straight and narrow.  A few years ago, when he was in high school, I received a letter in the mail from him.  He thanked me for all that I had done for him and wrote how much he appreciated that I had not given up on him.  I still cry every time I read that letter. (I am tearing up even now, and I am basically not a crier).  The really good news is that he graduated from high school and is a working, contributing member of society.  I am now able to keep up with him on facebook and am so proud of the man he has become and the relationships he has formed in his life.  
Well... a couple of months ago, a 5th grade teacher shared a paper one of her students, (my former student), had written this year.  At the first of the year my school emphasized "Future Stories."  These Future Stories were about thinking about what the future held and what each student could see themselves doing when they were grown.  This child wants to be a teacher when she grows up.  Once again, my heart melted when I read the words on this student's paper and was reminded of why I teach. It was just a brief little paragraph but, that's all we need sometimes to light a fire under us and motivate us to do whatever we can to help our kids.