Fractional Parts of a Set, Cute Freebie!

As you have probably already figured out we have been studying fractions this week. My little dreamscicles S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E with fractional parts of a set. 

"What do you MEAN that 1/2 of the circles are shaded but also that 2/4 of the circles are shaded, Ms. T?" 

I know. I get it. I am telling you its one thing and then telling you its another. I am crazy.

I am giving it one more shot with a group of little sunshines on Monday. I HAVE to assess on Thursday after also reviewing thermometers, shapes, and measurement so they really HAVE to get it on Monday.

First we will play this interactive game together. Probably on my laptop in a small group.  It is by Smart Tutor and explains this concept VERY well.  It says Level 4 (which would translate to fourth grade in Smart Tutor language) BUT those are the types of questions that may be on our second grade assessment. 

THEN, we are going to review using some quick task cards I made up . . . AND I am sharing them with you. For FREE. You can have them. There are 6 cards in the set. I hope that they help your kiddos. I plan to use them in a small group and we will write the fractions on white boards. I may also put them in page protectors so that they can circle the equal groups. 

I also wanted to thank all of you for your comments about Guided Math. It looks like a lot of you use it in some type of modified manner. I realized after reading the book that I already use this in my classroom, just not on a daily basis. I even had a chat with our Math Coach about using this today and was left with a lot to think about. I will keep you posted but for now I think that I am going to finish out my last 30 days doing what has been working all along for this group of kiddos.

 AND . .  .I also want to thank Mr. B from Mr. B's Beach Bums for tagging me. I decided to just answer 2 questions so that I can go to bed. I ALWAYS appreciate being tagged but I may not always respond because I would really like for you to keep coming back to my blog for quality math resources. :) 

3. What adjectives would your students use to describe you?

Fun. Friendly. Clumsy.  :)

 

10. What is your biggest pet peeve in the classroom? 

I was just thinking about this today. I HATE learned helplessness! It breaks my heart when kids say that they can't do it and they really feel that way. I had one kiddo SWEATING today when we were studying fractions. He gets like that whenever we do something he thinks is too hard for him. It is SO difficult to dig kids out of the pit once they have thrown in the towel. (Not that I ever quit trying!) Any thoughts?

While you think about that, I am going to go to the land of nod!