Understanding Place Value

Posted in hands on learning, math, place value by Mrs. Kirk

Have you ever had a student who seemed to understand place value initially, but then when questions were asked just a little differently couldn’t really answer correctly? Younger students need a lot of hands on practice and a lot of discussions before moving on to pictorial and abstract. What about middle and upper elementary? As the learning targets get higher and the numbers get bigger, most students need to revisit basic place value concepts with hands on experiences and discussions to build or review understanding before moving on to bigger numbers. Continue reading →

1Jun2016

5 Fun Ways to Practice Math Facts

Posted in addition, elementary, games, hands on learning, kinesthetic learners, math, multiplication by Mrs. Kirk

It is important for kids to be fluent with their Math facts, but sometimes the same old pencil paper routines can get boring! And, let’s face it, some kids just need to move around while they are learning! Here are a few ideas to get your kids moving while practicing Math Facts:

Continue reading →

9May2016

End of Year Fun!

Posted in addition, elementary, end of year, math, Spring by Mrs. Kirk

So, we have almost made it to the end of the year! We are on the final countdown! Many of us have had our state tests and some have had finals… but we still have school! Here are a few ideas to make the end of the year fun, but still keep it academic:

Continue reading →

3May2016

How to Solve Multi-Step Word Problems

Posted in addition, elementary, freebies, guided math, hands on learning, math, problem solving by Mrs. Kirk

After many years of teaching I have put together a “tool box” of tips and tricks to help students really understand and solve word problems, even the all complicated multi-step problems. Today I would like to share some of those tips! Whether you are a teacher, home school parent, or a parent helping your child with homework, these tips should help! Continue reading →

11Mar2016

Spring Fever

Posted in addition, Easter, elementary, freebies, games, math, Spring by Mrs. Kirk

I am so excited to be part of the Springing into Learning Blog Hop with Kim from Elementary Antics and many other teacher bloggers! I can’t wait to see all of the great ideas everyone has to share! After reading my blog post, be sure to click the link at the end to hop on to the rest of the great blogs!

The winter holidays are over, the weather is warming up and the children have … Spring Fever! Well, as a veteran classroom teacher, I can sympathize with you … this is NOT the time for the kids to get silly and stop working! This is the time to pull out all your “tricks” and get them back on track!

I have a few tricks for keeping students engaged and counteract “Spring Fever”:

Continue reading →

3Mar2016

St. Patrick’s Day FUN!!!

Posted in addition, elementary, estimating, fractions, holidays, math, multiplication, place value, rounding by Mrs. Kirk

Who doesn’t love a shamrock and a pot of gold? St. Patty’s Day can be a lot of fun! And why wait until March 17th? You can start now with these engaging resources! Continue reading →

15Feb2016

Resources for Decimals

Posted in decimals, elementary, math, place value, websites by Mrs. Kirk

In my last post I shared some of my strategies for helping students understand decimals. Today I would like to expand on that and share some of my favorite resources!

Scholastic Study Jams has a great tutorial on decimal place value which can be found here for FREE!
MathAntics has a great FREE video which explains fractions and decimals in terms of powers of ten and place value:

3. I have card games with fraction models on my TpT page which are great for naming, matching, comparing and ordering decimals:

Continue reading →

6Feb2016

Making Sense of Decimals

Posted in decimals, elementary, hands on learning, math by Mrs. Kirk

Recently I have been working with my 4th graders on decimals. We have been identifying decimals, naming decimals, comparing decimals, adding and subtracting decimals. For some students decimals can be daunting at first, but I have a few strategies to help them understand and be successful!

Money! Get out the money and review the relationships between dollars, dimes and pennies. Give students a set amount such as $2.37 and ask them to show you with the money and write it out. Most students will already know how to write the amount of money with the decimal. Help the students who need it. This is a great time to ask the students what “the little dot” is called (decimal point) and what it means. If no one knows, fill them in. Then lead the discussion to the meaning of the words “tenths” and “hundredths” and relate again to money.

Continue reading →

13Jan2016

Fraction Flash Freebie!

Posted in freebies, games, math by Mrs. Kirk

Today I would like to offer my latest game as a Flash Freebie! For the next 48 hours, my Fractions of a Set Game will be FREE!!!

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7Jan2016

Flash Freebie Integers Mini Unit

Posted in addition, elementary, freebies, integers, math, websites by Mrs. Kirk

Today I am happy to Link Up with Happy Little Kindergarten for a Flash Freebie Blog Hop!

I have recently revised my Integers Mini-Unit and will have it offered for FREE on my TpT page until Friday, January 08, 2016. Click the photo below to get this amazing mini unit for free!

And for more flash freebies from other bloggers, head over to Happy Little Kindergarten for the links!!!

So, we have almost made it to the end of the year! We are on the final countdown! Many of us have had our state tests and some have had finals… but we still have school! Here are a few ideas to make the end of the year fun, but still keep it academic:

In my last post I shared some of my strategies for helping students understand decimals. Today I would like to expand on that and share some of my favorite resources!

Scholastic Study Jams has a great tutorial on decimal place value which can be found here for FREE!

MathAntics has a great FREE video which explains fractions and decimals in terms of powers of ten and place value:

3. I have card games with fraction models on my TpT page which are great for naming, matching, comparing and ordering decimals:

Recently I have been working with my 4th graders on decimals. We have been identifying decimals, naming decimals, comparing decimals, adding and subtracting decimals. For some students decimals can be daunting at first, but I have a few strategies to help them understand and be successful!