Festive Fraction Fun

Greetings, fellow educators and enthusiasts! Today, we delve into a free classroom activity where artistic expression meets mathematical concepts. Each year, my 4th grade class embarks on a unique math adventure, turning a plain Christmas tree into a colorful tapestry of fractions.

Crafting with Fingers: The initial step involves the exciting process of finger-painting 24 ornaments onto the Christmas tree. Students love this part! (Just give into the messy finger. If you put them all at one table by the sink, you'll survive.) Little do they know, the real mathematical exploration was just beginning.

Fraction Analysis: Once the ornaments are dry, the focus shifts to the world of fractions. Students will count ornaments of different colors, reaching the total of 24. The challenge is then to determine the fraction represented by each color. Each present below the tree should have the fraction of ornaments that are that color.

Equivalent Fractions Exploration: With basic fractions established, students now take a deeper dive into equivalent fractions. On each present, 3 equivalent fractions should be generated.

Equation Creation: The culminating activity involved the creation of equations demonstrating how they decomposed the whole tree. I like to use Crayola's Construction Paper Crayons to write the fractions so the colors really pop!

Finally, hang the masterpieces in the hall. Your principal will love the amount of math on them and the kids (and adults!) will love the festive feel they bring to your classroom.

Grab the instructions here:

Multiplication & Division Fact Fluency

So many people think that just because you know your multiplication facts that means you automatically know your division facts. Well, I assume you know your ABCs...how fast you can say them backwards? It's okay....I'll wait....

Not as fast as forwards, right? You can't say them as fast because you haven't practiced. Division is the same way. Students must practice their division facts in order to become truly fluent.

Knowing that, I created multiplication & division drills so students can working on becoming fluent in both. I also created different levels so that students first work to master 20 problems in one minute, then 25 problems, and finally 30 problems.

Go ahead & bookmark them. They're completely free.

 

 

 

 

 

#ChristmasInJuly22 Sat

 Our final day of the #ChristmasInJuly22 sale is here! I hope you were able to score some great deals from the authors that put together the sale. 

Today, you're in for a treat. It's FREEBIE day! Act fast to grab this $4 Freebie to get ready for Thanksgiving. If you love it, please leave feedback on TPT's site. If you have suggestions for improvement, please send me a message through Facebook.

#ChristmasInJuly22 Thurs & Fri

 Just a few more days left! Today & tomorrow, our teacher group is bringing you a 50% off sale. I'm posting a fan favorite, Area & Perimeter of Complex Shapes Bundle at 50% off and also a Math Ladders set to help students practice rounding numbers.

I don't know about you, but it seems like kids take forever to master rounding numbers. This bundle gives your students tons of practice in whatever period they need (ones, thousands, millions, or decimals). The millions period set has 5 different math ladders and the others all have 10 math ladders. That means that I never have to worry about differentiation. Each set is focused around one period, but builds up in difficulty level.

#ChristmasInJuly22 Tues & Wed

 Did you snag some good deals in the sale? Today's $2 deals include my brand new Math It, Match It: Geometry game & Mystery Science II

Geometry. In my experience, the kids either love it or hate it. Part of the issue is the amount of vocabulary in the units. Math It, Match It: Geometry is a great way for students to master that vocabulary without relying on flash cards or drill & kill memorization techniques. Directions for a couple of game styles are included, but almost any Spot It (or Dobble) game can be played, giving you a "new" game with the same deck of cards.

Mystery Science is an activity I've done almost every year since I started teaching way back in 2005 (we won't talk about 2020). Mystery Science II is an updated version in which I created stations tied more strictly to the Florida benchmarks my 4th graders will be tested on when they take the 5th grade science FCAT. Over the course of 2-3 class periods, students visit different stations that require them to make observations and think critically about different science concepts. If you're not in FL, either version would be great. But, Mystery Science II is on sale today & tomorrow for $2 - half its usual price.

#ChristmasInJuly22 Sun & Mon

 It starts today! Get ready for a bunch of $1 deals.

#ChristmasInJuly22 Sale

 #ChristmasInJuly22 

A bunch of TPT authors have joined together to create a Christmas in July sale! Check out the schedule of sales below and follow my Facebook page for updates each day.