Personalizing Your Math Interactive Notebook

Phew!!  I made it through the first week of school!  I started my Math Interactive Notebook (INB) with my students this week.  We set up our cover page, glued in our rubric, glued in our clock partner sheet, and set up our Table of Contents.  It took a while, but now we are set up for the year.  I asked my students this year to personalize their math INB and I am so happy with the results.  Some of my students brought them in early and they look amazing!
     First I showed them my INB to spark their interest (see below).  I explained what each number represented in my life (great getting to know you activity too).  I also explained why each picture was on the notebook as well.  All I did was search Google for number images and copy and paste to a word document.  When I couldn't find a number I used Word Art on Word to create the number.  Then I just taped them on my notebook (contact paper would work really well).

Here is the result!

2:  The number of children I have.
16:  My favorite number.
1987:  The year I graduated
6:  The month I was born
14:  The amount of years I am married
66:  I am 66 inches tall
20:  The day of the month I was married
2000:  The year my daughter was born
Then I added some other pictures that I liked.

The back is also covered too!


After my presentation they were so excited to personalize their notebooks too!  I handed out the assignment below to my students.

If you would like a copy click here.

Assignment is due Monday--I will post some pictures!

 Christine :) 

Mental Math!

Hi all,

     With all this technology does mental math matter???  Well I believe it does!!  A few years ago I started adding some mental math questions to the end of my student’s warm-ups.  I couldn't believe how much my students loved trying to solve these mental math problems.  They wanted mental math problems every day. It is now common practice in my classroom and one of my students favorite activities. So I put together all the questions I used and made my first e-book!!!!  I printed it out and went to staples to have it bound! I am very proud of my creation!! Now I am ready to challenge my students mental minds daily.  

Each day I ask my students 3 questions aloud.  They turn over their "Do Now" or Warm-up paper and write the answers to the questions.  As the year progresses they become mental math wizards.  

Here is one of the pages from my book.

So many mathematical topics are covered in this book.

Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Evaluating Expressions, Drawing polygons, Area, Perimeter, 

Least Common Multiple, Greatest Common Factor, Integers, Comparing integers, Absolute Value
Inverse operations, Exponents, Ratios, Shapes, Calendar, Money, Time, Customary Units (feet, inches, yards, pounds, ounces, tons, miles, gallons, cups, quarts, etc.), Fractions, Reducing Fractions, Equivalent Fractions, Comparing Fractions, Changing improper fractions to mixed numbers, Adding Decimals, Rounding Decimals, Writing numbers and decimals in standard form and expanded form

If you would like to challenge your students mental minds too--visit my TpT Store to purchase my first e-book.

Have a great school year everyone!

Christine

Mall Scavenger Hunt!

     This week my daughter turned 13! I can't believe how fast time flies. It feels like yesterday she was just a little bundle I held in my arms. She wanted to have a mall scavenger hunt for her birthday. I really had no idea what she meant until she started to explain what a photo/video scavenger hunt is--technology! I of course began to look online for a scavenger hunt already prepared--couldn't find one that fit my needs. So we made our own. Many of the ideas I took from peoples answers or other scavenger hunts found on the web and many are our own. I am posting my list and instructions so others can print and use.

     She invited 13 good friends. All the girls were dropped off at our house at 4:00. I had three adults on hand to drive the girls to the mall (me, my sister, and my husband). Once we arrived at the mall my sister and I divided the girls into two groups (my husband left with my son for the movies--will return for pick up). One group had six girls the other had seven. Instructions were read and the hunt began. They were given one hour to complete the hunt and we picked a return spot. They were instructed that if they were 5 minutes late their team would be disqualified. My sister followed one group and I the other. I didn't want them out on their own (wanted to also make sure they were respectful). We just hung around in the background.
      The hunt was so much fun. The girls had a great time. They took it very seriously and completed almost all of the tasks. The videos were hilarious! Both groups made it back on time. One group completed 29 tasks and the other 30. I gave both teams prizes. The team that won a bigger prize. Instead of buying them goodie bags or a favor--I gave them cash! They were so excited!! They could now go buy something in the mall. I gave them an additional hour to shop on their own. My sister and I waited in the food court. An hour later they returned wearing new earrings, rings, bracelets (Claire's), they were thrilled. My husband returned for pick up and we went back to our house for pizza and the pool. 

I would definitely do a mall scavenger hunt again! The girls loved it!

Hi, I just joined this awesome blog hop. Click the link to join too! Have a great day! Christine :)

Currently June

Hi Everyone!

I just joined the Currently Linky Party from the blog Oh Boy 4th Grade.

Listening:  I love Pandora.  I plug my phone into my stereo and blast away.  Right now I am listening to one of my favorites the Carrie Underwood Station.  I have been listening to a lot of  country music lately.  I really like the Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Band Perry, and a whole bunch of other country artists.

Loving:  Only 5 more days of school!!  Our last day is June 21st!

Thinking:  I want to do so many things this summer.  I started making a list and if I can complete the top five, I will be happy.  Number one on my list is to clean out and organize my basement.

Wanting:  I still want the construction upstairs in my house to be completed.  Floors and painting almost done!  Next, bathroom and finishing touches,  We are almost there!

Needing:  I need a hand massage so bad.  Everyday I paint and paint upstairs.  My hand is cramped and I can hardly move it in the morning.  I don't know how painters do it!!

3 Vacation Essentials:  1. Sunblock!  I burn so easily.  2.  A good book!  Still trying to find one--any suggestions?  3.  Nice weather!  I hope all this rain and wind comes to an end real soon.  

If you want to join the party, click on the link below.

Have a fantastic June everyone!!!!

What Will You Do Differently?

Well the year is almost over and after reflecting on this past year, there are definitely some things I would like to do differently next year.

I just started preparing my student's supply list for next year.  I really want each student to have their own supplies stored in our math classroom.  I am going to ask each student to create their own math toolbox.  Each toolbox will hold thin markers, colored pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, ruler, pencils, sharpener, eraser, and a sharpie.

These toolboxes will be stored in our classroom and available for daily use.  Students will grab their box on the way into class and use their tools during interactive notes, graphing, modeling, stations, and any other time we need them.  I am going to ask each student to purchase one of these supply boxes.  Each student will be given their own personalized labels to attach to the sides and top so they can easily spot their toolbox as they walk into class.

I have not changed my bulletin board paper or borders for at least five years.  I know its terrible, but the fade-less paper never fades!  It still looked good all these years, but now there are just too many holes and its time for a new color.  My room will be painted over the summer--needs it bad.  Then I will choose the color.  I also want to replace my borders (they did fade).  I love the way some people have been layering their borders.  I am going to try this!  

Click on picture if you would like to visit the fantastic blog the picture came from.

I love Pinterest!!!!!!  So many amazing creative ideas!  If only I could use them all!!

I want to implement at least three ideas next year.  I think I can handle three.

Here are some I would love to create.  

Click on the pictures if you would like to visit the fantastic blog this idea and picture came from.

Love this idea from the host of this linky party.

No need to buy new student erasers--so clever!

I love the traffic light exit card

Great Birthday Chart

Exit Cards

I would love to be this organized!

What will you do differently next year?  

Click on the link below to link up and share.

Relief Effort for Moore Oklahoma 

My heart goes out to all of the community members of Moore Oklahoma. As a fellow teacher I would like to help with the relief effort.  I have donated some of my products for the special relief bundle being provided by Teachers Notebook.  100% of the money raised from this bundle will go to the relief efforts to aide the victims.  Please consider donating an item or purchasing this bundle. 

Stay strong Oklahoma!