Fraction Picture Books

Here's some awesome fraction picture books for all different grade levels.  Introducing or reinforcing concepts with concepts with picture books is one of my favorite activities for math.  I haven't been using as many picture books as I would want to do this year for math, so I'm going to try to fix that in our next unit: fractions.

Primary Grades

Intermediate Grades

   

 

Just "Plane" Bored

Do you remember what it's like on a 56K connection to the intrawebs?  I had forgotten....until now.  I'm on a plane and have been uploading my new Mardi Gras math product for roughly 15 minutes.  At home, I have the Super-Platinum-I-Will-Race-You-Nanny-Nanny-Boo-Boo (not to be confused with the Honey version) fast internet.  It swears it's processing, but I figured I'd type out a blog entry in the meantime.

And now I have to start over on uploading...

I grew up in Mobile, which prides itself in the ORIGINAL United States home of Mardi Gras.  However, I recognize that New Orleans takes the cake when it comes to Mardi Gras and anyhow, I live closer to Louisiana anyway.  I live closer to Mexico than Louisiana, but we can't go there right now unfortunately.  Anyway, I LOVE Mardi Gras!

So, I made these word problems task cards to use as review for Fat Tuesday fun (February 12).

11% complete now

So, I'm so happy to have so many new followers--I hope you love me.  And I hope you love the stuff I make.  And I hope everyone is happy all the time!

15%...Maybe I'll make a list for you.  I like lists.

Here's a few things you probably don't know...
1. I have always loved math.  It's my totes magotes favorite subject.
2. My boyfriend is a math genius.  Looking at the math he does makes me ill.
3. I am a Jeopardy addict.  I like to guess the answers based on the categories.  It occasionally works out for me.
4. My favorite TV show of all time is The Wire.  I currently enjoy 30 Rock.
5. Going through the newish security body scanner today, I had to be patted down because of all the sequins on my sweater.  I love sparkly clothes!
6. I am stuck in the mid 90's when it comes to music.  I love alternative music from then and that's pretty much all I want to listen to.

29% done

7. I was one of those miserly anti-Apple people for years...mostly because I couldn't afford one.  Then I got an iPhone, then a MacBook Pro, then an iPad.  I got over it and now can just make myself look bad by being too uppity and pro-Apple.  ;)
8. I love animals.  There's something about animals I just "get."  I've chased down many animals to take care of them (which some people find annoying, but you win some, you lose some).
9. I am obsessed with my pores.  Cleaning them out, looking at them in a magnifying mirror, buying products for my pores...pretty much anything with my pores.
10. If reincarnation works out the way it's supposed to, I'll be a penguin in my next life...but a warm weather penguin...like in Australia.  Mmmmmm!

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Here's a preview...

UPDATE: Click the pic to check it out!

{It's been stuck at 49% for a while now, so I quit...if you're interested you'll see it in my store in approximately 3 years and 14 days if I keep uploading from the plane.  Or later tonight if I get normal wi-fi.}

Converting Customary Measurements

Converting measurements does not have to be difficult.  With practice and a strategy, your intervention students can be successful with converting.  Below, I show how I teach my students to convert customary measurements.  Metric is slightly different (and slightly easier!).  

I started doing the "5 steps" in the middle of a lesson my first year teaching and it stuck ever since.  Every year, the class names it something fancy...I can't remember any of the names now.  I just know it as The 5 Steps.  

Hopefully, this makes sense with the example shown.  Sometimes, it seems like extra work and for your advanced students, it is too much work, but my intervention students have been successful using this strategy.

Your kiddos can get some extra practice with Customary Measurement Conversion Task Cards.

I also have a Customary Measurement Intervention Pack to help your struggling mathematicians master converting customary measurements.  Find it at my TpT Store.

It's a Zoo! (Converting Customary Units) has posters, lessons, and activities for converting customary units of measurements.  Find it at my TpT Store.

Valentine's Day Math Fun!

Are you ready for Valentine's Day?  The kiddos are always excited, so I've come up with some math task cards to use for scavenger hunts and a freebie that I'm using for their morning work.  I also have a comparing fractions sort and operations practice for centers.

I love scavenger hunt because all I have to do is place the task cards around the room and the kids are up and moving to answer them.  I don't allow more than 2 at a card at a time, but allow them to work at their own pace.  12 cards is the perfect amount because it's not overwhelming and doesn't take too long, but still allows for sufficient practice.

Click the pic to check it out!

Click the pic to check it out.

Click the pic to check it out!

Click the pic to check it out!

Freebie Alert

I also made this simple, super cute cupcake quotients page to use on Valentine's Day as morning work. There are 5 division problems.  After the students solve, they color by number on the cupcake.  Students can even cut it out for a cute bulletin board.  "Sweet" and simple math fun! 

Click the pic for your freebie!

If you're interested in all the items, I am offering a discounted bundle in my TpT Store.

Multiply the Butterfly {comparing fractions}

I posted a few days ago about teaching fractions.  This is how I teach my students to compare fractions after fraction models and pictorial representations.  I teach them how to use common denominators after teaching Multiply the Butterfly.  This wisdom was passed onto me by a more experienced teacher my first year teaching math when I pulling out my hair and having visions of common denominators chasing me.

Click the pic to see my Fishin' with Fractions post.

This is a foldable you can use or modify for your students' math notebooks with the steps for Multiply the Butterfly.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Happy New Year Math Activities

Christmas #1 is over...I still have Christmas #2 this weekend.  Then, back to school...

Oh my.  I wonder how much my students will remember/forget over the break.  We have completed all operations at this point and I want to make sure they still remember some math when they return.  

 I made these three activities to use with my small groups for the week they get back as we benchmark test them.  I *hope* they remember!  :)  

There's also a 2013 Challenge for my more advanced students to find out how many hours have been in 2013 at the time they begin trying to solve the problem.  Should be fun!

Click the pic to check it out!

Math Intervention: Geometry

Hi mathy friends!  I hope you are enjoying your break...it's so nice to have some time to sit around in my pajamas all day and watch Mad Men.

I am just about done with my Christmas shopping and I've been wrapping gifts as purdy as I can.  Except the ones "from" my cats...those are wrapped hastily and have lots of curly ribbon.  I can't wait for everyone to see their presents.  It's the best!

I added all my new penguin ornaments to my tree at home...I get a lot of those because people know I LOVE penguins and penguin stuff is everywhere this time of year.  Happiness!

I've been having so much fun publishing all of my math ideas for you.  It's really a blast and a nice change of pace.

I have a new math intervention pack ready and it's all about geometry.  There are 6 lessons:
1: 2-Dimensional Figures
2: 3-Dimensional Figures
3: Lines, Angles, and Triangles
4: Vocabulary
5: Transformations
6: Progress Quiz

The intervention packs are made for use with a small group of students that need more assistance to master grade level skills.

You can visit my TpT Store to check out the intervention pack.

Click the pic!

Have a great break!

Fishin' for Fractions

I like to teach students how to use models when working with fractions, but also I like them to use Multiply the Butterfly, which is pretty much my favorite thing ever!  Here's a little pic for how to multiply the butterfly if you haven't used it before.  See my post on Multiply the Butterfly.

I love teaching about fractions...and fractions can be really fun for the kiddos, so I'm excited to show you my Fishin' for Fractions activities!  They are divided into 5 lessons:
Introducing Fractions
Equivalent Fractions
Comparing Fractions
Multiply the Butterfly
Ordering Fractions

See the preview in my TpT Store

Comparing Fractions Fish Bowl

Task Cards for Ordering Fractions

Click the pic to check it out in my TpT Store.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Math Penguin Loves Teachers {$25 TpT Gift Card Giveaway}

Hello new mathy friends!  I want to reward my friends for supporting me with my new math blog, freebies, and products, I am having a giveaway for a $25 TpT Gift Card.  With a new semester (and state tests...ugh) approaching, we need all the resources we can get!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Area and Perimeter Intervention Activities

Welcome back, mathy friends!  This penguin has more goodies for you!  I love my small group Area and Perimeter Math Intervention activities and I think you will, too!  The 5 lessons are scaffolded to help your struggling mathematicians.  

The 5 lessons included are:

1- Perimeter

2- Area

3- Perimeter and Area

4- Task Cards

5- Progress Quiz

Click the pic below to check out the Math Intervention: Area and Perimeter Pack!

Decimal Model Matching Cards {Freebie}

These Decimal Model Matching Cards are great for reviewing with your small group!  Students match the decimal model card to the corresponding number decimal card, then record the card letter on their answer sheets.  It's easy to check with the answer key and great review for your students!  The decimals included are in hundredths and tenths.

Click the pic to check out the freebie!

Snap Cubes: Probability Freebie

Teaching probability with manipulatives is a lot of fun!  I always enjoy teaching my students about probability, so I took one of the ideas I use and turned it into a freebie for you.  Most of us have snap cubes or colorful foam blocks lying around.  They make for great impromptu, go with the flow probability lessons!

Click the pic to check out Snap Cubes: Probability as a Fraction in my TpT Store.

Lucky Seven and Lattice

My whole class can multiply and divide!  And, they ask me for problems so they can practice.  WHAT?!?!  There was no bribe, whining, or teacher wizardry.  No threatening, no shenanigans, and no backlash.  How did it happen?

Lattice and Lucky Seven are my favorite things in the world next to Swiss Colony treats!  (Side note: mmmmmmm!)  It's a simple process that the kiddos pick up.  

This strategy is great for your intervention students.  (It's hard to get it wrong unlike "traditional" or "standard" multiplication and division.)

Pick up the freebie process posters for Lattice and Lucky 7.  Black/white student copies are included.

Click the pic!

Up, Up, and Away with Fractions

Hey there, mathy friends!  I'm so excited to be in 4th grade where the students get to use pictorial models when learning about fractions.  Cha-ching!  Today, I'd like to take the opportunity to show you my math intervention activities for fractions.  I love this one!  There are a lot of scaffolded activities and worksheets to help your students go Up, Up, and Away with Fractions!  

Here are the lessons in Math Intervention: Fractions--
1- Introduction to Fractions
2- Equivalent Fractions
3- Comparing Fractions
4- Ordering Fractions
5- Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions
6- Fractions on a Number Line and Word Problems
7- Fractions and Decimals
8- Progress Quiz
Extras- Pattern Blocks and Dice Work Mat Activity

Check out the product by clicking the pic below.