Fraction Fanatic

So I know I've posted about fractions before, and the stations I used to work with the kids and develop the concept.  But I feel the need to spend more time here. Why? This conversation: Student: "Oooo, I know one third is less than two twos because two twos are one whole!" Me: "Two twos?" hoping the kid would see his error and say two halves Student: "Oh, sorry. Two twoths." Sheesh. However, I am celebrating that he knew two twoths make one whole. That's a pretty good start.   That's not the only reason I'm still writing about fractions. This time, we had to go a step (or several) further. We had to find equivalent fractions and compare them using pictures or models. I'm not sure why, but I kind of love finding equivalent fractions. Comparing them, though, is not fun. I'm not sure why this is such a difficult concept, when the kids are using models! But it always is, and I kind of hate it.  First, we made an equivalent fractions foldable to identify the fractions equivalent to 1/2. 

*Found in my More Furry Friends Fractions Pack! Could also be done with any other fraction to record equivalent fractions.
To force help myself to like comparing a little better, I came up with these stations and put together a Equivalent and Comparing Fractions Pack, with a theme that has been pretty popular: furry things. This is a long one, but it has pictures, which helps. And, as you are so very nice, there is a freebie waiting for you as well. Cuisenaire Rods

At my Guided Reading table, I worked with students to identify fractional parts of different-sized wholes using Cuisenaire Rods. They're an interesting way to have conversations about half being half, and representing a relationship between the part and whole of something, regardless of the size of the object. However, some halves are larger than others, if they object is larger.  In case you're interested in reading about cuisenaire rods, this page has some general information and some activities as well.
Comparing Fractions with Pictures Students used this mat to compare fractions that were circles and rectangles. They moved the cardstock symbols on the brads to make =, >, and <. Then they recorded it on their recording sheets. *Found in my More Furry Friends Fractions Pack!

Comparing Written Fractions

At another station, students compared the written fractions using manipulatives. They had to build each fraction pair and compare. Then they recorded the fractions. *Found in my More Furry Friends Fractions Pack!

Comparing Fractions Task Cards

Students drew a card from the stack and built the two fractions described using their manipulatives. They recorded them and compared them. *Found in my More Furry Friends Fractions Pack!

Equivalent Fractions Memory Game

Students played memory with the cards (found on SuperTeacher Worksheets) and made matches of equivalent fractions. This is the only station they didn't have a recording sheet for.

Equivalent Fractions & Comparing Fractions in Textbook

And last but not least (except for possibly least exciting) was a page from the textbook. Students compared fractions and found equivalent fractions using their fraction manipulatives. 

Overall, students gained an understanding of comparing and equivalent fractions, but they're still developing in their mastery. Different-sized wholes are still confusing, so we're attacking that again tomorrow!

And if you liked some of these activities and want to do them with your own kids, grab the pack at TPT:

More Furry Friends Fractions: Equivalent & Comparing Fractions Pack

Freebie for you! Grab it at TPT!

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Juicy End of the Year Activity

Today my kids worked with their buddies to make their Watermelon Memory Book Craftivity.  They had a blast. The third graders (my little people) helped the second graders and they wrote about things they did together this year, but you could write about any memories from the year. 

Remember when we made those little snowmen? You can read about it here. They turned out a little funky lol.

And, if you want to do this with your kids, you can get my craftivity at TPT! It's only $1.00 :)

Thanks for being a buddy :)

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Summer Reading Log Freebie

All right, people. We're in it to win it. I still have 8 days. E.I.G.H.T. days left to make these kids smarter.
I don't know if I'll make it.But the terrifying good thing is I'll have them again next year, when I loop up to fourth.
Ah, fourth. Comfort zone.
To encourage kids to read this summer (and not drop back to atrociously horrible reading levels that we have only just managed to escape with hours and hours of guided reading), we're going to have a fun summer reading program. I'm super excited. We haven't done this before! 
We're going to have a parent meeting next week and kids (five struggling readers from each class) are going to get a canvas bag to decorate for their summer reading books. We are loaning about 3 - 4 books for each student and providing them with a summer reading log (freebie below) and some fun activities to do with their parents. Then, in July, we're going to have a three-day half-day camp with fun activities for reading! I'm super super super excited. 
Here's the calendar reading log. Grab it for free at TPT.

And, if you like the reading log calendars, grab my Monthly Printable Calendar Pack for only 1.50 at TPT or 1.25 Teacher's Notebook! Great for calendar math, reading logs, behavior or homework records! I left the number dates off so you can use them year after year!

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Bad Idea

Law and Order SVU should come with a disclaimer. It should read, "Do not watch more than two episodes at a time. Watching entire seasons at once can prove harmful to your sanity."
I know this from personal experience. I have misguidedly watched more than three complete seasons of Law and Order SVU in the last three weeks. How is this possible? I watch them constantly. I play them while I clean, while I grade, while I plan, while I blog, while I stalk. (ew - stalk - bad choice of words) 
And this was a bad idea. 
I have had sleeping issues. I am thinking of filing a suit against the Law and Order people for disturbing my sanity. Every step of the cat is a masked man; every swish of the dishwasher is someone climbing in through a window. Every noise in my fifty year old house (which makes a lot of noises) is enough to cause me a mini heart attack. I've cried, I've been terrified, and overall, I've gone nuts. 
I should've known this would happen when a blog buddy commented, "Yes, one summer I watched all the Law and Order SVU seasons and I started carrying pepper spray."
Pepper Spray!
And I still kept watching. So now I'm a nutjob. I'm going to rewatch Sherlock instead. He solves crimes, too, but his deep, resonating voice and piercing stare distract me from my terror.As does Martin Freeman. Cause he's just so huggable.

I haven't forgotten my promise. I am planning my 300+ giveaway, but I want it to be great, and that takes time, people, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, enter my Teacher's Notebook giveaway for my 

Pizza Fractions Activity & Craftivity Pack!

and follow me on facebook!

I also plan on Linking up with my Bucket List. The list has begun, but it is not completed.

The game is afoot!

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Cute Stuff in the Mail

What can be better?Cute stuff in the mail is one of my favorites. It can be anything, as long as it's cute.Today it was this cute thing:

Where did it come from? you ask.

Well, it came from Canine Closet, as the tag reads. They have tons of cute tags for your puppers.

I didn't buy it myself - even better - I won it in a linky party giveaway from Sandy at Soaring Through Second! 

Check out her party here

and check out the post about my little animals here.

I tried to take a picture of Lucy with her tag on, but all pictures of Lucy are action shots. This is as good as I could do.

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Ms. B is on Facebook

Okay, I finally bit the bullet.
I mean, I have a personal facebook, but everybody seems to be setting up a facebook to talk about their blog and promote it.But I think I felt like I would have one fan. Me. 
You notice I didn't say 'my mom.' That's because my mom doesn't really follow my blog. The first time I posted, I made her read it. She said, "I like it. You sound smart. If I had a kid in your class, I'd think you were smart. I'm impressed you can do that. I'm never going to read it again." I'm not exaggerating.
So I'm really putting myself out there. This translates to Please follow me on Facebook so I'm not my only Fan!

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