Math Fun the Sumdog Way...

Math Fun the Sumdog Way...

Last school year I introduced my students to Sumdog.  Sumdog is a free math site that using fun interactive games to deliver Common Core State Standards.  The games are aimed for students grades 1st through 8th grade.  What makes Sumdog so great is that it is self-paced learning that covers number operations through to simple algebra.  As students answer the math problems Sumdog's learning engine adapts its questions to each student's ability which in turns helps teachers deliver those CCSS and move students to the mastery level.

The games are not tied to specific topics, which I think helps keep kids engaged.  Sumdog holds different contests throughout the year from National Wide contest to State Wide contest.  I did learn that the kids really like to see themselves on the leader board which sparked in house contests.  When school started this year I had several students asked when do we start Sumdog.  They had heard that Sumdog was AWESOME and I was the teacher to see to get connected. 

For more information about Sumdog please visit their website.  

StudyJams

StudyJams...

After the tenth student that came and asked me for help with their math homework I realized that I needed to brush up on my math skills.  I also realized that when I see a math problem my mind starts to solve the problem, its like an automatic response.  What I am having trouble with is explaining to the kids the steps my mind went through to solve the problem.  This triggered me to find a resource that the kids can use and will explain the steps.  I searched and discovered StudyJams.

I have to say from a teacher view StudyJams is AWESOME!  StudyJams is by Scholastic and they not only has math topics but also they have science topics.  At this moment I am interested in the math topics.  With each topic they demonstrated step-by-step instructions on how they worked the problem.  The students then get to try it for themselves.  What I love is that they get instant feedback after working the problem.  After they have tried it for themselves they can test themselves.  When they are done testing themselves they can see the problems they missed.  Again they get instant feedback.  If they didn't understand the process on how they solved the problem they can go back and see those steps again.  It's like having a math teacher on demand. 

Tech Tip:

• Save the StudyJams link to your school or classroom webpage.
• Walk students through the website the 1st time.
• Demonstrate how the step-by-step instructions work.

SimpleK12 Ambassador

SimpleK12 Ambassador .....  

I was doing a happy dance this week after I learned that I was picked to be a SimpleK12 Ambassador.  Now I bet you are asking yourself what is SimpleK12 and why would she be so happy being picked to become an Ambassador.  SimpleK12 is a great way to continue your education by professional development in the education world within an online Teacher Learning Community.  This past summer I have connected to educators around the world through this community that have the same interest I have.  Which is to become a Life Long Learner.  

Attending a semester long course to receive professional development or that college credit at this point in my life just doesn't sit well with me.  I don't know about you but I am busy planning my lessons, attending meetings, going to sporting events, cooking dinner for five people, being taxi mom, and tutor mom.  I also live in a small town and if I want to attend a college to get that college credit I would have to drive over an hour away.  Due to my busy life I needed away I could continue to learn but be able to fit it into my life.  SimpleK12 or you may know them as the ladies with the Blue Bunny Slippers was the answer for me.  Thanks to all of their sponsors they are able to offer free Webinars.  Simplek12 also goes beyond just webinars.  They have built a Teacher Learning Community where teachers can share resources, download e-books, watch on demand sessions, forums, and my favorite making connections.  

Below is more information about the Teacher Learning Community.  Click here for a print friendly handout.

Click Here to Join the Community!!  

Find me in the community and connect with me.

      

Twitting the Low Tech Way

Twitting the Low Tech Way

Our Twitter Door

With common core we are expected to incorporate more writing, technology, and high-order thinking.  I know that lots of classrooms do not 1:1 with computer, so the questions becomes how are we suppose to incorporate technology.  I attended an webinar that demonstrated a low tech twitter wall.  I thought what a great way to demonstrate that any classroom can incorporate this type of social media into their classroom.  

The Assignment:

• My students where given a question; What are you looking forward to at LMS?
• They where instructed that they needed to start their response with @LMS since they were replying to LMS.
• They were instructed that they must write a complete and proper sentence.
• We talked about what a complete and proper sentence looked like.
• We even solved a math problem.  In Twitter you are only allowed 140 characters.  We talked about what are characters. 
• The math problem: If you have to start your Twitter response with @LMS and you are only allowed 140 characters how many do you have left to write your response?
• We practice writing our responses then each student picked out their avatar and our Twitter door came to life.

I used the mini bulletin board cutouts for our avatars.  We have little monsters, crazy frogs, wacky monkeys, ipods, butterflies, and owls.  They kids had fun picking out their avatars and started planning making plans on who we should do our next Twitter response. 

Winners

Before I forget I have the winners of the Socks Rhyming Game.
Congrats to: Learning Fun and lraines78