Middle School Math Moments (now Cognitive Cardio Math)

Back at the beginning of August, I wrote about using pentominoes on the first day of math class . I used this activity again today, on the first day of math with my new classes, and I am so glad that I did! I was again so impressed with the way the students worked together and were so persistent in trying to make that rectangle! I did give the class a hint after about 10 minutes or so, showing them the 2 pentominoes that go at the top of the rectangle. I have a magnetic set that I can use on the blackboard, which is pretty handy. In all classes, we spent about 20-25 minutes working on the task, which was longer than last year, I believe. And, I think I waited a little longer this year before giving them any hints, because we had more time. In my first two classes, only one group finished (after using the hint....or two), and they finished at the very end of the period. In my 3rd and 4th classes, a group finished early enough to go around to the other groups and offer them help....

First day of school tomorrow!! On the first day of school, I can't get much done until I learn my students' names....it just bothers me when I don't know them. So, we play a name game every year. This is the name game that I like to use: First, we get into a circle. Then I ask the students to try to think of an adjective that starts with the same sound as the first sound of their first name. (A few students usually need help with this, so if they do, we take suggestions from other students.) Once everyone has their adjective, we start around the circle. The first student states his/her adjective and name. The second person repeats the first person's adjective and name and then adds his/her own. The third person repeats the first and second people's information and adds his/her own. This continues around the circle, so that the last person (me!)  has to repeat all of the students' names. This really helps me to learn the names quickly, and it helps the stu...

This post has been moved to:  http://www.cognitivecardiowithmsmm.com/blog/memory-wheels-first-day-last-day-and-any-day-in-between

Check out my new site:  www.cognitivecardiowithmsmm.com In between meetings the past two days, I've gotten a little more classroom work done. I made an area and perimeter "poster" to cover one of my closet doors (yes, I did see this idea on Pinterest!). Hopefully the kids will notice it throughout the year! We won't get to these topics of study until later in the year; however, the Mental Gymnastics book that I use for morning work does address area and perimeter throughout the year, so I know they will be able to use the poster as a resource. old, messy whiteboards! I also decided to redo the kid-sized whiteboards that I've had for years. I had these cut at Home Depot quite a while ago, and used them often when I taught at the elementary level. I haven't used them quite as much in middle school, but my math classes are going to be a bit smaller this year (yay!), so I'm thinking I may use them a bit more. I used some nifty Duck Tape to make them...

Five days until my first day with students! Last year, as a little "getting to know you" activity, we designed hot air balloons. I made the tracer and an example, and the students then traced and designed their own balloons. I asked them to draw pictures/designs that showed something about themselves, and they had to write a goal for the year on the basket part of the balloon. These looked so nice last year..... I laminated them and hung them along the top of the walls in the hallway. Most students took them home at the end of the year but a couple of students moved away, without their balloons, so I still have them for examples this year. I wish I had taken a picture of all of them when they were hanging up!  This year I will:) A few great things about this activity: it was a little bit time-consuming, so whenever we had down time in the first couple of days, they had something to work on; setting the goal for the year made them think about what they could focus on for t...

I'd love for you to check out my new site - cognitivecardiowithmsmm.com I have to head off to take my son to college in a few minutes, but before I do, I wanted to share this Footloose freebie! Click to download from TPT This is a Footloose game to help students practice finding areas and perimeters of rectangles. This Footloose game includes 30 question cards that require students to: calculate area and perimeter of rectangles: find missing sides; find perimeter when given area and a side length; compare areas and perimeters of rectangles. When playing Footloose, students solve every problem and record their answers in the corresponding box on the Footloose grid that they each receive. To get the freebie, click on the Footloose picture and download!

I've spent many hours at school so far this week - finally:)  I spent quite some time cleaning off my shelves...I keep sooo many things that I might use. So, I threw away some items and organized the rest....mostly. I still have some organizing of new materials I've made. Besides cleaning and making 110 hornets for our team bulletin board (took forever!), I put up the new items I've made in the past week. These ideas are based on many great ideas found on Pinterest. My clock idea is a little different than the clocks I've seen so far...I decided to use basic facts for now, because even though the kids "should" know them by 6th grade, quite a few of them do not. I'm hoping that using division facts in this way will help them more quickly than usual. I'm starting with the 7s, and plan to switch to something new each month (maybe every two weeks...we'll see.)  I'm excited about the coordinate plane! It's laminated and on an accessible...