LEGO Multiplication Game

At this point in the year... I start to worry about students that have still not mastered their multiplication facts...  

Besides some traditional flash cards, I was inspired by the Target dollar section to to use REALLY CHEAP lego packs - $1 (below) to help students become more familiar with some of those difficult facts.

I used the bigger legos and wrote various sums to multiplication problems.  Then, I wrote the factors on the smaller matching pieces.  I also included some "free" pieces, because why not?

To play the game, students take turn rolling dice to determine if they will pick piece, exchange pieces or give back pieces.  First player to solve 6 blocks wins!

Here is the game I created for FREE on TPT : )

Enjoy!

-Kellie

Using Assessment with Lucy Calkins Reading

This is my second year using the "3rd Grade Lucy Calkins Reading Curriculum," and I absolutely love using it!  Students are so engaged in their reading and the minilessons are truly perfect for supporting reading in reader's workshop.

Assessment Struggles...
One thing I have been struggling with is how to assess my students throughout the course of the unit without overcomplicating things...

I figured out that using the sticky notes students were already writing on was a great way to quickly and accurately assess student work!

I used the different teaching points as criteria and had students copy their work or simply stick their sticky note in the appropriate box.

Brainstorming with a coworker... led to this GEM!

Here is a portion of the BLANK copy...  scroll down to the end of the post to download the entire document for 3rd Grade Bends 1 & 2.




Student Work:



How could you use this?

1. Conferencing tool - it could help to move conversation and focus on the goals of the unit.

2. Assessment tool - use this throughout the unit by allowing students to fill it out as they travel through the book club adventure!

3. Re-teaching - keep track of students that are struggling and use this to pull small groups and focus on one specific strand from the unit.


You can get it for FREE here.

-Kellie

Using Morning Tubs in 3rd Grade

Why Morning Tubs/Bins?

So... recently I read/watched this AMAZING post by Bonnie Kathryn Teaching on using Morning Tubs instead of Morning Work...

I thought I might adapt this for my third grade kiddos!  I wanted something easy, mess-free and engaging to replace xtramath.com in the morning.  Usually, students log into xtramath.com to practice math facts (which yes, is beneficial) and then they play math games on their chrome books.  I have been noticing the need for students to interact with each other and get engaged in an activity vs. grab their chrome book and zone out the entire world.

This was SO successful!  Check it out....

Tangoes 

Purchased from: Target

Puzzles that use geometric pieces 

Boggle

*Created by me... but easily duplicated!

Students draw letters and build as many words as they can!

IQ Twist and IQ Fit

Purchased from: Target 

Puzzles using 3D pieces that range in difficulty level

How I use them:

Each morning, students do the "Morning Routine" and then grab a bin with a morning activity.  Students that come in can grab a new bin or join a classmate.

Students work for about 20 minutes in the morning... this has been a SANITY-saver - is that a word?

Watch me go through a few bins (after shouting out to Bonnie Kathryn - because her idea for this was so great!) right here:

Try it out yourself!  I can't tell you how great it is working out!

-Kellie