Classact5

This measurement activity gives students an introduction to Pi. They will measure the diameter and circumference of a variety of cylinders to find Pi. Tables are included that allow students to measure in either inches, centimeters, or both. A teacher page is provided that can be used on the SmartBoard or made into an overhead. Also included is a vocabulary list and sample discussion questions.

In this file-folder game, students race around the track while practicing multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1000. Players roll a die and move the designated number of spaces. Each space says either to multiply or divide by 10, 100, or 1000. The player chooses a number card and multiplies or divides the number on the card per the instructions on the space. They check their answers with a calculator. This not only has students practice the computations (which is necessary when dealing

Many students do not find multiplying and dividing fractions difficult, but they struggle when it comes to knowing WHEN to multiply or divide. These mini-lessons and task cards focus on the situations in the story problems and how to determine the correct operation. Students will read the problems, determine the operation, and indicate why the operation is appropriate. Making them focus on the WHY of the operation will help them make the correct choices in their classwork and assessments.

I was shocked at the scores my 5th graders made on addition and subtraction problem solving. But it wasn’t that they couldn’t add or subtract. They didn’t know when to add or subtract. Not all problems use the key words less than or altogether. These rigorous problems are written to make students think about when to add or subtract. Some problems are multi-step, but all steps are the same operation. Use these problems as instructed, or just use the cards for fast finishers. Two answer keys a

Hand-on activity sorting measurement vocabulary words. Students will sort words according to the measurement system (customary or metric) and whether the words are capacity, mass, or linear measurement terms. Students will first sort cards onto mats. Then, as a class, they can check their answers from the Smartboard activity. The Smartboard activity can also be used alone with the whole class, or by pairs of students in a center.

Follow your favorite sports team around the country. How many miles do they travel in a given period? What is the average length of a road trip to away games? How did many teams get their names? Students will find out with this fun center activity.

A great way to hand out gifts before the holiday break, this is also a listening and following directions activity. Students stand in a circle and are each given a gift. As you read aloud the story of the Wright family trying to find the right Christmas tree, the students pass the gift one person to the right every time you say right (Wright, write) and pass it left each time you say left. They keep the present they end up with at the end of the story. This is a silly story that is filled wi

This activity combines physical activity with math, social studies, reading and research skills. Students "travel" through the geographical area they are studying, visiting points of interest.

In this SmartBoard activity, each page has a group of fractions scattered randomly around a shape. Students must find the fractions that meet the criteria stated in the shape. After they have studied the page for 1 minute, they touch the fuse of the firecracker. They then touch as many fractions as they can that meet the criteria. If they are correct, a clown appears. Incorrect answers are marked with a "boom". The firecracker will go off in 30 seconds. Criteria listed include: equivalen

Add fractions with like denominators to create improper fractions. Drag fraction pieces to illustrate changing improper fractions to mixed numbers.

Students find the value of place value blocks when different blocks represent one. For example, what would the number be if the 10's rod represented one? The results are decimal numbers.

Having a class with students of varying abilities often leads some students to be embarrassed that they can’t do as well as other students. I use the display to point out that they all have something at which they can succeed. But a class of diverse students also means you may have some students who think they are better than some and want to make unfriendly comments. When this happens, I often point to the “Urn” and remind them that they have something in there and ask them if they would wan

Students drag and drop an icon of a boy or a girl to tally their favorite sport. They can then create a double bar graph with the information. A page is also given so the class can create one together.

Students drag and drop a Halloween character to indicate their choices of costumes. The data is then used to create a double bar graph.

Students take turns dragging and dropping an X to plot the letters in their names. You can then find the mode, median, range of the letters of their names. You can also identify gaps and clusters.