First Day of School Name Glyph

A Name Glyph is a great way for students to get to know each other. I use a PowerPoint presentation to take them step by step through the process. The activity incorporates following directions and classroom routines. 

We practice signals for stopping our work, coming to the meeting place on the carpet, and what it looks like to talk with a partner and share group responses. We discuss our similarities and differences using the glyphs and connect how this will make us a good team. 

The is an easy activity to prep. The nameplate is included at the end of the PowerPoint. Simply type names using a font of your choice. The students do the rest, and it is an instant meaningful decoration for the classroom.  

I am always exhausted at the end of the day, but if nothing else, I make sure to get the Glyphs displayed on the wall or cabinets. It makes an impact the second day of school when they see their names. My hope is that it helps them feel more at home. I keep the nameplates up all year, and they are the last thing to come down at the end of the year.

Just a quick tip...I print out a copy of the directions to keep in my new student file. That way as students are added to my class they can complete their own name glyph to add to the display. 

Check out my TPT Store for other Back to School activities. Thank you for visiting my blog and enjoy the school year!

Place Value Review 4th-5th Grade

I've always found that anticipating going back after a long break is the hardest part! Once the day begins, I'm happy to be back in a routine and it's so much fun seeing my kiddos.

We actually had a great day and even managed to review routines while working on place value. I originally used this resource as a scoot activity but made some adjustments that worked well for my students. After a brief review, each student created a 7 digit number. There are 2 other options available using 5 or 6 digit numbers. 

I modeled the activity using my own number. Instead of printing the task cards, I projected them two at a time so we were all working on the same question. We answered each question using my number, and then each student completed the recording sheet using their own number. We answered 10 questions together and the discussions uncovered misconceptions that were quickly cleared up including even/odd and the value of a digit.

The second day I posted the questions to our Google Classroom. Students worked at their own pace and some worked together. Since they all had different numbers, there was good conversation. The remaining questions included computation that highlighted the importance of place value and vocabulary (sum, difference, expanded form).

We will definitely do this again as a station activity. You can find the resource in my TPT Store.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Equivalent Fractions Winter Theme Activity for 4th-5th Grade

This is a fun activity to use with your class during the winter months. We review equivalent fractions throughout the year. I use this as a center activity. Students begin the activity by completing the planning sheet. I always have manipulatives available for this step. 

Here is an example...

 

Each fraction is written on a snowman's hat...and then the scarves are colored to show the equivalent fractions.

There is a second option where equivalent fractions are already filled in, and kiddos just color code the equivalent fractions.

Here is and example of the finished product.

This product is free January 4th - 5th. I hope that you can use it with your students. If you download the resource, please take a minute to leave feedback.

Happy New Year and thank you for visiting Treetop Creations!

Happy New Year 2020...4th-5th Grade Math

This product worked great on our first day back to school in 2019 and is now updated for 2020! I have included 2 versions (addition and multiplication).  

 

My plans include time for the kiddos to reconnect and review classroom routines. We will also need to review what we learned before the two week break! This is how I use this product... 

Every 5-7 minutes we will line up in a different order. They take their packet and a pencil with them. This is how we will line up...

Round 1: Number Order
Round 2: Even Numbers First, then Odd Numbers
Round 3: Birthday Month Order

This gives us multiple opportunities to practice how we line up!

When the music starts, follow the leader (me) around the room. When the music stops, find an empty seat. Kiddos can chat and work on the review until it's time to move again. I selected activities that I know they will enjoy...challenging but they are familiar with the format. Since the pages do not have to be completed in order, they should all be able to work independently or with a little help from their shoulder partner.

Table groups all have bins of shared supplies in case a pencil breaks or they need a crayon. This eliminates the need to leave their group.

The packet will be used throughout the week.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog...and Happy New Year!

Valentine's Day and More

Valentine's Day is on Thursday, so I'm adding hearts galore to what we are doing this week!

We have worked on properties of addition and multiplication, so I incorporated the concepts into a valentine bag. Students will decorate hearts showing examples of the properties and fact families...perfect for math stations. This includes a planning sheet, template to decorate bags, name tag, review sheet, and a homework pass.

Every month I like to have something that students can work on independently for morning work, at a station, or for an unexpected meeting. This includes fractions, decimals, and multiplication so I can easily differentiate. My students enjoy this format, and I always hear great math talk as they complete the activities.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch is available on Storyline Online. It will be the perfect ending for our valentine exchange...and gives me a few minutes to pull things together for dismissal. We will listen to the story on Thursday...and then use the book to review characterization and cause and effect on Friday.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Check out my store for more February ideas and this freebie!

Word Problems...Happy New Year (Post #4)

After completing quarterly tests in December, it was clear that we need to work on word problems. This mixed set requires addition, subtraction, and multiplication. There are also 7 multi-step problems. I will be using these next week in a center.

This is a new product that has been in the works for far too long! I used this in my classroom earlier this year. The step by step process helped my students understand word problems involving money. I'm posting a sample in my store. My goal is to complete the resource before heading back to school next week.

And I have added another page to the New Year's Review. My kiddos always need more practice with function tables. This resource is still free...but just for a short time. If you download, I would love to have your feedback.

Thanks so much for visiting by blog. Tomorrow I will be working on my plans for Social Studies...focusing on Colonial Life and the American Revolution.

Read Alouds...Happy New Year (Post #3)

Ramona Recommends has the best suggestions for picture books. I can't wait to share these with my class.

I will also be reading one of my favorites from Chris Van Allsburg. Queen of the Falls fits right in with our emphasis on nonfiction in January. This biography tells the story of Annie Taylor Edison... the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

I always begin with a video showing Niagara Falls to build background knowledge. Use safeyoutube to omit the ads.

This 3 minute video is for another day. Van Allsburg discusses Queen of the Falls, his writing process, and gives an office tour.

The next page in the New Year's Flash Freebie has been posted...a quick review of finding factors.

I hope you like this product and would appreciate your feedback.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I will have a new post tomorrow!