MNM: Area of Trapezoids… WHY??

WHY?!?! The most intriguing question that I ask and try to have an answer for.  So I was about to teach how to find area of a trapezoid, and I thought I could just teach them the formula and how to use it, but then the question hit me... Why??  Why is the formula like this???My students had a formula chart we refer to as the "cheat sheet" (they get to use this on their STAAR test)...

Have you seen THIS?!?!? Amazing!!

So.... after a year of waiting....I finally received my 6th grade science TE textbook.  I received it last week.  It has been kinda tough trying to go in blind my first year teaching 6th grade science, but I also have to admit that this year has been soooooo refreshing as well.  I have taught from those "scripted" texts for several years in the past, and the district watched over...

MNM: Angle Foldables

Well hello there!!! I have been on a blog frenzy.... hopefully I can keep it going!  Only 6 more weeks of school---I can NOT believe how this year had just flown by!!!  I am hoping that I can do a lot of posts this summer about notebooking.... but as for today... we are making foldables on......ANGLES!!!You can use these foldables with anything you are teaching not just math.  Over...

MNM: Setting Up the Math Notebook

New goal.... hopefully to accomplish.... is trying to post each:Saturday or Sunday post about my Science notebooks (SNS- Science Notebook Saturday).Monday about my Math Notebooks (MNM- Math Notebook Monday) We will see how I do.  Well I guess I'll start at the beginning... that only makes sense.  Notebooks are AWESOME!! I did my first in my Algebra II class in high school back in the...

It’s been FOR-EV-ER…. FOR-EV-ER

Don't you just love the movie The Sandlot??  I use that quote all the time with my kids.... "Y'all are taking FOR-EV-ER....."   Most of them have no clue as to what I am referring, but I just start smiling. Anyway lots of changes going on....I am now the Children's Ministry Director for my church and I am absolutely loving it.  I love working with  the kids, teaching...

Least Common Multiple… You Tube Style

In Math we have been going over factors, greatest common factor and least common multiple.  The biggest thing I try to teach is "Why do I have to learn this?  When will I ever use this??"  I think if I can answer these questions everyday to each concept... and with a valid reason (even though I wanna say... "because the state of Texas said so")... then I can get the kids more into...

Review Jeopardy with Eggspert

I have a love hate relationship with the game Jeopardy.  I love the way it can be used to review for big tests, but I hate having to think backwards.  I know that I got it all sorts of messed up... but I think it will work out still.I made a review game tonight for my 9 weeks assessment that is on Friday.  We will play on Thursday.  I used the Jeopardy Labs Website to...

Light Bulb Moments are NOT just for Kids…

I have them too!!! As I am sure you do as well!  And when that bulb goes off you automatically go.... DUH!!!! Why didn't I think of that earlier!?!?!The old saying comes to mind.... Work SMARTER... Not HARDER.Well that's the kinda day I had, and it will roll on like that for the rest of this week!  Here is what I did:We have been covering factors, common factors, and GCF (greatest...

GAME Time!!!

But instead of watching the "game" on TV, I am talking about having games in the classroom.   Not just any classroom... the MIDDLE SCHOOL classroom. Da-Da-Da-Da..... however you spell that scary sound.... Anyway... ADD moment.... Games.  Yes Games.  I am only going to focus on the one we are playing in class now, which we started last week.  I am reviewing factoring and...

Line Graphs….How to Make them CONCRETE!!! What, What?!

My 6th graders are having a hard time with line graphs.  It's hard for them to plot ordered pairs, connect the dots and understand what they are looking at.  As I was sitting on the couch looking through some books, I came across an awesome idea....AND I LOVE IT!!!!The book is called Hands-On Math!  Ready to Use Games and Activities for Grades 4-8.  (Long title... I know......