Inquiry-Based Fractions for Inquiry-Based Math Instruction

 I love math, but I did not always feel this way.  It was not until things began to "click" that my world opened, and I began to view math in a new way.

A love of math and deep understanding are at the heart of inquiry-based instruction.  Inquiry-based instruction is a type of instruction where students investigate and draw conclusions about information.

Sometimes manipulatives get lost in the shuffle during instruction, or they are reserved for students that do not grasp math concepts.  Using manipulatives with all students is crucial and is a great way to introduce a math concept.  It encourages deeper understander rather than only memorizing math steps.

To teach math in an inquiry-based way, create scenarios similar to science labs.  Put manipulatives on the desk in front of a small group of a small group of students along with an index card with a question for thought.  Students make their predictions first, then they use the manipulatives to determine if their assumptions are correct or not.

I asked a group of students, "How many eighths fraction pieces are needed to create one whole?" 

Some of the students were immediately able to say 8/8ths energetically while others said, "Six out of eight pieces". Once the students used their manipulatives to find out the answer, they created more equivalent fractions and discovered patterns in what is needed in order to create a whole.  By the end of the lesson, everyone understood the concept.

Free Main Idea Task Cards (The "Real Reason Students Should Learn About Main Idea)

 These cards are silly.  These cards are fun, but guess what?  They help students learn about main idea.  Click the link to access this free resource.  Plus, it comes with a, printable easy-fold box. Click Here

Hands-On Learning (Science Crafts, Making Learning Fun, and Everything In Between)

 

Have you ever thought about making learning sheets with students. I created the pretend garden shown above with construction paper and white cardstock.  Using makers, I colored each vegetable.

I glued (only the edges) of brown paper onto blue paper.  Slits were cut along

the curved brown lines to create pockets.

How Can You Use This With Students?

Slits were cut along the curved lines.  The root vegetables were tucked into each slit to pull out.

• Put words onto the vegetables.  Students can only harvest the vegetables that have words that only have a certain sound.
• Review social studies words urban and rural.  In a small group, students can simulate being farmers.
• With younger students, write letters or numbers on each vegetables.  Students can only harvest the vegetable that has a letter that makes a certain sound.

Click Here For The Growing Plant

Access the Plants Interactive Notebook here Click Here

10 Fun Teaching Ideas

 

Have you been looking for ways to make learning fun?  Are you looking for new and fun  things to add to you yearly classroom schedule? 

This post is dedicated to showing 10 fun ideas that you can use to teach reading and math.  View my YouTube video to see the ideas. Click Here

What Are Tall Tales? Free Printable Tall Tale, Comprehension Questions and Answer Key

 What Are Tall Tales?

Background

Picture this: a story so wild and exaggerated that it could make you believe a man could lasso a tornado or ride a giant catfish down the Mississippi River. 

Access A Tall Tale Freebie (A Printable Booklet Plus Questions Are Include)

What Are Tall Tales?

That’s the magic of tall tales! Tall tales are a special kind of storytelling where the heroes are larger than life, performing impossible feats with a wink and a grin. These stories are full of hyperbole, where everything is bigger, faster, and wilder than reality.

What makes a story a tall tale is the blend of humor, exaggeration, and a touch of the impossible. The characters in tall tales are usually based on real people or situations, but their adventures are stretched far beyond the truth—like a fishing story where the fish just keeps getting bigger!

Why Should You Teach Tall Tales?

Teaching tall tales to children is a fantastic way to spark their imaginations and introduce them to the fun of storytelling. These stories encourage kids to think creatively, understand the difference between fact and fiction, and appreciate the humor in life's exaggerations. Plus, tall tales are a fun way to learn about history and culture, as they often reflect the values and challenges of the time they were created. So, let’s dive into the world of tall tales, where anything is possible and the sky’s the limit!

Click Here To Access This Freebie

Free IAR, STARR, NYSED, CAASP, FLFAST Testing Practice (Many Grade Levels)

 

In just a few weeks, many schools will begin state testing.  If you are looking for released state test samples, try this freebie.  Try a free week of daily reading practice.  The full year version is available for many grade levels as well as the half year version.  Try out these free samples. Whether you are preparing for the IAR, STAAR, NYSED, CAASP, FLFAST or other state tests, this resource is great practice.  

Free Grade 3 Reading Daily Practice

Free Grade 4 Reading Daily Practice

Free Grade 5 Reading Daily Practice

Free Reading, Math, and Science Videos For Kids

 Check out my YouTube channel for classroom-friendly videos about reading, math, and science topics.  Remember to click the follow button on my YouTube channel to get notified about new videos too. Click Here

More videos are added regularly.