Five For Friday & Singapore Math

1.  Recently my school was extremely blessed to have someone come to our school for a whole day and give us training on using "Singapore Math" techniques. I learned so many things and look forward to blogging about what I learned.  I'm not sure how familiar everyone is with number bonds, but I began to use addition using number bonds in the beginning of the school year.  However, after our training, I felt like I had a deeper understanding on how to use and teach number bonds.  This week I used number bonds to teach my students the different ways to make ten.  During our training I learned just how important it is for students to have the mastery of 10.  It is the building block for math the rest of their lives. 

Bad picture.  Sorry, but I wanted to share a visual.

Something else we learned was the power of the bracelet!  Below is a picture of a bracelet made of pipe cleaners and beads.  We used this bracelet to as a visual for students to see how you can add two numbers to equal ten.  After I introduced them to the problem, I completed flipped the bracelet around to show them that 3 + 7 is the same thing as 7 + 3.  You will keep on getting the same answer.  We used the wording "turn around fact.  Ideally I should have used two different color beads.  Five of each different color.

We also made renkenreks.  Below is a picture.  Once again we used pipe cleaners and beads.  We also used craft material to attach the pipe cleaners.  It is another manipulative used to teach students how to add. I will blog about that more on a later time.

2.  Greater Than, Less Than

We also used different Singapore Math techniques to learn greater and less than in our classroom.  I created this tpt unit with different printables, visuals, and methods to teach greater and less than.

 You can click here and it will take you to tpt to see a preview of this unit. Below are some pics of a game we played in class to learn greater and less than.  The directions are in my unit if you are interested.  

I created this cube using a Boggle Junior game cube.  I just wrote the words on the cube on labels.

Look at these cuties having fun.

3.  Number bond bulletin board. Isn't it adorable?  

I differentiated this lesson by using splitting my class into students who could add to 20 fluently and those who could add to 10 fluently.  The craft is really simple and cute.  I used my silhouette to cute flowers out. Students wrote numbers on the flowers, we added green tissue paper, and a ribbon and viola.  Adorable!  

4.  Easter

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter.  I was blessed enough to spend it with my sister and her family.  We husband is in ministry so we moved and don't live close to family.  We have fallen in love with our community, and are happy here.  But holidays are no fun without family!  

5.  Legoland

Recently during our spring break my family and I went to Legoland.  It was AMAZING! My overall review of Legoland is that  I would recommend it to anyone.  No matter the age!  I think the online reviews did not give it justice.  We have such a great time with all of our children.  The best part is that is very reasonably priced compared to other parks. Below are way too many pictures!  I thought people might want to see some images since the park is somewhat newer.