This year marks my 30th year of teaching! I have taught kindergarten, first grade, second grade, sixth grade and currently I teach 5th grade. While I have taught all subjects, I specialize in creating math and science products that align with current standards.
This year marks my 30th year of teaching! I have taught kindergarten, first grade, second grade, sixth grade and currently I teach 5th grade. While I have taught all subjects, I specialize in creating math and science products that align with current standards.
Give your students the tools they need for tackling long division
The new Common Core Standards for Math prompted me to create this Decomposing the Dividend Strategy pack for use with students and with parents.
The Decomposing the Dividend Strategy encourages students to break the dividend into parts that can be divided easily. The long-term goal of this method is for students to solve the division problem mentally. In my experience, it will take a great deal of practice before students will master the ability to solve the problem mentally using this method. I have found that many higher achieving math students will pick up on the strategy and choose to use it.
This packet contains:
• A tri-fold fold-up (front and back) that shows how the strategy works. It would make a wonderful resource for both students and parents.
• A 2-sided practice page as well as a detailed answer key.
If you would like to see pictures of this product, please visit Mrs. B's Best Blog.
Teach your students fraction basics!
This product is a two part fold-up. Part one is "How to Change a Mixed Number to an Improper Fraction". Part two is "How to Change an Improper Fraction to a Mixed Number". Also included with this product is a 2-sided practice page and answer key.
Each fold-up defines how to make the conversion and shows an example. As the teacher, you can decide if you want to cut the two apart and present each at different times or leave the two together and present at once. The choice is yours. Either way, the fold-up will fit nicely in a math journal (just trim on the grey line before distributing to students for a better fit) or work as a stand alone resource.
The top portion of the fold-up was intentionally left blank and could be used as a place for students to record a few examples of their own.
The front cover is intentionally upside down, this makes for easier printing. I would recommend, however, that you run a test copy to make sure everything folds up properly.
Students tackle fractions with confidence while using Fraction Attraction resources!
This packet contains:
• Fold-up One explains and shows an example of how to divide a whole number by a fraction, how to divide two fractions, and how to divide mixed numbers.
• Fold-up Two explains what a reciprocal fraction is and how to write a reciprocal fraction.
• Fold-up Three explains how to change an improper fraction to a mixed number.
• A full-sheet handout. This handout contains the same information as the fold-up , just in a full-sheet format. I find this format works well as a quick reference sheet. In addition, many students like to take it home and share with their parents. This page could also be made into a poster. For information on how to make posters be sure to visit my blog post.
• Four one-sided worksheets designed to help students practice the various types of dividing fractions problem types.
• A cut and paste page to practice reciprocal fractions.
• Answer keys for all worksheets are also included.
Help students distinguish types of fractions!
This foldable features four types of fractions: Improper Fractions, Proper Fractions, Equivalent Fractions & Mixed Numbers. It works well in a math journal or as a stand alone resource.
Each type is defined and an example is shown. This foldable can be run with all labels on. All your students need to do is cut, fold and glue. Or, you can run a blank template and a 'parts' page and allow your students to assemble. Still another choice would be to run just the cover and have students glue inside parts in or vice versa. It's really up to the teacher.
If you don't teach all four types or if you'd prefer to teach them one at a time, simply cut the four types apart and present each type one at a time! I try to make my foldables as versatile as possible.
When running copies, be sure to do a test print to make sure the front cover and inside are copied properly and fold up right.
This set contains 24 task cards designed to practice completing arithmetic and geometric sequences. An arithmetic sequence card might read-- Complete the following arithmetic sequence... 2, 4, 6, ___, 10. A geometric sequence card might read-- Complete the following geometric sequence... 2, 4, 8, ___, 32. Also included is an explanation sheet with information on how I use task cards in my class, a cover card for the task cards, 'break' cards, a recording sheet and an answer key.
I hope you enjoy this product! If you do, you might want to check out other Early Bird Task Card Sets.
Don't forget to leave feedback...I LOVE to hear from my customers. If you find an error or have issues with this product please contact me before leaving negative feedback. I am very passionate about my products and would really appreciate the opportunity to make it right with you, the customer. Please give me that opportunity.
Two different visuals...you choose!
This packet explains two methods for prime factorization--The ‘tree method’ works from the top down and focuses on factors. The ‘birthday cake method’ works from the bottom up and focuses on division.
The tree method is most widely taught and used. It is the way you and your parents will be most familiar with. I have found, however, that the ‘birthday cake method’, while not as widely used, seems to be the method my students prefer and have the most success with.
I have created a packet that will provide you with the necessary resources, regardless of which method you decide to use with your students,
Included in this packet are two matchbook fold-ups--one for each method, a mini-book for each method and a two-sided practice page for each method. Detailed answer keys for practice pages and both mini-books are included as well.
Students master customary measurements!
Converting Customary Measures can be challenging for many students. I created this packet with those students in mind.
Included in this packet are two fold-ups. The first fold-up is a tri-fold fold-up which when assembled lists the basic conversions for customary length, capacity and weight.
The second fold-out is a matchbook fold-up. This fold-up explains how to make conversions between two measurements. Two examples are also give.
A 2-sided practice page is also included. The questions on the practice page are written is such a way that requires the students to show their thinking while solving the problem. An answer key is provided.
I also included two pages of pictures and instructions on how to assemble the fold-outs.
These materials are aligned to Common Core Standards required for 5th grade.
But a bundle and save!
This "Bundled for Savings" set contains BOTH of Mrs. B's Best Selling Measurement products!
• Converting Customary Measures Fold-Up & More
• Converting Metric Measures Fold-Up & More
You get TWO complete products at a savings when buying in a bundled package!
Buy a bundle and save!
This Bundled for Savings set contains BOTH of Mrs. B's Best Selling products for Finding the Least Common Multiple and the Greatest Common Factor.
• Finding the Least Common Multiple (LCM) Pack
• Finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) Pack
You get TWO complete products at a savings when buying in a bundled package!
Students tackle fractions with confidence while using Fraction Attraction resources!
This packet contains:
• Fold-up One explains and shows an example of how to multiply a whole number by a fraction, how to multiply two fractions, and how to multiply mixed numbers.
• A full-sheet handout. This handout contains the same information as the fold-up, just in a full-sheet format. I find this format works well as a quick reference sheet. In addition, many students like to take it home and share with their parents. This page could also be made into a poster.
• Fold-up Two explains how to change an improper fraction to a mixed number.
• Four one-sided worksheets designed to help students practice the various types of multiplying fractions problem types.
• Answer keys for all worksheets are also included.
"I Have, Whoooo Has" is a fun game that can be used to practice a variety of skills.
This pack includes THREE sets, all designed to practice the multiplication pattern of multiplying by multiples of 10. A sample equation might be: Whoooo has...50 x 6,000? or Whoooo has...1,000 x 1,000? Students should understand that to solve they multiply the basic fact then add the number of zeros in the original equation. They should also understand that each 0 in the original equation increases the product ten times--that's why adding the same number of zeros to the product that were in the original product works!
Each set includes 24 cards. Also included are card covers. I usually run a cover on the backside of each card. This allows me to easily keep sets together and not mixed up. Plus, it adds some color to the game. If colored printer ink is at a premium, you can choose to run the black and white cover instead. Again, this will allow you to keep the cards in the proper set.
You can play this game whole class by distributing cards to all students. Note that some students may have more than one card. Next, the teacher prompts the student that has the first card to start by reading their card. Students will have to determine the next number in the sequence. Whichever student has the card with the correct answer will read theirs. And so on. The game continues until the last student reads their card, "I have the last card!"
Another alternative to playing whole class is to play it with small groups of students. The process would work the same way, however each student would have multiple cards. I like playing it this way even better, because it really keeps the players on their toes. So, in my room, this is usually an activity that groups of 6 or 8 play.
Now, since you have 3 sets with this purchase, you could have three groups of 8 playing at once in your room.
As I said, if a player has multiple cards, they have to be paying attention. Let’s face it we all know that many students will be less attentive once they have read their card.
In addition to this product, the following products on this topic are available at my store: Zero Can Be Your Hero - Multiplication Patterns with Multiples of 10, 100, 1000 and The Early Bird Task Cards for Multiplication Patterns with Multiples of Ten
his set contains 24 task cards Also included is an explanation sheet with information on how I use task cards in my class, a cover card for the task cards, 'break' cards, a recording sheet and an answer key.
The Early Bird Learns!
This set contains:
• 24 task cards designed to practice solving two step linear equations. A task card might read-- Solve for t -- 2t + 1 = 5. Or, solve for f -- 14 = 9f - 4.
• Title task card.
• 3 take a break cards.
• A student recording sheet (color and black and white).
• Answer key.
I would recommend printing task cards and answer key on white card stock and then laminating for durability.
Fold-up a whole lot of fun!
This six flap fold-up examines six different three dimensional figures: Cone, Cube, Sphere, Prism, Cylinder and Pyramid
A definition and a visual representation is given of each.
Always make a test copy before copying for your students to make sure the cover and inside fold up properly. Note that the cover is intentionally upside down for easier printing.
Give students the review they need to master the skill!
If there is one thing I have learned since I began teaching math to 5th graders 10 years ago, it is that students must practice a skill repeatedly. Just because a student is able to change an improper fraction to a mixed number for the chapter test, does not mean they will remember the skill a month later.
With this in mind, each day I set aside a portion of time to practice previously taught skills. From this practice, RED, Review Every Day, was born. This packet contains 28 quick half-sheet reviews focused on fractions.
This Review Every Day includes the following fraction skills: Reducing fractions to lowest terms, comparing fractions, ordering fractions, writing equivalent fractions, finding the least common denominator, adding & subtracting fractions with alike and unlike denominators, multiplying and dividing fractions with a whole number, multiplying and dividing two fractions, multiplying and dividing mixed numbers, changing improper fractions to mixed numbers and changing mixed numbers to improper fractions. Please note that this packet does NOT teach the skill, but only serves to review the skill after you have taught it to the students.
Each review has anywhere from 8 to 12 questions. In my classroom I spread the 28 lessons out and usually do not use them one day after another. I have other RED lessons that I would mix and match. So, for instance, Monday might be Fractions 1 and Tuesday might be Decimals 1. By Friday, I may be ready to use Fractions 2.
Each review is a half-sheet. Lesson 1 and Lesson 3 are on page 1. Lesson 2 and Lesson 4 are on page 2. I do this intentionally. If you run page 1 on the front and page 2 on the back and then cut the sheet in half, you will have Fractions 1 on the front and Fractions 2 on the back. The entire document is set up this way. This saves paper, and allows the teacher to teach the lessons in order and in a more efficient way.
At the back of the packet you will find the answer key which provides the answers to all questions.
Perfect Partial Quotient resource for students and parents!
The new Common Core Standards for Math prompted me to create this Partial Quotient Strategy pack for use with students and with parents.
This fold-up resource models how to use the partial quotient method to solve a double-digit divisor division problem using the partial quotient method. The example shows a simple strategy that could be used with any equation. It then goes on to explain that once you master the method, you will be able to see faster ways to reach the answer.
I do teach the Partial Quotient Strategy to all my students. We begin with single-digit divisors and then quickly move on to double-digit. I feel the real power of partial quotient is recognized when using it to solve double-digit divisor problems. If practiced enough, students will learn the method and most will use it when doing double-digit divisor equations. Thus, eliminating the dreaded double-digit divisor problem being solved with the standard algorithm.
Now for parents. When I first began teaching this method I kept hearing time and time again how challenging the math was. How the parents could not even help their child with their math because the way we are solving problems is ‘not the way they learned it’. So, I created this fold-up resource not only for my students, but for their parents as well. Having this resource with homework or in a math journal has remedied any concerns or problems.
Included in this packet is a one-fold fold-up. The fold-up gives an example of dividing a 2-digit divisor equation using the partial quotient method.
I have also included to 2-sided worksheet to use with students. Also, included is an answer key. If you would like to see pictures of the single-digit divisor fold-up, please visit Mrs. B's Best Blog. While the fold-up shown is not the one included in this product, it does show you how to assemble the fold-up.
"I Have, Whoooo Has" is a fun game that can be used to practice a variety of skills.
This pack includes THREE sets, all designed to practice the division pattern of multiplying by multiples of 10. A sample equation might be: Whoooo has...2,500 divided by 5? or Whoooo has...10,000 x 1,000? Students should understand that to solve they divide the basic fact then add then subtract the number of zeros in the original equation. Don't worry, I have included a poster in the packet that demonstrates how I teach the topic.
Each set includes 24 cards. Also included are card covers. I usually run a cover on the backside of each card. This allows me to easily keep sets together and not mixed up. Plus, it adds some color to the game. If colored printer ink is at a premium, you can choose to run the black and white cover instead. Again, this will allow you to keep the cards in the proper set.
You can play this game whole class by distributing cards to all students. Note that some students may have more than one card. Next, the teacher prompts the student that has the first card to start by reading their card. Students will have to determine the next number in the sequence. Whichever student has the card with the correct answer will read theirs. And so on. The game continues until the last student reads their card, "I have the last card!"
Another alternative to playing whole class is to play it with small groups of students. The process would work the same way, however each student would have multiple cards. I like playing it this way even better, because it really keeps the players on their toes. So, in my room, this is usually an activity that groups of 6 or 8 play.
Now, since you have 3 sets with this purchase, you could have three groups of 8 playing at once in your room.
As I said, if a player has multiple cards, they have to be paying attention. Let’s face it we all know that many students will be less attentive once they have read their card.
"I Have, Whoooo Has" is a fun game that can be used to practice a variety of skills.
This pack includes THREE sets, all designed to practice multiplying and dividing integers (to see examples of types of questions asked take a look at the preview page). I have found that having a deep understanding of multiplying and dividing by powers of ten is critical to mastering the metric system which is usually introduced later in the school year. Laying the groundwork early with this type of practice, makes the metric system so much easier for all students. Please take a look at the preview page to see the types of questions asked.
Each set includes 24 cards. Also included are card covers. I usually run a cover on the backside of each card. This allows me to easily keep sets together and not mixed up. Plus, it adds some color to the game. If colored printer ink is at a premium, you can choose to run the black and white cover instead. Again, this will allow you to keep the cards in the proper set.
You can play this game whole class by distributing cards to all students. Note that some students may have more than one card. Next, the teacher prompts the student that has the first card to start by reading their card. Students will have to determine the next number in the sequence. Whichever student has the card with the correct answer will read theirs. And so on. The game continues until the last student reads their card, "I have the last card!"
Another alternative to playing whole class is to play it with small groups of students. The process would work the same way, however each student would have multiple cards. I like playing it this way even better, because it really keeps the players on their toes. So, in my room, this is usually an activity that groups of 6 or 8 play.
Now, since you have 3 sets with this purchase, you could have three groups of 8 playing at once in your room.
As I said, if a player has multiple cards, they have to be paying attention. Let’s face it we all know that many students will be less attentive once they have read their card.
This set contains 24 task cards designed to practice conversions and comparing customary measures for weight, length and capacity. Also included is a student recording sheet and an answer key.
I use task cards in a variety of ways. The most popular is for students who finish their work early--aka...Early Birds. While I currently have the task cards in a tub on the cabinet, I would like to create a bulletin board next year and ‘hang’ the cards on the board. With this in mind, I started thinking that it would be nice to have a ‘title card’. This ‘title card’ would identify the topic of the task card set and provide a nicer visual for the display. So...I
created a page with a ‘cover card’. Now, not being one to waste paper, I just knew there had to be something I could create for the remaining space on this newly created cover card sheet. This leads me to the second way I use the task cards...a little game I like to call “Tweet-Tweet”.
Several times a month, we play “Tweet-Tweet”. Tweet-Tweet involves placing a task card on each student’s desk. Then students, with recording sheet in hand, move around the room solving the problem on each card on each desk. I announce a predetermined time they are allowed at each desk. This, of course depends on the complexity of the problems being solved. When all my students are in class, 27 total, I am actually a few cards short. So, I make several desks (3 to be exact!) ‘break desks’. When a student rotates to a ‘break desk’, they get to do just that...take a break. Even if you have 24 or fewer students, you could still incorporate a break desk or two into “Tweet-Tweet”. Instead of using 24 task cards, use 22 and 2 break cards.
So, in addition to the ‘cover card’, you guessed it...I created 3 ‘official’ break cards.
I would recommend printing task cards and answer key on white card stock and then laminating for durability.
Students use the "Upside Down Birthday Cake" method when finding the GCF!
Each year my 5th grade students always confused Least Common Multiple and Greatest Common Factor. In an effort to help them keep the two straight, I try to make the way I present one very different from the way I present the other.
For GCF, I use what I call 'The Upside Down Birthday Cake'. Using a layered cake turned upside down as a visual greatly helps my students distinguish between GCF and LCM. I created this pack to introduce the method to my students. This pack INCLUDES the Greatest Common Factor Poster, which is listed separately in my shop. If you buy this, there is no need to purchase the poster.
The pack includes:
• A GCF matchbook fold-up.
• A poster showing the step-by-step process of how the method works.
• A half sheet copy of the poster, for a student resource and a two page worksheet.
To learn how to print a poster, visit my Making Posters blog post.
When assembling the matchbook fold-up, run a two-sided copy--the front cover (upside down intentionally for easier copying) and the inside. With the inside facing you, bring the top of the paper down to the bottom horizontal line and fold. Then bring the bottom of the paper up and fold on the bottom horizontal line. The result will look like a giant matchbook :)
Knowing Divisibility Rules gives students an advantage!
This pack includes Individual Divisibility Rules Fold-Ups (2 per sheet--just cut apart on grey line and present one at a time). Once printed and assembled you will have 10 individual divisibility rule fold-up for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The inside of all of these fold-up could be enlarged and used as a poster for your classroom.
To learn how to make a poster be sure to visit Mrs. B's Best Blog
Also included are two fold-ups that summarize five divisibility rules each. These fold-ups would work if rules have already been taught and the student just needs a resource to refer to.
I have also included ten 18 question worksheets to accompany each divisibility rule. An answer key is also provided.
As always, when printing be sure to run a test copy to make sure the fold-ups fold up properly.
Want to see pictures of the product? Stop by Mrs. B's Best Blog.