Use Benchmark Decimals to Estimate Sums and Differences! Decimal benchmarks are decimals that are easily recognizable and include the 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1. Students are asked to round decimals to the nearest benchmark decimal (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1) and then add or subtract the 'rounded' decimal. To aid students in this process, I created a benchmark decimal number line. This number line allows students to 'see' which benchmark they should round to. This product includes: • Tri-fold fold up which would work well in a math journal. The tri-fold up has a front cover and an inside. It contains a number line, definitions and two examples. *Be sure to run a test copy to make sure it folds up properly. The outside cover is intentionally upside down for easier copying. • Large front and back explanation sheet. This sheet is really just a large version of the fold-up. The examples given, however, are different. This sheet also provides slightly more detail on the process. • Sheet containing the parts to make a 'jumbo' decimal benchmark number line...this could be stored in the 'tools' pocket of a math journal. Also included on this page is a 'mini' decimal benchmark number line...this could be taped on a child's desktop or glued into a math journal. • Two-sided practice sheet which contains both decimal addition and subtraction problems. The directions ask students to round to the nearest benchmark decimal and then solve. • Answer key for two-sided worksheet.

Knowing how to use Compatible Numbers is very helpful when tackling a long division problem! The purpose of a ‘We Flip for Math’ Flip Book, is to provide a struggling student with a step-by-step guide to take them through the process they are struggling with. I have various flip books available in my classroom, but only after I’ve taught the concept and we have practiced it a number of times. The complexity of some skills can be quite challenging for many students. Being able to remember all the steps can become overwhelming for some. A flip-book can help walk these children through the process. In addition, I have found flip-books can be helpful when sending homework home . Including a flip book can make for very happy parents! This packet contains a 3-part flip-book that focuses on using compatible numbers to estimate division . • In the first section, the definition and examples of compatible numbers are given. Also, in the first section is a step-by-step guide for using compatible numbers to estimate division problems with a single-digit divisor. • The second section, shows how to use compatible numbers to estimate division problems with a double-digit divisor. • The third section, demonstrates how compatible numbers can be used to ‘jump-start’ the solving of a double-digit division problem. • Also included is a 2-sided practice page. Answer key is also provided.

A step-by-step guide for dividing fractions! The purpose of a ‘We Flip for Math’ Flip Book, is to provide a struggling student witha step-by-step guide to take them through the process they are struggling with. I have various flip books available in my classroom, but only after I’ve taught the concept and we have practiced it a number of times. The complexity of some skills can be quite challenging for many students. Being able to remember all the steps can become overwhelming for some. A flip-book can help walk these children through the process. In addition, I have found flip-books can be helpful when sending homework home . Including a flip book can make for very happy parents! This packet contains a ‘four-in-one’ flip-book. • Section 1 provides a step-by-step guide for dividing a fraction by a whole number. • Section 2 covers how to divide a whole number by a fraction. • Section 3 demonstrates how to divide two fractions. • Section 4 focuses on how to divide mixed numbers. • Ready-made index tabs for marking each of the four sections. I intentionally chose to combine all four types of problems into one flip book, as I feel it is important that students be able to identify which type of problem they are trying to solve and then turn to that desired section.

Students love the silly name! After teaching my students how to multiply and divide fractions, I have students practice both skills until they have them mastered. Over the course of this process, students experience how unappealing multiplying larger numerators and denominators can be...not to mention how tedious reducing ‘large’ fractions to lowest terms can be. This product also contains a 2-sided practice page as well as answer keys. Once the above has been accomplished, I share what I like to call “The Cross-Eyed Method”. Most textbooks call this "Canceling before Multiplying Fractions". Essentially this method reduces the fractions before multiplying. Therefore, not only are the numbers you multiply smaller, but if done completely your final answer will be in lowest terms! This packet contains the materials needed to introduce the “Cross-Eyed Method” as well as practice the method. • The first product is a matchbook fold-up. This fold-up explains how the method works and gives several examples. This would be a great resource for a math journal. Pictures of assembled fold-up is included. • The second product in this packet is a ‘quirky’ fold-up that allows the students to practice the ‘cross-eyed’ method. This fold-up includes a front, inside and practice problems cards. I have included several pictures, as well directions, on assembly and use of the this product.

Students discover patterns make learning fun! This packet contains a tri-fold-up which would fit well in a math journal or as a stand alone resource. The fold-up explains the rule for multiplying decimals by powers of 10. It also shows two examples of completed multiplication pattern problems. Note that the cover is intentionally upside down, this should make for easier printing. I do, however, recommend that you run a test copy to make sure everything folds up correctly. To fold a trifold-up, run the cover upside down and the inside right side up. With the inside facing you, bring the bottom up to the upper horizontal line and fold. Finally, bring the top down to the fold you just made and fold. The end result should look like a ‘horizontal’ brochure. Also, included is a half-sheet handout. This handout contains the same information as the trifold-out, just in a different format. I find the half-sheet works well as a reference sheet. Many students like to take it home and share the skill with their parents. You will also find a two page worksheet. The worksheets will help the student practice the skill. The front side has the problems grouped as ‘pattern equations’. The back side has random problems which can have the pattern applied to. I broke the backside up into two groups of 16 problems. My thought was that a teacher may want to have the students complete the back in two separate settings. An answer key is also provided.

Students discover patterns make learning fun! This packet contains a tri-fold-up which would fit well in a math journal or as a stand alone resource. The fold-up explains the rule for dividing decimals by powers of 10. It also shows two examples of completed division pattern problems. Note that the cover is intentionally upside down, this should make for easier printing. I do, however, recommend that you run a test copy to make sure everything folds up correctly. To fold a trifold-up, run the cover upside down and the inside right side up. With the inside facing you, bring the bottom up to the upper horizontal line and fold. Finally, bring the top down to the fold you just made and fold. The end result should look like a ‘horizontal’ brochure. Also, included is a half-sheet handout. This handout contains the same information as the trifold-out, just in a different format. I find the half-sheet works well as a reference sheet. Many students like to take it home and share the skill with their parents. You will also find a two page worksheet. The worksheets will help the student practice the skill. The front side has the problems grouped as ‘pattern equations’. The back side has random problems which can have the pattern applied to. I broke the backside up into two groups of 16 problems. My thought was that a teacher may want to have the students complete the back in two separate settings. An answer key is also provided.

Students tackle fractions with confidence while using Fraction Attraction resources! This packet contains: • A 3-Step Fold-Up which would fit well in a math journal or as a stand alone resource. The fold-Up explains and demonstrates how to use the greatest common factor to reduce a fraction to lowest term. • To assemble a 3-Step Fold-Up, run the cover on one side of a paper and the inside of the fold-up on the other side. Next, trim the copies on the lower grey line found on the bottom of both sides of the fold-up. Then, with the inside face-up, fold the paper vertically down the center. Next, have students cut on the dotted lines. The fold-up is now ready to use! • A half-sheet handout. This handout contains the same information as the 3-Step Fold-Up, just in a different format. I find the half-sheet works well as a reference sheet. Many students like to take it home and share with their parents. • A two-sided worksheet. The worksheet provides an organized format which will help the student practice the skill. • A one-sided cut and paste worksheet is also included. This worksheet is not as step by step as the two-sided worksheet. I would recommend this worksheet be used as a follow-up as a way to review after the skill has been learned. • Answer keys for all worksheets are also included.

Long division is extremely challenging for most students and just when they seem to be getting the hang of it, they are asked to divide bigger and bigger numbers by two or more digit divisors. I have found that if the students can just get past the first step of determining how many times the divisor goes into part of the dividend, they can usually solve the equation. This past year, I began teaching my students how to use compatible numbers to help them determine a starting point for how many times one number goes into another. I have to say it seems to have helped many. Note, you will have to practice this skill in isolation for a period of time before the kids will really get the hang of it. I typically, give the students a page or two of these type of division problems. I then have them show me the compatible numbers and complete just the first step of each problem. I find this shows me who gets it and who doesn't...plus it helps build a student's confidence! This product is a tri-fold fold-out. Run the cover up-side down on one side and the inside, right side up on the other side. To fold, lay the paper with inside face up. Bring the bottom of the page up to the upper horizontal line and fold. Next, bring the top down to the bottom fold and fold. When finished it should resemble a brochure.

Hands-on resource they will use time and time again! This fold-up includes definitions and examples of minimum and maximum value, mean, mode, median and range. It will fit perfectly in a math journal or as a stand alone resource. When I create a new fold-up, I try to imagine all the possible ways a classroom teacher may want to use it. This fold-up has a number of possibilities. 1) You can choose to run a complete fold-up. The fold-up will have words on the outside and definitions and an example inside. 2) A complete fold-up, but you could choose to only have definitions on the inside (perhaps both definitions and example is too 'busy' for you students). 3) You can have the students assemble either of the two fold-up types mentioned above--just run the appropriate template for them to glue the parts on. 4) Run the cover only and have the students glue the inside in appropriately...or vice-vers-a. I also included two 'squares' of information on how to find the median when you have two middle numbers and what to do when you figure that median and have remainder 1. If you do run a complete fold-up, be sure to do a trial print to make sure the front and inside fold up correctly.

Help your students understand how to add and subtract fractions! The purpose of a ‘We Flip for Math’ Flip Book, is to provide a struggling student witha step-by-step guide to take them through the process they are struggling with. I have various flip books available in my classroom, but only after I’ve taught the concept and we have practiced it a number of times. The complexity of some skills can be quite challenging for some students. Being able to remember all the steps can become overwhelming for some. A flip-book can help walk these children through the process. In addition, I have found flip-books can be helpful when sending home homework. Including a flip book can make for very happy parents! This packet contains two flip-books. • Adding fractions with with unlike denominators. • Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. To assemble simply run single-sided copies of both pages. Laminate for durabillity. Cut on the dotted line. Put the pages in sequential order--cover should be on top. Bind or staple (binding works best) across the top!

Help students and parents understand the distributive property! The new Common Core Standards promote teaching students a variety of ways to solve a problem. Using the various properties of math are utilized a great deal. Most of my students catch on to the Communative, Associative, etc. But the Distributive really causes a great deal of frustration. I created this tri-fold handout for my students to use as a resource they can refer to when asked to use the Distributive Property. The original handout has two different type of problems: Example One and Example Two. I have taught my 5th graders both. It, however, dawned on me that not all teachers may want to delve into Example Two since it is a bit more in depth. So, I created two covers for this handout: One which includes both examples and a second that separates the two examples. This allows the teacher to only teach one or the other or perhaps teach them at different times. The covers are upside-down for easier front and back copying for the tri-fold finished product. Please visit my blog post for additional pictures of this handout and instructions on how to use the fold-up.

Students tackle fractions with confidence while using Fraction Attraction resources! This packet contains: • A Fold-up which would fit well in a math journal or as a stand alone resource. The fold-up explains and gives an example of three different strategies that can be used to examine fractions. Once one of these strategies is used, fractions can be compared or ordered. • 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. • A two page worksheet. The worksheet focuses on comparing two fractions. Students are provided a workspace for each problem. Students are also asked to indicate which strategy they chose to use to solve the problem. • A one-sided cut and paste worksheet is also included. The cut and paste sheet focuses on ordering three fractions from least to greatest. • Answer keys for all worksheets are also included.

Students use the "M" method when finding the LCM! 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 LCM, I use what I call 'The M Method'. Using a large M as a visual greatly helps my students distinguish between LCM and GCF. I created this pack to introduce the method to my students. The pack includes a LCM matchbook fold-up. A poster, a half sheet copy of the poster for a student resource and a two page worksheet. This pack INCLUDES the Least Common Multiple Poster, which is listed separately in my shop. If you buy this, there is no need to purchase the visual. 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.

This product now has editable pages. This allows you to personalize the plan to better meet the needs of your classroom. I have used this behavior plan in my 5th grade classroom for over 9 years. I have found it to be very successful! This packet includes a parent/student note, expectation handout/poster, class rules handout/poster, detention sign in sheet, discipline slip, teacher recording sheet, reward tickets and a explanation of the plan. Plus, just added, editable pages that include a parent/student note, expectation handout/poster, class rules handout/poster.

The Early Bird Learns! This set contains: • 24 task cards designed to practice writing numerical expressions. The first 12 cards in the set, are one-step numerical expressions. The second 12 cards, cards 13-24, focus on two-step numerical expressions. When I write a numerical expression story, I do not include a question. For instance, the story on the task card might read, “Sally had 23 crayons. She lost 13.” I do not include “How many crayons are left”. I do this for several reasons: First, I write my stories the way students are tested on our state test. Second, I want the students to focus on writing the expression and not the answer. Therefore, the above story written as a numerical expression would be “23 - 13”. I am only looking for the expression that matches the words...no equal sign...no answer...just the expression. If this does not suit your needs, then this set may not be for your students. • 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.

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.

This product is a half-sheet two flap fold-up. The fold-up defines both abiotic and biotic factors. In addition to the definitions, multiple examples of each type of the factors are listed. The teacher has two options with this product. If the teacher is short on time, run a completed inside sheet. This fold-up will be finished and ready to be used by students with a single cut and just a few simple folds. If the teacher has time and would like the fold-up to be more interactive, run the fill in the definition and example inside sheet. A word bank sheet will have to be run too (4 word banks per page.) The word bank sheet does not have to be used. If the teacher prefers students can look the definitions up in a science resource book. They can also create their own list of examples. Directions on how to assemble the fold-up are included. Fold-ups are a wonderful resource that fits well in an interactive notebook or can be used as a stand alone resource. I find that my students refer to the fold-ups throughout the entire school year!

Make your very own binder covers! This file is a Power Point file. You will have to have the Power Point software in order to use this product. This product includes 10 binder covers and 10 coordinating spines (3 different sizes). In just a few easy steps you can have cute binder covers with matching spines. *Select the style. *Type in your text. *Print.