Fast Math... Manipulatives Mixed with iPads

 Today we used a variety of manipulatives to solve triple-digit minus double-digit subtraction with various needs for regrouping.  Students used place value disks, traditional hundreds, tens, and ones, as well as dollars, dimes, and pennies.  First, they created the number they were going to subtract from with the manipulatives.  Next, they worked with their partner to simultaneously take photos and regroup/ungroup as necessary.  Last, they subtracted the second amount to find the difference.  Many students seem to like the re-write vertically to subtract or the traditional paper and pencil method.  But, hopefully the use of the manipulatives with aid in the increase of their understanding of why they are doing what they are doing at each step.  The visual picture and representation of the values creates better comprehension. The free app we used doesn't have a speed adjustment. We've requested the paid one for next time to slow down the video for our viewers. Thank you to Grandma Linda, Mr. Carls, and Miss Torrey for working with different groups of students.

Celebrating the 100th Day Community Style

On the 100th day we walked to the bank and post office.  Students created special valentines for their parents to mail.  They also counted and sorted 100 pennies to exchange for a new dollar at the bank.  I was impressed with the manners students used at the bank.  At the post office, the behind the scenes tour was quite memorable.

Reading Intervention

For our final project of the session, students read various Magic Tree House Book by Mary Pope Osborne.  As they read, they wrote a summary for each chapter.  They also recorded notes on the topic of their book.  For example, Afternoon on the Amazon is a fantasy book about a brother and sister who visit the Amazon.  On the adventure, they learn many facts about the Amazon.  After they completed their books, student groups worked together to teach the other book groups about their topic and about their book. The results were student-written plays, collage posters, and charts that presented the material creatively to their peers.