MobyMax Anyone?

WOW!  Two days of blogging in a row?!  The snow days are definitely helping to free up some time for blogging.  ;)  I've been meaning to write this post for quite some time; however, like I mentioned yesterday, time hasn't been on my side.  

Have you heard of MobyMax?  It's one of my favorite research based tools I use daily in my classroom.  I use it in several ways and I will tell you more about how in just a minute.  One of the first things I do at the beginning of every school year is set up accounts on MobyMax for my students to take an online placement test.  The results of the placement test provide data to remediate and guide my instruction each year in Math.  MobyMax also provides these same services and data points in several other areas.  I took a screen shot of what is offered for you to see the awesome options you have using MobyMax in your classroom. 

This is a screenshot of options/subjects offered by MobyMax.

I've only used MobyMax for math, but plan on beginning the Language lessons/assessments when we return from the snow days.  My students will begin by taking the placement test for Language just like they did for Math.  After the placement tests are complete, they will visit MobyMax Language as a workstation rotation during our literacy block to practice grammar.  Having students visit MobyMax during our literacy block allows them exposure and practice with grammar that otherwise wouldn't get the attention it needs. It's also a clever way to incorporate the Common Core and technology daily in Reading Workshop/Daily 5.

Now back to how I use MobyMax Math in my classroom~

Like I said earlier, I use it in several ways. I've listed my "Top 5" ways I use MobyMax; however, I use it in more than 5 ways and hope to have a follow up post on more ways to use it in the classroom at a later date.  First, I use it to learn more about my student's strengths. Second, I have students visit MobyMax Math as a workstation in math workshop twice a week for 20 minutes each session.  Third, I have students practice online at home twice a week for part of their homework.  If students don't have access to the internet at home, they complete it for morning work the following day at school. Fourth, I use it for progress monitoring of students I'm concerned with and are considering for RTI paperwork and EC/Special Ed referrals.  Fifth, I use it to help my EC/Special Ed students get more practice in math in hopes of making progress towards IEP goals.  Below are some screen shots to help you visualize what I'm talking about.  

Now for the gist of this post....MobyMax is an AMAZING research based tool!  If you don't use it, you should start..like tomorrow!  ;)  Thanks for hanging in there!  Until next time...

Measuring Student Growth

Assign Assessments

Progress Monitoring Graph

2nd Quarter (another 9 weeks of fractions) Now Available at my TPT store!

Happy Tuesday Night!

My first blog hop was a success.  I'm looking forward to future hops/linky parties this school year. I was so inspired by the response of the blog hop that I FINALLY completed the 2nd volume of my newest TPT product "Fraction of the Day"!  Honestly, I had no idea creating fraction problems would be such a time consuming task!  I'm super proud of the product I'm creating and hope it's something you can use as well.  If you missed grabbing your freebie version of this monster, you can grab it by clicking here.  If you like what you see, consider purchasing the first two quarters by clicking the picture below.  Thanks so much for all of the support!  I'm beginning the 3rd quarter pack later this week.  Stay tuned...

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Fraction of the Day Freebie!

Happy Tuesday!  I only happen to know what day it is because of my gym schedule.  Don't you just love the summer?!  Anyway, I'm back again with another freebie as I occasionally think about school.  This year the only changes I plan to make are to my math instruction.  I started Guided Math late last year and it wasn't as effective as it could've been. I will continue Guided Math from the very beginning this new year.  After reviewing my state test results for math from this past school year, I decided I needed to refine my craft and try to do better.  A team member of mine does a daily math problem with team points.  This was the jumping off point for my Fraction Problem of the Day idea.  Also, in North Carolina, a majority of the state testing focuses on fractions; therefore, the two things combined helped inspire my newest product!  I don't believe in teaching "the test", but clearly there are things I needed do better this year.  :) 

I'm planning to use the Fraction Problem of the Day as part of the morning work.  Students will come in, get settled in the morning routine (completing morning seat work, getting homework out, writing in planner, etc), and then individually come to the front of the room to solve on a scrap piece of paper the problem of the day.  This freebie begins with 4th grade problems and will progressively get more challenging as the days go on.  I will have 180 fraction problems (a problem a day for the entire year)!  My hope is that the children will become fraction experts and will be able to apply their knowledge to ANY fraction problem.  The problems will be mixed operation calculations and problem solving.  I'm looking forward to seeing if this new addition to my daily math exposure for students will make a difference.  Ok, back to the table points.  Basically, each student will answer the problem and place the answer in their table group pile, container, or however you want to organize it.  My team member uses the magnetic pen containers you put on white boards (at Dollar General) and has one for each table group. Anyway, to begin her math lesson, she has the class help her solve the problem of the day.  Then, she quickly checks each groups answers submitted.  She gives a point for each correct answer submitted to the table groups. I think this is fabulous because there are no consequences for incorrect answers and only positive rewards for correct answers.  The problem of the day can go in a clear plastic frame or in a page protector on a small pocket chart table stand (how I plan to display them).  I hope you can use this product however it fits the needs of your class!  You can grab your copy of the freebie by clicking the picture above.  The remaining weeks will be available at my TPT store in the near future (by September 1st).  Thanks for hanging in there with me to explain the how and why behind my newest product.  I would love to hear what you think if you choose to download it!  Have a great week! 

Another Fabulous Math Freebie...OA.3 QR Code Task Cards

Happy Friday Eve!

This is a picture of the file before you cut them out and glue them as task cards.

Completed Product
I've created another small set of task cards to enrich students when practicing the OA.3 objective in math.  The actual objective is to create expressions; however, why not teach them how to solve for the variable?  I think it will help them be better prepared for the math in middle school.  If you're interested in this freebie, you can download your copy here.  I cut them up, glued them on card stock, laminated the cards, and put them on a ring for students.  The students folded a piece of copy paper into 6 equal boxes.  They numbered each box, solved the expression, and then checked their answers by scanning the QR code.  If you don't have an iPad or way to scan the QR codes, but are interested in the task cards please leave a comment with a way to send the non QR code task cards. I will be happy to send them your way.  I would love any suggestions you guys have for teaching or practicing the OA.3 objective.  Have a great weekend!  :-)

~Amanda :)))

2ndEdition Math CCSS Review Morning Work Freebie

Happy Friday!

I hope you all have had a great week.  It's been an exhausting one on my end, but am thankful for the weekend.  Great News!!!  I've created the second addition of 5th Common Core Math Review Practice Sheets.  Like I've mentioned in a previous post, I suggest printing two sheets to a page to save paper/copies.  We're using them in my classroom to build a review book for each student before the state testing (EOG's) at the end of May.  I give these for morning work a few days a week to keep skills fresh on the minds of my students.  I hope you can use them and will continue to build packs of these review sheets for us.  Download your freebie here .  Have a great weekend!

~Amanda :))))

I'm Back with a QR code Fraction Review Freebie-Common Core NF.6 and NF.7!

Hello Everyone!

I'm back with another freebie.  I took the past week off to enjoy our spring break with friends and family.  We didn't do much...just shop, play, and run a 10K!  The 10K was my first ever 10K race and we had so much fun in Charleston, SC.  I'm now continuing my training to run a half marathon at the beginning of summer.  Running has been a much needed way to take a break from the classroom and mommy/wife duties.  If you don't run, I highly recommend you trying it out...you may surprise yourself!

This is after the race while we enjoyed some Starbucks.  I'm the one on the far left. :)

Anyway, on with the freebie-After our last benchmark testing I was a little frustrated with the areas my children weren't as successful as I thought they could be.  My frustration was the inspiration for these short review practice problems using QR codes.  Like I've mentioned in previous posts, my kids LOVE the QR codes!  It's like they crave them!  You can get the QR code slips here for your children to practice.  The directions are on the slips and it's a super quick way to assess who is understanding what.  If you don't have an "i device" but would still like the practice problems you can grab the actual sheets here:  NF6 Sheet, NF7 Sheet, Combination Sheet  The QR slips will take you to the same document, but it's more interactive for the children if they can write on the picture to solve math problems. 

Screen shot of the QR code slips-Three different versions for differentiation or multiple center use.

Screen shot of the recording practice sheet the QR code will take students to.

I would love any suggestions on other ways you have students review math concepts.  I'm new to the testing grades and appreciate any and all suggestions.  Have a fantastic week! 


~Amanda :)))

1st Edition Math CCSS Review Morning Work Freebie

This is a screen shot of one of the review sheets

Happy Monday Night!  I've created another math freebie for the Monday Math Hop Linky Party.  The freebie this week is a two week set of morning work to review objectives/strands of the 5th grade Common Core Math.  I print mine two pages on each page to save paper.  What this looks like in my classroom is a miniature review book of math topics/objectives for students to practice and review before our End of Grade Testing in May.  You can get your freebie here.  I will continue to post more in the series as I create them.  If you download, please come back and visit to let me know how they're working in your class.  If you have an idea to make them a stronger product, please leave that feedback as well.  Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out the other fabulous math products posted each monday.  Click the link below. :)

~Amanda :))

Metric Conversion QR Task Cards Freebie-Common Core 5MD.1

Happy Monday!  I've linked up for another Math Monday Linky Party.  Check out the awesome resources that keep getting posted each week.  My creation for the week is task cards with self checking QR codes to review and practice metric conversions.  They were inspired by http://hunterteachingtales.blogspot.com/2013/03/maniac-monday-converting-customary.html.  I was so inspired after reading the post, I woke up super early the following day to create some metric conversion QR codes.  I tried to make them pretty, but ran short on time.  None the less, my kiddos had so much fun practicing measurement.  I look forward to many more QR code adventures. :)  You can grab your freebie here.  Please let me know what you think and consider joining this blog family.  Have a great week! :) 
~Amanda

Common Core 5.MD.1-Metric Conversion Memory Game Freebie

Happy Friday!  Like I've said in previous posts we've been tackling measurement conversions.  Metric has been super challenging for the children.  The parents also struggle to find ways to support their child at home....hence the creation of the Metric Conversion Memory Game!!  I ran copies of this on card stock and sent home for additional practice.  You can download your copy here.  If you download a copy please leave a comment letting me know what you think.  Thanks so much for checking out my blog.  Have a great weekend! :)))

~Amanda

5th Grade Math Common Core I Can Statements Freebie

Happy Monday! Over the weekend I created "I Can" statements for the common core math standards. Our assistant principal would prefer for teachers to post this language somewhere visible in the classroom; therefore, is the inspiring for my latest creation. They are my newest freebie and can be downloaded here and would love any feedback to make them better! If you like what you see, please help me gain my goal of 100 followers. I will NEVER charge for my creations! I also have a special give away (Common Core Math Task Cards to review skills in a center) for my first 100 followers only.  I've linked up for the Monday Math Party. Check out other great Math resources at love2learn2day.

Quadrilateral Song Freebie Common Core 5.G3

If you're tackling the Common Core like we are then you probably feel our pain with teaching all of the math asked of us. I will say that shapes were super tough for a majority of my kids. I was shocked because I know shapes are introduced and discussed yearly beginning in kindergarten. Any who, one of my colleagues and another teacher turned assistant principal created a quadrilateral song to help children understand characteristics. The song is catchy and really helped my kids understand quadrilaterals. You can download the lyrics here for you and anyone else needing additional resources with 5.G3 in the 5th grade Common Core Math. I would love any ideas you have for helping children classify shapes. Have a great weekend! :) ~Amanda

Math Linky Party

I've linked up with Cindy at love2learn2day for a math Linky party.  There are lots of great ideas so check them out.
~Amanda