So, I started this school year teaching fourth grade reading. In the middle of September, our school found out that our teacher:student ration was too high in fifth grade, so we would be getting a new teacher. Come to find out, my principal decided the new teacher would go to fourth grade and I was asked/told to move to fifth grade math. I'm adjusting to my new role, and decided to share tips on teaching math and a few of my student's favorite Teachers Pay Teachers products to use.
Whenever I teach a new topic in math, i always make sure to break down the process into steps. I've found that this is the best/easiest way to make sure my students understand what we are doing. Second, I like to use the method I do, We do, You do, making sure to repeat the process as necessary.
Peer tutors are an absolute must in my classroom. First, I explain to my students that we will be utilizing peer tutors in the classroom. I then let them know anyone is eligible, as long as he/she understands and can prove they know how to work the most difficult problems. This has worked as a huge motivator in my classroom because all of my students want to be peer tutors. I allow my peer tutors to work with my kids that understand what we are doing, but just need more guided practice. I am then free to pull my struggling students to a small group. So far, this process has worked miracles in my classroom!!
Some of the products my students have truly enjoyed using are used for either extra practice or enrichment opportunities. A couple of these products are listed below with a brief description of how we use them.
Place Value Detective by Teaching With a Mountain View
I've used this product as an enrichment opportunity for my students. While working on place value, I've allowed my more advanced students to utilize this activity to help perfect their own place value skills while keeping them engaged.
Angles Task Cards by Teaching With a Mountain View
We used these cards just as extra practice and the kids really enjoyed them because they were able to work with angles that were drawn and able to see how angles are applied in real life (pencil lead, bird beak, etc.).
