FREE Math Activities

Check out these fantastic FREE resources from Region 18!  These activities are broken down by standard and offer an opportunity for practice while learning a concept or to use during STAAR review. 

5th Grade Resources

5.2 B Comparing & Ordering Decimals Dominoes

5.2B Comparing Decimals True/False Sort

5.3 E, 5.3G Multiplying & Dividing with Decimals

5.3K Adding & Subtracting Positive Rational Numbers

5.3L Dividing with Fractions

5.4B Multi-Step Problems with All Operations

5.3C Representing Equations with Graphs & Tables

5.4F Simplifying Numerical Expressions

5.4H Perimeter, Area & Volume

5.5A Classifying 2-D Figures

5.8C Graphs, Tables & Ordered Pairs

5.9C Problem Solving with Data Representations

Don't worry 6th Grade... I didn't forget about you!

6th Grade Resources

6.2D Order Rational Numbers

6.3D Integer Operations

6.4B Proportional Reasoning

6.4G, 6.4E, 6.4F, 6.5C Fraction, Decimal & Percent

6.5B Percent of a Number

6.6C Tables, Graphs & Equations

6.7A, 6.7D Order of Operations

6.8D Area of Parallelograms, Triangles & Trapezoids

6.10A Model & Solve One-Step Equations

6.11A Graphing Ordered Pairs

6.13A Interpreting Numeric Data

Griddable Practice Cards

Smart Start with SMART

A monthly video about our SMART boards with an interactive piece for information.

Social Studies BackStory

BackStory Online Resource

So many events in history have changed the world we live in today.  Have you ever wondered what the back story is leading to these events?  BackStory is a great online listening resource to hear historical information.  It is a weekly podcast that uses current events in America to take a deep dive into our past.  Whether you use this resource to deepen your understanding before you teach, or you listen to a clip and have a class discussion, the historians share so much valuable information.  (As always, don't forget to preview these podcasts to check for relevance and make sure they are classroom and age appropriate.)

A few notable episodes:

Beyond Numbers: A History of the U.S. Census

Paying Up: A History of Taxation

1492: Columbus in American Memory

A More Perfect Union?  The Reconstruction Era








BackStory is more than facts and headlines... it's about how the past has shaped who we are today.  A few episodes from BackStory even have educator resources for use in your classroom.  Check out their blog or follow BackStory on social media.

Kahoot! in the Classroom

Kahoot! is one of the most engaging and interactive ways to check for student understanding.  Through this online platform, students can use any smart device and join the Kahoot! activity by typing in the Game PIN you give them.  Teachers can use existing Kahoots! by searching a topic or create their own.  You can even save ones that you like from other educators and edit them to your liking.
Students can play Kahoot! as a whole group, in small groups/teams, or individually.  You can use the trivia-style questioning to introduce, review, or reinforce vocabulary, concepts, and real-world situations.  Teachers can use the formative data to track student performance and help drive small group reteach instruction.
Click here to give Kahoot! a try.

Example Kahoot! quizzes that you can use or edit:

6th Grade Math: Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages

5th Grade Science: Adaptations

5th Grade SS: Government

6th Grade ELA: Poetry Vocabulary

Implementing Thinking Maps Week 2: Bubble Map

Thinking Maps are a language of 8 visual patterns based on individual cognitive skills and thinking processes.  Thinking Maps are tools that create a unique way for students to think and allow them depth of thought.  As a district initiative, they should be used in all content areas and by all teachers.

Here is a weekly idea of how to roll out the Bubble Map during the second week.

The Bubble Maps can sometimes be confusing for kids or maybe they are confused about the word "adjective".  A simple solution is to direct students to say "is" (or "are") in front of each description of the person/place/thing/event, etc being described.  If they can't use "is" (or "are") then that does not go in a Bubble Map.

Example activity using the Bubble Map:

Step 1: Distribute Bubble Maps or have students draw a circle in the center of their journal.  In the center circle students will write their name.

Step 2: Students will use words or pictures to describe themselves around their name (physical traits, personality traits, feelings, or characteristics).  Then they will put a bubble around each of those.

Step 3: Students will draw a Frame of Reference around their maps in which they will provide evidence that supports 1 or 2 of their adjectives. (Ex: They can write "I smile all the time" inside the Frame of Reference next to the bubble that says "happy".)

Step 4: Provide an opportunity for students to share their maps with the whole class, in small groups, or in pairs.  Have them write sentences using 3-4 of their descriptions.

1st grade Science 

10th Grade English

Instructional Strategies Playlist

One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE resources is the Instructional Strategies Playlist from Lead4Ward.  This is a great tool that encompasses strategies for all learners and at any point in the learning cycle.  The strategies range from getting kids up and moving, to extending student thinking, and even learning from mistakes.  Detailed step-by-step instructions are included for each strategy along with purpose and pictures.  You have a great list right at your fingertips and the best part.... it is FREE!

You can find it here: Lead4Ward Instructional Strategies Playlist

Using Accountable Talk

Who's doing most of the talking in your classroom?  Accountable talk is a powerful tool to promote deeper thinking and educational dialogue.

So what is accountable talk?  Pam Goldman, from the Institute for Learning, describes the three dimensions:

Accountability to the Learning Community is about how students talk to and with each other. When they speak, they speak loudly and clearly so everyone can hear. If not, chances are they'll be asked politely to repeat or explain. When students listen, they do not simply think about what they will say next. They focus on classmates' contributions so they can understand, challenge, build upon, and refine each other’s ideas. In an Accountable Talk classroom you will hear students respectfully agree or disagree. You will hear teachers ask questions like, "Did everyone hear what Juan said?" "Could anyone repeat what Susan said so everyone can hear?" "Does anyone agree or disagree?" "Does anyone want to add on?"

Accountability to Accurate Knowledge is about what students discuss. They make claims and try to be as specific and accurate as possible. Students ask each other challenging questions such as: "Are those statistics accurate?" "What is your basis for that conclusion?" "Where did you see that in the text?" So, Accountability to Accurate Knowledge is about getting the facts straight—individually and as a community.

Accountability to Rigorous Thinking is also about what students discuss and is closely related to Accountability to Accurate Knowledge. It's about using that accurate knowledge to build a logical and coherent line of argument. Students use sound reasoning, as well as evidence, to back up their claims. You might hear questions like, "Why do you think that?" Or, "What's your reasoning behind that explanation?"

Implementing Thinking Maps Week 1: The Circle Map

Thinking Maps are a language of 8 visual patterns based on individual cognitive skills and thinking processes.  Thinking Maps are tools that create a unique way for students to think and allow them depth of thought.  As a district initiative, they should be used in all content areas and by all teachers.

Here is a weekly idea of how to roll out the Circle Map during the first week.

Example Use of Teaching Thinking Maps using My Story:

Step 1: Distribute Circle Maps and have students either draw a picture of themselves or write their name.

Step 2: Within the outside circle, students should draw pictures or write words that show all about who they are (sports, food, hobbies, etc.)

Step 3: Ask students to draw or write inside the Frame around the Circle Map.  Here they include people who are important to them.

Step 4: Give students opportunities to share their maps with small groups or the whole class.

Step 5: Students should write a short autobiography about themselves using the thinking map for guidance.

These maps should be saved and included in the final product.

Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year

Welcome to the Instructional Coaching Corner.  I am so excited to work with you all this year at Tannahill & the Fine Arts Academy.  It is going to be a fantastic school year!