Math Mountains

My district began a new math series this past year- and the kiddos are really doing some fantastic things.  The types of problems they are able to solve in 3rd grade is incredible.  I mean really, my kiddos understand how to solve problems with variables.  I even have students who are able to read a story problem such as: 

The dance studio has 3 classes with 10 students in each class.  If all of the students were put into 5 groups, how many students would be in each group? (ok, maybe not the best problem) 

Then, they can take that problem and write an equation to solve it.  Most of their equations without any help end up looking like this:  (3 x 10) / 5 = 6. 

WOW!

Now, don't get me wrong, word problems can still stump them.  But whoever created Math Mountains was brilliant.  All of my learners, including those who really struggle, have success when they use a Math Mountain.  They only have to ask themselves "Do I have a total?" or "Do I only have addends?"  Then, once they answer those questions and fill in the math mountain they know whether or not they need to add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

Obviously they do a little more thinking than that because they need to actually determine what is going on in the problem.  I am just so impressed with this tool!

Here are the anchor charts that are posted in my classroom.  And my favorite part about these is that the kids told me word for word what to write in the middle.

Enjoy!
            

My artwork on the anchor charts reflects my current feelings on the weather. I think I have given up on our weather ever becoming normal again!  While tomorrow we are finally supposed to get up to 60 degrees, it is supposed to snow again Monday and Tuesday.  What's up with that?!?

Self Assessment and Formative Assessments

Exit tickets.  I have always loved exit tickets.  But, having time to give them and then having time to really look them over was where I always got stuck.  So this year the Post-It Note Question was born.  Have you noticed that kids will do just about anything if they can do it on a Post-It note?  At the end of each math class, I pose a problem or question on the board that relates to the day's learning target.  The kid's love it.

Recently I added another level to my exit tickets.  Nothing new (if you search Pinterest, there are a ton of ideas for student self-assessment boards), but it is very helpful.  Instead of just giving me their Post-It note, my students now have to decide on their understanding of the concept.

They decide if:

Yes I Get It!  This means that the child feels the could explain clearly how they solved the problem and that they would be comfortable teaching someone else

Almost There!  Students feel like they understand the concept- they might even get it right.  But, they sometimes still have questions or are not sure.

I Need Some More Help!  Students put their Post-It here if they really are not sure of what to do.

The kiddos have done a really nice job of thinking about how they feel in regards to the day's learning target.  They know to put their name or classroom number on the back of the note.  No one knows whose note is whose.  And while I almost always check over their answers, for the few days where time is short, I know instantly who to work with or give extra attention to the next day.  It is great!