Websites referred to in this post can be found at my Portaportal site: www.portaportal.com guest name westparis. There are also some specific recommendations for sites for our current unit on fractions at the bottom of this post.
It is a little discouraging to read the comparisons between the United States and other nations in our children’s math ability. The latest international comparison for which ressults are available is the 2006, PISA (Program for International Student Assessment). This ranked U.S. 15-year-olds as 30th of 40 countries participating.
While there are a variety of reasons given for this, the effect will be that the U.S. will be challenged to maintain its position in technology and engineering. In the increasingly global economy, our children will be competing with kids in China, India, and Ireland. Here in West Paris, our sixth graders took the NWEA (NorthWest Evaluation Association) test this fall. 10 of 17 students scored significantly below average. We have a challenge to face, and challenges are there to be surmounted.
So, what can we do for OUR kids who are currently in the 6th grade in West Paris? There are three groups that need to work together.
Mr. Light: I am given the honor and responsibility of teaching your children. I have 75 minutes each day to do math with all my students. Each day, we spend 10 – 15 minutes with a “warm-up” activity. This may mean working on basic math skills (multiplication, rounding numbers, etc.), reviewing previously studied material (finding averages, greatest common factor, etc.), or practicing problem-solving with real-world problems. We then move into our daily lesson based on the Math Scape program. This usually includes reviewing previous work, investigating and teaching a new idea, and practicing and applying the new learning. During the investigation and practice phases I find myself traveling among the students making sure they are on task, offering help and encouraging students.
In addition, I work with students during learning lab. This work takes many forms including practicing basic math skills, problem-solving, reviewing math we are currently involved in and playing math and logic games.
It is a challenge to keep up with the district schedule, and a balance needs to be maintained between completing the units we need to and making sure everyone understands what they need to. To help address this, I am trying to offer an after-school math session once a week. I am currently doing this on Mondays, but may need to switch the day depending on my personal schedule.
Parents: You can help your child in many ways. The most important is to find out what we are doing in class. Ask to see their math notebook and text. Have them explain how to solve the problems in the book. There are practice quizzes on line at the Math Scape website and many websites which give instruction and practice in math concepts we are studying. If you don’t have internet access, help your child get to the library!
Another simple activity is practicing “math facts”. Being able to quickly recall addition, subtraction, and division facts is important, but often overlooked. You can quiz your child when you are driving in the car. You can have your child practice with flashcards. In addition, there are many web sites that offer practice games. This would benefit every child in the class.
Finally, encourage your child to stay after school for our “math club”. Work out carpools to make transportation easier.
Kids: The bottom line, my wonderful students, is that it is really up to you. You can decide to do your best so you are ready for adulthood and to find your career. At the same time you will be helping the United States to maintain its strength. Don’t let our country go the way of the Roman Empire!
Stay focused in class. When it is time to listen, listen. When it is time to work, work. Solve simple problems on your own. (You know what to do if you don’t have paper or pencil!) Keep yourself organized. (Let’s not waste time looking through a messy desk for your math book!) Ask for help politely when you need it. Practice math at home! Join us for Math Club! Use your computer time to use websites to build your math skills.
Let’s make the Class of 2013 the best we can be!
Fraction Websites
Fractions are often confusing for us. It helps to be able to picture fractions. Here are some web pages you can use to help with this.
First, try looking at three different types of fraction pictures.
http://www.visualfractions.com/EnterFraction.html (lines)
http://www.visualfractions.com/EnterCircle.html (circles)
http://www.visualfractions.com/Identify_sets.html (groups)
You can also try mixed numbers.
http://www.visualfractions.com/MixedCircle.html (circles)
http://www.visualfractions.com/MixedFraction.html (lines)
Now, try to find Grampy
http://www.visualfractions.com/FindGrampy.html
After you are good at recognizing fractions, try renaming them with the activities at this link.
http://www.visualfractions.com/rename.htm
