Place Value Detectives

We started our first math project of the year today.  After covering several concepts in place value over the past month, it was time for the students to put their knowledge to the test and apply what they have learned.

The project is called Place Value Detectives.  Students become "detectives" and have to use their knowledge of place value to solve "crimes". Because of copyright I can't post the project on the blog, but your child should have their project in their binder if you would like to review it with them.

We will do several of these types of projects over the course of the school year. While there is a lot of math being done in these projects, there is also a lot of reading. Students are required to read all directions and follow them explicitly to be able to complete the work.  Students are able to use each other and myself if they get stuck at any given time.  Any time we are working on these types of projects, most of the work will be done in class, with the understanding that if the students still has work to complete before the due date, then it will need to be completed at home.

After working on this project today, I can tell you that the students were so excited!  They told how much fun they were having doing math and how much better it was than doing practice problems!  Always a win in my book!

Candy Rush

On Wednesday we stared a new project  called "Candy Rush".  Students were given a "bag" of candy that looked like this.

Then using this sheet,

they had to find the total value of their bag of candy.  This activity is continuing to work their knowledge of place value and the value of a digit in a given place value.  Then they were given three slips of paper to write their name, the value of their candy, and the number of pieces of candy in their bag.  As a group the students had to then decide a way to display the data on a sheet of paper.
Here are some of tables.

Today (Friday) and on Monday, students used their their data to answer some analyzing questions about the numbers and data their team displayed on their table. We will be displaying our tables in the hallway next week, so make sure you stop by and check out our work!

Comparing and ordering numbers

Today, we started with reviewing number forms from yesterday.  We completed a foldable that I will use as an assessment to determine what students need more help with number forms.

We then moved on to comparing and ordering numbers.  We completed an activity in class where students ordered numbers in various ways.
Each student wrote a number on an index card based on the following criteria. (Each student has an owl sticker on their desk).  Writing the numbers was a quick way for me to see if anyone needed help with place value.

After they wrote their numbers, we did a few different line up activities.  First they sorted themselves at their table from greatest to least.

Then they got together with their color group and ordered themselves from greatest to least.

Lastly, they ordered themselves from least to greatest as a class.  This one they had to do without talking!