AWESOME Guided Math Games!

Again I went MIA for a little while..sorry! Things get hectic and while I have tons of ideas and things to share with you it always means staying up past my bedtime (yes..9pm is past my bedtime) to get them out in blogger world!

I have really been wanting to share these two AWESOME math games that are staples in my math tubs for centers. My students literally fight over these games!

The first one is Witzzle Pro. This game was used first with our math club. They would compete against each other then go to a tournament to compete against other schools. Last year we implemented a school-wide competition, but before I get into how you can use it as a school or just a center here is how you play.

The basic directions are: 1. Draw a card,  2. Get a target number (this can be done by rolling a die, two dice, larger number dice, or just using the date), 3. Select one row diagonal, vertical, or horizontal and using the numbers one time mixed with basic operations (add, subtract, divide, multiply) as well as the PEMDAS (order of operations)..solve for the target number (using a pencil and sheet of paper, they must write their equation) 4. Once a student has solved for the target number they will call out "Witzzle", 5. All other players must then put their pencils down and check that student's equation. 6. If the equation is correct that students takes the card and then chooses another (starting over again). 7. If the equation is not correct, that student is out for the round while the others try to find a correct equation, 8. The winner is the student with the most cards at the end of a given time.

Again, my students LOVE this game. So not only do we play it in class, our entire school plays a round of Witzzle Pro a week. On morning announcements a Witzzle card is given (we use Wednesday...Witzzle Wednesday!), the students copy the card down and our target number is always the date. Each teacher also has Witzzle Game Boards (enlarged empty Witzzle cards) hanging in their rooms. We copy the card onto the boards and the students have time to come up with equations. In fifth grade they have to come up with 2 different equations to be entered into our drawings...but they differentiate among different grade levels (example: smaller target numbers, one equation, use any of the numbers on the card, only add...etc). This year our 5th grade decided to have the students use a slip (attached here, for you to download) and after finding two equations entering in the classroom drawing. We, as a class will draw two names from the stack...those two names are then entered into the grade level drawing...we will then choose one winner for the entire 5th grade. The winner will get their picture taken with a trophy and it will be displayed on the wall (I'll try to add a pic of that display soon).

This game is a MUST HAVE for your math centers!

The next game that my kids fight over to play is called Albert's Insomnia. This is a math fluency game that was invented by someone right here in Georgia! We are actually having him come out and present at our Math Night next week.

And I am not going to try and type the directions for this game, instead if you are interested watch the video below!

Guided Math Tubs

Well my week was exhausting, and I think I am finally above water...at least until tomorrow when we are back to school. I had to be video taped and had four conferences already! By the way, it should be against the rules to have a Friday afternoon conference. Whew!

I know some of you had a few questions about my Guided Math tubs, mostly what I am putting in them. Well this is my second year of Guided Math, and my first year doing it in 5th grade. Therefore, I am having to start from scratch (in terms of materials).

As I update my tubs I'll do a post to let you know what I have put in them. First of all, I have started off very slowly...introducing the games and tubs one at a time. This way I can see what they can or can not handle.

First I introduced the game Multiplication War. I discussed it and demonstrated it to the entire class, they then got to play with a partner. After that, it became tub 1. Here are the directions that we use for Multiplication War (even though they are fifth graders, the NEED fluency practice!!!!!) click to retrieve:

My other tub is Rolling Factors. This game was given to me by a friend and it is from Teacher's Mailbox. I looked for it online, but was unable to find it. Basically each student has two dice. They roll the dice and make a two digit number. Example: player rolls 4 and 2, they can make 42 or 24. They then have to list the factors for that number. Based on how many factors they make, according to the cart they can earn 1-6 points. Example 2 factors, 1pt; 4 factors, 3pts. After five rounds they add up how many points they got, the player with the most points wins.

I had both of theses tubs in rotation for a week. This week I am adding two more tubs. These are both task card tubs. They focus on two skills we have worked on in the previous weeks. I got the task cards from TpT. The first is expressions: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Common-Core-Task-Cards-5th-Grade-CCSS-5OA2

I break the task cards up into groups of four or five and place them into Ziploc baggies. The baggies are then put into a large envelope along with a recording sheet that I have made. Click here if you would like the sheet. I usually have the same tubs for two weeks. So I also include an envelope in the tub that says I'm Still Working. This way if they don't get done they can put the WS in there. If they are done they turn it in for possible incentive, especially if they do well!

The next tub this week is the in/out table task cards: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Common-Core-Task-Cards-5th-Grade-CCSS-5OA3

Again I will set it up the same way as the previous tub. Click here if you would like the recording sheet I made to go along with them. I didn't include the last five cards because my kids haven't mastered graphing an x and y table yet.

Each student must first complete seatwork, usually a short assignment from that day's mini lesson. Once I have checked their work they are then allowed to work on a tub. If a student is struggling with the seatwork this gives me a chance to work with them one on one or in a small group. My meet with teacher group is usually calling those over that may have struggled on the previous assignment or test for some extra help.

Hopefully I can keep you all updated on my tubs :)  I haven't even started my reading tubs yet! They are currently reading independently or going to the media center. One step at a time I guess.