Statistics FUN (Mean, Median, Mode & Range) , March Madness, FREEBIE, and MORE!

It was another busy week in 6th grade, and again, I am linking up with two of my FAVORITE linkys (Five for Friday with Kacey and No Worksheet Wednesday with the Primary Chalkboard)!   So, here we go!

This week we started statistics in 6th grade (SOOOOO MANY fun things that you can do!)  We began by talking about mean, range, median and mode and added the following page and foldable to our interactive notebooks:

This is what the inside of the foldable looks like:

 The next day we used our notebooks to do a fun Mathtivity practicing finding the mean, median, mode and range of sets of data:

You can download this activity FREE by clicking HERE in my TPT store. :)  Please leave some feedback if you happen to download it--I appreciate it.

The students used their notebooks to help remember each vocabulary word as they completed the activity.

They used the work mat which had lists of score on it to answer questions on the data.

It was a lot of fun, and I hope that YOU enjoy it, too! :)

So, again this month, I am linking up with the Primary Chalkboard for the:

I have been having a LOT of fun with this, and I truly think that the students are enjoying it, too!  In the case of this project it turned into a No Worksheet Wednesday AND Thursday!

This week we did a fun March Madness activity with our new found learning on statistics!

We first added an entry to our interactive notebooks practicing taking a data set and displaying it into a line plot and a histogram:

I then let students choose a college basketball team that I had already printed out their season scores.  The students then needed to take all of the teams scores, and write them down, then order them least to greatest:

Once the students did that, they needed to find the mean, median, mode and range for each set of scores.  We also are participating in a #tbt in my classroom where we spend a little time reviewing things that have challenged us this year.  This #tbt we dedicated to finding percents, so I had the students also find the percent of games that their team won and lost. :)

The students also needed to display their teams data in a line plot AND a histogram.

The students did SUCH a great job with these!  It covered a LOT of standards in Statistics and Probability, made learning relevant, and the students were REALLY engaged, too!  The final products turned out great!

This week we also did our monthly class team builder/STEM lab challenge!!!

This was BY FAR the best one we have done yet!!!!!  The students had such a blast with The Pot O' Gold STEM Challenge, too!  Their goal was to build a tower out of straws that was TALL and STRONG.  They then had to put their "pot" (a mini cup) at the top of the tower.  The students had to then put as many pennies (gold) in as they could before the tower fell!  I awarded the teams points for height and then points for pennies, then totaled the two to find a winner.  For example, I had 9 groups, so the tallest tower got 9 points, and the smallest received 1.  Then once the pennies were put in the pots at the top, the most pennies got 9 points, and the least received 1. 

The designs were AH-MAY-ZING, and the students were the most engaged with this one that I created then they had with the rest!  Here are some of the designs:

 The tallest tower was 22.5 inches and the one that held the most pennies held 149!!  It was great!  There are some great extension activities, teacher directions and recording/planning sheets to accompany this STEM Challenge.  We are now looking forward to our April STEM Challenge:  Easter Marshmallow Launch!

Just one last reminder that I am FOUR followers on TPT away from 500---which of course calls for a celebration! :)  If you're a teacher and would like to donate, please complete the Google Doc form to donate. :)  I thank you in advance. :)

You Oughta Know About: Math Centers Aren't JUST for Elementary School

Hooray!  It's time to link up again with Jasmine for the You Oughta Know Blog Hop! :) 

 This month I am going to talk about how math centers are NOT just for elementary school!  

If you read my post earlier this week, I talked candidly about how what I was doing in my 6th grade math classroom was NOT working as well as I had hoped.  I had taught 10 years in elementary school, and I now had a time limit on my teaching, I was doing "older student" things like interactive notebooking, and independent practice,  I thought that there was NO WAY middle school students would go for cutesy math centers.   

WRONG.

As part of my reflection, I realized I was teaching WAY too fast without a lot of time for the students to practice.  I also learned that middle schoolers do not really like to ask a lot of questions or tell you if they don't understand something.  I also have less time to teach, and I needed more bang for my buck.  So, I went back to my old ways:

MATH CENTERS!

I'm learning along the way that middle schoolers are still just kids, only older.  I posted a picture on Instagram this week of putting stickers on their papers...THEY LOVE IT!  I even think they love it MORE than in elementary school because they don't really expect it, and they appreciate when you do it. :)

So, why wouldn't they still like cutesy math centers?

THEY DO!

The reason I'm saying all this, is because in elementary school, I did guided math.  Coming from the elementary world into the middle school world, it was MUCH DIFFERENT.  There isn't much of guided anything (reading/math), so I didn't implement it at first, and I regret it now.  

One of the main things that my students told me on their suggestion cards that I had them write was "more time to practice, and help small groups that need it."  Hello!  GUIDED MATH! :)

So, I went back to my old ways on Thursdays.  It is now our "Math Activity Day".  On this day, I do some sort of activity with my students practicing the things that we did that week.  It's normally in the form of task cards that the students can work through independently (through the Kagan Strategy Showdown normally) while I work with a small group on the SAME activity that need my help.  

I'm very lucky that I have AMAZING students this year that work well together, and we also do ONE team building activity once a week (52 students on our team) where they mix and mingle with each other, which I think has totally transformed the way our students work with each other (hmmmm...that might need to me my next You Oughta Know...).  

For example, this week for guided math we worked with percents of numbers.  Our center activity this week was one with a grocery store sales paper.  The students LOVED this one!  

My students worked in pairs to answer the given questions that were on the task cards with the sales paper that they had.  Then I was left with a small group that I could work with on the same activity. That gave me the WHOLE HOUR with a small group to reinforce what we had done that week.  This has REALLY been working for me.   Also, it lets middle schoolers work cooperatively (I do this a lot) and they get to talk through the math center.  I have heard some AMAZING conversations about how to solve problems, strategies, etc.  The class also enjoys the centers because they get to socialize--what middle schoolers love the best. :)

We had a lot of fun, too at Halloween doing review math centers as well.  So much so I have some for Thanksgiving AND Christmas ready to go---and they are all cutesy.  Thank you, Krista at Creative Clips! :)  Be sure to also grab a free Christmas Math Center HERE:

 before you blog hop on today!  

So, if you're a middle school teacher, and haven't tried to implement guided math into your day or week---I HIGHLY recommend it!  My students have definitely made growth in the classroom since I have started it!!!

Be sure to check out these other great ideas from my fellow blogging buddies, too! :)

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Holiday's WAYYYYYY Ahead of Time FREEBIE

Hello Bloggy World. :)

I just wanted to write a quick post to tell you all that I put a super cool freebie up today, so please go and grab it as an EARLY Holiday gift from me to YOU! :)  Just click on the picture to grab it.

I am just so appreciative to everyone that reads my blog.  I have a really good post coming up this week, so be sure to check back for that. 

I'm sorry that I don't have anything else to say.  I just want to make sure that you get it so you can start planning for your Christmas school activities. :)

Enjoy your day!!!!

Five for Friday: GCF/LCM, Freebie, a Giveaway and MORE!

It's Five for Friday on a Saturday!! :)  Time to link up with Kacey from Doodle Bugs Teaching. :)

This week we finally got to teaching GCF/LCM within word problems.  The students theoretically learned GCF/LCM in 4th grade, but applying it to word problems was a challenge.   

We started off by reviewing LCM/GCF.  I shared with the students how I DISLIKE factor rainbows.  In my opinion they are not as easy to use as a table, so that is why I taught them to make a table if the numbers are smaller.  However, for the larger numbers I would like them to use prime factorization to help them:

I also made a LCM anchor chart, but I made a mistake on it, and had to scribble it out, so it wasn't picture-worthy. :)

We then played Showdown with my GCF/ LCM word problems for older students.  They had to identify whether the problem was a LCM problem or a GCF one.  This was really good practice, because it is a hard concept for them to pick up on.

You can find my GCF/LCM task cards HERE.

I also created this to reinforce what we were doing for my fall line-up in my classroom:

 On Friday my teammate and I as part of our Fun Friday Enrichment time for the students who have not struck out with our behavior system got to participate in the Save Fred Challenge!!!  I found a great resource on TPT from Smart Chick Teaching Resources.  It was great! 

 I gave my homeroom either a diamond or club suited card, and my partner gave his homeroom a heart or spade.  We then split the kids up. I sent all the black suited cards to his room, and he sent all of the red suited cards to my room.  The students then partnered with the student who had the matching number and color of the other ones card.  It was a GREAT way to have the students mix and mingle! :)

If you have never done this activity before--it's GREAT!!!!!  They had a ball! 

 This week over on Facebook, my fellow NC teachers and I are participating in a blog hop!!  There is something for ALL grade levels to be had!!  FOR FREE!!!

 Here are all of the starting points for each grade level:

PK-2  https://www.facebook.com/MyKindergardenBlooms

3-5 https://www.facebook.com/mrelementarymath?ref=bookmarks

6-8  https://www.facebook.com/NorthCarolinaHistoryGal

My freebie is a great one for older students to practice reflecting points over the y-axis to create a picture!  Snag it on my FB page and be sure to check out all of the other freebies available!!! :)

Also, in the spirit of fall and Halloween, this week I will be participating in a Halloween themed giveaway contest with The Teaching 2 Step:

I will be giving away this product:

The contest starts next week, so be sure to head on over for your chance to win!! :)

This week as a whole again was great.  I am still very much enjoying my decision to be in middle school...LOVE IT actually.  :)  At the end of October we are having a "Scare the Bear" costume/dance party during the school day.  My teaching partner and I want to dress up as something that goes together, but we are struggling with an idea, so if any of you all have an idea out there, let me know, please!!! :)

Currently with a TREAT :)

Well, I am a little late to the party---again. :)  At least it is still October, right?? :)  Time to link up with Farley over at Oh Boy! 4th Grade for her Currently series. 

 Listening

Right now I am listening to the Today Show while I watch little B play and eat Cheerios. :)  It's my normal weekend routine while I drink my coffee. 

Loving

The fact that we are getting fall weather!!!  I'm originally from Northern Michigan, so I've been giggling at the news lately when they say it's fall like weather (in Eastern NC) and "you might need a jacket because it's going to be in the low 70's.  However, tomorrow it's mid 60's!!!!!!!  Hooray!!!!

Thinking

Hubby is going golfing today, so that means I get to spend the day playing with baby B and CREATING!  It's amazing how relaxing that really is! :)

Wanting

Ugh-Salted Caramel Frappucinos are my FAVORITE and I have YET to get one.  I need to do that. :)

Needing

We need to finish the Halloween decorating process.  I thought that we would be done by now, but we kind of have been struggling with where to put things since B is ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Treat

Here is your Halloween Treat!!! :)  It's a Coordinate Grid Graph Art for older students.  They need to know how to reflect points over the y-axis to do this, OR you can reflect the points for them if they haven't learned it yet. :)  My students love doing these, and it will be a great addition to your fall teaching resource line up. :)  Just click the picture below to download it!

First Week as a Middle School Teacher with a FREEBIE!

Well, I have officially completed my FIRST week as a 6th grade math/science teacher!!!!  WAHOOO!  If I had any doubts about my decision...they were squashed! :)  I love it!  I learned something this week that were a bit of an epiphany for me:  There was really NO HUGE difference between 4th graders and 6th graders!  They are still sweet, talkative, and hard working. If anything middle school kids get my jokes more. :)  LOVE IT!  If you follow me on Instagram (@immixingitupinmiddle) you saw that I even treated myself to a pumpkin iced coffee on Friday to celebrate!

I thought I would take a moment to blog about what we did our first week of school.  I was really worried about what I was going to do for ice breakers, so I had to come up with some new ones (some of my elementary ones were a little cheesy).  So, I hope that this gives some of you some new ideas for YOUR first week of school. :)

I used some GREAT math brain teasers from Stella's Stunners.  These were GREAT, and the students LOVED them!  We did the toothpick one, and the students had a blast.  Here is a picture of one of the genius ways one of my groups tried to figure it out...

These got my students up and moving around while working with other students.  You have to check that site out if you haven't yet!!! :)

We did some other ice breakers, like my 4 Corner Power Point get to know you activity:

They had a BLAST going to "their" corner of the room and mingling with the other students there to talk about WHY they chose the choice they did.  Here is an example slide:

We also put together our classroom puzzle for each class period!  This was a lot of fun, too!!

I copied all four sheets on different colored paper so that each puzzle could be four different colors.  The students filled out the pieces as a group, then mingled around the room looking for the different pieces to their puzzle. Once they found their group, they glued it together and presented it to the class!

 You can get this activity for FREE in my TPT Store!!!!

The last activity that we did that was SOOOO much fun was our Marshmallow Tower Introduction to the Scientific Method for our first science lab!

This went AMAZINGLY (aside from the sticky hands from the marshmallows!!!).  The students worked together really well, and had some amazing team work in the process.

Our tallest tower was 32.5 inches tall!!  Can your class beat that? :)

Last weekend I had a contest to have one lucky follower win a BUNDLE of my back to school goodies!!!  The winner is...
a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Congrats, and be sure to e-mail me so I can send you your prize!!! :)

TRIPLE LINKY, FREEBIE, FLASH FREEBIE and MORE!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!  I am sooooo sad that July already seems to be flying by!!!!  I guess that is what happens on summer vacation!!!

Today, I am all in for a TRIPLE linky!!!  As you know I am on vacation right now in Michigan, so I have been blog stalking here and there, and found a new linky to link up with today.  

First, I am linking up with Jess at I Heart Recess for some back to school goal setting.

With just starting to teach middle school, my goals are pretty short and sweet. :)  I just really want to have a successful first year, have my students ENJOY what they are learning and HOW they are learning it, and also to try new things and stay ORGANIZED!!!!!

Personally, I have only just started blogging and TPT-ing so I would love to be consistent with that as well, sharing ideas and things that I am doing in my classroom. :)  I also need to get back on the workout train!!  YIKES.  Especially after being home with family for a month...a month of home cooking does that to a person. :)

Next, I am linking up with The Teaching Tribune for their Worksheet Wednesday.  

This is a FREE worksheet I plan to use with my 6th graders on the first day of school.  I want to be able to relate to them, so I would love to get to know them better, so this little questionnaire should do the trick! :)  PLUS--it's free!! :)  Just click below to get it!

Third, I am linking up with Christina at Second Grade Sugar and Spice for her Wordless Wednesday.

So, here is my picture...

I'm still at my parents house in Northern Michigan, so it's another vacation picture.  We wanted to stay by the fire longer, but the mosquitoes were HORRIBLE!!!!  

Now...onto some other things. :)

If you're not already a FACEBOOK follower, please stop by and see me.  Today I will be having a FLASH FREEBIE of my customary measurement conversion task cards:

I used these in my classroom this year as a fun test-prep activity, but you could use them ANYTIME.  They are ALL word problems (24) and convert between customary units of length, weight, time, and capacity.  I will be putting them in my TPT store today for FREE for 1 hour and I will announce it ahead of time on my Facebook page.  If you get it for free, all I ask is that you please leave some feedback love. Thank you, and I hope that you don't miss out!

Second,  it's summer, and that means it's time for a TPT Store SALE!

ENJOY, and Happy Wednesday!!!!