I develop curriculum for middle school math. I focus on using critical-thinking skills in my content so the math makes sense to the students.
These all about me, back to school art activities for kids are engaging icebreakers. Encourage creativity and build community during the first week back
Yes! FREE homeschool math curriculum for K-8th grade does exist and it's wonderfully Charlotte Mason. Click, print, and done! Watch the video
Check out over 14 resources that should add to your 8th-grade homeschool curriculum. Includes resources for math, English, history, and even Spanish.
Free 7th & 8th grade worksheets, printable games, and activities to make learning math, literacy, history, and science engaging and FUN!
Check out over 14 resources that should add to your 8th-grade homeschool curriculum. Includes resources for math, English, history, and even Spanish.
Check out the entire set of notes for this rational & irrational numbers unit.
Yes, reading aloud to middle school students in 7th and 8th grade benefits them just as much as in elementary school. Immeasurably.
Digital Language Spiral Review with Google Forms. Fully practice and review grammar and word study standards all year! Now for Google Classroom!
This resource is my 8th Grade Math Early Finishers (Paper Version). It includes NO PREP! Just print and go! CLICK THE PREVIEW!!! There are 4...
Have you been introduced to Math Stations? Do you use independent math activities with your students? Are your students in need of independent and group math work? {Click HERE to download} When I first heard about these I was hesitant to start using them in my classroom because I thought it would be time consuming making all these station activities. I have great news, I've created a NO PREP set and would love to share it with you! Math Stations (also called Math Workshops) is a system of different types of activities in the classroom for the students to complete based on the same topic. I have created the 8th Grade Math Stations BUNDLE to cover all of the Math topics related to grade eight and also cover all of the eighth grade common core standards. These Math Stations activities are helpful to students in that they review concepts, practice Math, apply Math, and read about the Math in the real world. There are many different ways you can use these stations as they are versatile for the teacher to pick and choose which ones you want to use on any given day. If you already use Math stations in your classroom these can complement your set with additional practice and applications for students to review Common Core Standards. This Middle School Math Station Bundle is a COMPLETED BUNDLE covering ALL 8th grade Common Core Standards! {Click HERE to download} Included are the following Math Stations: Math Stations: Real Numbers Math Stations: Exponents & Scientific Notation Math Stations: Proportional Relationships Math Stations: Non-Proportional Relationships Math Stations: Writing Linear Equations Math Stations: Functions Math Stations: Linear Equations Math Stations: Solving Systems of Linear Equations Math Stations: Transformations & Congruence Math Stations: Transformations & Similarity Math Stations: Angle Relationships in Parallel Lines & Triangles Math Stations: The Pythagorean Theorem Math Stations: Volume Math Stations: Scatter Plots Math Stations: Two-Way Tables This resource is a means of practice and review for all the 8th grade standards. Students' scores excel and they enjoy independently working with their classmates on the different tasks. This can be a great activity for your students to be engaged in the learning process. Students gain self-confidence and own their learning process when they are given the chance to work independently on Math Stations. See what teachers are saying about math stations, "The 7th grade teacher at my school has the 7th grade bundle, and LOVES it! So I had to get the 8th grade bundle for my class! I cannot wait to use these resources!" -Andrea "Had bought the first unit and loved it. Can't wait to use these throughout the year." -Gwen "Love this for a review!" -Riki There are many different ways to incorporate the math stations in your classroom. I have used book bins (from Lakeshore Learning) to keep them organized and easily accessible for the students. I also have a FREE math stations bin labels HERE for download. Happy Teaching!
Are you looking for a way to scaffold math vocabulary and concepts and make math more visual? In this post are photos of math word walls for elementary, middle and high school math along with photos of math classroom word walls that teachers have sent to me of their math classroom set up. Included in this post are links to free math word wall cards and discounted printable math word wall bundles for a variety of math topics. I am updating each math word wall to include a virtual option. Now in the files will be color, black and white and interactive digital math word wall options.
These all about me, back to school art activities for kids are engaging icebreakers. Encourage creativity and build community during the first week back
Looking for an engaging way to help your students learn the important concept of fractions? This lapbook containing many different fold-its is designed to do just that. Topics covered in this lapbook include: -What is a fraction definition? What is a numerator and denominator? -A shutterfold showing a visual representation of one whole, one half, one third, one fourth, one sixth, and one eighth. (All fractions covered in the grade 3 common core standards) -An equivalent fractions flip book showing circle equivalents for one, one half, one third, and one fourth -A comparing fractions flip book which explains how to compare fractions when they have the same numerator, same denominator, and using benchmarks -A chart showing fraction bars to help students compare fractions -A mini book showing how to place a fraction on a number line -Two pockets, one for holding fraction bar cards and the other for holding fraction circle cards -Cards with pictures of fraction pizzas, chocolate bars and fraction strips -Two math mats to use along with the fold-its. One is a larger number line for students to practice placing fractions on a number line and the other is for comparing whether two fractions are smaller or larger than one half This lapbook uses a legal size file folder. If you were using a letter size folder you would need to put some of the fold-its on the back of the file folder. These fold-its could also be used in an interactive math notebook if you did not wish to make the lapbook. What I like about the lapbook for my students is that once it is made it acts as a reference tool for students to use at their desk. It is also a great tool to use during math workshop. Students can use the cards to order, compare or show equivalent fractions. If you like this product, you might also like the following products which will also help to teach fractions to your students: Comparing Fractions Using Number Lines and Benchmarks Fractions Interactive Journal, Notes and Activities **This product also includes sheets which contain the word "quarters" for those teachers who prefer quarters instead of "fourths" If you love using lapbooks, you may want to check out some of my other lapbooks: Simple Machines Lapbook Weather Lapbook Decimal File Lapbook Matter Lapbook All About Me End of Year Memory Lapbook Wonder Novel - Lapbook Winter Games Lapbook If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected] Thanks for dropping by and checking out my store! Tags: Fractions, Lapbook, comparing fractions, equivalent fractions, representing fractions.
*A DIGITAL OPTION HAS BEEN INCLUDED FOR GOOGLE SLIDES/GOOGLE CLASSROOM* Be sure to re-download! There are directions and links inside the pdf. Hello, ELA! This resource is a unique way to get your students warmed up at the beginning of your ELA block. Each month contains 4-5 weeks of ELA bell work, which will have a theme around the season, national holidays, or events associated with that particular month. The morning work is focused on ELA 8th Grade Common Core Standards. Each day has a thematic structure to cover language standards as well as enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills. Save money by purchasing the year long BUNDLE!ELA Daily Review 8th Grade {Growing Bundle} Each week follows a predictable and engaging structure: Meaningful Monday: Monday is focused on making meaning. Tasks will focus on synonyms, antonyms, vocabulary words, context clues, and making meaning in a short amount of text. Some tasks may require students to make meaning in the text (inference, message, adages, proverbs, etc.) or build vocabulary skills. Text Structure Tuesday: Tuesdays will have a paragraph that requires students to identify the text structure, signal words, main idea, author's perspective, or vocabulary, or any other question types related to the Craft and Structure standards. Wordy Wednesday: Wednesday is all about working with words. Tasks include working with shades of meaning, homophones, spelling, prefixes, suffixes, roots, and other word skills. Throwback Thursday:Thursday is all about grammar usage and conventions. Figurative Friday: Figurative Friday tasks include working with various types of figurative language including similes, metaphors, idioms, poems, alliteration, structures of poems and more! 🛑 Are you a member of the TLL Membership? These materials are already included. If you are not a member, click here to learn more. The TLL Membership gives you an all-access pass to hundreds of ELA resources for teachers in Grades 3-5.I hope this resource works for you! Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions, comments, or feedback. -Jessica This ELA + Math Morning Work is available for the following grade levels: ELA + Math Bundles 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade ELA Bundles 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade ELA Weekly Assessments 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade Math Bundles 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Let’s connect! The Literacy Loft Blog The Literacy Loft on Instagram The Literacy Loft on Pinterest The Literacy Loft on Facebook Email: [email protected]
Are you looking for a way teaching math vocabulary in a more visual and conceptual way? To differentiate for your struggling learners? Every year, it seems we get more and more visual learners coming into our classrooms, learners who benefit from math word walls that show concepts and vocabulary in action. This approach has worked wonders in my classroom and I know it will in yours! Adding a visual math word wall to my classroom completely changed how my students access our math vocabulary and the concepts we learn in class. Our math word walls are covered in examples and visuals that show the math concepts in context along with the vocabulary words we cover in class.
Math Spiral Review Homework & morning work have proven to be the most effective resource in helping students practice and retain math skills.
Hey friends! So I LOVE books and over the last 3-4 years of teaching, I have started to kind of put books into categories based on what I feel or think as I am reading, and always take this into consideration when I pick a read aloud or create a reading unit. I still believe ... Read more
Here are 15 engaging and creative TV episodes to use in ELA to teach genre, narrative techniques, characterization, and more. (Blog post)
These Fraction, Decimal, and Percent conversions posters are a must have for any 6th, 7th, or 8th Grade Math Classroom! Help your class learn converting decimals, converting percents, and convertin…
I develop curriculum for middle school math. I focus on using critical-thinking skills in my content so the math makes sense to the students.
These all about me, back to school art activities for kids are engaging icebreakers. Encourage creativity and build community during the first week back
The following document was written by Karisa Sharpe / PDSB Geography Introduction Keynote.key Geography-Introduction-Powerpoint.ppt BigIdea-MiniInquiry Economic Systems – Intro Inquiry Geogra…
Alec and I worked long and hard to come up with a good plan of attack for his 8th grade year. Most likely this will be his last year at ho...
Students will be performing rigid transformations: reflections, rotations, and translations. There are 3 activities: (1) Students will determine the type of transformation that was performed and color the hearts according to the color key code, (2) capture the lovebugs by performing transformations, and (3) a harder version of capturing the lovebugs by performing transformations.
Homeschooling 8th grade I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit nervous when it comes to homeschooling during the junior high years. It’s all about preparing them for the...
I have so much to share with you about writing interventions, but first things first: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW BLOG DESIGN?!?!? Please share your thoughts! Every year, I meet lots of middle schoolers who struggle with writing. And every year, I play around with lots of different interventions to meet their needs. Last year, I made establishing sound writing interventions one of my big goals. I spent lots of time (and money!!) on resources that I could use, and by about March, I had something that I thought I was pretty happy with. This year, I'm starting off with those interventions that worked so well last year and I couldn't be happier with the results! In fact, I'm so pleased with how they are working, I feel confident enough to share my practice with my blog readers. I can say that these are definitely KID TESTED, TEACHER APPROVED!! Creating a Time and Space for Intervention within your Classroom I teach by myself. There are no aides, special ed teachers, BSI teachers... just little, ol' me! So, when I want to create and manage small groups, I'm on my own. This is hard. It would be so much easier if there was another adult in the room to help, but there is not, so I just have to deal! It's work, but it absolutely can be done! A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Power of Bell-Ringers. Establishing a quiet and smooth transition into writing class is a great way to get started, but it also provides me with a window of time where I can pull a small group! By mid-October, my bell-ringer time gets extended to 15 minutes. The kids get started immediately and are clear on the expectations during this time. Now the environment for working with small groups is set: the room is quiet and engaged, allowing me to focus my time on the handful of kids in my group. I pull my kids to a table that I have set up in front of our classroom library. I have a "teacher station" at one end where I do my instruction. I usually stream some jazz or piano music during this time so my group doesn't distract the rest of the class. Establishing Interventions In my district, by middle school, there are no longer district-mandated interventions in place. There are no clear resources for teachers to use or personnel to help. So, when we have a struggling reader or writer in 7th or 8th grade, it's the job of the classroom teacher to meet their needs. In my tenure of working with middle schoolers, I've found that there are two types of students who need more support than my writing curriculum provides (and please remember... I am not a researcher/specialist/writer of books/etc. I'm just a teacher, like you, who loves my job, tries to do the best by my kids, and is compulsively reflective about what I see happening... to me, teachers are the best EXPERTS, but I know that we are hesitant these days to trust a "lowly" teacher and rather find ourselves relying on big publishers and educational researchers to show us best practices... I don't have lots of "data" to support what I'm sharing with you... just my actual observations I've made while working with real, live kids in an average classroom setting!!). Type One: Students Who Struggle with Structure The first type of students who need intervention are those who struggle with structure. These are the kids that can't organize their thoughts in a way a reader could follow. They simply write whatever their brain thinks at the time. They can generally stick with a broad topic, but because they are just writing whatever pops into their head at the time, there are lots of places where their writing veers off track and becomes confusing. Here is an example written by a former student struggling with structure: My dog Henry is my most special treasure. He is always there for me whenever I need him in sad times and happy. In many ways, he's my best friend. He has brown fur and a white chest. He is such a good dog to have around when you are sad because he always knows just how to cheer you up. His eyes are brown, like a Hersey bar. His favorite toy is a yellow tennis ball. Once he almost got hit by a car chasing the ball down the street. I have loved him ever since he was a puppy and we first got him. I was only 4-years old when that little ball of fluff was brought home by my parents to be best friends. His soft fur is always so smooth and warm when you pet him while watching TV on a cold night. He is my best friend and that is why he is my special treasure [sic]. This student is clear about his topic - his dog, Henry - but he cannot organize his thoughts. He is thinking about his dog and writes down everything he knows about his buddy exactly as it comes to his mind. Clearly, he has mechanical and conventional skills, and you can see evidence of where he is practicing what we learned in our mini-lessons and from studying our mentor pieces. But, because there is no organization, it is too difficult to follow and all of the skills he has are lost to the untrained, teacher-eye. Kids who write like this need an intervention that focuses on structure and organization. Typically, I LOATHE teaching step-by-step process writing, but in cases like this, I'm left with little choice. The lessons that I put together for kids in need of this intervention consist of learning how to write a well-organized paragraph. Together, we will work on writing topic sentences, creating strong and clear supporting sentences, and finish up with writing a closing that sticks with our reader. My favorite plans for this type of writing come from Michael Friermood. His Fact-Based Opinion Writing products are geared toward teaching elementary students (grades 3-5) how to write a good opinion paragraph, and they are PERFECT for my struggling 7th graders. They also lack a lot of the "cutesy" images that you find with products for this age group, so my big kids don't feel like I'm making them do "baby stuff." (I do not use the stationary he provides for the final writing piece... it's adorable, but it would be pushing in with my kids! So, we just do our paragraph writing in our intervention notebooks!) My plan is to pull the intervention group for one week (at 15 minutes a pop, this comes to 1 1/4 hours of learning). Long before I ever pull a group, I work hard to make sure that my lesson is broken down into five succinct 15-minute increments. Since time is so precious, you need to make sure not one minute is wasted! I can say that it takes me much longer to plan for a small-group lesson than a 50-minute whole-class lesson because efficiency is so crucial. The first few times you plan a small-group lesson, don't be surprised if your timing is mess. It definitely takes practice to be an effective small-group instructor! After their week is up, then I send them back to completing the bell-ringer at the start of class. I will watch them closely and conference with them lots to make sure that I am seeing a transfer of skills. If I don't, then it is likely that I will put them back in an intervention group in a few weeks to practice again. This intervention model will continue all year. Right now, I have 8 intervention students in one writing class, and 6 in another. By the end of the year, those number should reduce to 3-4 and 2-3. Never in all my years of working with small groups, have I had 100% of my intervention students "graduate" from small group. Don't be frustrated if this is the case! If you can improve 50-60% of those kids, then consider that a huge success!! Type Two: Students Who Struggle with Motivation The next group of kids that I work with are those who struggle with motivation. These are the students who complain a lot about not having anything to write about, spend more time doodling or coloring in their notebook than writing, and who will write the absolute bare minimum for any writing assignment. Many times, these kids produce too little for me to gauge whether or not they also need help with structure. But typically, once I can get them writing, they will likely find themselves in a small group for structure work :) Come October, after we've spent lots of lots of time list writing, the kids who are still struggling to get their pencils moving find themselves using a very special Interactive Writer's Notebook called "Musings from a Middle Schooler." This product contains loads of interactive writing pages that will motivate even the most reluctant writers. The pages can be printed out and glued into a marble notebook. (Most often, I'll have the kids create their own... I don't always have them use all the pages, rather I let them pick and choose the ones they like!). Cover Table of Contents page Table of Contents cont. and an "All About Me" page "My Life Story in Two Pages" My Favorite Thing Comics I created this project just last school year and it's been an absolute smash! The kids (especially my boys!) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! In absolutely no time, they are writing like crazy. And once I can get their pencils moving it doesn't take me long to get them producing some actual pieces. I don't necessarily pull these kids and work with them in a small group. The first few days, we will assemble our books all together at the back table, but then they go right back to the big group. Rather than do the bell-ringer with the rest of the class at the start of the period, they will work in their "Musings" notebooks. Fifteen minutes of that is usually enough to get them into writing mode for the rest of class. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * So, that's how I make writing intervention work in my classroom. Phew!! That was long, folks!! I apologize for my wordiness and I am grateful if you stuck it out until the end! Also, I'm sure that I've left out some crucial details of my practice, so please do not hesitate to ask me any questions you still have! Do you have any good intervention tips or strategies that work for you? I'd love to hear about them. Drop me a comment and share! Happy Teaching!!
These all about me, back to school art activities for kids are engaging icebreakers. Encourage creativity and build community during the first week back
Teaching ideas, lesson plans, and free printables for upper elementary and middle school language arts, reading, and social studies teachers.
Would this equation scare your students? When I first taught equations, I would never have asked my eighth graders to solve such a difficult problem. However, now I like to start them with this ty…
6th Grade Math Reference Sheet! *Aligned to 6th Grade TEKS! THIS INCLUDES: -Integer Rules (addition, subtraction, multiplication & division) -Inequalities (key words and visuals for graphing solutions on a number line) -Area (with visuals that label each part of the formula) for rectangles, parallelograms, triangles & trapezoids -Volume of Rectangular Prism (picture included with definition of Big B for the formula V = Bh) -Coordinate Plane (4 quadrants) -Converting between fractions, decimals & percents (a visual to help students to remember the process for converting between fractions, decimals and percents) POSSIBLE USES: -Student reference sheet -Classroom poster -Interactive notebooks LOOKING FOR OTHER GRADE LEVELS? Click here for the 3rd Grade Math Reference Sheet! Click here for the 4th Grade Math Reference Sheet! Click here for the 5th Grade Math Reference Sheet! Click here for the 7th Grade Math Reference Sheet! Click here for the 8th Grade Math Reference Sheet! © 2019 Kraus Math LLC. All rights reserved.
We don't do grade levels. We don't do textbooks. But we do learn a ton. Here's a look at our unschooling 8th grade-style plan.
