Reverse! Reverse!

My kids have gone crazy over this. I realized they needed to practice using the "Commutative Property," which states that you can "move around" numbers in addition and in multiplication. (Ie: "a + b = b + a" or "a x b = b x a")

For this math warm-up, I say a multiplication problem, such as 6 x something = 30 (I usually mix up how I say the problem, whether I give factors or a factor and product.) Then, students put out their hands to indicate that they're ready to answer the problem. I toss them the ball, and they say the whole problem, such as 6 x 5 = 30. Then, the whole class says, "Reverse! Reverse!" The student responds with, 5 x 6 = 30.

I've also used this when students are using their whiteboards. With the whiteboards, I can see an answer from all students, and then I can also ask them to label their factors and the product. I sometimes also ask them to give me a division question that corresponds to the given multiplication equation.

The kids in my class absolutely loved this project. We had some issues the first go-around, but by the second attempt, the prints turned out great.

I found this project here: themetapicture.com/fun-with-foam

Materials:
- styrofoam boxes (cut out by the kids) or styrofoam sheets
- dull pencils to create design
- block-printing ink (unfortunately regular paint won't do--I suggest buying 1-2 colors at most to keep it simple)
- cardstock paper or newsprint
- trays for ink (I use these for everything!)
- brayers

​If you have 25-30 kids like I do, I would suggest setting up a station in your classroom. I allowed 3-4 students to print at a time while other students had a different project to work on at their desks.

I hung onto the ink while students printed. Every 3-4 prints, I squirted a bit more onto the tray so as not to waste. My kids had to experiment with the right amount of ink to make the best print. Just let them know to be careful and not get on their clothes because it doesn't wash out easily.

Dividing Fractions with Pattern Blocks:

Many of my students have had difficulty visualizing operations with fractions. This activity helped some, and for others, they just enjoyed playing with the shapes. In either case, they practiced solving division problems, so I was happy.

I prepped this activity by cutting out pattern block shapes ahead of time from construction paper, minus the squares and the skinny diamonds, which I found didn't fit well in this activity. I kept the shapes all unified colors to make explaining the activity easier. Here's a great template that I used.

• Yellow Hexagon = 1
• Blue Trapezoid = 1/2
• Orange Diamond = 1/3
• Green Triangle = 1/6

I first had them outline the hexagon shape 6 times to represent 3 different division problems. Then, I allowed them to paste whichever shapes they wanted into their hexagon outlines. They could use more than one shape as well in a hexagon, so long as it was the same shape, (ie: 2 triangles = 2/6).

Then, they were required to solve their division problem. (Ie: 1/2 / 1/3 = 1 1/2) Students were then able to visualize "how many times does that shape fit in your original number?"

It took some playing with the shapes to help them understand. This project took some time, but it was well worth it for many students and will be great for Open House!