Graffiti in Math Class

10 April 2012

We had so much fun setting up a graffiti wall today.  We used our graffiti wall to review the terms we've learned in this math unit so far (we have our big team teaching three-part math lesson tomorrow, where the principal, other teachers, and board members sit in our lesson - wanted the students to have a "little review" to polish up before tomorrow).


I used 7 sheets of large chart paper and titled them with:  prime numbers, composite numbers, factors, multiples, prime factors, G.C.F., and L.C.M.  I taped the papers to the wall, armed each students with a marker, and let them get to it.  I asked them to write something related to the concept (in pictures, numbers, or words) on each of the papers.  They LOVED this!  I had the opportunity to catch some misconceptions while they were working, and I noticed we need to spend more time of the GCF and LCM (they had much fewer examples than the other sheets), but some mistakes did make it on the final sheets.  I'm turning it into a learning experience, though - for the "intro/review" part of our three part lesson tomorrow, I'll post these charts and ask students if they "challenge" anything written on them.  Perfect!
























We finished off the class with my Factors and Multiples Cootie Catchers.  The students sat in pairs across from each other out in the common area outside my classroom.  They got 5 minutes to practice with their partner before I rang the bell and one side of the table had to move one spot to the right.  One of my students said, "Cool - this is just like speed dating!"  To which I thought, Little dude, you're twelve.  What do you know about speed dating???  But instead I answered, "Yup, just like it.  You'll even be exchanging numbers.  But absolutely NO kissing at the end of the class."  LOVE it!!!

Happy TUESDAY!!! (I almost said Monday - YAY for four day weeks!)

23 comments

  1. Wow, you really do such a great job with the older kids!!

    Angela
    The Daily Alphabet

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    1. Thank-you so much, Angela! I've only ever taught grades 5-8 ... and I wouldn't change it for anything!

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  2. lol- the speed dating comment is hilarious!!

    I LOVE the idea of these charts! I think I may do something similar at the end of this week- thanks for the inspiration!

    And I get observed tomorrow, too- good luck to you!

    ~Stephanie
    3rd Grade Thoughts

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  3. I love these Jen! Such an awesome idea for review! Don't be surprised if it shows up in my class soon ;)

    ~Stephanie
    Teaching in Room 6

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    1. The kids loved it, Stephanie! (and I only had to take away 2 markers ... I call that successful with this class) ;)

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  4. This is such a great idea! I think it would work great for test prep too! Thanks for sharing...I will have to do this!

    Andrea
    One Teacher's Take

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    1. Thank-you so much, Andrea! It would be perfect for test prep!!!

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  5. I plan on stealing this idea...great way to review!!!!

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  6. I love both of these ideas! I would love to know more details about the cootie catcher.

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    1. Thank-you! The cootie catchers are a resource I sell at my TPT store. If you click on the link (the name) in my blog post, you can download a preview of the cootie catchers there.

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  7. Great idea!! Gives kids a chance to be artistic!!

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    1. Thank-you so much! I was actually hoping they'd be a little more artistic than they were, but all in all, it was a lot of fun ... and a good learning experience!

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  8. Someone - maybe you? - added your post to my meme. Thanks! http://www.jenx67.com/2012/04/hary-ape.html

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  9. LOVE THIS!!! I love coming here, you have the best ideas!!!
    Kristen

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    1. Thanks, Kristen! It was a fun activity. However, I really must say ... YOU have the best ideas!!!

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  10. hahahaha!!! love you last comment about speed dating!!! The things these kids com up with! Nice comeback though :) I do graffiti wall charts at the end of the school year!!! I put up one for each benchmark we covered! They always turn out fabulous :) Never thought about them for Math!
    You don't cease to amaze me my friend!!!!

    ❤ Mor Zrihen from...
    A Teacher's Treasure
    Teaching Treasures Shop

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  11. So I went to a GT update and was told I needed to find a different type of assessment and viola - I get my blog update and here it is! I used the idea as a review for our state test (which was today and tomorrow) and got additional hours because I used a different type of assessment. My GT kiddos made the graffiti and my other math class used them for discussion and review. I sent them on a scavenger hunt looking for errors the author's had made. Thanks so much for the great idea!

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  12. Thanks, DeeDee! I'm so glad this worked out so well for you!!! Hope your kiddos ROCKED the test!!!

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  13. LOVE this idea and "stealing" it for social studies next year-we could review different units before the tests! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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  14. You have so many great ideas, you're a real inspiration! I love it when teachers are creative, passionate and invest in helping their students be successful. And the fact that you're from Ontario really helps, too. (I teach in the TDSB). I know the expectations you're going by. There's not a lot of Canadian bloggers out there in addition to the fact that there aren't bloggers for the older elementary grades. I have to adapt many resources to make them work for my class.
    Thanks for all the ideas.

    Ariel
    http://mrvente.wordpress.com/ (it's a work in progress)

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  15. Thank you! Your Ideas are great!

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