#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
No worries - we WANT you to interrupt! You are always welcome. Looks like a great lesson. Feel free to share any tips or tricks you want to add! #4thchat
#4thchat Last Monday our school had a folk dancing/music night by @missbrookemay my daughter had a lot of fun. Great turn out for this first time event.
A1: I always think of my high school Geometry class (that always seemed a struggle for me). I LOVED teaching 4th Grade Geometry though. (Geoboards!!!!) #4thchat
#4thchat A2: New 4th graders think geometry is about simply naming things. They have fun learning it's deeper--properties, connections, sorting, classifying and real world applications.
A3: yes! Geometrygives ss a “break” from computation and helps ss who might usually be reluctant shine...there is a more common knowledge about geometry #4thchat
I think they just try to keep some topics straight between geography and geometry! When they know it’s math, they think if shapes and polygons. #4thchat
A3: It sure makes me prep more so before teaching the unit! This year I had an "ah-ha moment" about the hiearchy so I was pumped to teach it and share my "new" understanding with my class! #4thchat
A3 #4thchat Geom is a chance for students who think math is about patterns and computations (numbers and algebra) to see that math has several major areas and they might be a natural leader in another area of math. Too many K-3 Ss falsely self rank math ability w/ math speed.
You know what I wonder? Why does it seem students struggle with Symmetry every year? They have seen/studied it since kindergarten. Anyone else have that trouble? #4thchat
A4: #4thchat Building regular and irregular shapes with unifix cubes and when looking straight down the top surface area is fun for Ss to figure out perimeter and areas.
A4: #4thchat Having a large bag of polygons and having Ss sort them by properties. Interesting for Ss to see that their peers might sort things differently (angles, sides, parallel, etc.)
A4: #4thchat Teaching symmetry, it's not enough to be half of the shape, having Ss draw the shape out and seeing if the line of symmetry is a foldable point where each half overlaps.
A4 #4thchat Also classroom discussions where a square is a rectangle and a rhombus. Lots of debates once Ss realize the regular polygons in their pattern blocks are not the only "names" and certified shapes allowed. A rt trap makes many Ss pause. Shifting from names to prop.
A4 Each year I have taught it I use a 5E so it is more exploratory. I will typically just put a figure up and start asking what do they notice. So many vocabulary words come out during this times. #4thchat
#4thchat I think the key word is seen. Have Ss fold actual shapes. They often have seen symmetry but it's not something they talk about socially so they forget.
A6: Im a firm believers collaboration and studies show the benefits for ESL students, too. Students can critique and explore together through engaging activities. #4thchat
A6: Most of my math time is small group or partner work. The collaboration is useful for all my students and they also love working and collaborating with each other (especially to prove each other wrong LOL) #4thchat
#4thchat Here is a great partner geometry tech idea. Play/pause/share vocabulary that Ss naturally use, introduce academic vocab. Ss love it.Polygraph by Desmos https://t.co/0GErkwl3oh
#4thchat Good to skim this so we aren't setting our Ss up with math ideas that expire later. High_School_Geometry_Common_Errors.pdf - Google Drive https://t.co/t6O7ZdostN
A7: I do use stations. I purchased a set from TPT LOL My kids did love geometry match, and where one student drew something and they had to describe it to be recreated, #4thchat
A7: I often center my stations around manipulatives and shorter tasks that get students to practice concepts like angles and decomposing polygons. #4thchat
#4thchat One key thing about symmetry and congruency is that is a key reason we study transformations (rotate reflect translate) congruency is maintained. Often these are taught without connection.
A8: IXL has some pretty straight forward lessons. We are also using #iReady math as our series. The computer component for that program is pretty good too. #4thchat
#4thchat Since geometry is more visual, I like to show a few short videos.
A bonus is that Ss point out that this mathematician is a woman. One example: Properties of Quadrilateral Shapes : High School Math Help - YouTube https://t.co/zuJJdZfQ9P
#4thchat The Science Behind Pixar has some applications of geometry and online tools for Ss. Scroll down for the circles. For Educators | The Science Behind Pixar https://t.co/sfIwruNwEy
How about connecting your classes to play #MysteryShape instead of #MysteryLocation? Each class picks 5 shapes, writes clues that lead to name of shape, classes take turns via GHO or Skype. #4thchat
How about connecting your classes to play #MysteryShape instead of #MysteryLocation? Each class picks 5 shapes, writes clues that lead to name of shape, classes take turns via GHO or Skype. #4thchat
