The countdown has begun here in Florida. Third graders will be taking a new standardized test (FSA) March 23rd through the 26th. Just a wee bit of panic has started to take place..this is our first year testing the Common Core Standards and we have no idea what to expect. Many of the standards for 3rd grade are similar, but the unknown is scary!
Some of the growing pains of implementing Common Core is the gap in skills that third graders are demonstrating this year, particularly in math – basic fraction knowledge, poor addition and subtraction skills, and telling time. When these core skills are lacking, it adds to the timetable allocated for teaching these skills, even though our county has a curriculum map that we have to adhere to.
With all that being said, my kiddos struggled with elapsed time when I taught it 3 weeks ago. I had to spend two solid math periods teaching how to tell time before I could begin elapsed time. Then I had only 4 class periods left to get 19 students to mastery. Well, guess what? It didn’t happen. That is too much of a leap in developmental skills to accomplish in such a short period.
Around this same time, I was using my Comparing Fractions True or False? Prove It! resource in my review math center and my students were getting so much better at comparing fractions and explaining their thinking through constructed response. Why not use a similar center in order to practice elapsed time even after my unit is finished? So, I have created Elapsed Time True or False? Prove It! It has three different instructional levels, so you can differentiate your math center and progressively move your kiddos up to the level they need in order to be successful on the big test.
I just posted it on Teachers Pay Teachers, so if you need materials for math that are differentiated, convenient, and ready…..here’s a peek!
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| The A task cards are perfect for Error Analysis. The even ones are true and the odd are false, so it’s easy for you to evaluate quickly! |
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| This constructed response sheet matches up with the A set of task cards. It uses error analysis to take student’s thinking to a deeper level. |
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| The B set of task cards is great for those struggling mathematicians who need more practice calculating elapsed time. Great for remediation! |
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| This constructed response sheet gives students the opportunity to calculate elapsed two different ways – T chart and time line and matches up with the B Cards. |
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| Once students have mastered calculating elapsed time, they need more challenging activities. This one gives those very capable students the chance to write elapsed time word problems and challenge a classmate to solve it. |
Just click here to see it on Teachers Pay Teachers! While you are there, make sure you follow me so you get first notice of new products!
Rissa
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