Curricular Competencies and Class Activities

I noticed that with almost ALL of these tasks, they could have gone under any of the
competencies. This is something I appreciate about the competencies. There is so much overlap
between them and they are all used all the time.
Competencies Activity #1 Activity #2
Reasoning and Estimation 180 Images Estimation Jars
Analyzing: Visit estimation180.com Each week fill a jar with random
Estimate Select any image. Ask the students objects. The students can even take
reasonably what they notice and wonder. Allow turns bringing the jar home, filling it,
them to discuss their strategies and and knowing the actual number. Have
even see if they can determine the this student come up with 2-3 clues.
question that matches the image. The other students each write their
They should share their reasoning. If estimations down. After each student
you choose the images in has estimated, reveal the winner.
progression they build upon one Have the students discuss their
another. reasoning and strategies.
Day 1:

Understanding Numberless Word Problems is a Clothesline Math for Algebraic

and Solving: specific form of number talks. Expressions.
Use mathematical I stumbled on this activity on
vocabulary and estimations180.com
language to It would be a very engaging activity in
contribute to which students could work together
mathematical to solve for an unknown.
discussions. Two clothes lines (stings) are pinned
to the wall. Numbers stacked
vertically have to match. Using all the
“A story problem that is presented clues you have to find out what the
without numbers so that students variable is. It looks VERY fun and I
can focus solely on what would encourage you to check out the
 information they need to solve the
problem and what, exactly, they
are being asked to solve. Use of
this strategy helps students truly
focus on what, exactly, is going on
in the story, opposed to randomly
adding the numbers together
regardless if it makes sense or
not” (Primary Bliss Teaching,
2020).
I find many students need support
determining WHAT operation to
use. Through discussions with
their peers, students can figure
out what is missing and what
operations are required.
Reasoning and SumDog
Analyzing: This is a fun website (and app) for
Use technology to the students to play math games.
explore They can play the games individually
mathematics or the class can compete together.
Another fun option is that the
students can compete against the
teacher or enter competitions
against other schools. The questions
are multiple choice. As they
complete games, they earn coins
which can be spent on their avatar.
My students have a lot of fun
playing this app on the iPads.
References & Resources:
1.5-minute video
(https://estimation180.com/expressio
ns/).
This activity would really promote this
competency.
Prodigy
Another really fun website/app for
students. Prodigy is more of an
adventure and quest game.
This particular app allows students to
show their work on the screen. It also
gives them the option of using
manipulatives onscreen to solve their
problems (counters, coins, base ten
blocks and fraction strips). All
students take a placement test and
then questions are specifically geared
for them. Teachers can also assign
specific questions to the students so
they can use the app rather than
worksheets and it can be used for
assessment as well.
Play Prodigy. (n.d.). Retrieved April, 2021, from https://play.prodigygame.com/

Primary Bliss Teaching. (2020, April 18). 5 number talks to try this week. Retrieved April 23,
2021, from https://www.primaryblissteaching.com/5-number-talks-to-try-this-week-2/

Stadel, A. (2020, June 19). Estimation 180. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from
https://estimation180.com/

Staake, J. (2019, July 17). 18 estimation activities that take the guesswork out of teaching math.
Retrieved April 23, 2021, from https://www.weareteachers.com/estimation-activities/

Sumdog. (2021, April 23). Retrieved April, 2021, from https://www.sumdog.com/