Monday, June 25, 2012

Widgets

The Best $20 I Ever Spent

I am a huge fan of Kim Sutton, elementary Math guru.  She is part of a team of experts that you can learn more about at their website, Creative Mathematics.  Last year, I attended one of Kim's workshops and discovered a tool that became invaluable in my classroom......a number line.  

This tool is more than the "numbers on a line" that you can buy at your local teacher store. This number line gives you stickers so that you can color code all the multiples to aid children in skip counting, recognizing number patterns, teaching odds and evens, and learning their multiplication and division facts.  It provides the true visual aid that children need in learning number relationships. You can even purchase the negative numbers section for upper grades.  

Here are pictures the number line in my classroom.
  

For example, note that all the even numbers have red stickers and are multiples of two.



I can't tell you how many "A-Ha!" moments I've heard from my students using this number line!  If you are interested in purchasing it, click here Kim's Number Line.  






6 comments:

  1. Kristen at Ladybug's Teacher Files is having a summer shopping linky party. You should link up!

    Megan
    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

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  2. Your room looks great! (we want to know which lil friend gets to drink the McDonalds soda during class-hee hee ;)
    We've used the dots on the number line as well and love their lil faces when that "Ah-ha" moment occurs! Thanks for sharing!
    ~Christy & Tammy

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  3. Hi! I found your blog through the linky! I am your newest follower.

    April
    Wolfelicious

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  4. Christy & Tammy,
    That Mickey D's cup belong's to your truly. I confess, I am a sweet tea addict! A few years ago, I had a student that picked up on my addiction and would have her mom bring me one at lunch time once in while. How bad is that?!?!?

    April,
    So glad you stopped by!

    Thanks for visiting!

    Diane

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  5. Thank you for linking up!!! :)

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  6. I think you're right. Number lines are so important. We often talk about them, but having a permanent visual is sooooooo important.

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