$5 Summaries

It has occurred to me that all of my posts so far have focused on math. So here's an idea focused on reading (with a little math thrown in!).

After reading a story or other work of fiction, give each pair or small group of students $5 worth of play money in assorted denominations. Explain to the students that people who write for newspapers and magazines often get paid by the word. For example, if each word is worth 25 cents, then an article with 100 words would earn the author $25.

Imagine that a magazine is asking young writers to send in a summary of their favorite book. However, if the magazine publishers pay 25 cents per word, they can only afford to pay $5 per summary.

Challenge the students to write a summary of what they just read keeping within the magazine's guidelines!

You can change up the amount of money each word is worth and the total amount paid out depending on how much of a summary you want the students to write or how well they are able to add money.

You can also adapt this to use with non-fiction text when determining the main idea. For example, if each word is worth $1, can you write the main idea using only $5?

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life:
it goes on.”
—Robert Frost

Get Outside!

Need another excuse to take your kids outside? Here are some fun math activities you can do outside on the playground to practice basic facts.

 

• Hopscotch Facts - Draw a hopscotch board on the blacktop with sidewalk chalk. On your turn, toss two markers. You must correctly add or multiply the two numbers before taking your turn.

• Skip Counting Rope - Borrow some jump ropes from the gym and skip count as you jump rope. The class can count with you as you jump. See who can jump the longest!

• Simon Says - Play Simon Says with math concepts! "Simon says make an acute angle with your arms." "Simon says make an obtuse angle with your fingers." "Simon says use your arms to show 3:00." There are lots of possibilities! 

• Shape Busters - Have students work in small groups to create shapes with their bodies. On index cards, write the names of several polygons. Make sure that the total number of sides equals the total number of students. For example, if you have 20 students, then a square, an octagon, a triangle and a pentagon would work - 20 total sides. Give one card to each team leader. That student must then assemble a team and create the given shape. For example, if the leader had "square", he/she must find 3 other people to help make the square. Mix up the cards, change the team leaders, and play again!

• Ferris Wheel Facts - Have the students stand in a large circle, imitating a ferris wheel. One person remains in a stationary spot on the outside of the circle with flash cards. The first person solves the problem on the flash card. If correct, the entire ferris wheel moves clockwise that number of students. If incorrect, the entire ferris wheel moves counter-clockwise that number of students.

Now that the weather is beautiful and testing is over, let's get outside and have some fun!