One of my favorite subjects to pair with a transformation is math. Math seems to be the subject kids tend to shy away from the most. Maybe it's just me, but I hear so many complaints about math. Last year I had a kid who literally asked me if we had to do math...every. single. day. I really wanted to make math more fun by spicing it up in several different ways....one of those ways is through the use of transformations.
One of my go-to transformations for the last quarter of the school year is Angry Birds. I mean, the kids love 'em and I can capitalize on that engagement factor to get some math done. The curriculum this time of the year takes us through chapters on area, perimeter, or even volume. I teach third, fourth, and fifth grades, so I have a lot to cover. Angry Birds are the absolute perfect way to celebrate their learning in a quick and easy way. Here's how I put it all together in very little time.
What you need:
Boxes of various sizes, including some large and some tiny ones.
Natural colored wrapping paper (this has the texture of a paper bag)
Tape, Sharpie, and colored paper
Angry Bird Printed pictures, or you can draw your own (which is what I did)
A slingshot
Ping-pong balls or colorful pompoms ( I prefer pompoms)
How to set it up:
1. I quickly wrap several boxes in the wrapping paper. This can be as many as you want or as few, but I would say build an area of stacked boxes at least 6-10 feet wide.
2. Use the sharpie to draw fake wood lines to make the boxes look like wooden crates.
3. Cut pieces of colorful paper, writing point values on them. Tape or glue one to each box.
4. Draw or print and cut some characters from Angry Birds. I suggest doing this on posterboard or at least cardstock.
5. Set up a wall of boxes in your classroom. Place the Angry Birds around and on the boxes.
6. YOU ARE READY FOR FUN!!
The curriculum:
I made up a foldable for a recording sheet. Students use this to record the answer for each question as well as the points they earn during each round.
3rd/4th Grade:
For third grade, I used colorful posterboard to create different shapes to use for area and perimeter. Some shapes were divided into grids and students were to count the spaces to figure out the area or perimeter. Some shapes had side measurements and students had to figure out the area or perimeter from there. Some shapes had only one side measurement with the area or perimeter given and they were to solve for the missing side. I also included shapes with a varying number of sides for an added challenge.
5th Grade:
In fifth grade, we were studying volume. I made up cards with pictures of boxes. Some had the length, width, and height. Students had to figure out the volume. Some pictures left off one of the side measurements, but students were given the volume and they had to figure out the missing side.
These were all part of the standards that we covered in the unit we were studying. We did this at the end of the unit as a reinforcement and review.
The Game:
Students first had to solve one problem. After showing their answer to me, if they were correct, they got a chance to shoot a ball or pompom, with a slingshot, at the stack of boxes. They could only shoot one time for each question. If they hit a box, they used their recording sheet to write down the amount of points they scored.
Students who did not get the answer correct needed to go back and figure out what they did wrong and fix it before they could use the slingshot. Students went back and forth between solving a problem and shooting the slingshot.
The Take-a-Ways
Because students had something to look forward to (shooting the balls at the boxes) they were highly engaged and eager to work hard to find correct answers.
Easy transformations still work for engagement.
You do not have to spend a lot of time or money to create something magical.
Connect student learning to student passions.
We did a video game transformation, so I paired Mario with Angry Birds....and check out this cute tray. It's a video game controller! How fun is that?
Always be on the lookout for pieces you can use and reuse in your class. I bought these trays several years ago at the end of season clearance. I definitely would not have splurged on them for full price, but they were so fun and perfect for my gaming transformation!
Take this as a reminder, you do not have to kill yourself off doing all the things and trying to keep up with the instagram teachers. A little sprinkle of fun can be just as exciting for your kids.
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