I have one class this year that’s about 40% people who just moved up from our lowest level and are still getting their feet under them, 40% who have been at this level for a while because life and learning challenges get in their way, that one woman whose math anxiety trumps her actual skills and the guy who clearly got placed wrong.
It’s a class where I need to go slow and gentle, but some how still teach all the things.
(You’ve had that class, right? They’re lovely people. It’s so gratifying when they learn. And, slow and gentle, slow and gentle, slow and gentle)
We’re working on area, and we did my compound shapes DIY, and it was great. They were in small groups, they were getting it, they were bored even it was so easy.
And then, I handed out a worksheet.
Splat.
It was one of those generic 12 questions, computer generated free worksheets.
And it did not work.
There were a few too many side measures missing, the format didn’t look friendly, it was all too much for my slow and gentle crew. None of the confidence they’d built up on the previous activity translated.
It was awful to watch.
So, I went looking for some better options. Something that was clear. And had the sides you needed labeled. And only used quadrilaterals (because, one shape at a time with my slow and gentle folks)
And, right, worksheet hunting is always harder than I think it should be in the era of google.
I found one nice one, that wanted me to sign up for some site to download it
I found lots with the same problems as my first try.
And others that would be good down the line, but had too many moving pieces for a first step.
And the third grade ones that were a little too easy
My pinterest board is full of neat projects, but I just need some practice to solidify it.
And the perfect-looking one that lead to a 404 error.
Some nice perimeter ones.
I really did not want to make my own. I could. But I’m not that great with graphics.
But, wait!
After way too much scrolling, the perfect slow and gentle follow up from TES. (You do have to sign up, but they’re not sketchy about it. )
