Perimeter and Area Robots

Hello Blogger Friends!  I figured I needed to post some of the activities we have been doing in class; however, I must admit...I have not really wanted to do much of anything except read The Hunger Games.  I have fought reading this book for quite some time, but our school is doing a pep rally with The Hunger Games theme this Friday.  I figured in order for me to remotely know what is going on, I was going to have to break down and read the book.  Well, to my surprise, I am really, really enjoying it!  Several of my students have been reading it and they have loved it too.  In fact, I am actually reading one of my student's copy of the book.  How funny is that?  I can't imagine ever giving one of my elementary teachers a book that I had read for her to take home for the weekend.  I am not sure if that's because I am just a super cool teacher or times have changed that much.  I am going to go with the super cool teacher option.  LOL!  :)

Anyway, in class we are still working diligently on learning area and perimeter in Math class.  To be honest, the kids have really struggled with the concept and we have spend two weeks on it.  Boy, during that time, I have done a lot of hands-on activities to help the kids see the concepts in a concrete manner.  One really fun activities we did was Perimeter and Area Robots.  The kids absolutely loved these!  I can't take credit for the idea.  I originally saw it on a Ashleigh's site Education Journey. Here are some of the pictures of the kids work.  They loved them so much, the robots have names and are hanging proudly in the hallway.  :)  One pair named their robot "Squarefeetius."  Pretty clever, huh? 

I had planned to share with you some of our Earth Day activities, but I realized I don't have those pictures on my computer.  I will have to share those with you later.  

I am looking forward to an exciting week of school.  On Monday, we are taking our kids to Mammoth Cave (I teach in KY).  It's about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive one way on a school bus....should be loads of fun!  :)  Pray for me, please! LOL! The kids really love it, so it makes it all worthwhile.  This is also the week before state assessments, so I will be speed reviewing all of the concepts that I think I need to visit.  Then on Friday, we are having a HUGE school-wide pep rally to get everyone motivated.  Busy times! 

Do you take your kids on BIG field trips?  I would love to know where you take your kiddos.  Field trips are SO fun!  I wish we could take more than we do.  Money is tight and gas prices are through the roof.  This has really limited our field trips.  :(

Have a great week!