Saturday, February 8, 2014

Spoons - Rational Expression Style

In Algebra 2, we are learning how to simplify, add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.  They always need a good day of practice to let it sink in.

First, I started them off working in partners with 5 row game examples.  They have different problems that should lead to the same answer.  If they don't get the same answer, they switch papers and find the other person's mistake.  They did well with this.
Row Games - Rational Expressions

Then, they were ready to move onto a whole class competitive activity called Spoons.  I was so excited to try this after I read it on This website.  It was a lot to create the activity.  In total, it is only 6 questions with 6 answers plus I added some incorrect solutions.  However, it took some time to get everything ready.  I put 4 of the same problem on one page and printed those out and cut them out.  Students worked in groups of four, so I clipped them together.  I have one class of 18 and one class of 29.  I did this yesterday with my small class and it went well.  I am a bit nervous to do it in my big class, but I will.  So, it was a lot of printing, cutting, and paperclipping for the problems.  Then, for the answers, I did 8 of each answer, cut them out, glued them to a big index card, and brought them to the library to get laminated - love laminating!  ***Be sure you don't have any mistakes or typos before you laminate.  I did, it is a bummer.

I had the kids move into groups and use a little table in the middle to put all the answer cards on, face down and off to work they went.  It was competitive, it was crazy, but they had fun.  It took about 20 minutes to do the 6 questions.

Here is the activity: Spoons - Rational Expression

Oh, and I added this in the directions of the activity, you may want to add a picture of a spoon to the back of the index card before you laminate it.  I wish I had.  I explained the whole game and we played it and class time was almost up and a student said, "But, wait, we didn't get to play spoons yet."  Hmmmm.

By the way, when I was talking to my colleagues about doing this, I was surprised how many people have never heard of the real spoons game.  I think we need to play it!

84 comments:

  1. Did the row activity with large white boards with students working side-by-side. Fantastic. Did the rational spoons activity as well - a great way to spend a Friday afternoon class. Plus, I was being filmed so thanks for the great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds like a lot of fun! Do you have non-Dropbox versions?

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you send your email I can send it. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    4. I'd love to receive these in non-dropbox forms as well. My email is kaitlyn_flagg@gwinnett.k12.ga.us if you get around to it!

      Delete
    5. I would also love to receive the activity in non-dropbox form if you are able. My email: kah93879@bethel.edu Thanks!

      Delete
    6. Can you also send it to me. I am unable to open the dropbox forms. amacaro328@gmail.com

      Delete
    7. Could you send me copies of both activities? Please and thank you! esolan990@gmail.com

      Delete
    8. This sounds awesome. Would you be able to send me both the Row Games and Spoons activity? ahultstrand@ccapanama.org
      Thanks!

      Delete
    9. I would also love this. If you wouldn't mind, please send to jefflafleche@gmail.com

      Thanks

      Delete
    10. I would also like this to be the activity for my students. Im a pre service teacher can you send it to me? ghenslad21@gmail.com

      Delete
    11. I would love a copy too please. I get an error in the dropbox as well. Thanks! janstephenson@johnston.k12.nc.us

      Delete
    12. I would love a copy too please. I get an error in the dropbox as well. Thanks! janstephenson@johnston.k12.nc.us

      Delete
    13. Hi! Would you be able to email the activity to me as well??? stwombly@laconiaschools.org

      Delete
    14. I would also love the Spoons activity! My email address is: mahonm@mpsct.org.

      Thank you!

      Delete
    15. I would love a copy of the Spoons activity and Row game. I get an error in the dropbox when I try to open it. Thanks! camillejhesse@gmail.com

      Delete
    16. Same. Can you send a copy to chrisjanssen77@Yahoo.com of both activities?

      Delete
    17. I would love a copy of the row activity and spoon activity. Thank You!
      elizabeth.vandorn@desertsands.us

      Delete
    18. I would love a copy of the row activity and spoon activity. Thank You!
      ifullon@gmail.com

      Delete
    19. I would love a copy of the row activity and spoon activity. Thank You!
      kcuevas@bousd.us

      Delete
    20. I would love a copy of these activities as well! Thank you! reneltk@ufrsd.net

      Delete
    21. I would love a copy of this as well...please send to ryanbrown@hunschool.org. Thanks!

      Delete
    22. Hey! I'm another one who would like to try this, but can't access it. If your still willing to share I'd love it. Thanks! leah.cramer@pisd.edu

      Delete
    23. I would love this activity too and I can't open the link:(. My email is lyndaswood@gmail.com

      thanks

      Delete
    24. I too, would love this activity. Thanks in advance! shirley.hooker @ ddsb.ca

      Delete
    25. Could you send me a copy of these! I love this idea!
      kdias@enfieldschools.org

      Delete
  4. I would love to have the spoons activity as well! I'm unable to open the Dropbox version. If you are willing to share, my email is mmmckee24@gmail.com . Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I also cannot access the Dropbox version but this game sounds great! If you get a chance and are willing to share my email is nataliehath72@gmail.com. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to have both activities as well. My email is marysueross@optimum.net. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to have both activities as well. My email is marysueross@optimum.net. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would love to have both activities as well. My email is beckyhandford2@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  9. could you please email me both activities, it's giving me the error as well: rquintanilla@duplinschools.net. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a great activity. You are right, practice is imperative in learning how to work with rational expressions. Can you send me a copy? parker9@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi, I can't access the files either.. can you email it to me as well? cdepweg @ gmail

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love a copy as well! It sounds interesting and I would like to see how it works. Thank you so much!! virginia.virgona@ocps.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would love a copy as well of the Spoon Game. My email is myersee22@gmail.com. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love a copy of both as well please. My email address is owensc@wilcoxcountyschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  15. Would love a copy. allisonozog@u-46.org

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love a copy of the Spoons game as well!

    sharon.sterken@nhcs.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love a copy of the spoons game as well
    kannakanna313@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. If you wouldn't mind sending another I'd love to see it. cevans89@forsyth.k12.ga.us

    ReplyDelete
  20. Please send me a copy of the spoons game. tmrckrm@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would also love a copy if possible!
    eathomas19@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would also like a copy if possible.
    kmalone@atown276.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would also like a copy if possible. jean.goff@harlandale.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would love a copy if possible.
    kcebulski6@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. May I get a copy of the Spoons Rational Expressions activity and the Row Games Rational Expressions. This looks awesome! drobinson@alpinedistrict.org

    ReplyDelete
  26. Would you please share a copy of these Rational Expression Activities to jennifer.flores@leonagroup.com Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love a copy of the row activity and spoon activity. Thank You!
    ifullon@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I also would love to have a copy of this activity. My email is cacox@iccms.edu. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would also like a copy of the row and spoon activity. I tried to use the link, but the site was not found. rivetd@northandoverpublicschools.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Can you please send a copy to slundberg@pageud.k12.az.us? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi, can you send me the non dropbox file? Thanks a lot, and more power! emmabagsit@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. The files wont open from the links. Can you send me copies of both files please? mrs.encinias@hotmail.com

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi, would you mind sending me these files to hufstedlnt@vvsd.org Looks great, thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi! I would love a copy of these files.

    Lisa.abalos@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Can you please send this to me! I am subbing for an Algebra 2 class tomorrow and need this!

    Jillian.mason@leonagroup.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would love a copy of the row activity and spoon activity. Thank You!
    lindsay.rattacasa@wwrsd.org

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hello, I'd love a copy of the row activity and spoon activity. Thank you!!

    sarahhon@spokaneschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would also like copies of the activities. Please email them to kleland@birmingham.k12.mi.us

    ReplyDelete
  39. May I please have both activities emailed to me?

    jkaniecki@mcnhs.org

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  40. May I have both activities emailed to me
    lcastelloe@randolph.k12.nc.us

    ReplyDelete
  41. Please send both activities. Thanks.

    linda.parker@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us

    ReplyDelete
  42. This is an awesome idea! Can you please send me both activities vis email; plarcom@canton.k12.pa.us.

    Thank you so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love this idea. Will you send a copy of both to me, too, please?
    leesa.crescenzi@sdhc.k12.fl.us

    Thank you!
    Leesa

    ReplyDelete
  44. This sounds great for my students. I would love a non-dropbox copy if you don't mind. jconnolly@bluehills.org

    Thanks!
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  45. johnlind@shenet.org- I would really appreciate the non-dropbox version. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Love to have a copy teide@bisdtx.org Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would love to have a copy too!! dye@platteville.k12.wi.us

    ReplyDelete
  48. I would like a copy too. betsy.reese@isd742.org

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi! Both your Row Game and Spoons game sound awesome! I would love to try it out with my class! Could you send me the copies as well? Thanks! egjesdal@brsd.ab.ca

    ReplyDelete
  50. This sounds like a lot of fun! I can't access the materials but would love to try them if you are willing to share! My email is sbarton@bcps.org
    Thank you for your time!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Could you send me the spoons file and row game files please? I'd love to try this but can't access the dropbox files! doxeyk@rcschools.net

    ReplyDelete
  52. Could you send me a copy of these? I love this idea! Thank you! kdias@enfieldschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  53. I would love to have a copy of these.please! mariafe_abordo@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. can you send it to me on my email? my email is xthine.l@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I would love a copy of this as well please. achandler@iwest.k12.il.us

    ReplyDelete
  56. I know I'm a little late to this post, but I would love a copy of this if you still have it! My email is momusselman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Please e-mail me a copy of this activity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please email me a copy of this activity, rules, etc.
      morris_lorna@hcde.org

      Delete
  58. Hi! I can't get the link for the spoons activity to work. Do you mind sending it to me? fisher.alyssa@unionps.org

    ReplyDelete