Tag: bitesize

BBC Bitesize: Converting fractions into decimals

Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment on BBC Bitesize: Converting fractions into decimals10620 views

What it is: BBC Bitesize consistently has wonderful games and activities for the classroom.  The Converting Fractions into Decimals activity isn’t one I have come across in the past, but it is a winner none the less.  This is a great place for students to gain some practice with fraction to decimal conversion.  The activity is set up like a secret mission.  Students get their briefing on the mission (including a short description of how the conversion is performed) and must solve a series of problems to unlock secret doors and compartments.

How to integrate BBC Bitesize Converting Fractions into Decimals into the classroom:  I appreciate that BBC Bitesize didn’t just create another boring drill practice game.  Instead, they surround students with story and give them a secret mission to complete that puts their newly learned converting skills to use. The activity takes about 10 minutes (more depending on your students) and could be completed independently in a one to one or computer lab setting, as a center rotation in the classroom, or using an interactive whiteboard or projector-connected computer as a class.  If you complete the mission as a class, make sure that each student has the opportunity to solve a problem to help complete the mission.  With young students I always like to make a big deal of these type of activities if we are completing them as a class.  I might hand out “Top Secret” folders before we do the mission with reminders about how to convert and a few practice problems to jog their memory before completing the BBC Bitesize activity.
Tips:  BBC Bitesize has links under the activity where students can read more about converting fractions to decimals and an online quiz they can take.

Please leave a comment and share how you are using BBC Bitesize Converting Fractions into Decimals in  your classroom!

Rocks and Weathering Animation

Kelly Tenkely5 Comments on Rocks and Weathering Animation4353 views

What it is: Every year our third grade students do a unit on Rocks and Minerals so I am always on the lookout for fun ways for students to learn and engage. Bitesize from BBC is full of brilliant games and interactives for kids, I use them often but hadn’t run across this one before.  The Rocks and Weathering interactive really is fantastic.  The video is animated and asks for students participation throughout. It does a wonderful job of breaking down, what can be complex concepts, into manageable, well illustrated parts.   The video has some nice features that make it accessible to every student including the ability to turn subtitles on or off and sound on or off.  I like the way the animation prompts students to ask questions and to discover answers through “hands-on” models that may not be possible in real life (for example compressing over a long period of time to create sedimentary rock).  The understanding that students gain about the different types of rocks is the best I have seen in any of the rocks/minerals materials I have found.

How to integrate Rocks and Weathering Animation into the classroom: The Rocks and Weathering Animation from BBC is a fantastic introduction to any elementary Rocks and Minerals unit.  The interactive nature of the animation makes it perfect for whole class viewing with an interactive whiteboard or projector-connected computer.  Pause the animation throughout to further discuss and inquire throughout the animation as a class.  Invite students up to the board or computer for the interactive bits as the rocks and minerals “expert”.  The animation would also be great as a center activity on classroom computers.  Students could visit the computers to view and interact with the animation in small groups while other students read, complete experiments, or other research.  Students can also visit the site individually in a lab setting.  If students view the animation individually, be sure to give them time to discuss what they learn and ask additional questions that they had with other students.  This type of reflection has been SO beneficial in my experience.  I always let students keep a notepad application or physical notepad handy to jot down questions and thoughts they have as they view videos like this one.

As an extension activity, have your students blog, create a stop-motion film about rocks and weathering, or create an interactive presentation with Prezi or Glogster.

Tips: Students can view and re-view the animation at their own pace using the pause, back and forward buttons.

Please leave a comment and share how you are using Rocks and Weathering Animation in your classroom!