Inside the Classroom: Hatfield Elementary - Rhonda Riley

Inside the Classroom is a series that visits Northwest ISD campuses throughout the year and highlights the magical moments that happen between teachers and students each and every day across the entire 234 square miles of NISD.

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54 + 13 = ?
201 ÷ 3 = ?
10 x 6 + 7 = ?

These were some of the math problems that Rhonda Riley’s fourth-grade students at Hatfield Elementary had to answer when we recently visited for the next edition of Inside the Classroom.

Ms. Riley explained that the quiz was being administered by NISD. It was intended to check their progress thus far this year in math, so it was important they gave it their utmost attention. 

Have you solved the problems yet? Do you notice the pattern?

Students quickly realized Ms. Riley was playing a trick on them. As more and more students answered their second, third and fourth problems, the giggling got louder and louder. The Cougars were realizing that every answer was 67.

It was the 67th day of school, and with the “Six Seven” craze at its peak, campuses across NISD were using the novel day to integrate the trend into learning. After taking six to seven minutes to complete the fun quiz, the mood in class was jovial and students were ready for the day ahead.

Ms. Riley got started with the day’s actual math lesson by giving groups of three or four students a basket full of pattern blocks that would be used to build mixed numbers. 

Mixed numbers combine a whole number and a proper fraction (like 3½), representing values greater than one, and are used in daily life. Ms. Riley asked students for their shoe sizes and used that information as real-world examples to help students understand the concept.

She then had groups build various mixed numbers with their blocks as she modeled the answers for the class to see. Students worked individually and in pairs throughout the demonstration, and some students even came forward to show their work.

Next, the class grabbed their math workbooks and completed the first couple of problems as a class. Ms. Riley asked students to raise one, two or three fingers in the air to signify how well they were grasping the concept of mixed numbers. As Ms. Riley described, “one means you can teach mixed numbers to your granny right now!”

With mostly ones in the air, the class moved on to completing their workbook problems individually. As students completed their problems, they brought their workbook to Ms. Riley for her to check their work. If students needed help, Ms. Riley worked with them in more targeted small group or individual instruction. 

As students finished their work, they could spend the remainder of their math time on their Chromebooks playing math-focused games.

Ms. Riley is thankful for her students, and they are certainly grateful for her as well. With a teacher who is willing to go the extra mile (including a custom t-shirt) to make learning fun, it’s no wonder the Hatfield Cougars are excited to come to school.

Whether it’s the 67th day of the school, the 167th day, or any day between, great students plus great teachers is always the right equation.

Check back regularly all year as we continue to visit students and teachers throughout Northwest ISD and offer a rarely seen look Inside the Classroom.