Blog - Sum Math Fun

3 Steps to Become a Passionate Teacher

Are you a passionate math teacher – science, reading, writing teacher? Or is there some content you teach just because it’s part of the elementary curriculum? I get it! I was right there with you. You can’t be an expert at everything. You can’t be passionate about all subjects. Can you? GROWING UP As a very young child, I loved messing around with words. They were fun. I frequently created similes. Of course, I was much too young to know they were similes. I grew up in north Louisiana. It was always hot and humid. So, I would say… Read More

Math Scavenger Hunts – Your Fridays On Fire!

Teaching on Fridays can be rough. The kids are tired and often more cranky than any other day of the week. So am I! Mondays are usually fairly quiet days. But Fridays? We all seem to need something a little special to keep us learning and motivated. So-o-o, I created these get-up-and-move {free} solve the room task cards with a twist! They are super fun because the “twist” is that they work as a math scavenger hunt! And since they raise the motivation and are great for review and practice, they are ideal for any time – but especially long… Read More

My Principal Wants To Know Why We’re Coloring In the Classroom

Aren’t color by number printables just a waste of valuable class time? Absolutely NOT! You are not “just coloring”!! When assigning color by number printables to your students, if you have felt guilty, like you weren’t giving your students work that was rigorous enough, keep reading to find out why you should include these pages in your teacher toolbox. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD INCORPORATE COLOR BY NUMBER PRINTABLES INTO YOUR CLASS TIME REASON 1 By including color by number printables into class time, learning and practicing skills don’t have to be a chore. While boosting and reinforcing a variety… Read More

$free-math-sorts-small-group-warm-ups #mathsorts #smallgroups #mathworkshop$

Why You Should Use Math Sorts in Your Classroom

Are you a first-grade teacher? A third-grade teacher? A fifth-grade teacher? Regardless of what grade you teach – even high school! – your students should be sorting. Sorting is not just for toddlers and kindergartners. Here’s why — BUT WHY SPEND VALUABLE MATH TIME SORTING? Sorting falls under the algebra strand of mathematics and extends into data analysis and probability. But, it can be used in all mathematical strands. Sorting deepens and extends children’s thinking and understandings. As young children begin to notice patterns – a cry brings these results while a smile brings these – they then begin to… Read More

A {Free} Strategy Game – Poison

Need a math game that improves logical reasoning skills for your first grade, second grade, third grade, even fourth and fifth grade students? Try this free strategy game! Most games require strategy and have some luck built in. But not this free game. There is no luck. It is all about logic and strategy! There are many versions of this fun Poison Game. This is the one we start with. You may know this game as a variation of Nim. Although the origin of Nim is uncertain, many people say it probably came from a game in China called Jian… Read More

{Free} Earth Day Bag Toppers

If you’re looking for something last minute to help you and your kids celebrate National Environmental Education Week (April 22-28), this post is for you. These super easy, super cute bag toppers are perfect for Earth Day or Arbor Day. BAG TOPPERS I love bag toppers because they are so simple. Just print, cut out and fold over a bag. You can add anything into the bag such as a favorite treat, special small gift or, as for this special Earth Day Bag Topper, seeds! They’re perfect for quickly making lots of class gifts. These bag toppers will work for… Read More

{Free} End-Of-Year Math Scavenger Hunt – No Prep

You will love these end-of-year math scavenger hunts! They will get your kids up and moving at the same time they are reviewing all the skills you’ve taught throughout the year. And…they are no prep for you. Just print – especially important at this time of year in the classroom. During the end-of-year, keeping kids engaged and learning can be quite a challenge even for experienced teachers. But this math scavenger hunt will keep them focused, thinking, and engaged – even at the end-of-the-year. The problems are super fun! From the 3rd grade complete set with Mrs. Digs buying supplies… Read More

{Free} Bump Math Games

When your students seem unmotivated or need to focus, pull out a math game! It’s always important to have games ready-to-go in your teacher treasure trove. GAMES GRAB STUDENTS’ ATTENTION AND ACTIVELY ENGAGE THEM. I find that because students really enjoy playing games, they are a perfect way to focus their attention and actively immerse them in math skills and concepts. WHEN STUDENTS ARE PLAYING MATH GAMES THEY ARE LEARNING. Through math games, children learn much more than math skills. They also learn “life rules”. They learn about taking turns, fairness, losing, and winning. How do you lose graciously? How do… Read More