Blog - Sum Math Fun

How to Get Astonishing Results Teaching Mental Math

Are you pulling your hair out trying to get your kids to remember and actually use computation strategies? Try these mental math tips. I promise that you and your kids will LOVE using computation strategies. Your kids will become mental math masterminds and beg for more. Really! I’m not kidding. ❶ Start by explaining how we use mental math every day (why it’s an important skill). ❷ Encourage and stress visual thinking. ❸ Start Simply, Progress Slowly, and Practice, Practice, Practice. ❹ Be prepared to back up. ❺ Take time to discuss how students solve problems. … Read More

How to Use Game Boards to Increase Engagement and Learning

That bored look. I know you’re familiar with it, too. You can just see them thinking, “I already know this.” “I don’t want to practice this.” “I want my iPad.” “It’s not FUN!” Getting kids to truly enjoy and look forward to practicing skills can be quite the teacher-task! Bring on the game boards! Game Boards are Available in the Sum Math Fun Free Resource Library. Just Click Here to Join! I started using game boards as a way to get my kids to practice skills in a fun way, without the boredom, and without “those looks”…. Read More

How To Cash In On Christmas Break Excitement

Can you actually teach math before Christmas break? There is so much excitement that just keeping control can be a teacher challenge. How do you keep students truly engaged and challenged when they are so excited? Well…use their excitement. Really! Make everything a challenge and keep on giving them new learning. But it has to be fun. And keeping it centered around snow (even if you don’t have any), Frosty, the Whos, Rudolf, and other fun Christmas characters will help hold the attention of all those bundles of energy. You will actually “cash in” on their Christmas excitement!… Read More

How to Absolutely Love Teaching Money

Have you noticed, complained, lost sleep, and cried over the fact that teaching our young students to recognize and count money seems to be left out of the Common Core Standards?! It’s just not there. Whoa! Big gap! A measurement standard for money first appears in second grade with standard 2.MD.C.8: “Solve word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, using $ and ¢ symbols appropriately.” Wait! What? Word problems? As the beginning?? Hmmm…there seem to be a few money concepts missing. Shouldn’t my kids be able to: Recognize coins? Know the value of coins?… Read More

8 Creative, Easy, Fast, and Cheap Back to School Student Gifts

Back-to-school time??? Wow! It seemed so far away in May. Now, the summer has flown by and, the first day of school is here! Getting everything done can be very overwhelming whether you’re a new teacher, almost new, or not new at all. Not only can students have the jitters on the first day back-to-school, but so can we. Did I get it all finished? Is everything ready and accessible? Do I know what the plan for my day is? Have I thought of all the what-ifs? Having a cute and cheery student gift on each desk as students enter their… Read More

Free and Easy Back-to-School Student Gift

This free gift tag and easy, quick student gift for back-to-school or Meet the Teacher Night will be greatly appreciated by your students. You’ll love how fast and easy it is. Parents will love that it’s not candy and almost a “good for you” snack. 😉 These cheery Goldfish Cracker bags with cute tags will be great to have on their desks as they enter the room and see that you are ready and excited to have each of them in your class as they o’FISHally start a new year! Here’s what you’ll need: Enough bags of Goldfish Crackers for each of… Read More

Do You Want FREE Teacher Printables?

Are you a teacher looking for quality resources and would looove to find those resources for FREE? Would you like access to exclusive printables that you can’t find anywhere else? Wahooo!! You are in the right place! I am so excited to announce the launch of my FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY! I know you’re probably thinking, “What’s the big deal? You already have lots of free resources in your Teachers Pay Teachers store!” You’re right! And I’m really glad you thought that because now I can tell you what’s different about my Free Resource Library. … Read More

First Day of School: No Prep Printables For An Incredible Start

Back to school time already? Every summer seems shorter and shorter. Whether you are a new or veteran teacher, being ready for that first day of school can be quite overwhelming. Planning is much easier after you’ve set your expectations, routines, and procedures. But this takes a while. So, that first day, or even week, is a time to get to know your kids and establish routines to build relationships and a class community. The first few days have to be planned to the minute. And then, you need extra resources ready, just in case! You need a First… Read More