Blog - Sum Math Fun

Back to 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 back to school days have to be planned to the minute. And then, you need extra resources ready, just in case! You need a… Read More

Early Finishers and Gifted – Turn Waiting Time Into Learning Time

Do you dread having early finishers in your classroom? Every classroom has them. Keeping them engaged and challenged can be difficult for new, as well as experienced, teachers. Early finishers can wreak havoc in your classroom if they don’t have targeted extensions. Read on to find out how to “tame the speedsters” (a.k.a. early finishers) in your classroom as well as control the extension beast. I thoroughly planned my math lesson. It was hands-on with a terrific recording sheet and reflection page. I even thought of a “bonus question” for my early finishers. I was ready for them this time…. Read More

I’m a Wanted Number! Reviewing Number Properties

I looove quick and easy! So, here’s a quick Idea I want to share with you that’s perfect for reviewing any number properties you’ve taught, from odd/even numbers to square roots! I was working with a group of gifted third graders. We had been working on number properties for a while. We learned about divisibility rules and square numbers. To extend their thinking, I also introduced them to perfect numbers. To do a quick review and get them thinking critically, I met with them in whole group and introduced this activity. I asked students if they had ever seen… Read More

Measurement Activities for First Grade: Longest – Shortest – Between

Getting ready for your measurement unit? Wondering how to make it fun and hands-on without spending huge amounts of time gathering materials and “just right” measuring resources? And . . . how do you know for sure that you’ve taught all the measurement standards your students will need to be successful? I love teaching measurement to our youngest students. It’s so hands-on and, well, that just makes it more fun. Student explorations quickly lead to many “Aha!” moments of discovery. One of my favorite parts of teaching math! But, measurement in first grade can’t be just explorations. Students must have… Read More

Are Your Students Accountable in Centers?

We have so-o-o much snow here in the mountains. Chris, my husband, and I were like 12-year-old kids building a snowman and playing in the snow. That was last week and he hasn’t melted a bit. I just have to keep putting his “hat” back on. Our strong winds just keep blowing it off. Our beautiful snow keeps me thinking about making winter resources. So-o-o, I’ve created winter themed Bump Games with follow-up worksheets to share with you. Kids do loooove bump games and they are great for building fact fluency. These Bump Games are for practicing adding 3… Read More

Back From Break Happiness

Hi, everyone! The holiday break is almost here! It always seems like it will never come and then it’s just here! So exciting!! But, that also means that I have to find resources to get the kids “back in the swing” of school now, so I’m ready for those first few days we’re back in January. I always try to have something ready-to-go before we leave for the holidays otherwise, I spend way too much time dreading going back and feeling like I’m not kid-ready! I wanted a fun, quick review of facts for our first graders just… Read More

Build a Snowman FREE Money Center

I hope you’re enjoying this holiday season with lots of friends and family. I love this time of year! The holidays always make me stop, appreciate, and be thankful……and thankful I am. I live in such a beautiful place. It’s remote and at 8,600 feet up in the mountains. So-o-o, that means giving up a lot of conveniences. But being a Southern girl from Louisiana and then living in Houston for all but the last year, the snow, mountains, and calm are a welcomed change. And then this morning, when I checked our temperature…EEEEK! This made me think about the cold, the snow,… Read More

Need an Early Finisher “Stash”? No Problem!

Here’s an idea for engaging early finishers! It’s quick, easy, fun, and very versatile. It’s wonderful for having students apply math vocabulary, computation, and place value as well as other skills. Introduce the activity below. Do a few “practice rounds”. Then, let your kids build your Early Finisher Stash while you’re free to work with small groups, monitor your stations, or those students who are still working independently! HOW TO BUILD YOUR EARLY FINISHER STASH: Use a die-cut to cut out different shapes from colored construction paper. You can also cut these out by hand, it will just take a little… Read More