Blog - Sum Math Fun

{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

{Free} Logic Puzzles For Building Logical Reasoning Skills

Building logical reasoning skills with these {free} logic puzzles is a snap. Your first graders, second graders, third graders, even fourth and fifth graders will love solving these and be completely engaged. They won’t even realize they are increasing their problem solving skills! Use these free logic puzzles to build logical reasoning skills, motivate and engage your students in mathematical problem-solving! USING MANIPULATIVES IN BUILDING LOGICAL REASONING SKILLS Using manipulatives gives students an opportunity to explore the abstract concept of logical reasoning while using concrete objects. They also make it much easier for students to test and change their thinking… Read More

$free-equivalent-fraction #free #fraction #equivalentfractions$

Hands-On Fraction Activities {FREE}

Fractions! UGH! Just mention the word and many students shrink. Using hands-on fraction activities is a must when teaching fractions. It can even be FUN! 🤓 If you need hands-on fraction activities for your third graders, fourth graders, or fifth graders that will be challenging, extend thinking and be FUN, try these! My first ever “D” – 6th grade fractions! Not a “C” – Not a “B”. A “D” !! Since I had never even made a “C”, I was devasted! I didn’t understand the, “Just do this.” There were no manipulatives. There were no visuals. For me, that meant… Read More

Any Time Is Math Time – 5 {FREE} Quick Math Activities

Any time is math time – or can be math time. Throughout the school day, there are many transitions when there are a few minutes of waiting time for students. Having some quick activities at your fingertips and ready-to-go can be a life-saver. Use these quick activities any time you have a few minutes to fill. MATH IN YOUR SHOES 👟 Ask students to look at their shoes and the shoes of their classmates. Tell them you’d like to learn more about them – but, you want to get your information in the form of fractions. For example: What fraction… Read More

Cultivate A Deep Understanding of Word Problems

Do your students struggle with word problems? After many experiences of watching students who had solid computation skills struggle solving word problems, I finally found a solution – having students write their own! Writing their own word problems gives students a deep understanding of why one problem requires addition to solve while another requires multiplication, subtraction, division, or another problem solving strategy like “make a list”. SETTING CRITERIA Give your students a fun way to write word problems! Set criteria for them such as: Write a word problem that: can be solved using multiplication has extra information needs two steps… Read More

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. THE DETAILS ❶ Using Mental Math … Read More

How to Use Game Boards to Increase Engagement

How do you increase classroom engagement? Do you use game boards to increase engagement? That bored look. I know you’re familiar with it, too. You can just see them thinking, “I already know this.” “Practicing this is boring.” “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 to increase engagement! Over 40 FREE Game Boards are Available in the Free Resource Library. Just Click Here to Join! I started using game boards as a way to get my kids to… Read More

Four Simple Strategies for Successful Teaching Before Christmas Break

Can you actually teach 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. ► Keep on giving them new learning. ► Make it FUN. ► Keep lessons 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 build on their Christmas excitement for total teaching success! Using… Read More