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! 🤓 Do you need hands-on fraction activities for your third, fourth, or fifth graders that will be challenging, extend thinking, and also be FUN? Then, try this lesson with free follow-up hands-on fraction challenges and extensions! They are perfect for a problem-based learning activity. I prefer to implement this lesson in whole group. So here’s how it goes. I divide the class into groups of four and have them spread out on the floor or… Read More
{FREE} Math Time-Fillers That Continue the Learning
Do you find that throughout your school day, you have a few minutes when you need a quick, easy math time-filler? Any time is math time – or can be math time. During the school day, there are many transitions when there are a few minutes of waiting time for students. Having some quick math time-fillers at your fingertips and ready-to-go can be a teacher’s life-saver. Use these quick math time-fillers 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… Read More
Build A Deep Understanding of Word Problems
Do your students struggle with understanding 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! HAVE 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”. 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… Read More
How to Get Astonishing Results Teaching Mental Math
Feeling exhausted from trying to get your kids to remember and actually use mental math strategies? Do you feel that they will never “get it”? 🙋♀️ You can turn it around so that your kids are confident math students! They will actually ask for more. 😊 Try these mental math tips that will help your kids LOVE using the computation strategies that you’ve taught. Your kids will become mental math masterminds and beg 🙏 for more. Really! I’m not kidding. FIVE SIMPLE STEPS Start by explaining how we use mental math every day (why it’s an important skill). 👩🔬 Encourage… Read More
How to Use Game Boards to Increase Engagement
How do you increase engagement in your elementary classroom? 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! To increase engagement, bring on the game boards! Over 40 FREE Game Boards are Available in our Free Resource Library! I started using game boards as a way to get my kids to practice skills in… Read More
Word Problems Before Christmas Break – Four Simple Strategies
Can you actually successfully teach word problems 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? You can absolutely use their excitement. Really! Make everything a challenge. Keep on giving them new learning. Make it FUN. Furthermore, center your lessons 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… Read More
How to Absolutely Love Teaching Money
Have you noticed, complained, lost sleep, and cried over the fact that teaching money to our young students seems to be left out of the Common Core Standards?! 😭 Teaching students to recognize and count money is 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. In addition to that, shouldn’t my kids be able… Read More
8 Creative, Easy, Fast Back to School Student Gifts
Need back-to-school student gifts? Back-to-school time??? Wow! It seemed so far away in May. Now, the summer has flown by, and we need student gifts for a super start to our first day of school! 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. If you’re looking for a back-to-school printable, just click this link. Did I get it all finished? Is everything ready and accessible? Do I know what the plan for my day… Read More