My awesome coworker and I made up a trig matching activity. I know it's not a novel idea, but here is another resource for precalculus teachers to solidify angles in standard position. You can find the file HERE. Via our internet math community, I learned that it's easier to leave one of the pages uncut (the pink sheet here), and then the students can place the matching cut up green and gold cards on the page. Before, I used to cut up all three, and then that took up too much space on the student tables. Thank you virtual PD friends for the great tip. My buddy and I also decided to break up the teaching into 2 class periods with degrees one day and the dreaded radians along with their devilish friends, FRACTIONS (duhn DUHN duhhhhhhn) for the next day. Hopefully, this will allow the fraction/radian goodness to seep into their resisting minds more readily. I didn't share the word document because it seems to mess up when you download it via box.net (or maybe I'm wrong). If you want the word document to play around with, send e-mail. Another thing I like about this is that we didn't use all special angles. We also didn't indicate which was up or down on the pink sheet, so that stumped some kids and they had to think and justify the direction. Yay math.
Here we are again - another month of AMAZING bloggers getting together to share some Bright Ideas. This time I'd like to share some ideas for those wiggly, bouncy, chatty, energetic, wonderful, kinesthetic learners. We all know 'em. We all have 'em. I think kinesthetic learners would pretty much describe almost every child in my class in 1st grade. Maybe it's the age, or maybe it's just my group of lovelies this year - but either way, I think all primary teachers can agree that it pays to have some strategies in your back pocket to break out when you see the wiggles start kicking in. Not to mention that most children learn best by doing. All of the ideas I'm going to share are ones I use in my classroom. I'm not claiming to have created these ideas, and I'm sure many teachers use the same ones, but I just wanted to share what I do. I hope you will see something that inspires you and you can try out in your own classroom. I named these ideas just to help explain, but if there is another name for them that maybe I don't know about or if there is an original creator, please feel free to let me know. I will always give credit where credit is due. So let's start with some ELA ideas: Whole Body Spelling is using your whole body to form letters to spell a word. You could do this with sight words or other spelling words. You can do it in the classroom, but my students love going outside to do this. We even go out in the winter and do this in the snow. Write in the air is just a quick way to practice spelling. We use our fingers in the air as if we are writing and spell words out loud together. This is a hard one to capture in a picture, but here is my attempt. Maybe you can tell that they are spelling the word again. :) Listen and Jump is something we do when reviewing sight words, rhyming words, or vocabulary words. In this picture all the kids have sight words and when I say a word that they have, they jump up in the air. They LOVE this one! Sometimes I will give them other words and say if your word rhymes with "cat" then jump up or if your word starts with a "b" sound jump up. This is also fun because a couple kids might jump up at the same time. Again - simple, but gets 'em moving. Lifesize Making Words - We use letter cards to spell words. As we stretch out the sounds the kids will either stand up or hold up their letter. Sometimes we have vowel teams and those kids link up their arms and say their sound together or we put a Super E at the end of the word and have him/her flip the vowel sound. The person holding the vowel turns around in a circle and says the long vowel sound instead. Acting out phonics is something that really helps my lower readers. They seem to remember things like flipping the vowel and linking arms and so on. Great visual for the whole class. Finally, and probably our MOST favorite, is a variation of the game Hullabaloo. This is such a cute game and my 3 and 5 year old girls really love playing this at home. In the actual game there are rubber mats that have pictures and words with things like animals, food, instruments, etc. You spread these out on the floor randomly. Then you turn on the "announcer". The announcer says things like "Slither over to a yellow mat" or "Hop over to a food". The kids move around and find the mats he's talking about. Then he will say something like, "If you are standing on the elephant you win - take a bow." It's super cute! So I decided to make this into a classroom game to practice word families and as we learn new spelling patterns. I use these pack of foam shapes that I got from the Dollar Tree. Then I write words on them using a sharpie. Right now we are working on long vowels so the pack of words I'm using has CVCe words, vowel teams, and also includes blends and digraphs. But in the beginning of the year I just use CVC words and slowly add in blends. We spread out the words on the floor and I will give directions like, "Tiptoe over to a word that rhymes with feet" or "Crawl over to a word that has a long e sound." We just stand next to the word instead of on them and then I have them read the words they chose. I play this with small groups of children so it is more manageable and because I don't have a ton of room, but it could be played as a class too. In the actual game kids can share mats, so sometimes we do that too. I also use these same cards at our reading table with fun fly swatter to swat the words if we don't have time to spread them all out on the floor. This is also a class favorite and super quick to set up when I don't have the time for the full thing. Now for some kinesthetic ideas to use in math: First up is skip counting. We use numeral cards that I quickly printed on the computer and laminated and each child has a number. We sit in a line or a circle. If we are counting by 2s for example, we will count around the circle and whisper the odd numbers and then shout (not too loud) the even numbers while those children stand up. Then we switch it up and count by other numbers. If we're counting by 3s, we would whisper 1,2 and shout 3, whisper 4,5, and shout 6, and so on. For Greater than/Less than we use the same numeral cards. We make numbers between 0 and 120 (first grade common core standards). Then I have a student stand in the middle and hold their arms like the sign. We practice reading it together. For example: 57 is greater than 46. We will also make numbers and put them in order from least to greatest or vice versa. Sometimes we turn the numeral cards into necklaces using sheet protectors and string and they don't have to hold up the numbers. This next one is something I am planning on getting when I have the money, but wanted to share it with you. In my classroom I have made a Lifesize Tens Frame out of a dollar store plastic tablecloth and washi tape for the lines (sorry no picture). We have kids stand in the tens frame to practice counting, adding, and subtracting using our bodies. But I also just found online this giant 120 chart and blow up dice that I think I will HAVE to get. I also saw another one that was even bigger where the kids move around on it. How fun! Finally is my version of Math Hullabaloo. This is the same idea as the reading version, only using numbers. Again, I write a bunch of numbers between 0 and 120 on the foam shapes using sharpie. Then we spread them all out. I give clues such as, "Dance over to a number with 6 tens" or "Slide over to a number greater than 30." Super fun! Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my Bright Ideas for Kinesthetic Learners. If you enjoyed these ideas, please consider following my blog on Bloglovin' over on the side or following me on Facebook or Instagram.
outdoor math activities for prek and kindergarten.
Step away from worksheets and make fraction practice more lively and fun with these Froggy Fraction Clip Cards.
Teach your students how to classify tricky quadrilaterals using the hands-on lessons, activities, and games in Classify It! This ready-to-use resource from Laura Candler includes a lesson, a sorting activity, a challenging (but fun!) math game, and two quizzes that will help your students master quadrilateral classification!
[UPDATED – Sept. 25 2015] We have just spent a week working with quadratics in MPM2D and today I had students create their own angry birds level. The only real requirement was for them to create at least two flight paths and model them with quadratic equations. I was hoping to see how they relate the […]
I've posted on this topic a bunch of times here, here and here, but I'm not tired yet of hammering more nails into this coffin. I think that correctly mastering exponent rules is a gateway skill. Maybe one of the most important gateway skills in algebra. Exponent rules: Formalize the meaning of multiplication and division for algebra. Provide the first forum for students to effectively use reducing in an algebraic context. Introduces students for the first time to how simple algebra definitions (i.e. the definition of an exponent) can be used to prove a multitude of other cool rules that make doing math easier. In other words exponent rules formalize the structure of mathematical logic and proof for students. Is often the first time students see and manipulate algebraic rules represented purely with variables. If students can understand and use exponent rules, it prepares them for using and understanding other rules represented with abstract mathematical language. Set the foundation for a student's understanding of polynomial functions, radical functions, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions. Without a solid understanding of exponents and their properties students will struggle with all of these types of functions later. And I think we can teach the exponent rules well because they're just not that hard to derive, but the level of abstraction is what makes it difficult for students. So in teaching exponent rules, I believe we should focus on teaching students the abstraction, and the rules get learned along the way. That being said, I don't know how to do it but I keep trying. I've updated my lesson on developing the exponent rules. You can find that here and also, I've developed a simple game that I hope helps students cement the rules and learn to play with them. The game involves both strategy, luck and understanding of exponents so I think it's pretty good but it's only had a few trial runs. Materials: You'll need a set of blue cards and a set of green cards. You can download the cards and the rules here. Lay the cards out like so: Object: Combine your starting expression with green cards to create the target expression. Rules: (1) You may use as many green cards as you wish. (2) Cards that look like this: ( )^2 must be applied to your whole expression so far. So if you start with the card “ab" and you grab the green card ( )^2 you will end up with a^2 b^2 (3) If neither player can find the right cards to create the target expression, three more green cards can be put down. (4) Once the target expression is reached by a player, that player gets the blue card and all the green cards they used to make the winning expression. A new blue card is then put down and green cards are added until there are 9 green cards again. (5) Once all the green cards are gone, the game is ended and the player with the most green and blue cards wins. Examples: Here are several examples of how the players in the set-up above could reach the target expression.
Again I went MIA for a little while..sorry! Things get hectic and while I have tons of ideas and things to share with you it always means st...
17 Fun and Printable Math Puzzles for Elementary and Middle School Students A Post By: Anthony Persico
Someone recently brought to my attention (thank you Christine!) that when I changed ISPs and retired my old website last winter my Cuisenair...
Come read about the Most Awesome Math Games for Your Homeschool- for all types of learners and learning concepts in mathematics.
If you need a living math activity, this post is for you! Cindy has gathered the best of the best lessons from all over the internet. Grab an idea and go!
60 Adding and Subtracting Activities provides you with games, task cards, interactive notebooks, word problems and more to help you teach your students.
Choose from 58 fun STEAM art projects and activities for kids to explore art while learning science, technology, engineering, and math, too!
We have spent the last two weeks reviewing 7th grade skills, and boy did we need it! As I expected, the kids cannot remember integer rules a...
Looking for math centers for your 4th Grade classroom? Grab lots of FREE 4th Grade Number centers here!
Grab a TON of FREE Math Mania Games to strengthen your students' addition & subtraction! Snag easy printable math games for 1st & 2nd grade!
Math vocabulary practice is so important for students! These ideas for activities and games will help you find fun and engaging ways to practice with your students.
Are you looking for a fun solving equations activity? In this post are a bunch of solving equations activities that work great as centers, stations, review activities and independent work.
This Rainbow In A Jar Science Experiment is a fun spring science experiment to show density. Perfect to use as a science fair project too!
Teach your students how to classify tricky quadrilaterals using the hands-on lessons, activities, and games in Classify It! This ready-to-use resource from Laura Candler includes a lesson, a sorting activity, a challenging (but fun!) math game, and two quizzes that will help your students master quadrilateral classification!
Use Post-it Super Sticky Notes to play this awesome and easy math game.
Factoring has been my nemesis for years. I don't think I have taught it entirely the same way twice. My students arrive in Algebra 2 with some experience in factoring, but I always feel like many of them are learning it from scratch. This year's changes to the factoring extravaganza include adding in this activity, where students try to match two binomials to each quadratic: I had students do this matching activity before I gave them any specific factoring strategies or rules (we had previously reviewed multiplying binomials). I wanted them thinking about the question "What two binomials multiply to get this polynomial?" I wanted them to develop some intuition about factoring before I hit 'em with a specific method. After ten minutes of this, a few groups were finished. The rest were making progress but it was a struggle. "Isn't there another way to do this, Mrs. Gruen?" Well, yes there is, I am so glad you asked! And then I showed them the airplane method, which I tweaked a tiny bit this year (I will write about that soon). And they just ate it up. Here are the files: Binomial Tiles Factoring Work Mat #1 Factoring Work Mat #2
Today I'm sharing my love of math manipulatives with you. Having a variety of manipulatives for math "at the ready" in my 4th grade and 5th grade classroom is critical for inspiring ideas for hands-on math games and activities . Different manipulatives give me the opportunity t
Its been one of those busy weeks, so I’ve not actually created anything “new” but decided to share something I used last spring. The idea developed after @lmhenry9 tweeted a need…
17 Fun and Printable Math Puzzles for Elementary and Middle School Students A Post By: Anthony Persico
The #MTBoS is a wonderful place. Sometimes the only problem is deciding which awesome activity I will do, since I don’t have time to do them all! Luckily, I had a block day, so I was able t…
This fun board game is a great way to to have student actively practice using the Pythagorean Theorem. The rules are printed right on to the game board so each group of student always have the rules in case they need to reference them throughout the game. I changed the rules a bit from the picture above. In the PDF version below the procedure changes slightly when you go around the board the second time. The first time around students practice solving the Pythagorean Theorem for the hypotenuse, while the second time around they are practicing solving for a leg. When I did this with my students, I had them work in groups of three. We played this for the last 35 minutes of class. I had one group finish right away and I just had them play again, but for the rest of the groups it seemed to be the perfect amount of time. [If you use this as a review or your students have a good grasp of the PT, then I would have them go around the board again. Or maybe think of an extra twist of your own?] Next time: Since I changed the rules a little, there isn't a lot that I plan on changing for next time I use this. There are a few comments I will make; 1) the purple spaces are part of the board. For some reason, I had a lot of students who thought they weren't playable spaces. 2) the pink triangles on the board are just decoration, they don't mean anything. These confused a lot of students at first, but the board just seemed too plain without them. Another change I made in the direction that I will implement next time is how students show their work. Last time I had them use a worksheet, but it didn't really work and I think just having them do something like the below picture will work just fine. Question Cards: I really like the questions cards because they allow students to see how problems might be presented in a stressful situation (Test/Quiz). I printed out an extra copy of the sheet that has all the questions cards on it and wrote the answers on them but did not cut it up. I was walking around the class room with it just in case I needed to help my students. But I only told them if they were correct or not as a last resort. I had the other player in the group also solve the question card to make sure the player who drew the card got it correct. Most students were okay with also doing it so they could make sure the player who drew the card actually got to roll again. What you need to use this in your classroom: • Two Dice for each group of students • PDF Pythagorean Board Game I included a blank page of squares so that you can make your own questions cards if you want. Make sure to leave a comment if you use this in your classroom. I would love to hear your thoughts and results!
A blog where middle school and math collide! Check out my classroom experiences, activities, stations, humor and ideas!
17 Fun and Printable Math Puzzles for Elementary and Middle School Students A Post By: Anthony Persico
Do you need fun Subtraction Worksheets for kindergarten and hands-on Subtraction Centers? You are going to LOVE these awesome activities.
Use these 17 stock market worksheet PDFs (and stock market lesson PDFs) to engage your students, kids, and teens. Trackers, activities, and more.
Prime Factorization Worksheets from prime factorization tree worksheet , image source: homeschooldressage.com
Objective: Students will be able to create alliterations based on the poem “Bleezer’s Ice Cream” By Jack Prelutsky. Vocabulary: Alliteration Time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minu…
Hi, friends! So, our school-wide math night was a huge success. While parents were in 30 minute math classes, our students had a blast with math games and activities throughout the school. We saw a…
Make Ten... A fun and easy card game for kids that reinforces math concepts and uses a regular deck of playing cards. Free printable play mat included!
