Ready to make math centers work in shorter middle school class periods? Get the details - structure, scheduling, activities, and more!
Hello, Teaching Friends! Do you like using riddles with your class? Good, because I'm becoming a bit obsessed with making riddle resources. I've made autumn riddles, winter riddles, alphabet riddles, Thanksgiving riddles, and number riddles. So now I've decided to make... uh, riddles again. This time I'm venturing into some new territory, the upper elementary grades. 120 Riddles for the 120 Chart is my most popular resource, so I thought I'd make a version for fourth and fifth grade. This set includes are 120 riddle cards, one for each number from 1 through 120. For each number, there are 2 to 3 clues, each addressing a different standard. CCCS topics addressed include multiplication, division, remainders, prime numbers, factors, multiples, place value, geometric shapes, area, perimeter, and more. Click here to see it at my TPT store. Have a closer look... Here's a free sample from the pack. If you're reading this blog, you're most likely a primary grade teacher. Please feel free to send the link to this post to a friend who's teaching fourth or fifth grade! Thanks!! Click here to download your copy! Happy Teaching!
These real life math activities are a great way to engage 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students in financial literacy and project based learning.
Games are an important part of math class, in my opinion. Not only are kids able to practice the skills that we have been focusing on (over and over repeatedly), but they are also doing it in a format that they find fun…and anything that adds fun to learning is a plus in my book! […]
I've heard it from teacher after teacher: " I dread teaching measurement every year. " It's hard to blame them. There's nothing ground-shaking about measurement. There's nothing exciting about metric vs. customary. It's just one of those skills that our stud
I love finding common items around the house and making games with them. I recently came across a tin of dominoes and put those babies to work! My students LOVE the idea of playing with dominoes even if they are sharpening their math skills while doing so! These games can be played alone or with partners. Partners tend to make them even more fun! Ordering Products Students choose five dominoes, turn them over, and multiply each side together. Order the products from least to greatest or greatest to least. Want to make it a game? Partners order their dominos then find the difference between their greatest number and least number. The partner with the greatest (or least) difference wins. Multiplication War Students begin with dominoes face down. Each student chooses a domino. On the count of three, students turn over their domino and multiply the dots on one side by the dots on the other side. The student with the highest product wins the dominoes. Even/Odd Sort Add, subtract, or multiply the dots on the dominoes then sort the answer by odd or even numbers. Want to make it a game? Before the game begins state a rule. The partner with the most even numbers or odd numbers wins the set. Prime/Composite Sort Add, subtract, or multiply the dots on the dominoes then sort the answer by prime or composite. Want to make it a game? Before the game begins state a rule. The partner with the most prime numbers or the most composite numbers wins. Coordinate pairs Provide students with a coordinate grid. Students plot points using the dots on the dominoes. One side is the x-coordinate; the other side is the y-coordinate. Ordering Decimals Students choose five dominoes and turn them over. One side is the whole number; the other side is the decimal. Order the decimals from least to greatest or greatest to least. Want to make it a game? Partners order their dominos then find the difference between their greatest decimal and least decimal. The partner with the greatest (or least) difference wins. Compare Decimals Students choose two dominoes and turn them over. One side is the whole number; the other side is the decimal. Compare both dominoes. Want to make it a game? Each partner chooses one domino. Then, they compare their decimal. The partner with the greatest (or least) decimal wins. Add or Subtract Decimals Students choose two dominoes and turn them over. One side is the whole number; the other side is the decimal. Add or subtract the decimals. Want to make it a game? Partners compare their sum or difference. The partner with the greatest (or least) sum or difference wins. Compare Fractions Students choose two dominoes and turn them over. One side is the numerator; the other side is the denominator Compare both fractions. Want to make it a game? Each partner chooses one domino. Then, they compare their fraction. The partner with the greatest (or least) fraction wins. Ordering Fractions Students choose five dominoes and turn them over. One side is the numerator; the other side is the denominator Order the fractions from least to greatest or greatest to least. Want to make it a game? Partners order their dominos then find the difference between their greatest fraction and least fraction. The partner with the greatest (or least) difference wins. For a printable version of these games, you can download it HERE. This printable is perfect to laminate and attach to a loose leaf ring for easy access. Teaching With Simplicity Pinterest Facebook Instagram Teachers Pay Teachers
Teaching divisibility rules is more fun and engaging with these divisibility rules doodle notes and math doodle wheel!
Get creative with your daily test prep in upper elementary with game show question challenges.
Do you dread having early finishers in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classroom? Every classroom has them. Grab some free challenges in this post!
Get creative with your daily test prep in upper elementary with game show question challenges.
Add these 6 angle activities to teach acute, right, straight, and obtuse angles to prepare your students to identify different types of angles.
Are your students reluctant to learn multiplication? Do you find that your students are struggling to understand the basics? I’ve watched far too many kids walk through the door of my class…
Get students interacting with their learning with these 7 activities for increasing students' understanding of volume!
If your students are anything like mine, they love puzzles. I like to use math puzzles with my math class in many different ways and one of my favorite kind
Looking for fun math problem solving activities to boost your students’ critical thinking skills? You'll love the 5 ideas.
Find out how I had fun practicing rounding with upper elementary students with hands-on rounding activities and games! Freebies included.
Here's a nifty tool you can make for teaching place value in upper elementary.
Find out how I had fun practicing rounding with upper elementary students with hands-on rounding activities and games! Freebies included.
For the most part, reasoning, deducing, inferring, and critical thinking are not skills that come naturally to our students. Rather, they must be nurtured and developed. We want our students to become critical thinkers so they can reason and apply logic to solve novel problems throughout their lives. These skills will set them up to...
This is a great way to assess your students' number sense/number line skills, as well as their ability to cooperate in a group. Perfect for middle school!
Classroom tips,teaching ideas, and resources for the upper elementary classroom. Teacher Giveaways
There are so many ways to use math task cards in upper elementary and middle school. This game uses math task cards with a bit of a twist!
I wanted to share a fun project my kiddos did. We had been working on fractions and I wanted to come up with a little fun that would reinforce some of what they learned as well as let them have some fun being creative. WARNING.....LOTS of pictures ahead....they all were so unique and creative, I had to share them all:) Directions Google Doc HERE We were fortunate enough to have a local pizza place donate enough boxes so each of my kids could have one. This is the first time I have done this project.....I'm sure next time I will add to it but for a first time, I am pleased with it and THRILLED with how they turned out. I typed up an instruction sheet for the kids to follow. Basically, they were supposed to represent 5 different fractions using different toppings. They had to include a "key" explaining their fractions. For each of the 5 fractions they had to write 2 equivalent fractions. They also had to write 2 word problems to go with their pizza:) Some of them put their word problems on a different sheet or on the bottom:) I absolutely LOVE how different each project is....some drew theirs, some used construction paper, some used playdoh, buttons, all kinds of creative ideas flowing:) I'm so proud of my kids and I know they are proud of their projects! It was fun to see them bring them in every morning and everyone would gather around to take a peek:) We were also excited because we got to display them in our Science Fair. I know they aren't Science BUT I felt like they all had put too much work into them for just me to see them. We got to set up a table to display them so others could enjoy their hard work. Hope this is something you can use in your classroom as you explore and learn about fractions! Have a blessed day all!
Rather than setting up the perfect center or assigning a worksheet, use this everyday fractions activity along with its many variations to help your students
tw When it comes to math, geometry seems to be in a whole different league. Some kids fall in love with it instantly, while it seems challenging for other kids. One of the great things about geometry is that there are so many hands-on activities we can provide for our students, which makes it lots of fun! Here are some of my favorite geometry activities: 1. Start With Shapes I like to have students start with shapes they've known since they were tiny, like triangles, squares, and circles. We draw these on whiteboards as a whole class. Next we draw the more advanced shapes like pentagons, hexagons, octagons, trapezoids, and even the rhombus! This brings us to a discussion of polygons and we can classify shapes that way. Besides whiteboards, there are lots of ways for kids to work with shapes, like Popsicle sticks (which are also great to use to illustrate lines like parallel, intersecting, and perpendicular), LEGOS, Geoboards, and even clothespins which can be clipped together. 2. Marshmallow Geometry I like this activity because any time you add food, kids are all in! Using marshmallows and toothpicks, kids can make simple 2-D shapes, and also 3-D shapes. Plus, this activity is the perfect place to emphasize vertices since each time you add a marshmallow, you place it at a corner. If you have food allergies or school regulations which prohibit food, you can substitute the marshmallows for Play-Doh. 3. Use an Anchor Chart Once students have had lots of exploration time with shapes, it's time to discuss their attributes. I like to actually make this anchor chart with the kids' help. I explain how it will be organized, from the smallest number of sides to the greatest. We also notice patterns of sides and vertices as we create it. I do ask kids for examples of shapes, and sometimes they get really creative with this! 4. Go on a Shape Scavenger Hunt This is an activity that is great to do with some parent helpers if you have any. I like to send iPad cameras with each group, clipboards and pencils, and a record sheet. Kids record the shape that was found, the type of object it was, and where it was found. It's really fun to see what shapes they're able to find while walking around the school campus! 5. Incorporate Some Art I am a huge art proponent so I add art wherever it fits in. Geometry is a great time to do either geometric animals, robots, or people. I usually choose one of those categories but really you could make it a wide open project too! I shared another fun geometric art activity on a blog post I wrote called Incorporating Art in the Classroom. This one is from Literacy Loves Company. As a follow up to geometric lessons on lines and angles, I cut polygons from white construction paper for each child. I have kids use rulers and sharpies and follow my step by step directions of drawing lines and then finding obtuse angles, right angles, perpendicular lines, and so on. After the lesson is done, kids add color to these, making it a really fun art piece. 6. Add Some Kinesthetic Learning Kids need movement and it's easy to add some movement with this unit. For this activity, students will be on the floor working with a partner to make different kinds of lines (parallel, intersecting, and perpendicular), shapes, and angles (right, acute, and obtuse) using their bodies. An alternative is to have kids stand up and use their arms to illustrate these geometric concepts. Another kinesthetic activity is to gather Chinese jump ropes or packages of sewing elastic. If you use elastic, one package is enough for one small group of 5 - 6 kids. The idea is to have students use the elastic as a group to make the shapes you call out (types of triangles are especially good) or types of angles. Different kinds of lines can also be made if two groups work together. 7. Add Some Task Cards and Games Task cards are one of my go-to tools! Kids love the game-like format and I know that they're getting really focused learning on whatever math concept we're working on. I have used them as centers/stations, for whole class math time, for one on one, and as exit slips. If you'd like some pre-made math task cards specifically for geometry, click here; 3rd Grade Geometry Bundle 4th Grade Geometry Bundle 5th Grade Geometry Bundle 8. Read Mentor Text I love it when I can tie reading into math too! The books above are some of my favorite mentor texts for geometry. I love all of the visual examples included. 9. Use Music I just found these songs by Numberock on YouTube and they are perfect for this unit! Really great pictures and catchy tunes: Parallel, Perpendicular and Intersecting Lines Angles Types of Triangles 10. Practice Angles Seriously, next to long division, measuring angles is probably the most difficult math skill students will face in the elementary years! It doesn't help too that it is introduced in fourth grade in common core and then not even mentioned in 5th grade standards. Oh well! One activity that helps is to have kids use graph paper and write their first name in all capital block letters. Students can measure any angles created by the intersection of the letter's lines. Another favorite activity for practicing angles is to take tape and make different lines, which create angles on a desk, table, or even on sheets of butcher paper. Kids use protractors to measure angles and then write with expos (or markers on the butcher paper) right on the desks/tables! Great way to add some fun to this difficult concept! Hope you've found at least a few ideas you can use for your geometry unit! I did want to let you know that I have Math Task Card Bundles for every grade from 3rd - 5th. Each bundle has 30 sets of 32 task cards that cover ALL STANDARDS (CCSS) for those grades. I love prepping them at the beginning of the year and then grabbing whatever concept we're working on for some added practice. If you'd like to take a look: 3rd Grade Math Task Cards Bundle 4th Grade Math Task Cards Bundle 5th Grade Math Task Cards Bundle Thanks so much for stopping by! If you like this post, I would love it if you would pin it or share it with a teacher friend! For more ideas and strategies focused on Upper elementary, be sure to sign up for The Teacher Next Door's free email newsletter right HERE. I'd love to connect with you! Facebook Pinterest Instagram TpT Store
Do you want to review math skills for Spring? Do your students need an Easter Egg challenge? CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD This Easter & Spring Elementary Math Activities NO PREP packet that will keep your third, fourth, and fifth graders engaged! This packet is just plain fun. Not only is it PACKED with grade level common core math problems, it also gives students fun coloring, puzzles, and problem solving. Use this packet for bellwork, classwork, extra credit, fast finishers, or homework. Review of Addition & Subtraction Number Puzzles CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS EASTER & SPRING ELEMENTARY MATH ACTIVITIES PACKET FEATURES: *6 different Engaging Math Activities *FUN activities and puzzles centered on reviewing math curriculum. *Packed with 3rd, 4th, 5th grade common core math problems for review and practice. *HIGH QUALITY CLIPART is included *Topics covered: Addition & Subtraction, Operations with Money, Multiplying by Decimals, Operations with Division, Number Puzzle with Addition, Subtraction & Multiplication Activities Included: -Easter Egg Math Adding {with answer key} -Easter Egg Math Subtracting {with answer key} -Exchanging Eggs {with answer key} -Sorting Jellybeans {with answer key} -Ready, Set, Color! {with answer key} -Easter Number Puzzle {with answer key} CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Spring is a great season for renewal and refreshing math skills. Students enjoy the Easter season for the candy and engagement with egg activities. Have fun with your students and make positive math memories this Spring. Happy Easter!
Do you dread having early finishers in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classroom? Every classroom has them. Grab some free challenges in this post!
Five benefits to using doodle wheels as graphic organizers for math and ELA notes in upper elementary and middle school classes.
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
Try this engaging, free order of operations activity to help your 5th or 6th grade students practice with order of operations.
My 2014-2015 Highlights list would not be complete without sharing our highlights from math this past year. It involves a lot of great hands-on math ideas, so I hope you enjoy!
Games are a great way to reinforce learning in the classroom. In this post by The Teacher Next Door, you'll learn about seven math games using playing cards that are free and easy too! These math games are perfect for 3rd - 5th graders and will help them master a number of math concepts.
When determining which students need a math intervention program, we to understand WHY they are struggling.
Higher level math centers will really get your students thinking and writing about math. Read about my top six favorite higher level math centers.
I've heard it from teacher after teacher: " I dread teaching measurement every year. " It's hard to blame them. There's nothing ground-shaking about measurement. There's nothing exciting about metric vs. customary. It's just one of those skills that our stud
“Fun Friday” was something I did every week in my classroom, but it’s not just all fun and games. Let’s learn how you can use “Fun Friday” to spiral standards all year.
For the most part, reasoning, deducing, inferring, and critical thinking are not skills that come naturally to our students. Rather, they must be nurtured and developed. We want our students to become critical thinkers so they can reason and apply logic to solve novel problems throughout their lives. These skills will set them up to...
Looking for fun math problem solving activities to boost your students’ critical thinking skills? You'll love the 5 ideas.
I think one of the most effective ways to reinforce learning in the classroom is to play games. Games are great for test prep and really for any time of the year. The great thing about games is that for most kids, you've got instant buy in, as well as engagement. They love playing games and when kids are having fun in the classroom, I think they're often learning whether they know it or not!
