Clip art by Whimsy Clips If you are new to this series, we are taking a look at this book: Getting Your Math Message Out to Parents ...

So, I was lying in bed one night and my mind kept racing..."How could I make math test prep FUN?" "What could I do to replace the repetitive habit of assigning sampler after sampler for preparing for our state standardized tests?" Then it hit me! A MATH CARNIVAL!!! So, I decided that I would make this vision come to life. It took A LOT OF PLANNING. And that is the truth! I had no idea where to start. All I knew is how I wanted it to look. I wanted streamers, colors, food, and games. Not lame games. I wanted REAL CARNIVAL GAMES! I emailed my principal and told him that I wanted to have a carnival. I swear he probably thinks I am CRAY CRAY! I am haha. When I dream of something, I dream big and I make it happen... If you want to make your own carnival and save the time of planning, keep reading! It is a blast! Download my 11-page Math Carnival: Getting Started Guide to begin your journey! Here is your shopping list! There are ways around this though. My guide explains it all. You have to decide how many games you want and what skills will be assessed for each game. You can make signs like these below or get them with my bundle already made. Plus they are editable too! You also need task cards for each game. You can buy task cards, make up questions for each game, or find them online free. My bundle has all of the questions that you need for a 4th grade carnival. I used numbers to place on the games. Those numbers corresponded with the question asked or the amount of tickets won! Here are some of the games that I had at my carnival: Notice that I used table cloths for the tables. Also, I want to point out that at each game I placed a dry erase board, marker, and eraser so that the kids can work on the questions asked. Next, I want to show you the bags that I used. I made up bags with parent directions, task cards, an answer key, and a bag of tickets torn out already. The directions make it easy for parent volunteers to know how to run each station at the math carnival. The answers are included so that the parents don't have to think at all. I just want it to be enjoyable for everyone. Also, I had about 100 tickets in a small baggie. This is for the kids to win as they play the games. I also made groups up with about 2-3 students each and created a schedule for my kiddos to use on the day of the carnival so that they knew exactly what game they were supposed to be playing at designated times. The schedule and the group pages are included in my bundle, but you could make your own too if you want! Next, I made a map of my room. I decided where I wanted the games to be. I contacted selected a date before state testing and contacted my parents, asking for volunteers. I mentioned needing a popcorn machine and/or cotton candy maker. Of course, some people had them! EXCITING! The prize table was a bit tricky. I needed to decide how many tickets each prize would be. I also needed to get some prizes. I bought prizes, but you could make prizes. You could use homework passes or reward tickets, whatever you want! It doesn't have to cost a lot! So, I made ticket cards for the table. I had my students help me decide how many tickets each prize would be worth. It was pretty funny hearing them work as a class to decide! Then, they started to realize that if they made a prize that they wanted worth 1 ticket, they may not be able to win one because they would be gone quick! So smart! So, decide if you want to try this! You could make a reading carnival, science carnival, social studies carnival! Hopefully this guide helps you get started and helps you plan out a fun and exciting learning experience for your kids! If you want to save time and do not want to make the instructions, map, schedule, signs, ticket labels, task cards, or number templates, then click here to purchase my bundle.

This year was the first year that I participated in our annual Family Literacy & Math Night, and I do have to say it was a great success! I have some

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…

On Thursday May 5th, our school hosted our First Annual Family Math Night! Moraine Hills Public School in York Region District School Board Family Math Night is "a fun, shared experience that promotes family involvement with math, build strong family-school partnerships, create a sense of community, and connect family engagement to student learning" (Family Math Night, 2016). Our school had a team of educators from each division come together to plan and co-facilitate this wonderful learning opportunity. I was very fortunate to be one of the co-faciliators! When planning for this event, Family Math Night supplied us with kits to get us started. Some items include: "8 leveled stations with a total of 24 standards-based activities All the materials and manipulatives for 120 K-5 students and their families Marketing tools such as customizable flyers, announcements, and sample letters Video tutorials and reference guides so anyone can set up your event Meets Title I Section 1118 Parent Participation Requirements" (Family Math Night, 2016). Each of the activities are designed around sound mathematical principles and were developed by a veteran elementary school teacher with over 25 years of classroom experience. Each of the activities are also aligned with the Core Curriculum Standards (Family Math Night, 2016). For our Family Math Night we utilized some of the main ideas but compiled our own activities that we were using in the classroom with our students. We chose to do this so that the concepts being taught in class would be reinforced with the students and their families during the Family Math Night. We also tried our best to ensure that there was one activity for each of the 5 strands in the Mathematics Curriculum which include: Patterning, Geometry, Number Sense & Numeration, Data Management, and Measurement Connection to the Ontario Curriculum in Mathematics Grades 1-8 (2005): Importance of Mathematics"An information- and technology-based society requires individuals who are able to think critically about complex issues, analyst and adapt to new situations, solve problems of various kinds, and communicate their thinking effectively. The study of mathematics equips students with knowledge, skills, and habits of mind that are essential for successful and rewarding participation in such a society" Roles and Responsibilities of Parents "studies show that students perform better in school if their parents or guardians are involved in their education" Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers "responsible for developing appropriate instructional strategies to help students achieve the curriculum expectations, and for developing appropriate methods for assessing and evaluating student learning" Roles and Responsibilities of Students "willingness to engage in activities, reflect on their experiences, learn and apply strategies and processes that promote understanding of concepts, and to pursue opportunities outside of the classroom to extend and enrich their understanding of mathematics" Personal Reflection I feel that when schools host an Annual Family Math Night it allows for parents to be involved in their child's education, it allows students to engage, reflect, and apply their knowledge outside of the classroom, and it allows the teachers to continue to plan, facilitate, and reinforce learning within different settings. These Family Math Nights hold such importance because it proves that learning does not only have to occur during school hours and only at school, rather it can be continued at home as well. Each of the stations we have facilitated allowed some form of a take-home kit so that the parents and their children can continue to practice the skills and concepts at home. Math was never my strong subject as a child or a teenager so I always became disengaged whenever I was unsuccessful. As a teacher I am always trying to find new ways for teaching math that meet the needs, interests, and abilities of my students so that they can be successful and LOVE MATH! I am always connecting math to real life experiences and provide plenty of hands on exploration, manipulatives, and technology to support learning experiences. I also take advantage of every opportunity I have to further my knowledge base in the area of mathematics through: professional development workshops and Additional Qualification courses. As a teacher I can say that I LOVE MATH and from what I have been hearing from my students, they too LOVE MATH! :) I will continue to co-facilitate Family Math Nights within any school community I am part of! For additional information on the set-up, obtaining Family Math Night Kits and resources, and parent handouts to support child learning at home please visit: http://www.familymathnight.com/resources/familymathnight.php

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…

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…

The Ultimate family math night resource with activities, games, and instructions to host the most memorable event in your school guaranteed.

The Ultimate family math night resource with activities, games, and instructions to host the most memorable event in your school guaranteed.

Need some new and fresh ideas for teaching elementary math? Look no further! Here are 25 amazing ideas from math teachers.

13 2 748 6 0 5Several years ago, I had heard about another school’s Math and Science Night: experiments, hands-on learning, STEM games for families…. I knew I had to start one at my kids’ school! I mentioned it to some other parents- who loved the idea- and decided to ask the school for permission...Read More »

Everywhere I looked last night I saw people intent on making math. It was glorious! I mean, just look at these messes! Just look at the focus! Just look at all the ideas! Glorious. As a finale, I present three views of the interlocking cubes created by one participant. I also hasten to add that while there are lots and lots of materials provided, kids and adults are free to do with the materials what they will. This often leads to unexpected and marvelous personal discoveries and creations, like these:

Middle school math games allow students to have fun and be engaged while learning. They work great as math centers, in small groups, or as a teacher vs. class game. However, sometimes knowing how to find, prep, and effectively implement math games can be intimidating. Here are a few tips that will h

STEM activities on a budget: 10 fantastic building challenges for kids, are easy to set up and use materials you already have at home.

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

This year was the first year that I participated in our annual Family Literacy & Math Night, and I do have to say it was a great success! I have some

Each night kids around the world may listen to bedtime stories as they are tucked in. Bedtime addition problems? Bedtime fractions? Not so much.

Engage reluctant learners by teaching math with candy! This HUGE list includes candy math activities for all ages, plus amazing STEM challenges kids love.

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!

Math games have always been part of our math time. I love the fact that any time I introduce a math game, I know I’ll have instant buy-in from my students. Not only do kids enjoy playing math games, but they get focused practice on lots of math concepts. This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. […]

February 6th - 10th is National School Counseling Week! I have a few National School Counseling Week Theme ideas swirling around in my ...

We use math every day in our lives! Encourage using math in everyday life with this math scavenger hunt for elementary students.

This year was the first year that I participated in our annual Family Literacy & Math Night, and I do have to say it was a great success! I have some

Math with art takes two of my favorite things and combines them together into lovely math art projects! The math art activities we are doing today are

(youtube.com) I love the night sky ☁ Zzz Follow me Everywhere! Listen to my Album on Pandora or Spotify Premium & Order on iTunes :)

Games for practicing math facts help students enjoy their learning and have fun. I'm sharing the best games for practicing math facts that...

Make Ten is an addition math game with triangles! Match up the numbers that equal the number 10. A great way to practice addition facts!

Fabulous for math revision, check out these 10 fun math dice games! Includes place value, number facts, fractions & geometry games played with dice.

Kids love Math Cootie Catchers as a fun way to practice adding, subtracting, number sense, doubling, & numbers. FREE math games printables!

This week has been so hot! I am working summer camp and we have two more weeks. When August first comes I will start thinking about my Back to School ideas! Why does summer go by so fast!!! Love the Buttons Great Design for Timeline Project STEM race car lesson Parent Night My husband made the bar

Worksheets are a snoozefest...try this Super Fun Engaging Activity for ANY SUBJECT + a freebie!

8 ideas to keep students engaged and having fun with a simple worksheet

Engaging math games and teaching strategies for math concepts

Clip art by Whimsy Clips If you are new to this series, we are taking a look at this book: Getting Your Math Message Out to Parents ...

This year was the first year that I participated in our annual Family Literacy & Math Night, and I do have to say it was a great success! I have some

Engaging math games and teaching strategies for math concepts