Sometimes I feel like if I have to look at/copy/grade/distribute/think about another darn worksheet, I'm going to gouge.my.eyes.out. WORKSHEETS ARE BORING AND I HATE THEM!!!! Okay, while I do think that worksheets do hold some value sometimes... I don't think they are always the answer... not by a long shot! I will admit, I do like a VERY quick worksheet to use as an assessment tool. Otherwise, not really so much. I prefer to use math labs in my classroom as much as possible because they allow for choice and differentiation, and they are much more math manipulative-friendly. I have created a few math labs, and while they were painfully time-consuming at first, I've found the sweet spot that lets me create them quickly! Let me share how I do that with you. 1. Start with your objective. What is it that you want students to be able to do? How will you be able to measure it? Work backwards from there. It sounds simple, but I think it's easy for us to get caught up in a fun activity we saw on Pinterest that might not always be the best use of our students' time. For example, maybe I want my students to be able to compare and order 4-, 5-, and 6- digit numbers. If that's my objective, now I need to think... how can I get my kids to practice that? 2. Create a problem that lets students meet your objective. Sometimes simple is better. It's easy for us to get super ambitious and bite off more than we can chew, but every single math lab won't be theatrical. I love how the teachers at Ron Clark academy completely transform their classrooms for particular units of study... but they even say themselves that they can't do this ALL THE TIME. It's just not possible! If something jumps out at you, take advantage of it and get creative. But it's OK to start simple too. Regardless, these are the things I like to think about when I plan a lab: How can the kids get manipulatives into their hands? How can I get the kids working with each other? What opportunities can I give the kids for proving/explaining their thinking? These 3 things will really allow for great problem solving skills to develop. With those things in mind and knowing how much time I wanted to spend on this skill, here's what I created for my class this year. WHOO HOO! Freebie for you right there if you're working on ordering and comparing numbers and/or place value right now!!! Seriously, go use it. I'm not selling it because it took me 5 minutes to make. I can't sell that in good conscience. FIVE! MINUTES!!! But my point is... if I can do it in five minutes, you can too. This is what I would consider REMARKABLE because it's not a worksheet, it's a differentiated, hands-on lab with manipulatives, cooperative learning, and student choice involved. The more students think about how to "stump" their partner, the more math they need to understand. The manipulatives in the above lab are the numbers that the kids cut out--they can be put on a broken number line that the kids make. You can also use base-ten blocks or digi-blocks to model each number if needed. It would be easy to adapt here for the different types of learners. It's differentiated because the kids get to decide how challenging they want to make this. They can make their numbers random or they can make their numbers 4,909 and 4,990, and 4,099, etc. (By the way, I did not suggest this, and a lot of kids tried it because they wanted to stump their partners later!). The kids are explaining their thinking because they are trying to stump their partner, and they are going to check each other. This is something I teach into all of the time in my classroom. Because they're trying to stump each other, they're motivated. They love working together! Now bonus points if you can make your problem have a real-life application, but just giving them a problem like this to solve is OK! It's definitely more meaningful and useful than a problem about 34,506 watermelons. Don't you think? THAT'S IT! I thought there would be more to this blog post, but I realized that this was all I do when I create my problems. Isn't that LOVELY?? Good math labs aren't ALWAYS complicated, though they can be if you feel like getting clever. I promise you that it took me 5 minutes to think up this lab and it can take you that long too. It took me another 5 minutes after that in Microsoft Word. THAT'S IT. 10 minutes of invested time gave me a lab I can use over and over again each year, and it's way easier to grade than a worksheet, and way more interesting and valuable than a worksheet. That's a win!!! Now, here's a lab that took me way more than 10 minutes to make... For Halloween every year, I work on this math lab with my students. This simulation lasts 5 days. I'm going to start using it in just a few weeks. IT'S SO MUCH FUN!! I wanted students to have a meaningful math lab that kept them focused during Halloween time, so I told them they were going to be responsible for planning a party. The problem I wrote describes that students need to buy food, decor, etc. and fit those purchases into a budget. This lets them be creative (they have lots of items to choose from when purchasing!), but use their problem-solving skills for a problem that they might actually encounter in real life. However, to make this lab more exciting for my students (and to get in the spirit of Halloween), I have "Teri Bull" and "Gob Lin" request my students' help. Teri Bull and Gob Lin leave notes for the class (which are included in my math lab). I put the notes in a spooky envelope that I decorate, and I leave it somewhere in the room for students to "find." When we open it together, I act like I'm not going to let the class help Teri Bull and Gob Lin since I have other math lessons planned already. In fact, I even leave fake math lesson plans on my desk since my students use my lesson plans to update our class schedule each day. I really ham this up and make it believable! Of course they beg me to abandon my plans and let them do this really cool project. I always "cave" and let them do it. By third grade, a few students know that I'm playing with them, but I always over-hear kids whispering things like, "Do you think Teri Bull really exists? Do you think we'll be invited to the math party we're helping them plan???" while they smile. I love letting kids be kids. While many of them think this is fake, there's still that shred of possibility that these two crazy characters planning a party could exist. Adding in the theatrics really make the kids excited about this stuff. So, while some teachers are just about ready to pull out their hair since it's so hard to get kids to focus during Halloween time, I'm thanking my lucky stars I have this in my bag of tricks!! At the end of this 5 day project, our party plans disappear... Teri Bull and Gob Lin must have stolen them for their party! If you love this idea and don't want to spend the time making this lab yourself, you can purchase it here in my TeachersPayTeachers store. AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN! It's on sale from today until Sunday! It won't be on sale forever, though. This will be a difficult project for students. I suggest that you resist the urge to help them as much as you possibly can. They will learn a lot about problem solving if they complete this on their own. I recommend putting students in small groups and allowing them to work on this project for 3-5 days, depending on your students’ ability level and the problem you choose to use in your classroom. Included in this product, you will find: A teacher directions page to help you create your lesson plans quickly (with standards addressed included for quick copying and pasting into your personal lesson planning template) 1 letter introducing the problem to students 3 differentiated price list pages with different numbers to address different learners or grade levels 2 planning pages for students to use to solve the problem 2 pages for students to write their final decisions and keep track of/check calculations 1 follow-up letter thanking students for helping to solve the problem If you need more info, which I doubt you do, you can read more details about how I use this in my class here. So where do YOU go for your favorite math labs when you don't want to create them? I love using Terc Explorations, Nimble With Numbers, Front Row's IBL projects and browsing Howard County's math website (click on the standard you're teaching and then click on centers).
Embark on a transformative educational journey with our comprehensive STREAM Lab and STEM Labs in schools and Robotics Lab. Start the journey now!
These customary conversions posters will help your 5th or 6th grade math class and will look GREAT on your classroom word wall! If you need bulletin board ideas or math classroom decor, you have come to the right place!
When the nation started renewing its educational focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects, some educators felt that the approach came at the expense of art. In many classrooms, you now see “STEAM”, with teachers incorporating a more multi-discipline approach that requires creativity, as well as critical thinking and problem solving. […]
These 3rd grade multiplication math centers, and the accompanying Student Lab Book, are EASY PREP with no little and loose pieces to manage AND no multiple recording sheets to keep track of. The 8 centers target critical 3rd grade multiplication concepts, including a review activity, solid grade-level practice, and even a challenge activity. They are your SMALL GROUP SOLUTION for your multiplication unit and feature targeted, high-interest activities that will keep your students engaged and thinking! WHAT'S INCLUDED? Math Labs build skills and fluency on key math topics per grade. Multiplication Math Lab includes: > 8 MATH CENTERS True or False? – beginning multiplication concepts. Students analyze various multiplication statements and equations and decide whether they are true or false. Crack the Code – students solve multiplication equations and follow the code to complete a cryptogram. Color by Code – students solve multiplication equations and follow the code to color a picture. What Number am I? – students solve multiplication riddles to identify the mystery number. Solve It “Monster Teeth” - students write multiplication equations to determine the number of teeth on monsters. Draw It – students draw arrays for various facts. Fix the Mistake - students analyze pieces of a multiplication table to find the mistakes. Brain Benders – a challenge activity of multiplication logic puzzles. > STUDENT LAB BOOK Students record their answers in the Multiplication Lab Book, a half-page booklet that keeps each student’s work together. > SUPPORT MATERIALS There are student-friendly directions and answer keys for each center and organizing materials such as Tub Labels and a Binder Cover and Spines. MATH LABS ARE EASY TO USE Are you tired of explaining how to use different math centers every time you start a new math unit? I have Math Labs on all the big math topics in 3rd Grade—multiplication, division, area and perimeter, just to name a few. And, each of them uses a consistent format. This means that if you’ve demonstrated their use ONCE, your kids will have no problem using any of my different Math Labs throughout the year. In addition, these math centers are versatile and can be used in multiple ways, depending on your students and your classroom organization. You can use them: in guided math groups in small groups as part of your math rotations as independent work in 8 stations around the room (similar to Science Labs, where each center is at its own station and students circulate to complete their Lab Book) in the sub tub in tutoring for Math RTI for fast finishers (the 8th challenge activity provides a good challenge for your high achievers) Be sure to click PREVIEW for a closer look. ❤ FOLLOW ❤ my store to hear about new products and updates. ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ More 3rd Grade Products: ⭐Morning Work Daily Math for 3rd Grade – The Complete Set ⭐3rd Grade Spiral Math Homework Complete Year Bundle ⭐3rd Grade Math Journals (POM) ⭐3rd Grade Formative Assessment Pack More Math Labs: ⭐Division Math Lab ⭐Area and Perimeter Math Lab ⭐Fractions Math Lab ⭐Elapsed Time Math Lab ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ๑ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ LEAVE FEEDBACK on this product and earn 5 TPT credits to use on future purchases. Copyright ©In the Math Lab. All rights reserved by author. All of my products are for personal (your classroom or home) use only. Copying for more than one classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. If you would like to share with others, please purchase additional licenses. No part of this work may be uploaded to the Internet, resold or redistributed in any way.
It’s the first Wednesday of November which means it’s time for our new linky – Math IS Real Life. August and September and October were super successful! We’ve even created a Pinterest Board of all the posts so that you can look back and find some great ideas and REAL pictures to use in your classroom! If you […]
by Mistakes Allow Thinking to Happen 5th - 12th Grade Free- please leave feedback! This set includes 10 Math-related posters that you can print at any size to decorate your classroom! Who doesn't love a good Math pun! The set includes: Why was the Obtuse angle so hot? It was over 90 degrees! I’m so good a Algebra that I could replace your and you wouldn’t even know . If you were a triangle, you’d be acute one! Parallel lines have so much in common… it’s a shame that they’ll never meet. Never argue with a 90 degree angle. It’s always right. Too much (pie symbol) gives you a large circumference. 98% of statistics are made up. Math teaches us that there is every reason to believe that every problem has a solution. There is fine line between numerator and denominator. I see you have graph paper- you must be plotting something! Don't forget to leave feedback so you get your TpT credit! Please FOLLOW my store to get updates on new products, freebies and sales! Follow Me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest Find me on Instagram! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Funny-MATH-Posters-set-4441935 Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at http://www.thebestofteacherentrepreneursmarketingcooperative.com/2014/01/the-best-of-teacher-entrepreneurs.html and get THOUSANDS OF PAGE VIEWS for your TpT products! Victoria Leon's TpT Store Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!
Mad Lab Halloween Math Worksheets Click the link above to download our Mad Lab Math worksheets. The file includes 3 ... Read more
A STEM lab is an ideal place to introduce kids to STEM with a hands-on approach. Here's how you can set up the perfect STEM makerspace for encouraging students to learn by doing.
It is hoped the new facility will boost the number of girls picking science subjects
This math symbols poster will look BEAUTIFUL in your math classroom or hallway and will help your math students learn and remember new symbols!
Bookmark this list STAT!
Are your students constantly forgetting those invisible 1’s in math? Take a few minutes to go over “invisible math” with your class. Hang your posters on the wall and your classe…
If you need STEM projects ideas, this is THE place to go! This is a collection of over 200 STEM projects and activities that kids love!
Innovation Ideas For Students Learning Better At School. Click Here To See Design For A School In Kenya Made Of Straw And Wood Designed By Nuru Ideas For Students Learning Better At School
I'm sharing how I help my students practice math fact strategies in my classroom. And guess what... these math fact strategies really work!
Explore measurement with this simple hands-on perimeter activity for kids, a Perimeter Lab math invitation. They'll measure, calculate, and have fun.
Bulletin board décor for the science classroom. These will be cut and laminated to order before they are shipped, therefore any colors can be used (white, black, Astrobrights, construction paper). The printed letters are 5 inches in height. The width varies. The maximum height of the script letters are approximately 9 inches.
Pool noodles provide great learning opportunities!
window.addEventListener('LPLeadboxesReady',function(){LPLeadboxes.addDelayedLeadbox('w5B9CVVpZM3VM42aCMGWwh',{delay:'5s',views:0,dontShowFor:'3d',domain:'thescienceduo.lpages.co'});}); Let’s get right down to business. As a teacher, you are constantly searching for tools to help engage ALL of your students within your daily lessons. Unfortunately, many of you are also often faced
window.addEventListener('LPLeadboxesReady',function(){LPLeadboxes.addDelayedLeadbox('w5B9CVVpZM3VM42aCMGWwh',{delay:'5s',views:0,dontShowFor:'3d',domain:'thescienceduo.lpages.co'});}); Let’s get right down to business. As a teacher, you are constantly searching for tools to help engage ALL of your students within your daily lessons. Unfortunately, many of you are also often faced
Use this free virtual classroom when teaching your middle school math students via distance learning!
This page has beautiful pictures of a secondary science classroom. They’ve been submitted by Mike Dyre, who’s been teaching science for 28 years! This is his science lab classroom at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge VA. He has wonderful ideas for setting up and organizing a science lab. I love how colorful and inviting his classroom is! … Continued
Do you utilize math rotations in your classroom? Math centers are a great way to incorporate independence and corporative learning skills. It gives you time to work with students one on one or in small groups with skills they are struggling with. I know it can be overwhelming to get started with centers, especially if ... Read More about Time Saving Tips For Math Centers
I'm sharing how I help my students practice math fact strategies in my classroom. And guess what... these math fact strategies really work!
This MASSIVE Periodic Table will look great in any chemistry or science classroom. It’s seriously HUGE! Measuring over 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall, this periodic table will STAND OUT. It take…
The Response to Intervention model helps educators differentiate instruction for students who need extra supports.
This week I finally did some infographic designs inspired by all the women in mathematics I have talked about so far this month. I have to say that this topic has been one of the most interesting t…
Use this fantastic pentomino exploration as a first day of math class activity in middle school. You'll learn so much about your students!
Inspirational Math Poster Available in 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 16x20 A perfect print for math teachers and nerds: the word "inspire" using the Pi symbol to spell it! A great addition to any nerdy decorating scheme. • • • ABOUT THE PRINTS • • • - All designs are professionally printed on Luster Photo Paper. Colors on prints may differ slightly from what you see on your screen due to variations in display settings. - All listings are for prints only. Mats and frames are not included. • • • SAVE MONEY • • • Interested in buying multiple prints? Visit my Discounted Sets section for money-saving options: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GetYourNerdOn?section_id=14410613 • • • POLICIES • • • - After processing is complete, shipping is usually within 5 business days. (Delays can occur, though they are infrequent.) All prints are shipped flat in a stiff mailer. - All sales are final and no changes may be made to orders once checkout is complete. Prints are made to order and shipped from the lab directly to you. Because of this, I am unable to accept cancellations, returns, or exchanges. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order. - Custom orders are considered on a case by case basis. If you’re looking for something specific, send me a convo with the details and I’ll let you know if I’m able to do it. • • • THERE’S MORE TO SEE • • • Find the perfect personalized gifts for your favorite nerds: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GetYourNerdOn?ref=l2-shop-info-name&search_query=personalized Check out more Math posters here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GetYourNerdOn?section_id=14377824 Check out my whole nerdy collection of posters here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GetYourNerdOn Thanks for stopping by!
