By far, this is the game my students L-O-V-E the best. That’s because it’s all about them. And that’s okay because I get to use it to help kids make connections in math. This is a game we used to do in Mathematics A Way of Thinking (Math Their Way) workshops. It’s all about attributes. Attributes are characteristics of something. I actually use the word ‘attributes’ with students because I want them to become familiar with what it means. That…
Patterns. It was always a theme throughout the school year in my mathematics classes. So to kick-off patterns, during the first week of school, the students create a color pattern using their name. Then, we discuss the patterns made by names of different lengths. It may seem like a simple activity, but some great conversations can be generated when students focus on the reasons why certain patterns appear. For example, in the photo above, there are 15 squares in each…
Building Strong Family-School Partnerships Educating our children requires a team effort. Today’s schools actively engage parents as partners around student learning. Nifty Numbers and Math Medley Family Math Nights are perfect examples of this in action. These fun and academically engaging events help parents feel connected, not only to the school community, but to their child’s learning, as well. When families attend the event, teachers feel supported in helping students learn and kids see first-hand the value their parents place…
Aye, matey, it’s time to hunt for buried treasure. In this fun and creative activity, students will be designing their very own treasure map. As they design their map and hide their treasure, students will get plenty of practice using a protractor while reinforcing mathematical vocabulary such as acute, obtuse, and right angles, parallel and perpendicular lines. Tying in social studies and writing skills, students will be using a compass rose to write directions in order for their classmates to…
There are a lot of commercially made pattern block task cards. For the primary grades, this is a great time saver. But what about getting our upper elementary students to make their own cards…ones that can be used with the entire class. Kids love it when they’re given opportunities to be creative. And since learning increases the more engaged students become in what they’re doing, it’s a win/win. Using pattern block triangle paper (link below), have students make a design…