Math Toolboxes

 Last year I created individual math toolboxes for each student so that they didn't have to share supplies (COVID Rules 😕).

At the beginning of the year they contained...
- multiplication flashcards
- double dice
- animal themed playing pieces
- counters,
- transparent spinner

As the year progressed we added more manipulatives and tools to our toolbox like fraction strips, rulers, protractors, and more.

Students kept their math toolboxes in their blue math bins. These also housed their blue math folders that held their Problem Set packets, whiteboards, markers, and erasers.

Students would simply grab their blue math bin and they were ready for math workshop. It helped tremendously with organization.

Both the blue math toolboxes and bins were found at the Dollar Tree. They were a great find!
This year I'm hoping to return to shared supplies. Should I keep the individual toolboxes for math, or combine materials in larger bins in a math station?

What do you do?

Blooket

 Have you heard of Blooket? 

My students are obsessed (and so am I).

Blooket allows the teacher to create or select a pre-created question set and engage students with review/practice of the questions in a unique and fun game mode.  

Students compete against each other to see who can answer the most questions quickly and accurately.

  

Blooket provides a great way to review many academic concepts, while having fun.

You can check out my tutorial here.

What are you waiting for?  Try it out!

How Do You Review for Engage NY Module Assessments?

Do you use Engage NY's Math Modules?

How do you review for the Mid-Module and End-Module Assessments?

How do you prepare students for State Assessments?

Last year was the first year my district adopted Engage NY's 4th Grade Math Modules.  Although I was skeptical at first, the modules proved to be a wonderful math program.  You can download the lessons, worksheets, and assessments for FREE on Engage NY's website.

However, the one thing the modules lack (in my opinion) is review materials.

I spent a whole school year creating materials to use for small group instruction, needs groups, and review for various assessments throughout the year.

This summer, I've begun packaging my creations for you to use too!

Each pack has taken me about 2 months to complete.  So far, I've created a pack for Module 1:  Place Value, Addition, & Subtraction and Module 3:  Multiplication & Division.

Here is a little peek at my Module 1 Review pack. . .

Teacher directions are included.  Print them out and pop them into a binder for safe keeping.

I created a multiple choice and short response worksheet for each topic in the module.  I use these for . . .

- needs groups
- morning work
- AIS support
- extra credit

I also have 2 Mid-Module and End-Module review worksheets.  I use one for whole group review.  It provides me with an opportunity for modeling and guided practice with students.  I use the 2nd version for independent work or homework the night before an assessment.

I love to incorporate games as often as possible.  They provide students with an opportunity to collaborate with peers and study previously learned concepts while having fun.  I have 12 playing cards for each topic.  I put them out for students to use during center rotations after the completion of each topic.  I lease these out throughout the rest of the school year for continuous review and preparation for the State Test.

I love giving students the opportunity to move around the room.  Another way I help students review for our assessments is with an activity called Around the Room.  I simply print out the problem cards and place them around the room.  Students grab a clipboard and move around to each problem while solving them on their worksheet.   I have one for Mid-Module and End-Module review.

For Mid-Module review I've created a Tic-Tac-Toe Power Point game to play as a whole class.  I divide students into two teams, Xs and Os.  They select a problem, solve it on white boards, and select a spokesperson to share the answer.  If they answer correctly, they place an X or O in the box.  The first team to get 3 in a row wins.  If no one gets 3 in a row the team with the most correct answers wins.

I have a Jeopardy-ish game for End Module review.  I split students into smaller teams and they select a question to solve.  If they answer correctly they earn the corresponding points.  These games are an engaging way to review previously learned concepts.

You can snag the Module 1 Review Pack and the Module 3 Review Pack in my TPT store.

How do you review for math assessments?

****July 2015 UPDATE:  All fourth grade module review packs are complete and can be purchased here.  I have begun creating third grade module review packs.  Check them out here.

Tune into Technology: Integrating Technology into Math

One of my favorite blogs, iTeach1:1, is hosting an amazing link-up:  Tune into Technology.

This week I couldn't resist...I just had to link up to discuss the topic:  Integrating Technology into Math.

To start off, two of my favorite websites to find quick, fun, and educational videos are Brain Pop and Brain Pop JR. 

Brain Pop and Brain Pop JR are educational websites with short animated videos for students in grades K-12.  Also included are quizzes, supplemental information and related materials, and games covering science, social studies, English, technology, health, art, music, and today's topic: math!

Although Brain Pop and Brain Pop JR are websites you need to pay to use they do have some videos and free materials that you can check out.  I'm lucky to have our district pay for our subscription because I use this site frequently.  The videos are quick and comical.  Students love them and they provide a quick review of a previously learned topic, or a great intro into something new.

I like to integrate technology into my math center rotations.  I use a center wheel to organize my math center rotations.  Some of the technology based rotations include classroom computers, our Smart Board, Smart Table, and Kindles (to name a few).

Students use the computer to play games such as XtraMath or Study Island Math.

XtraMath is a free website that I've raved about in a previous blog post that you can check out here.  Study Island is funded by our district.  Students love the quick and fun lessons that are standards based.  They are also obsessed with the games.  Students get quick skill and drill practice of Common Core or state specific math standards while playing fun games.  Best of all, it keeps track of student progress for teacher record.

Students use the Smart Board to play games that I received from Lakeshore Learning through a funded project on Donors Choose.

A student favorite is Math Quiz Game Show.  We project this game with our Smart Board so that students can play as a whole class, in small groups, or with partners.  This games has all the sights and sounds of a real-life game show.  It's perfect for math review or extra practice as it includes 200 level-appropriate questions in 11 key categories.

Another student favorite for math center rotations is our Smart Table.  Smart Exchange has free downloads for the Smart Table that you can search for based on grade level and topic.  I usually check out this site first before heading out and creating my own file since creating files for a Smart Table can become time consuming.  I love the interactive feel of a Smart Table.  Students are provided with activities that build teamwork skills and help students learn to work effectively with partners and in small groups.

Students use Kindles during our math center rotations to practice math facts with free APPS such as Arithmemouse, Telling Time, math Bingo, and Butterfly Math.  Every few weeks I always check out Amazon to see which apps are free.  Free apps change often.  I also save up Amazon gift cards to use to purchase apps and books for our class Kindles.

Want to learn more about integrating technology into math?  Pop on over to iTeach1:1 today.

Tried it Tuesday - Fractions on a Number Line

Today I'm linking up with Holly from Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried it Tuesday.


We have just finished up our fractions unit (based on the Common Core Standards) and I have lots to share with you.

Today I wanted to share how we kicked off our unit on fractions.  We started with fractions on a number line (3rd grade standard:  3.NF.A.2).  Although I teach 4th grade, last year students didn't receive much exposure with fractions on a number line so I definitely wanted to start with bridging this gab. 

I passed out fraction cards to students and they created a human number line.  We organized the cards from least to greatest and talked about which fractions were equivalent.

My students loved the fraction pictures on each card.  It definitaly made the sorting process a lot easier and erased the common misconception that the larger the denominator the greater the fraction.

I made a little worksheet to go along with it for some independent practice.  Then students used a cute little board game to review the concept during math centers.

You can download my Fractions on a Number Line Pack in  my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Check out some of the other neat things teachers have tried for Tried it Tuesday!

Math Projects for Monday Made It

Hey Yall!  I'm linking up with Tara again for my absolute favorite day of the week:  Monday Made It!  This week I decided to showcase a few of my summer projects that focus on math!

First off, I could not get enough of these amazing dice shakers from Primary Inspired.  I ran out immediately after seeing them and had to make them for myself . I swung by Dollar Tree to get some glitter, dice, glue, gems.  Then I ran to Wegmans to purchase some tiny water bottles.  For some reason, they kind of remind me of mini rocket ships.  Weird!

Any who, I pulled off the labels.  Luckily, they didn't leave any sticky residue.  I popped in 2 dice and sprinkled in a little glitter.  Then I decided to glue the top back on so my little friends can't open them and accidentaly pour the water out during centers....not that they would ever do that, right?

I glued a gem to the top and drew on a couple of simple doodles with the glitter glue.  They came out pretty cute.  I can't wait to use them during math centers for some quiet dice rolling action.  You can check out one of the games that we use dice for right here.

Next, I had to create something robot-ish for my classroom.  Working number sense activities into my daily routine is a must for next year.  My kiddos are also going to need lots of chances to practice their math facts.  So, I devised a game:  Robot Swat.

I found these adorable fly swatters at Dollar Tree.  (They have others that come in shapes like butterflies and flowers.)  I printed off some robot clipart, laminated it, and glued a copy to each side.  I used a hot glue gun so it would stick strong and fast.  Here are pictures of my first two.  However, I ended up making four.

Then I created, cut out, and laminated gears with numbers and operation signs.  I also created some cards with math facts and guess my operation problems.  My thought is that students will get a fly swatter, when they see the problem card they will race to see who can swat the correct gear first.  Whoever swats the correct gear first, wins, and gets to play again.  The other 3 students must pass on their robot (fly) swatters to new students to play.  Here's a pic of my playing against my husband with just the number gears.

I envision my students playing this during morning meeting or as a math warm-up.  They will be gathered around in a circle, with the gears spread out in the middle.  I will select 2-4 students to play at a time.  After students learn how to play I might even make this one of our math centers.

Want a copy of my robot swat game?  You can download it here at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  For today only, all my math materials are 20% off.  Stock up now for back to school!

Check out all the other cool projects on Tara's site for Monday Made It!