Patterns and the Coordinate Plane Played Out This activity (Ordered Pairs Initials) will provide students with practice in graphing ordered pairs and seeing how patterns in the ordered pairs play out on the graph. Students are usually pretty good at graphing ordered pairs. It takes a class period or two to get the X and […]
Classifying Two Dimensional Figures: Shapes in the Real World Project
Classifying Two Dimensional Figure: Shapes in the World This lesson is a chance for students to see that the world is made up of shapes. When they ask, “Why do I need to know geometry?” this is why. Our lessons in geometry and shapes often rely on 2D shapes in a textbook or drawn on […]
How to Teach Volume of a Right Rectangular Prism
Manipulatives and Volume: Volume of a Right Rectangular Prism I have noticed that students often leave out the unit label when doing word problems or measuring. For the longest time, I didn’t understand why this was the case. However, one day I had an epiphany. My students didn’t understand what the label actually meant! When […]
Teach Multiplying Fractions by a Whole Number with Hershey Chocolate Smoothies
Fractions and Feeding a Group of People Feeding a group of people can be difficult, especially when it comes to Multiplying Fractions by a Whole Number in the recipe. So often we hear kids ask, ”When am I ever going to use this?” Well, if they are ever going to follow a recipe, the answer […]
Adding and Subtracting Fractions in the Real World
Engaging Your Students with Food: Fractions in the Real World When it comes to Fractions in the Real World, one guaranteed way to get kids to participate in class is to use food. Yes, food. I believe that food is the universal means to get participation by any group of people – especially kids! No […]
Standard Algorithm for Multiplication: Math in the Natural World
Math in the Natural World: Standard Algorithm Multiplication 5th Grade The natural world is a fantastic vehicle for getting kids to think deeply about the Standard Algorithm for Multiplication. When I show a nature video at the beginning of class, I get immediate buy in because they are all fascinated, especially when it has to […]
Multiplicative Patterns on the Place Value Chart: Gamify Your Math Class
Teaching Every Student – How to Gamify Your Math Class Multiplicative Patterns on the Place Value Chart Not all kids are the same. They don’t look the same or act the same. And they certainly don’t learn the same. As teachers, we know that reaching every kid can be a challenge. Getting every kid to […]
Numerical Expressions: Teaching the Language of Math
Teaching the Language of Math So much of being successful in math is being able to understand math vocabulary and numerical expressions for problem solving and to express one’s ideas and questions about the math concepts. Sometimes kids get hung up on the idea that math is only about numbers, but that’s just not true. […]