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Category: Mathematics -The Elementary Years

Student-Created Pattern Block Puzzles

Student-Created Pattern Block Puzzles

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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…

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Fractions in the Fourth Grade

Fractions in the Fourth Grade

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Here’s a fun way to tie in some fraction work. Students will be making their own number trails using inch graph paper and then using them to develop their understanding of fractions. It’s nice to give them the ownership of making their trails any way they want. Just make sure all students have trails that are the same length in numbers. CCSSM: 3.NF.A.1; 3.NF.A.3a; 3.NF.A.3b; 3.NF.A.3c; 3.NF.A.3d; 4.NF.A.1; 4.NF.A.2; 4.NF.B.3b; 4.NF.B.3d

Identify, Describe, Analyze, Create, and Reason with Shapes and their Attributes

Identify, Describe, Analyze, Create, and Reason with Shapes and their Attributes

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Here’s something super easy to do with kindergartners and first graders that covers a lot of the Common Core geometry standards. You will need one geoboard per student and some geobands. Working in small groups, ask students to design different shapes on their geoboards. Discuss the attributes of the shapes and compare different shapes such as rectangles and triangles. Next, have students create different shapes within specific parameters. For example, design a triangle that touches exactly 4 pegs. See photo…

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Subitizing with Dominoes

Subitizing with Dominoes

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I love doing this activity with kindergartners and first graders! Not only is it a great way for them to practice their addition facts but these little guys LOVE writing on their individual white board, so it’s a win/win! And it’s so simple. Here’s what you do: Without turning it on, put ONE domino on the overhead projector or doc camera. Tell students that you are going to flash a domino for a few seconds and their job is to…

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Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively

Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively

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Estimates help us predict the reasonableness of an answer. Having students make an estimate before they perform the calculation, and even writing the estimate next to the problem, can help them to focus on making the numbers (and the problem) make sense. Example: 3.2 x 9.8 = Students use benchmarks to determine that 3.2 is close to 3 and 9.8 is close to 10, therefore, a reasonable estimate would be 3 x 10 = 30. If students perform the actual…

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