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Let’s talk about a problem solving strategy that’s all about modeling the problem-solving process in a way that gets students to think deeply—like, really think—before they solve. It’s called the “Think Along” strategy, and it’s one of my favorite strategies for teaching problem solving. By slowing things down, students can actually take their time, analyze …

Think Along Strategy: Modeling Problem-Solving for Student Understanding Read More »

There is one thing I had my students do every single week that made a HUGE difference in their multiplication fact fluency… Multiplication Charts—Every Week! Starting about a month into the school year, I taught my students how to make their own multiplication charts. And guess what? Once they got the hang of it, we …

Multiplication Charts to Increase Fact Fluency Read More »

This is a step-by-step guide on how to teach multi-digit multiplication to 3rd and 4th grade. In this blog we will focus on multiplying 2 and 3-digit numbers by a 1-digit number. Moving from concrete, to representational (pictorial), to abstract is key! And making connections between the progressions is absolutely crucial! The first thing we …

How to Teach Multiplication Read More »

Coming up with an end of year gift for my students is sometimes a daunting task. I love them dearly, but I’m drained, tired, and ready for summer. I also don’t want to spend a ton of money on some cheap-y gift I know will be broken or lost within a week. Here are my …

3 End of Year Gift Ideas for Students Read More »

Geometry is one of my favorite units to teach! There are so many opportunities to get crafty and creative! These engaging geometry projects, games, and worksheets will have your students classifying 2D shapes in no time! These are the best geometry activities for elementary students. Geo-ART-metry I almost always start my geometry unit with some …

Geometry Activities for Elementary Students Read More »

Welcome back for part 2 of comparing fraction strategies and activities. Click here if you missed part 1! In part 1, we talked about using food as a fun introduction to comparing fractions. From here, let’s move into using fraction tiles (or other concrete fraction manipulatives) to compare fractions. I choose comparisons that guide us …

Comparing Fraction Strategies – Part 2 Read More »

I have a confession…my very first year teaching I tried teaching comparing fractions to my 4th grade students the “right” way, and my kids just weren’t getting it. So, I just taught them fraction war instead…butterfly…cross multiply, whatever name you want to give it. Whewwww! My own understanding of fractions wasn’t deep enough to know …

Comparing Fractions for 3rd and 4th grade – Part 1 Read More »

Teaching students to read and understand word problems is one of the most difficult challenges math teachers face. Many of these word problems are multi-step…and often times not grade appropriate. What’s a teacher to do?!? Here’s some math problem solving resources that have been game changers for me when helping my students learn to be …

Math Problem Solving Resources and Strategies Read More »

The biggest complaint I hear from 4th and 5th grade teacher is “They don’t know their facttsssss!!!” I know it can be quite a challenge to teach students the skills they need to know in 4th and 5th grade (multi-digit multiplication, long division, etc.) when they don’t know their multiplication facts. Buuuuuut I’ve also taught …

Building Multiplication Fact Fluency Read More »

Let’s talk about ideas for math station activities and games! First and foremost, keep it simple! I truly believe that students thrive on routine and knowing what to expect. This is even more important when you are expecting students to work and function while you do small group math instruction. Click here for 5 tips …

The Best Math Station Activities Read More »

Many times, we start the school year with the best intentions to make guided math work for us. We have great math station ideas, the perfect station acronym, and great small group activities and games. But somewhere along the way things fall apart. Been there, done that, I feel ya! Here’s the deal, there are …

5 Tips for Small Group Math Instruction Read More »

Looking for the perfect math classroom decorations or theme? I LOVE classroom set up and classroom decor! Who’s with me??? Okay, okay I get it! It’s not everyone’s thing and that’s okay! It is so incredibly important to balance making our classrooms welcoming, but also functional and meaningful! Over the years I have learned it …

Math Classroom Decorations…with a purpose! Read More »

“The student is expected to select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate….”blah blah blah. I know you’ve seen it! That process standard shows up in every TEKS strand from kindergarten all the way to statistics and pre-cal. But are we really allowing students to choose their tools…or are we …

Math Manipulative Toolbox for Students Read More »

Math workshop and small groups are my jam! I have done guided math in many different ways and my math block schedule changed a lot depending on different factors. But THIS is my absolute favorite way to schedule my math block and teach in small groups. I’ve done this type of schedule with anywhere from …

Math Block Schedule Read More »

I believe that any successful classroom starts with some type of daily warm up or bell ringer. Something that the students are expected to do right when they come in to class. A daily math warm up sets the tone for the rest of the class period. It also gives you as a teacher the …

Daily Math Warm Up Activities Read More »

Speaking to parents terrified me for years…like sick to my stomach, mad anxiety, terrified. I dreaded the thought of parents being upset with me or dealing with those particularly difficult parents. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to teach with THE Lindsey Driver. Not only is she one of the most amazing math teachers on the …

5 Tips for Positive Parent Teacher Relationships Read More »

Building relationships is the most effective classroom strategy out there! One way I start to do that from the start is with this back to school postcard for students. After the first couple weeks of school, I write a personalized message to each student and mail them a postcard. Who doesn’t love getting snail mail?! …

Back to School Postcard for Students Read More »

So, you’ve gone to the workshops, read all the books and blogs, researched your resources and you’ve decided to get going with math workshop. Stations, rotations, guided math, whatever you wanna call it! Small groups will absolutely change your classroom for the better. There is so much value to sitting down with a small group …

Math Workshop Display Read More »

March means test prep season is upon us! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, room transformations are my absolute favorite way to review and prepare for upcoming test! Thus, a basketball math transformation! Students work to complete different tasks that review various math skills we’ve learned throughout the year. Y’all…it’s a packet …

Basketball Math Review Transformation Read More »