# data[].attributes.headline
Simply Daily Math Warm-Ups to Build Number Sense

# data[].attributes.subject
Simply Daily Math Warm-Ups to Build Number Sense

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Looking for a way to start math each day to get kids' brains working and also build number sense and problem solving skills? Here are simple, daily math warm-ups you can implement in 10-15 minutes.
When I was in school, most of my middle and high school classes had a daily 'math warm up' time to get us going. The drill was simple: come to class, get out a blank piece of paper and answer the 5 math problems on the chalkboard. Was this helpful? Maybe to an extent-we got a bit of spiral skills review and got our brains thinking about math instead of science or history or lunch. But for the most part, it felt like busywork to me. So today I want to share some alternatives to the typical 'math warm-ups' that will wake up kids' brains and get them thinking about math, but also deepen their number sense and problem solving skills. Plus, most kids think these math routines are super FUN!

Math Warm-Ups to Build Number Sense: Getting Started

There are literally books upon books of number sense routines that you can use and implement in your classroom. But I wanted to keep things super simple for you. I don't want you to have to spend hours scouring the internet looking for ideas or spend hours prepping complex games or activities with lots of materials and parts.

So although this list is not exhaustive in terms of ways you can start math class each day, I hope it gives you enough ideas that you have a simple daily warm-up with about 10-15 minutes of prep (or less).

I also chose number sense routines that won't take a lot of time to complete with your students. This is simply meant to be a 10-15 minute exercise to challenge students' thinking and develop number sense. They're not intended to be the bulk of your lesson for the day.

Ok, let's dig in! Below you will find 7 daily math warm up ideas, as well as why I think they are beneficial for students ( i.e. not busywork or time wasters!)

1. Daily Number Talks

I talk about number talks quite often, because I think this is a wonderful way to start your math time. Number talks focus on mental math and computation strategies, so if your students need more meaningful math fact practice or struggle to use efficient strategies, number talks is the way to go.

>> Read more: 5 Reasons Number Talks Should be a Regular Part of Your Math Routine

>> Get Started: Grab FREE Number Talk Planning Pages HERE

2. Mental Math Challenges

This set of mental math challenges is like a single number talk on steroids. These pages give a starting number and then a series of computation challenges for kids to solve mentally until they reach the end.

These are beneficial because you get to choose the starting number, meaning you can easily differentiate for different ability levels.

In addition, these can provide some quiet, independent practice, which is sometimes a good break from group number talks.

>> Get Started: Learn more and grab this FREE set of challenges HERE

3. Esti-Mysteries

Challenging kids with an esti-mystery is a unique kind of number talk. These were created by Steve Wyborney, and he has lots of additional sets available on his site here.

This allows you to weave in a variety of different skills practice and vocabulary review, along with estimation practice, an often neglected skill. Plus, kids LOVE these! It's such a fun challenge.

>> Read More: Benefits of Esti-Mystery Challenges | FREE Esti-Mystery Recording Pages

>> Get Started: Grab a FREE set of Esti-mystery Challenges HERE

4. What's the Question? Prompts

Again, this type of math prompt is sure to get your kids thinking, since it's not what they're used to. Way too often, kids see math as nothing but computation problems to solve. One problem that has one solution with one correct method to arrive at that solution.

So open ended challenges that force kids to think flexibly and consider math as more than a closed, single solution are a win in my book!

A 'what's the question?' prompt flips a typical math problem on its head. Instead of giving kids a math problem or word problem and asking for the solution, you give them a 'solution' and ask, "What's the question?" In other words, what might someone be looking for to arrive at this solution? What is a context that might provide this solution?
Sample Solutions:

The solution is 42 square inches. What's the question?

The solution is 1 hour and 30 minutes. What's the question?

The solution is 67.7 meters. What's the question?

Another way to use this type of prompt is to provide the beginning of a story problem and omit the given question.

For example, say your textbook includes this problem as practice:

Sarah and Ben each had $100. Sarah spent $57 on clothes and Ben spent $44 on a video game. How much more did Sarah spend than Ben?

Instead of presenting the entire problem to students, just give them the information to form a context. Leave out the "How much more did Sarah spend than Ben?" and instead ask, "What's the question?"

You could even provide a numberless word problem and leave off the question. This adds an additional layer of things you can discuss as a group as students make sense of the situation and also think about what the question could be. For example,

Sarah and Ben each had some money. Sarah spent some on clothes and Ben spent some on a video game. What's the question?

This opens it up more, because we don't know who spent more, we don't know how much they had at first, we don't know if there's money leftover, etc. This will force kids to think about different scenarios and the math implications.

5. Number or Fraction of the Day Challenges

These simple daily prompts will help kids to think about numbers multiple ways, a key to developing a strong number sense.

How exactly you implement this will depend on your grade level.

In the early grades, it might include writing the number in expanded form, showing with base ten blocks, +/- 1 and +/1 10, etc. Older students might focus on larger numbers and some place value addition and subtraction (daily number +500, -200, etc.).

Upper elementary students can build fraction sense by using fraction of the day prompts. This can include things like 'find 2 equivalent fractions' or 'fraction + ___ = 1'. You can also have students place the faction on a number line or write a story problem equal to the given fraction.

This will help students think flexibly about whole numbers, fractions or even decimals.

>> Get Started: Grab a FREE set of number of the day prompts HERE

6. Target Number Challenge

Again, this is a super simple challenge that takes virtually no prep from you. There are so many benefits for students though. This math warm up will challenge kids to think about numbers in multiple ways, see patterns and learn to decompose numbers.

In this routine, you simply provide students a 'target' number. This can be anything at all, depending on the age and ability of your students.

Then set a timer for 5 minutes (or 10 minutes if your students are older and working with more complex numbers) and have kids record equations that are equal to the target number.

For example, if the target number is 10, students might write:

For older students, you can use larger numbers, or fraction and decimal values.

You can also add restraints or requirements such as, each equation must include 2 operations. Or each equation must include 4 different terms (20 - 12 + 6 - 4 = 10). Or each equation must use an exponent, etc.

7. Logic Puzzles as Math Warm-Ups

Lastly, I want to mention simple logic puzzles as a way to get your kids 'warmed up' and ready to learn math. Although logic puzzles won't necessarily build fluency and computation skills, they are a fun way to 'warm up' the brain. They will also strengthen logical and critical thinking skills, which in turn better prepare and equip kids to make sense of word problems and other math challenges.

In addition, they can be a great way for kids to develop perseverance in problem solving, as the desire to solve the puzzle pushes them on in a way that a typical math problem may not.

> Read More: How to Raise Logical Thinkers and Why it Matters

>> Get Started: Try any of the FREE sets of logic puzzles I have available at the links below, or purchase a complete set of puzzles, depending on the ages you're looking for:
FREE logic puzzles to try out:
Well, I hope this has given you some meaningful, easy to implement ideas for daily math warm ups and I hope you are encouraged to look for ways to strengthen number sense and build problem solving skills with the routines you use in your classroom!

Have another easy math warm-ups routine to add to this list? Feel free to share it with me via email here: mathgeekmama(at)gmail.com.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Simple Daily Math Warm-Ups to Build Number Sense | Math Geek Mama

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for a way to start math each day to get kids' brains working and also build number sense and problem solving skills? Here are simple, daily math warm-ups you can implement in 10-15 minutes. When I was in school, most of my middle and high school classes had a daily 'math warm up' time to get us going.

# data[].attributes.headline
Math At Home Activities. Familiar Routines to use Pre-K-5

# data[].attributes.subject
Math At Home Activities. Familiar Routines to use Pre-K-5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Steve Wyborney's Blog: I'm on a Learning Mission.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Estimation Clipboard is a set of 40 lessons that each include 4 highly similar images. Each image provides an invitation to estimate. Then as new images are introduced, the students' context and intrigue will grow - and so will their excitement.

Jennifer Barker recently wrote about her experience with The Estimation Clipboard in her post Why you should consider using Estimation Clipboard!

Watch the video, download the lessons, and try The Estimation Clipboard in your class. You may be very surprised by what is about to happen...

Keep watching The Estimation Clipboard as new images, new levels, and new combinations will be added to this post on an ongoing basis.
Each bundle includes 4 sets. Here is an example of one of the bundles:
The Estimation Clipboard Bundles
The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 1 - Sets 1, 2, 3, and 4 - "Gems in a Glass" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 2 - Sets 5-8 - "The Length of the String"
After reading this blog post, take a look at THE 12 MOST POPULAR MATH STRATEGIES AND DOWNLOADS ON THIS BLOG.
The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 3 - Sets 9-12 - "Marbles in a Bowl" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 4 - Sets 13-16 - "Dice in a Glass" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 5 - Sets 17-20 - "Smaller Glass Gems" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 6 - Sets 21-24 - "3-Dimensional String" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 7 - Sets 25-28 - "2 Strings" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 8 - Sets 29-32 - "3 Strings and a Given Sum" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 9 Sets - 33-36 - "The Difference is Given" The Estimation Clipboard Bundle 10 - Sets 37-40 - "3 Containers" Other Posts and Resources Which May Be of Interest
Splat! (50 downloadable, animated lessons)

The Fraction Splat! Series (with 20 more downloadable lessons)

Cube Conversations (80 downloadable, animated lessons)
Tiled Area Questions Primary Tile Questions The Maze Hundreds Chart
Thank you for visiting!

All my best,

Steve

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Estimation Clipboard - Steve Wyborney's Blog: I'm on a Learning Mission.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Estimation Clipboard is a set of 40 lessons that each include 4 highly similar images. Each image provides an invitation to estimate. Then as new images

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the Off You Go routine, the class focuses on a single concept - such as rectangles, patterns, the number 100, or half - and then each child explores the environment to look for new ways that concept lives in the world. Students bring their diverse examples back for comparison and discussion, stretching their own notions of what the concept can (and cannot) look like. Think of this as a conceptual scavenger hunt. Students can do this as a full lesson searching your classroom or school, or try this as rich homework, where students look at home for a concept and you begin the next day's lesson with sharing and discussion.

Each activity is structured in three parts:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the Off You Go routine, the class focuses on a single concept - such as rectangles, patterns, the number 100, or half - and then each child explores the environment to look for new ways that concept lives in the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Young Mathematicians – Sharing fun math experiences with teachers and families

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this free PDF, you will find three black and white printable place value mats to support the teaching of place value. There are mats for two, three and four digit numbers. The mats can be printed in large-scale to be used with MAB or any other counting manipulative, or can be printed in smaller scale to be written on by students. You can print as many as you need for your current class and future classes!

If you are looking for place value mats for five, six and seven digit numbers, you may be interested in my matching resource: Place Value Mats.

This product is free for non-commercial, educational use only. Please do not distribute this file to colleagues - direct them to my TPT store for their own free download!

If you decide to download this resource, I'd appreciate you taking a few moments to leave a rating and a short comment. This feedback lets me know which resources you find most useful, which helps me make more of what you love! I appreciate your interest in my resources and would love to hear how you go using them with your students.

PLEASE NOTE: You may have noticed my Australian spelling in this listing (e.g. 'colour' instead of 'color'). Not to worry - whenever a spelling variation affects a worksheet or printable in my products, I always include an American spelling version in the same download!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this free PDF, you will find three black and white printable place value mats to support the teaching of place value. There are mats for two, three and four digit numbers. The mats can be printed in large-scale to be used with MAB or any other counting manipulative, or can be printed in smaller s...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our kids struggle with math from time to time. The subject gets increasingly more complex the older our kids get. Graphic organizers can help math students slow down to think through a problem in its component parts and, therefore, enhance their problem-solving skills.

How to use math graphic organizers

Graphic organizers help students to logically process the information. Often, by following a step by step process, students find they don't get lost in the math. A graphic organizer helps students organize the thought process as well as provide a framework to collect, visualize and organize the math information to work through the problem.

Depending on the type of math problem your child is tackling, there are many different graphic organizers to use. A search on the internet for math graphic organizers is a truly overwhelming experience for parents. Let us try to make your job a little easier. We've created five graphic organizers we believe your elementary school children would rely on the most.

Word problem graphic organizer

Word problems are inherently difficult for most students as these problems involve working out what exactly is being asked of them and to apply the correct math equations. This word problem graphic organizer helps students slow down the process and think through the problem carefully.

Four operations graphic organizer

When solving large number equations, such as 3-digit by 2-digit multiplication, or adding 4-digit by 3-digit numbers, many students have trouble with lining up the numbers properly. Using these grids, students ensure there is one number per box and that they solve each row by their place values (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.)

Step by step graphic organizer

As students move up the grades, they will find that math problems are solved in many steps. This step by step graphic organizer helps them break down the math problem in those steps and to visualize the process to solve the problem correctly.

Frayer Model graphic organizer

Learning new words or concepts in math is an important part of understanding math. This graphic organizer was developed by Dorothy Frayer and her colleagues at the University of Wisconsin. The model helps students draw on their current knowledge of math terms to build connections to new terms.

Number lines graphic organizer

Students use number lines to understand number sequences and to visualize counting, comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing numbers. Used by younger students for simple whole number counting and math equations, older students continue to use numbers lines for working out equations of negative to positive numbers, as well as for fractions and decimals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Top 5 Math Graphic Organizers | K5 Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Math graphic organizers. K5 provides the top five math graphic organizers elementary school students can use to make solving math problems easier.

# data[].attributes.headline
Children's Books that demonstrate patterns

# data[].attributes.subject
Children's Books that demonstrate patterns

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When helping your preschoolers understand how to identify, label, and describe patterns, let these books assist you!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Online virtual dice roller that is capable of simultaneously rolling up to 100 dice randomly. A virtual dice roller with any number of sides is also ...

# data[].attributes.headline
Math Manipulatives Hiding in a Junk Drawer

# data[].attributes.subject
Math Manipulatives Hiding in a Junk Drawer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Math Manipulatives Hiding in a Junk Drawer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When parents ask how to get the benefits of manipulatives like base 10 blocks in distance learning, teachers can share strategies for using common household items.

# data[].attributes.headline
National Libtrary of Virtual Manipulatives

# data[].attributes.subject
National Libtrary of Virtual Manipulatives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A digital library containing Java applets and activities for K-12 mathematics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
© site Copyright 2024 Talking Math with Your Kids • Saint Paul, MN, 55114 Rights to individual sets controlled by the named authors

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Steve Wyborney's Blog: I'm on a Learning Mission.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
110 New Esti-Mysteries - Steve Wyborney’s Blog

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I’ll be posting 110 New Esti-Mysteries this school year. If you are subscribed to the blog, I’ll let you know each time a new one is posted.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Computational Number Talks

There are so many great resources about how to have these types of number talks with your students. They are intended to be done synchronously (small group or whole class if you can manage online!) and usually are intended to be mentally solved (or use whiteboards to show/explain thinking as needed.) Because of the many ways to do these, I have included some guides to support you and your students.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Math Talks for Slides - Computational Number Talks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Computational Number Talks There are so many great resources about how to have these types of number talks with your students. They are intended to be done synchronously (small group or whole class if you can manage online!) and usually are intended to be mentally solved (or use whiteboards to show/explain thinking as needed.)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Looking for some simple count to 10 games? You can download four of them at the end of this post!
This post contains affiliate links.
Today I'm going to share a set of simple number games for preschoolers. These are ideal for helping young children learn to recognize the numbers 1-10. This is the last in our series of counting bin printables. They're all easy to print, prep, and play.

Let's check it out!

First, print the game boards and cards. Choose two game boards to use, one for you and one for your child. I find that it's easier for young preschoolers to have their own game board to avoid confusion.

Take turns drawing a card and moving that number of spaces on your board. Each card has only one or two dots. This is because young learners can usually recognize one or two dots quickly without counting them. Since this game was designed for very young learners, I wanted to keep it as simple as possible!

Keep taking turns drawing cards and moving along your path. As you move, be sure to name the number you land on. This is what will help your child practice number recognition.

Keep going until one of you reaches 10. That player is the winner.

Have fun!

This game was inspired by one in the fantastic little book, Preschool Math at Home. It's definitely worth a purchase!

P.S. You can use playing pieces from other games in your closet, or buy a set of these, like we did.
See the whole series here
© 2017 - 2018, Anna G. All rights reserved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Free count to 10 games for preschoolers - The Measured Mom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for some simple count to 10 games? You can download four of them at the end of this post! This post contains affiliate links. Today I'm going to share a set of simple number games for preschoolers. These are ideal for helping young children learn to recognize the numbers 1-10.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The goal of this game is to collect all of the cards by flipping over higher number cards than other players. This game is a fun way for children to practice recognizing diverse representations of number and quantity. Playful experiences with different representations of number helps to strengthen children’s math knowledge.