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Interactive math activities (look up Sometimes, Always, Never + Norms)

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What is your favorite number? This simple question on a Radiolab for Kids podcast got people from all over the world talking. In "For the Love of Numbers," hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich explore our deep and emotional connections to math. In part, these feelings reveal what studies have shown: Kids who talk about math do better at it. A recent Education Week article noted, "Research suggests that when students talk more about their math thinking, they are more motivated to learn, and they learn more."

In these 10 podcasts, kids talk about math concepts; hosts introduce great mathematicians, mathematicians talk about math; and there's a fair dose of silly, playful math talk. From women mathematicians Katherine Johnson and Ada Lovelace to the concept that math is a reality "woven into the universe," laying bare the patterns of our world, there is a lot to talk about when talking about math. Access the playlist here.
The Science Sisters, "Apples & Math"
Ages 5-8

Kids love to listen to kids, so what better way to introduce young kids to Sir Isaac Newton than by listening to a first and third grader discuss his work? Inspired by the podcast Wow in the World, sisters Genevieve and Emmy started their own podcast. Here, they share facts about the mathematician and scientist, Genevieve and Emmy's dad, Kyle, help them out a bit as they discuss the laws of motion, gravity, and calculus, but it's really the discussion between the sisters that makes this episode so engaging. On the lighter side, they clarify that Newton was not the inventor of the figgy cookie! Perhaps they will inspire other listeners to explore science, make connections, and start a podcast too.
But Why? "What is the Biggest Number?"
Ages 5-10

What is the biggest number? Why is seven a lucky number? Why is 5th grade math so hard?! In this episode, host Jane Lindholm interviews mathematician Joseph Mazur to find answers. Listeners learn about fascinating numbers such as googol and googolplex and more intriguing mathematical information. But Why? is an award-winning show produced by Vermont Public Radio, fueled by a broad range of kid questions on a host of interesting topics.
Wow in the World "1+2=3, Just Ask a Bee"
Ages 7-10

In this episode of the fast-paced, wacky science show Wow in the World, hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas explore the Fibonacci sequence. Kids will enjoy the humorous skits the hosts enact to explain the way to calculate the Fibonacci sequence and how you can find these patterns all around us. Raz and Thomas also share how scientists conducted an experiment that showed that bees can actually add and subtract! Wow in the World is an award-winning NPR science and technology show for kids produced by TinkerCast.
Tai Asky Why "Which Is Cooler, Zero or Infinity?"
Ages 8-12

Tai Poole, a curious, math-loving 11-year-old, launched his show in order to ask and explore life's biggest questions. Here, Tai wonders why numbers are so interesting to him, especially zero and infinity. To explore, he pits these two abstract numbers against one another in order to see which one is the coolest! Tai talks with mathematicians Eugenia Cheng and James Grime, who share the history of these numbers and how they're connected, and explain that these abstract concepts don't really exist...unless we are talking about chocolate cake. (Tune in for explanation.) Kids will walk away from this episode with their minds blown, into infinity and beyond. The show is produced by CBC Radio-Canada.
Girl Tales: Nova's Lab! "Meeting Katherine Johnson"
Ages 8-12

In this episode,young listeners meet Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician who calculated the trajectory around the moon. Actors introduce young listeners to Katherine Johnson through a first-person audio play, so kids hear her discuss her work and how it enabled astronauts to orbit the moon. Students can also do the hands-on activity, described at the end, to experiment with the concept of orbiting. Nova's Lab! is a series of episodes produced by Girl Tales, a podcast dedicated to exploring women inventors and scientists. To find more in this series, search Nova Labs! within the Girl Tales podcast.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls "Ada Lovelace"
Ages 8-12

In this episode of the podcast based on the popular book series "Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls," listeners learn about the English mathematician and writer Ada Lovelace. Ada saw poetry in numbers, which influenced her love of machines. When she was young, she drew birds in order to try building her own flying machine. As a young adult, she met many scientists, including mathematician Charles Babbage. They shared an interest in math and became life-long friends, working together to write the first computer programming language in history. This episode is read by New York Times correspondent Jodi Kantor. Kids who enjoy learning about great women in history will want to explore all the other episodes.
Mic Drop Maths "Dear Decimal"
Ages 9-12

What sort of personality would a decimal point have? In this episode of Mic Drop Maths, a new podcast created by math teachers and hosted by their fifth grade students in Montpellier, VA, a decimal shares her story! Decimal describes the trials and tribulations of what it's like to separate the whole numbers from the parts, and you can hear the bitterness in her voice when she reminds listeners that she is not a period, but a decimal. The interview goes on to reveal the origins of the word decimal, it's function, and how it's all about location, location, location, in other words, the base 10 system. By using personification, storytelling, student "math talk," math history, and math quizzes, educator Whitney Wells-Corfield and her students bring math to life-and also offer free worksheets at micdropmaths.com. Wells-Corfield has continued producing episodes through the pandemic, including one about the math surrounding the Coronavirus.
Radiolab for Kids "For the Love of Numbers"
Ages 9-14

Well-known Radiolab hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich recently launched a show just for kids, aptly named Radiolab for Kids. The show sounds very much like the grown-up one, except for the topics. Here, they explore our deep, emotional connection to numbers and math with the question, "What is your favorite number?" The answers reveal a great deal about us as individuals. The episode will spark discussion about the numbers and math that are part of everyday life, including a consideration of why KFC chicken has 11 herbs and spices as opposed to 10! Radiolab for Kids is produced by WNYC Studios in New York.
TED Radio Hour "Don't Fear Math"
Ages 14-17

This podcast shares excerpts from popular TED Talks on different topics. Here, host Guy Raz explores the question, "What is the danger to society if people don't have math literacy?" Various answers are suggested, including one from Felicia Jones, who reminds us that all girls are good at math. In his response, Dan Finkel talks about how math is really made up of questions, not just problems to solve; he encourages students to play with math. Eddie Woo, a high school math teacher in Australia, describes the elegance of math, while Masha Gershman, from the Russian School of Math, explains how math is thought of differently in Russia. This episode is long, but is valuable to share in pieces or as a way to entice students to watch the full TED Talks on YouTube.

As the school year gets underway, listen and look for resources that will inspire students to play with math, practice math, talk about math, and come up with their own mind-bending questions that can only be answered with math. And if those don't work, try asking: What's your favorite number?

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10 Podcasts About Math for K-12 Students | Kidcasts

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What is your favorite number? This simple question on a Radiolab for Kids podcast got people from all over the world talking. In "For the Love of Numbers," hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich explore our deep and emotional connections to math.

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Filter by grade or topic

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At Home Math Activities - Maren Goodman, LT School

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At Home Math Activities - Maren Goodman, LT School

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e as teachers of math and parents working with our students at home can transform students' ideas, experiences, and life challenges through a growth mindset approach introduce a positive math mindset by first making math open and engaging to all students and their families and most importantly giving the families the opportunity to have FUN!

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Fact Fluency Can Be Fun - Angie Pierce, JCS

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Fact Fluency Can Be Fun - Angie Pierce, JCS

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Even as a teacher I have struggled to believe that I was "good at math." I secretly dreaded teaching it and was so relieved when the recess bell rang and the lesson had ended for the day. My negative relationship with math began in third grade with that taunting fact fluency star chart that hung on the wall. It was the first thing that you saw when you walked in the classroom. Most of my peers had shiny golden stars that extended far across the chart. Me? I had three stars. And it remained that way for most of the year.

Each week we had a timed math test and I was never fast enough to pass to a level beyond my three facts. This experience convinced me that I was not good at math. I let this belief influence many of my educational and career choices. I truly didn't believe that I was capable of higher level math classes and completely abandoned my dreams of becoming a geologist because of the higher-level math classes the degree required.

Of course, I am happy with the way things worked out. I love teaching elementary school and I knew that I would never put my students through the agony of that dreadful star chart. Two things are important to note here: First, I still (up until very recently) didn't believe that I was good at math and truly was not confident in my mathematical teaching. Second, even though I didn't use the star chart, I still gave timed math tests to my students. It's just what everyone did and I didn't really question it. I suppose I also lacked the confidence to speak out against them and was embarrassed to share how traumatizing the experience was for my eight year old self. I am still trying to figure out a way to encourage my students to develop fact fluency without the stress and anxiety that can accompany timed math tests and flashcards. I am a work in progress.

When I saw the invitation to join the Humboldt Early Math Leadership Team, I knew that I needed this opportunity. I wanted to be a better math teacher. Little did I know that I would also become a better math learner. There were several components to being a part of HEMLT. We were asked to review and reflect upon the book "Mathematical Mindsets," by Jo Boaler. We were also invited to attend many workshops, one of which was presented by Jo Boaler herself. The amount of growth that I have seen in myself as a mathematical learner this year has been amazing. I am not only a better teacher, but also a better student because of this year long experience. I also see a huge difference in my student's mathematical mindsets and that is the most rewarding part of this whole experience!

Part of the HEMLT was to develop a mathematical project that would impact our communities. The overarching goal for this initiative was to improve the mathematical outcomes and foster positive mathematical mindsets for children and educators. Given my past experience with timed math tests and fact fluency, I knew that I wanted to do something to prevent students from feeling the same way that I felt about math. I do believe that fact fluency is an important skill to develop, however, I think it can be done in a way that is fun and engaging. Play-based learning is so critical in fostering a true love and appreciation for math and I want to share that with my community.

Throughout this website you will find an abundance of research and an assortment of activities that will foster a healthy relationship with math. I truly believe that fact fluency can be developed without stress. It is my hope that you find these resources valuable and discover the same appreciation for math that I have.

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Even as a teacher I have struggled to believe that I was "good at math." I secretly dreaded teaching it and was so relieved when the recess bell rang and the lesson had ended for the day. My negative relationship with math began in third grade with that taunting fact fluency star chart that hung on the wall.

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Recommended by Jo Boaler

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The rekenrek, or arithmetic rack, was designed by Adrian Treffers, a mathematics curriculum researcher at the Freudenthal Institute in Holland, to support the natural development of number sense in children. Smaller versions consist of two rows of 10 beads. Larger versions with ten rows of ten beads are also available. Each row is made of five red beads and five white beads. This allows students to make mental images of numbers. Using 5 and 10 as anchors for counting, adding and subtracting is obviously more efficient than one-by-one counting. This tool provides learners with the visual models they need to discover number relationships and develop a variety of addition and subtraction strategies, including doubles plus or minus one, making tens, and compensation, thereby leading to automaticity of basic facts.

Possible Rekenrek Activities

Possible Math Journal Tasks:

There were 8 children on a bunk bed. Some were on the top bunk and some were on the bottom bunk. How many children were on the top bunk? How many children were on the bottom bunk? Show as many different solutions as you can. Number Stories: Have children use individual arithmetic racks as a tool to solve various types of addition and subtraction number stories. This may be used as a journal or oral activity, with the focus on children explaining their strategy for solving the problem. Be sure to include open-ended problems that have more than one solution that children can model on the arithmetic rack, such as the following:

There were 12 passengers on a double-decker bus. Some passengers were on the top deck and some were on the bottom deck. How many passengers were on the top deck? How many passengers were on the bottom deck? Show as many different solutions as you can.

The above two work samples were completed by a Kindergarten student who represented her work very clearly on the unlined pages in her Math Journal using pictures, numbers and words. To begin with some Kindergarten students may find it difficult to represent their work on paper. Having recording paper available for children who choose to use it is one way to scaffold early attempts at drawing.

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The rekenrek, or arithmetic rack, was designed by Adrian Treffers, a mathematics curriculum researcher at the Freudenthal Institute in Holland, to support the natural development of number sense in children. Smaller versions consist of two rows of 10 beads. Larger versions with ten rows of ten beads are also available.

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Place value is one of those basic concepts that help kids build a wide variety of math skills. There are lots of fun place value activities you can use to help them understand, whether you're working with basic tens and ones or have advanced to decimals with tenths and hundredths. Here's a terrific collection of ideas to add to your upcoming lesson plans!

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Start with an anchor chart

Help students understand and remember four ways to represent numbers and place value with an anchor chart. Turning the chart into a robot ups the fun factor!

Learn more: TeachingWithHeartinMind / Instagram

2. Read a book about place value

We're not talking about the paragraph in their math workbook that explains the concept. We mean one of these engaging and entertaining place value books that capture kids' imagination while helping them understand how place value works and why it matters. There are plenty of options out there-here are a few of our favorites.

3. Turn paint samples into place value sliders

Use the cutouts in paint sample chips as little "windows" for numbers. This is a fun and colorful way to introduce place value to your students.

Learn more: The Brown Bag Teacher

4. Show it four ways

Ask students to demonstrate their understanding of place value by showing one number in a variety of ways. Get a free printable worksheet for this activity at the link.

Learn more: A Kinderteacher Life

5. Transform a pillbox into a place value manipulative

Stop by the dollar store for some weekly pillbox containers, then use our free printable labels to turn them into dice shakers you can use for all kinds of place value activities.

6. Stack place value Cheerio towers

Looking for more inexpensive math class ideas? Grab a box of uncooked spaghetti and some Cheerios to use for your place value activities!

Learn more: Mrs. J's Resource Creations

7. Visualize place value with a foldable

Use sentence strips and dry-erase tape to create a reusable math manipulative that reinforces place value concepts and expanded form.

Learn more: Teacher Thrive / Teaching Place Value

8. Slide cards into binder pages

Use divided binder pages along with number and base 10 cards to show place value. Call out each digit and its place ("There's a 3 in the thousands place") and see if your students can make the correct number.

Learn more: Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

9. Construct a tower of base 10 blocks

Base 10 blocks are a popular math manipulative, and they're perfect for teaching place value. This activity challenges kids to use the blocks to find three different ways to build a structure representing 1,000. New to base 10 blocks? Here's a good starter set from Amazon to try.

Learn more: Asheigh's Education Journey

10. Figure out the place value of your name

Here's another clever use for base 10 blocks. First, have each student use them to spell out their name. Then, count up the numbers of tens and ones blocks to determine your name's place value!

Learn more: Differentiation Station Creations

11. Stack paper cups

While you're at the dollar store, pick up some stackable paper cups. Number them 1 to 9 along the edge, and then use them to talk about place value as you stack them to create different numbers.

Learn more: The Imagination Tree

12. Build place value bugs

How cute is this little number bug? Use large pom-poms for tens and smaller ones for ones, then set them on a wood craft stick to create a number.

Learn more: Planning Playtime

13. Shoot for the target with LEGO bricks

LEGO bricks really are ideal for place value activities. Toss the bricks onto a homemade target with rings to represents ones, tens, and so on. Count the studs of each brick that lands on a place value ring, then add them up to get your final number. ( See more LEGO math ideas here.)

14. Build understanding with LEGO bricks

You know your students love to build with LEGO, so use them to reinforce place value concepts too. Hands-on place value activities are always the most fun!

Learn more: Teach Me Mommy

15. Act out multiplying and dividing

Active math games are one of the best ways we know to get kids involved in their learning. Find out how to act out multiplying or dividing by powers of ten at the link below.

Learn more: Teacher Thrive / Powers of Ten

16. Play a game of Place Value War

Play this game with Uno cards or a classic deck with face cards removed. Each player has a number of piles (depending on which place values you're working on) and lays down the top card from each. The players say the resulting numbers out loud (e.g. "five hundred thirty"), and the player with the highest number wins. For a fun variation, allow players to use the cards they flip to create the highest possible number.

Learn more: Childhood 101

17. Build a number

Kids select some number cards, then try to meet a series of challenges like making the largest number they can. Add in a decimal card to up the complexity of the game.

Learn more: Mathwire.com

18. Keep track of school days in a pocket chart

Each day, count how many days students have been in school this year by adding counters like 10-frames to a pocket chart. The number climbs as the year goes on, building from ones to tens to hundreds.

Learn more: Jillian Starr Teaching

19. Send them on a scavenger hunt

Grab a stack of old magazines and newspapers and let kids loose to find examples of the place value challenges set in this scavenger hunt. Hit the link below to get the free printable.

Learn more: Primary Theme Park

20. Shake things up with Yahtzee

Roll out the dice and try to beat your opponent as you fulfill the conditions of this special game of Yahtzee. Print the free game boards and get the rules at the link below. ( Find more creative ways to use dice in your classroom here.)

Learn more: Games 4 Gains

21. Enjoy a game of Whack It!

What kid doesn't love to whack things with a fly swatter? Put that energy to good use by having them slap the swatter down on the correct values as you call them out.

Learn more: Creekside Learning

22. Take a journey on the Place Value Path

This free printable game combines a traditional board game with bingo. Roll the dice to see which outer square you land on. Count up the number represented by the base-10 symbols, and mark it on your bingo board. When you get five in a row, you win!

Learn more: The Measured Mom / Place Value Games

23. Toss beanbags into place value bins

Combine hand-eye coordination practice with math skills in this place value game. Label bins for tens, hundreds, etc., and choose a number. Kids toss numbered bean bags into the correct bins to win!

Learn more: Saddle Up for 2nd Grade

24. Snack and learn with rainbow math

Use Froot Loops cereal pieces and pipe cleaners to learn tens and ones with this free printable activity. Don't want to use cereal? Try beads instead.

Learn more: School Time Snippets

25. Use nuts and bolts to learn place value

Looking for inexpensive ways to represent base 10? Try nuts and bolts! You can pick them up in bulk at the hardware store, and it's easy to replace them if they get lost.

Learn more: The Measured Mom / Nuts and Bolts

26. Make giant DIY ones and tens blocks

Cut squares of bright-colored card stock for ones, and tape together a series of them to create the tens. Then add smiley faces to the top just for fun, and have kids hold up the giant blocks to represent various numbers.

Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard / Giant Blocks

27. Cut a pool noodle into tens and ones

The nice thing about these DIY manipulatives is that they're easy for little hands to handle. Cut pool noodles to represent tens and ones to give kids practice building numbers.

Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard / Pool Noodle DIY

28. Solve a place value puzzle

Place value activities are still important for older kids. This advanced activity asks them to solve math word problems and write the solutions into the correct place on the grid. Get the free printable at the link below.

Learn more: Education.com

29. Complete a place value maze

This advanced place value activity gives students practice adding hundreds, thousands, and higher. They find the next correct answer in the maze as they go along. Visit the link for these free printable mazes.

Learn more: Math Geek Mama

30. Walk along giant number lines

We love place value activities that also get kids up and moving! For this one, use masking tape to create number lines for ones, tens, hundreds, etc., on the floor. Choose a number and use paper plates to mark the correct places on the number lines, or have kids stand on the correct mark instead.

Learn more: Hands On as We Grow

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30 Smart Place Value Activities for Elementary Math Students

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Place value is one of those basic concepts that help kids build a wide variety of math skills. There are lots of fun place value activities you can use to help them understand, whether you're working with basic tens and ones or have advanced to decimals with tenths and hundredths.

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This video series introduces key Common Core concepts in 4th-8th grade mathematics. Each video focuses on building conceptual understanding of a topic, so that students understand the "how" and "why" behind mathematical problem solving. Use these videos with your students as topical introductions to topics including integers, the concept of ratios, unit rates, percent, and division with fractions.

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Courtesy of Berkeley Public Schools

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Summer Parent Math and Technology with Links

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DOK 2/3 problems

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Open Middle - Challenging math problems worth solving

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Open Middle offers interactive math problems designed to foster critical thinking. Explore unique challenges that boost problem-solving skills and creativity.

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Say goodbye to boredom and challenge your mind and each other with this family-fun puzzle game! Q-bitz offers three types of visual challenges, making it the ...

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Investigations, Games and Puzzles

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y5QJM_qu3r6WKHx5TkleiA7ToMNJ79f0yi3Mb0LHZT0/edit

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Number sense strategy

http://www.stevewyborney.com/?p=893

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https://mathequalslove.blogspot.com/2017/09/question-stack-explanation-card.html

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Interactive number line -

https://clotheslinemath.com/author/cshorempj/