Math Instructional Strategies by Jennifer Waggoner

Grab Bags

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-18 23:48:23 UTC

Fill a variety of bags with collections of small objects. Kids grab a handful from two different bags, then count and add up the results. Be sure they write it all down to get practice at setting up equations. (Also, try this with subtraction and multiplication facts.)

https://www.weareteachers.com/15-fun-ways-to-practice-math/

Write them out!

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-18 23:49:17 UTC

Write them out a smartboard, a whiteboard, a blackboard, or even just a plain piece of paper and have a child write them out as you say them aloud. Reciting math facts aloud is a great way to commit them to memory, especially for students who are auditory learners or those who struggle with processing visual information.

https://www.readandspell.com/us/teaching-math-factshttps://www.myprimaryparadise.com/2018/08/03/whiteboards/075freebies2/

Using Magnetic numbers

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-18 23:54:21 UTC

Make use of magnetic numbers and a cookie sheet and have students form them as you say them aloud.

https://www.readandspell.com/us/teaching-math-facts

Say them aloud

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-18 23:55:36 UTC

In the classroom, a teacher may have learners chant the math facts as a group. You can even create a game in which two teams compete and must say the fact in a particular way, whisper it, sing it, shout it etc. This is a fun way to practice.

https://www.readandspell.com/us/teaching-math-facts

Subtraction Bowling

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-18 23:59:16 UTC

Your students will really enjoy playing this game! It requires 10 empty toilet paper rolls, a ball, and a pencil and paper for keeping score. After setting up the “lane,” students will roll the ball, knock down as many pins as possible, then record the result on their scoresheet. For example, 10 – 3 = 7. On the second roll, they start with 7 and subtract the number of pins they knock down on their scoresheet.

https://www.weareteachers.com/15-fun-ways-to-practice-math/

CUBES strategy

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:07:13 UTC

This is a tried-and-true method for teaching word problems, and it’s really effective for kids who are prone to working too fast and missing details. By taking the time to circle, box, and underline important information, students are more likely to find the correct answer to the question actually being asked

https://www.weareteachers.com/math-word-problems/

Write your own problem

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:11:14 UTC

Instead of writing all the word problems yourself, why not have your students write their own word problems? Not only will it provide a more concrete understanding of the basic formulas of word problems, but it’s also an engaging way to do something new in math. Younger children can practice writing their own problems by filling in the blanks on word problem templates, and older students can come up with their own problems on their own. Once all the problems are written, students can switch and solve each others’.

https://www.boredteachers.com/post/teach-math-word-problems

Draw it out

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:12:20 UTC

Sometimes students need to see something to understand how it works. When solving math word problems, this is especially true. After your students read a word problem, challenge them to draw it. If the problem asks them to determine how many books are on two different shelves, students can draw the two shelves and the books on them and then count the pictures. If your students are trying to figure out how much money they have left after spending some, they can draw the original amount and cross out what they spent. Then they can count what’s left. Drawing a picture is also quite effective when students need to figure out the area or perimeter of a shape, or when they need to divide a group of objects equally.

https://www.boredteachers.com/post/teach-math-word-problems

Using Manipulatives to solve a word problem

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:26:35 UTC

Use math manipulatives to solve word problems! Some math manipulatives that can be used to solve word problems include unifix cubes, base ten blocks, counters, erasers, tangrams, popsicle sticks – anything tactile that will help students visualize the problem will do!

https://luckylittlelearners.com/how-to-teach-math-word-problems-in-2nd-grade/

Write the answer in a sentence

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:28:21 UTC

Word problems are presented in complete sentences, so the answers should be too. This helps students make certain they’re actually answering the question being asked… part of justifying their answer.

https://www.weareteachers.com/math-word-problems/

Write Down Numbers and Have Student Draw That Quantity

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:30:40 UTC

Write down numbers in a drawing book and have your student draw something that denotes that quantity. For example, write 3 and ask her to draw three flowers. For 4, you could ask the child to draw four ice cream cones. You can also do the opposite of this by drawing several quantities of an object and asking your student to count them and tell you the number.

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/when-and-how-to-teach-numbers-to-kindergarten/

Match numbers

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:32:11 UTC

Match different types of objects together, such as five counting bears and a domino that shows five dots.

https://proudtobeprimary.com/building-number-sense-to-20/

100s chart

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:33:21 UTC

Let’s think about counting for a second. Ask a young child to count to 100 and you may well find that they lose their place, skip over or repeat numbers along the way.

Using a hundreds chart to practice counting means they can follow along with the numbers on the chart as they count.

Hundreds charts are really helpful when children begin with skip counting.

Another great use for the hundreds chart is for adding and subtracting numbers within 100.

https://www.mathkidsandchaos.com/what-is-a-hundreds-chart/

Use sticky notes to line up numbers

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:34:20 UTC

Write numbers on sticky notes and ask students to place them in order on the number line. This simple idea is perfect for little ones first learning to sequence numbers. But number line activities are useful for older students too; try this same exercise with fractions, decimals, or negative numbers.

https://www.weareteachers.com/number-line-activities/

Paint a dotted number line

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:36:10 UTC

Students use cotton swabs and paint to represent the value of each number on a line, helping them visualize what each number means. They can see how numbers grow in size from left to right.

https://www.weareteachers.com/number-line-activities/

What’s My Card? Double-Digit Board Game

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:39:44 UTC

The What’s My Card? Double-Digit Board Game for teaching place value has been designed to use in conjunction with a Guess Who? game board to teach place value. Players try to guess their opponent’s mystery card by asking place value questions.

https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/how-to-teach-place-value-in-fun-and-creative-ways/

Show it 4 ways

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:40:23 UTC

Ask students to demonstrate their understanding of place value by showing one number in a variety of ways.

https://www.weareteachers.com/place-value-activities/

Slide cards into binder pages

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:41:21 UTC

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.

https://www.weareteachers.com/place-value-activities/

Place Value Spinners

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:42:28 UTC

Another quick and easy activity with little to no-prep is Spin, Write, Build, Expand. When you place the page inside a dry erase pocket or sheet protector, you can let students practice over and over again without wasting a bunch of paper.

https://storiesbystorie.com/place-value-games-and-activities/

Make it interactive with a place value slider

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:44:22 UTC

Ways to use include:

1. To produce numbers when practicing reading large numbers aloud.

2. To produce numbers when students practice writing numbers in written form, extended form, or base-ten form.

3. To help students who struggle with place value, as an intervention.

4. As a manipulative when practicing with place value.

5. As a visual for students who are visual learners.

6. To provide differentiation for students https://theowlteacher.com/engaging-place-value-upper-elementary/

Musical Math!

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:46:23 UTC

Students will need a whiteboard or something to write on.
Put the step-it-out fraction cards in a large circle on the floor for the class.
Put one less card than you have students.
Play music and have the students walk around the cards like musical chairs.
When the music stops, students find a card to step on.
If a card isn’t available, students sit out, but they must still participate by finding a friend’s fraction (just to sit behind).
Students write the fraction shown on their card on their board (ex: one-third).
Now, call out a fraction type such as thirds. If you called out their fraction, they are out. Students find a friend so they are still writing the fractions, but they are out until the next round.

In this game, students are identifying fraction types, writing out fractions, and getting some necessary physical activity!

https://amylemons.com/3-fun-strategies-for-teaching-fractions/

Use dough

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:47:18 UTC

Dough is a great tool for fine motor skill development, but it is also useful when teaching fractions. Give each student a ball of dough and have them flatten it. Call out some fractions, such as one-half or one-fourth, and have them use a plastic knife to cut their dough to show each fraction. https://www.boredteachers.com/post/fractions-activities

Fractions on a Number Line: using SNAP Cubes

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:51:07 UTC

Materials:

snap cubes- 20 total in 2 different colors
paper
pencil

Activity: Model a fraction.

Next, represent the model on a number line by adding tick marks after each cube.

Then starting at zero, have them count the number of “parts” in the whole 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. There are 8 parts to the whole. In other words, the stick of cubes is broken into eighths. {Remind students that the denominator represents the number of parts that make up the whole.} Practice counting the cubes 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8.

Now count the number of green cubes 1, 2, 3, 4. There are 4 green cubes. Emphasize that you are counting the number of “parts” and NOT the ticks.

Finally, have them label the point on the line that represents the fraction of the bar that is green. This is also a great opportunity to point out that 4/8 really means {4 out of 8 cubes are green.}

https://moretime2teach.com/activities-to-teach-fractions-on-a-number-line/

Modeling Fractions on a Number Line

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:52:40 UTC

For this activity, I cut out pieces of construction paper or cardstock to the length of the number lines on the page. After passing several out to each student, we get started with folding. (I like to give out a few extra because it may take more than a few attempts for fractions like thirds, fifths, and sixths.).

https://jillianstarrteaching.com/fractions-on-a-number-line/

Using Dominoes

jwaggoner23_ — 2024-02-19 00:54:09 UTC

Dominoes are perfect for learning and practicing fractions because they are already divided in half, which looks just like fractions. Your students can use dominoes to translate the dots into numerical fractions and then identify whether the fractions are proper or improper. The lesson can go further for older students because they can turn the improper fractions into their proper form.

https://www.boredteachers.com/post/fractions-activities