Does your child struggle with upper level math? If you’re a middle school teacher, where do you send parents whose child is struggling to understand or has learning gaps?

While there are an abundance of resources available online, it can be difficult to find math programs that are both helpful for struggling students and also enjoyable, especially when you get beyond grade 6.

If you know a child who struggles with math, I invite you to take a look at Mathletics, an award-winning math program for ages 5-16.

(Quick note: As you can see, Mathletics starts at age 5, but since my kids are in middle school/high school, I will be sharing my thoughts & experiences based on those age ranges. I cannot speak to the program for elementary grades).

Please Note: This post is sponsored by Mathletics, but all thoughts & opinions are my own, based on the use of the program by myself & my children. Read our full disclosure policy here.

Mathletics Review: Support Middle School Math Learning

As a homeschool mom, it can sometimes (often!) be a struggle to juggle math lessons with all 4 kids (even as a math teacher, who feels confident with the content and actually enjoys it!).

So lately, my 7th grader has been using Mathletics along with our core curriculum. She is absolutely loving it, and actually asks each day if she can hop on!

Within the Mathletics website, there are activities for her to complete that align to the 7th grade standards. But what I love about this section is that it also includes pertinent review lessons of 6th grade skills that are foundational to the 7th grade material, providing a quick review before moving on to the new content.

I also love that we can jump to any section of the activities that we want. So I can assign a set of problem tasks that reinforce the lessons we are currently covering in our curriculum, providing her with extra practice and support in a way that’s fun.

Her favorite part of the activities so far is the engaging animation on each page. As she correctly answers questions, another action happens in the animation, and she can’t wait to see what it will do next!

For example, one animation showed a hair stylist giving a haircut. As the hair got shorter and shorter with each cut, we both wondered what could possibly happen next. By the time she got to the last question, the dryer lifted to reveal snakes in place of her hair, like Medusa! All the kids thought this was hilarious!

Unique Math Practice with Live Mathletics

Another unique game option is “Live Mathletics.” This allows students to compete with other students from around the world as they answer questions from their grade level.

Not only is my child then practicing math skills, but it’s fun to see the locations of other kids around the world (no faces or identifying information is shared, but you can see what country they’re from).

As a parent, I also appreciate the dashboard because there are a lot of resources available to provide extra support.

I can login at any time to see reports of how my child is doing. There is also a huge library of ebooks, targeting specific math topics. These ebooks are like textbooks and workbooks in one, providing additional teaching support, along with skills practice for students.

Again, this can be a great way to help those struggling students to fill in gaps in their learning or get remedial help and support.

It could also be a great way for students who love math and are looking for a greater challenge to work ahead and push themselves to learn more challenging topics.

Who Is Mathletics For?

Overall, I think Mathletics is a great option for a lot of families, such as:

• Homeschool families- Let one child review & practice with Mathletics while you work one-on-one with a sibling
  
• Struggling students- If you have a child or student who struggles or has gaps in their math learning, Mathletics can be used for additional support & intervention
• Students who thrive in math- If you have a child or student who loves math and wants to get ahead (or just enjoys extra math challenges), they will love the challenge of working ahead and/or competing with other kids around the world in Live Mathletics.

If your kids are older (middle school or high school) and you feel like the math they’re learning is beyond you, or you struggle to give them the help and guidance they need, check out Mathletics.

You can get started with a free trial using the link below to see what you think!

It might just be the tool you need to help your child succeed and thrive!

>Get Started with a FREE 14-Day Trial of Mathletics Today!

The post Mathletics Online Math Program: Full Review appeared first on Math Geek Mama.

I am one of the lucky ones to have an eighty minute math block EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. But I quickly learned that my students could not spend those eighty minutes sitting in their seats. They needed to get up and MOVE, but I also still wanted them to engage in the math. Task Card Math Scavenger Hunts quickly solved this problem. My students love walking into my classroom and seeing the twenty-four task cards hung up around the room. They know that after our mini-lesson, they are in for a treat!

*This is a guest post from Paige at The Math Matrix

How to Use a Math Scavenger Hunts in the Classroom:

Our task card scavenger hunts are a pack of twenty-four task cards that require students to solve problems while “hunting down” their next problem. All students start at a different card – this way, students can complete the activity without everyone being crowded around one single problem.

At each card, students will solve the math problem. After they record their answers on the recording sheet (in the correct box), they need to search the room for the solution, which brings them to the next card with a new problem to solve.

Your students will be going around the room to continue to solve and search for the next answer until they get back to the card they started at – this will ensure they got all of the answers correct!

If they end up at their starting card and yet have missed some problems, they know they’ve made a mistake somewhere.

Or if they can’t find their solution around the room, perhaps it’s because they don’t have the right solution!

Using the scavenger hunt setup, students can self-check and work together to correct mistakes.

Four Benefits of Using Math Task Card Scavenger Hunts:

1. Get Students TALKING

I love when my students talk math in my classroom, and encourage discussions about solution strategies and helping each other with incorrect answers.

2. Get Students MOVING

I hang up my Task Card Scavenger Hunts all over my room and grade level hallway and have my students use their clipboards to get up and MOVE around!

3. Get Students IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK

The nature of Task Card Scavenger Hunts gives immediate feedback because if the student cannot find the answer on another card, they know that they made a mistake.

While introducing this activity, I always make sure to discuss what might happen if we can’t find the answer and to circle back to the card they were working on to troubleshoot their solution.

4. Get Students HELP

When my students are working all over my room, I find it really frees up my time and I can move from student to student to give help to those who need it. I also found that this time is the best to pull small groups of students when I see them making the same mistakes or having the same question!

Trying Task Card Scavenger Hunts in Your Classroom

As you can tell, Task Card Scavenger Hunts really help my students break up their time in my class, while still practicing the important math concepts that they have been learning.

If you are looking for a free sample to see if math scavenger hunts are right for your classroom, CLICK HERE for a free sample covering mixed multiplication and division math facts!

Plus, there are many more task card scavenger hunts over in my store for you to check out!

Once you start with Task Card Scavenger Hunts, you won’t look back (I promise – your students will be BEGGING to do more!)

Find More Math Scavenger Hunts for the Classroom Below:

• Christmas Multiplication Facts Scavenger Hunt – Grades 3-4 {FREE}
• 2-3 Digit Multiplication Christmas Scavenger Hunt – 4th Grade {FREE}
• Area & Perimeter Practice for 3rd Grade – Scavenger Hunt Activity {FREE}
• Virtual Math Scavenger Hunt: Learn About Math in Nature {FREE}

The post Math Scavenger Hunts: Simple Math Practice for the Classroom {with FREE Hunts!} appeared first on Math Geek Mama.

Are you tired of using the same old review games before math tests? Are your students sick and tired of study guides? Do you want to add a little fun and excitement to your test prep days?  Well, you’re in luck! In this blog post, I’m going to introduce you to “Ghosts in the Graveyard,” a game that can transform any boring test prep day into an interactive, collaborative math experience. While it’s perfect for Halloween, I’ve created templates for every holiday, so you can use them year-round!

Test review days don’t have to be boring!

*This is a guest post from Asia at The Sassy Math Teacher.

A Halloween Math Game for All Ages:

I first discovered this game during my student teaching days, and since then, I’ve made it even easier to play with a digital template. But don’t worry; you can still play it the original way if you prefer.

What I love about this game is that it’s suitable for any math classroom that knows how to add and subtract, and I guarantee your students will LOVE IT!

An Overview of Ghosts in the Graveyard:

Students work in teams to answer a series of challenges.

Correct answers earn them ghosts, which they can place on tombstones.

Materials Needed:

1. 16-24 Review Questions (A study guide or worksheet you already have would be excellent!)
2. Choose one of the following “Ghosts in the Graveyard” game boards:

– Option A: 64 Miniature Ghosts Printed on 8 Different Colors of Paper, then Laminated and Cut Out (8 ghosts of each color; each team will be assigned a color).

– Option B: Ghosts In The Graveyard Digital Template (I’ll share more about this later in the blog post!)

Materials Setup:

1. Question Preparation: Transform the dull study guide into “Challenges.” Ideally, have 2-3 questions on each challenge. For example, questions #1 and #2 become Challenge #1, questions #3, #4, and #6 become Challenge #2, and so on. You’ll need a total of 8 challenges, each on separate pieces of paper. Make 8 copies of each challenge.
2. Create a Graveyard: Draw 3 tombstones on black construction paper large enough to accommodate several ghosts. Set up a designated area in your classroom or learning space as the “graveyard” by displaying the 3 tombstones horizontally.
3. Ghost Game Pieces: Prepare ghost cards – you’ll need enough for each team to have a total of 8, one for each challenge. Teams only receive a ghost AFTER they’ve correctly answered a challenge.

How to Play “Ghosts in the Graveyard”:

1. Split students into teams of 4.
2. Provide each student with a recording sheet to keep track of their answers.
3. Place the challenges within easy reach for students.
4. Once the game begins, teams work on completing one challenge at a time.
5. When they finish, one student from the team brings the group’s recording sheet to you to have their answers checked.
6. If all the answers are correct, give them one of their team’s ghosts and let them choose which tombstone to place it on. They can even put all their ghosts on the same tombstone if they prefer.
7. If answers are incorrect, provide a hint and have them return to their team to fix it.
8. Repeat until about 5 minutes before class ends.

How to Determine the Winner:

Each tombstone is worth a mysterious point value, which you pre-determine and keep secret until 5 minutes before class ends.

Once revealed, each ghost becomes worth a certain point value.

For instance, if Team #4 has 2 ghosts on Tombstone #1, and you reveal that Tombstone #1 is worth 3 points, then they have a total of 6 points.

The team with the most points wins!

“I like that you don’t have to be the smartest group to win!” – 7th Grader

Tips for a Successful Halloween Math Game:

• The line to get challenges checked may get long. Consider playing on a day when you have an extra teacher in the room to help.
• Group students with at least one friend in each group.

Ghosts in the Graveyard Digital Template for Busy Teachers:

If you’re short on prep time, you can skip the laminating and cutting by using the Ghosts in the Graveyard Digital template.

The digital template includes a digital graveyard in Google Slides, challenge templates, and recording sheets. All you need to do is add your questions, print, and make copies.

Find out more about the digital template set for Ghosts in the Graveyard here.

More Ways to Play “Ghosts in the Graveyard”:

• Play it all year long with other holiday themes, such as “Turkeys in the Oven” for Thanksgiving.
• Make one of the tombstones worth a negative point value for an extra twist.

Transforming a test prep day with a game like “Ghosts in the Graveyard” can make a world of difference in your classroom.

Give it a try, and watch your classroom engagement soar!

Are you ready to turn your next worksheet into a spine-tingling adventure?

Grab your FREE Ghosts in The Graveyard Bonus Kit here. 

Hey! My name is Asia and I am the face behind thesassymathteacher.com. Bethany invited me to write this guest post today because she loves finding ways to engage students in math class just as much as I do. Find more fun math resources on my website!

More Not-So-Scary Halloween Math Ideas:

• Mummy Math: Halloween Estimation and Measurement!
• Candy Corn Math: Hands On Activities {With FREE Printables}
• {FREE} Candy Corn Counting: Printable Math Mats
• “2×2=BOO!” Hands-On Multiplication Fun!

The post Unique & FUN Halloween Math Game to Review Any Math Skill appeared first on Math Geek Mama.

Are you looking for a way to squeeze some extra review into your math routine? Or maybe just a quick and fun change of pace as you start the new year? Or maybe you need a way to encourage math talk and practice at home. No matter what you’re looking for, I’ve got you covered with this set of January 2020 Problem of the Day Calendars! There’s a math problem for every day of the month, with a fun twist that allows kids to self check. And the best part? There are three levels, allowing you to find a set of problems that’s just right for your students!

*Please Note: This post contains affiliate links which support the work of this site. Read our full disclosure here.*

January 2020 Problem of the Day Calendars:

So what’s unique about this set of calendars? The fun twist is that everyday, the solution to the math problem is equal to the date.

This allows kids to self check, knowing what their answer should be.

I also realize that this means some kids will fill it in without actually doing any math.

That’s not what we want, so here are some additional ways to use this calendars to encourage math thinking and problem solving:

• Have kids throw a coin on their calendar and solve the problem they land on (rather than doing them in order)
• Combine the calendar with a math journal and require them to show their thinking using visuals or pictures
• Cut up the calendar like a puzzle and have kids glue the completed problems onto a blank calendar as they solve them

Wondering what types of problems are included? I tried to cover as many math skills as possible, in a variety of formats, for a variety of grade levels.

In the download, you will receive 3 different January calendars. The first is geared towards grades K-2, the second towards grades 3-5 and the third towards grades 6-8.

They are simply labeled as level 1, 2, and 3, however, in case you have older kids who need the simpler calendar set.

Grades K-2 Topics Covered: 

• Place value
• Addition and subtraction
• Sequences and skip counting
• Time
• Money (U.S.)
• Word Problems

Grades 3-5 Topics Covered:

• Place value
• Addition and subtraction with 3-4 digit numbers
• Multiplication and division
• Basic operations with fractions
• Elapsed time
• Area and perimeter
• Word problems
• Math Vocabulary

Grades 6-8 Topics Covered: 

• Multiplication and division
• Operations with fractions and decimals
• Exponent properties
• Order of operations
• Solving linear equations
• Area and perimeter
• Surface area and volume
• Math vocabulary
• Word problems

An additional challenge included on the middle school calendar (level 3) are “create your own” problems. Occasionally, rather than a given problem, kids are asked to create a math problem with a given solution.

Hopefully this adds some fun practice to your bell work, calendar time, number of the day, etc!

Math Problem of the Day Calendars for the Entire Year:

If you love this idea, you might like my complete calendar set for the entire 2020 year! This includes calendars for January through December, as well as a blank calendar and list of teaching tips and ideas for how you might incorporate these.

You can purchase each grade band separately, or you can save by purchasing the entire calendar bundle.

When you purchase, you will also receive future updates (so that the calendars correspond the the new calendar year) at no additional cost to you!

Learn more at the links below, and scroll down to grab the free set for January 2020.

K-2 Math Calendars

3-5 Math Calendars

6-8 Math Calendars

COMPLETE CALENDAR BUNDLE

And of course, if you want to try these out first, simply click the link below to go to my shop and grab the free sample. Enjoy!

{Click HERE to go to my shop and grab the FREE January 2020 Problem of the Day Calendars!}

The post FREE January 2020 Problem of the Day Calendars appeared first on Math Geek Mama.