Mathematics is the science of patterns. Encourage your students to look for and make sense of math patterns & structure in order to deepen understanding and retain what they learn. Welcome back to my series on the Standards for Mathematical Practice! I have enjoyed reading and thinking through different ways we can foster these habits in our classrooms and encourage kids to think deeply about math. *Please Note: This post contains Keep Reading...
Pattern Puzzles to Build Algebraic Thinking | DIGITAL Puzzles
Do your kids see the connection between arithmetic and algebra? Build fluency with operations and problem solving skills with these engaging pattern puzzles for grades 3-5. Mathematics is often referred to as the science of patterns. Noticing patterns in numbers, operations and the world around us is what math is all about. So I love finding unique ways to practice looking for patterns with my kids. These triangle pattern puzzles introduce Keep Reading...
Thanksgiving Math for Kindergarten {FREE Printables}
Looking for some cute and low prep math ideas for your kindergarten kiddos before sending them off on their Thanksgiving break? This FREE set of printable pages provides kids practice with important skills like number recognition, counting and patterns. It will fit in with your Thanksgiving-themed lessons perfectly! You could also use these printable math pages for Pre-K kids as well. Learn more about what's included in the Thanksgiving Math for Keep Reading...
Pre-K Math Activities: HUGE Resource List
One of the most fun times to learn and play with math with your kids is in the preschool years. They are usually so excited and curious and love to explore new things. So if you're excited to help prepare your Pre-K kiddo for Kindergarten and provide a really solid math foundation, read on! I share some of the basics of what preschool math should cover, plus include all my favorite resources for Pre-K Math Activities (hint: it doesn't involve Keep Reading...
Weekly Math Freebie Round Up
Welcome to the weekly round up of FREE math teaching resources here at Math Geek Mama! Every week I share my favorite teaching ideas, lessons and games from around the web for grades K-12. Do you have a math teaching idea or resource to share with fellow educators? Send me a link so I can share it here! Kindergarten-2nd Grade: Grab some adorable back to school printables for Kindergarten from Living Life and Learning! This printable pack Keep Reading...
6 Little Known Benefits of Taking Math Outside
Are your kids excited each day to do math? Maybe they love math. If so, that's great! If not, I want to encourage you to find ways to make it less painful and maybe even a little bit fun. If you have a reluctant math learner, there are things you can do to help and support them. One of my favorite ways to get kids more involved and excited about learning math is to take it outside. There are so many benefits of taking math outside that I hope you Keep Reading...
Valentine’s Day STEM: Build a Tower with Conversation Hearts
Looking for a super easy and low-prep Valentine's Day STEM challenge? Look no further. This is easy to set up and weaves in lots of fun math practice for grades K-2 with conversation hearts. I love getting my kids excited about using and learning math, and so we recently used a bag of conversation hearts to explore patterns, estimation and measurement, as well as introduce some engineering ideas! I was amazed at the conversations and ideas we Keep Reading...
Making Math Relevant: Learning Math Through Jewelry Making
If you can engage students in the math that they're learning, they are more likely to learn it and retain it. Finding a way to actually engage them, however, can sometimes prove difficult, especially if they already have a distaste for math or have decided they are not a "math person." There are many ways to try and engage reluctant math learners, but one way that is effective as well as practical is to make math relevant. Use the topics, hobbies Keep Reading...
Weekly Math Freebie Round Up!
Welcome to the weekly round up of awesome math teaching freebies! Each week I search the web for fun and engaging math teaching lessons and games so that you can teach math in a way that your students will love! Have a freebie to share? Send me a link! Kindergarten-2nd: This post at Life Over C's includes a great list of resources for working on patterns! All kinds of fun themes and ideas! 3rd-5th: This fun, Valentine-themed math pack Keep Reading...
Number Bond Rainbows
As I mentioned earlier this week, number bonds are an invaluable tool in teaching early math and in building math fluency. And while using number bonds to memorize addition facts is a great way to organize them in a way that makes sense, sometimes it's helpful to have a visual model and reminder as well! And of course, it's always fun to combine math and art! To help demonstrate not only the different fact families, but also reinforce the Keep Reading...
