One math concept that often stumps students is subtracting with borrowing (or regrouping-whatever you'd like to call it). There are lots of concrete and hands-on ways to teach this concept so that it makes sense to kids, rather than expecting them to memorize a procedure. In the past, I have used base ten blocks or dimes and pennies as a model, which worked well, and I highly recommend teaching this in a conceptual way when introducing it to Keep Reading...
Exploring Numbers With Magazine Cutouts
As I shared recently, I'm focusing on the numbers 1-20 (especially 11-20) with both of my kids right now. I want to help them see and understand the numbers as 10 + ___, rather than simply memorizing the names. I also want them to be able to order and compare these numbers. After spending some time working on place value and "building" the numbers 11-20, I used this fun and incredibly simple lesson to practice working with these numbers. Keep Reading...
Building the Numbers 11-20 {Free Printables!}
After spending quite a bit of time exploring the numbers 1-10 (through counting, number bonds, and subtraction), I am now focusing on the numbers 11-20. Though my daughter can recognize and name the numbers, she does not really understand what they represent (i.e. she does not yet understand place value). To help reinforce the fact that the numbers 11-20 are equivalent to 10 + ____, I've created some fun printable pages to model these numbers Keep Reading...
Decorate a Christmas Tree! {Number Sense Activity}
I recently wrote about a fun and simple way to increase number sense and help kids think creatively about numbers. The "Build a Turkey" Number Sense lesson was so popular that I made a similar activity for Christmas! I was so excited to create this activity, I went a little overboard purchasing Christmas clipart. So if you like this, be sure to check back throughout December for more Christmas learning activities and printables! This Christmas Keep Reading...
Equal or Not Equal? THAT is the Question!
In mathematics, an equation is a math sentence that shows two expressions that are equal. Understanding that these two expressions must stay equal is foundational as kids begin to learn Algebra. It is also important and useful as kids begin to write proofs or solve more difficult problems, because sometimes an expression is not written in a convenient way. But re-writing it in a way that is still equal (i.e. doesn't change the problem) is an Keep Reading...
“Build a Turkey” Number Sense Activity {FREE Printable}
I recently shared this number sense activity from Creative Family Fun. I love this simple activity because it gets kids thinking outside the box, and forming connections between number representations, place value and more. As I thought about ways to do this with my kids, I thought it would be fun to do something similar with a "Thanksgiving" twist! This "Build a Turkey" number sense activity is great because it allows kids to be creative, and Keep Reading...
Weekly Math Freebie Round-Up!
Welcome to the weekly round up of math teaching freebies here at Math Geek Mama! Every week I share the best FREE math teaching ideas and resources so you can make math fun and engaging for your students! Have a freebie to share? Send me a link! Kindergarten-2nd Grade: There are two cute Fall freebies in this post, including one to work on greater than and less than! This is great hands-on practice that can be used again and again (and Keep Reading...
Weekly Math Freebies Round Up!
Welcome to the weekly round up of FREE math teaching resources! Every week I share the best teaching materials, games and ideas that I find so that you can make math fun and meaningful! See all the past collections here! Kindergarten-2nd Grade: I love this place value pack from Smiling and Shining in Second Grade! It has 5 different pages of place value problems and comparing large numbers. I'll definitely be using this when my Keep Reading...
Disney Math: Recognizing Numbers with Cars!
I'm SO excited to share our last "Disney Math" activity, because that means we are ready to go to Disney World! I've had so much fun looking for ways to incorporate Disney fun into our homeschool day, and my kids have really enjoyed it too! Today I'm sharing a simple activity that I was able to adapt to use with both my kids (kindergarten and first grade), to work on recognizing numbers with Cars. (Although we used Cars from the movie, any Keep Reading...
FREE “Sir Cumference and All the King’s Tens” Activities!
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE teaching math with engaging books? Well I do! And some of my favorite stories are the "Sir Cumference" books by Cindy Neuschwander! All of these books weave important math ideas into a story that captures kids' attention. Today, I'm sharing FREE Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens Activities, including an easy print and play place value game! *Please Note: Some of these links are affiliate links and help Keep Reading...
