We've had a few days with beautiful weather recently (although at the moment the ground is covered with snow...) and it has made me completely ready for Spring! As I've been thinking about what kinds of resources to create and share in the coming months, I realized that I have not made any logic puzzles recently. These Spring themed logic puzzles are great for upper elementary kids on up, and provide a fun challenge as they begin to use algebraic Keep Reading...
Valentine’s Day Algebra Practice Pack! {FREE!}
Having taught many different levels of Algebra over the years, I always have so many ideas that I want to share with you, but not always enough time to get it created and posted! So slowly but surely I'm starting to get things together and today I'm excited to share what I hope is a fun and helpful resource for Valentine's Day! This Valentine's Day Algebra practice pack covers many different skills for students to practice and review. As I Keep Reading...
Exploring Surface Area of Pyramids and Cones!
As promised, I have another surface area lesson to share today! This builds on students' previous knowledge from the prisms and cylinders lesson to get them thinking about other three dimensional shapes: pyramids and cones. This FREE surface area of pyramids and cones investigation is a sure way to get kids thinking and better understanding area. It is also a fun, hands-on way to help them form a conceptual understanding, rather than trying to Keep Reading...
Exploring Patterns in Pascal’s Triangle {FREE Printables!}
When I taught Algebra, there were lots of ways I loved to explore patterns with kids and help them make the connection between a number pattern, a table, a graph and an equation. One way we did that was by looking at fractals. Another really fun way to explore, play with numbers and see patterns is in Pascal's Triangle. The pattern known as Pascal's Triangle is constructed by starting with the number one at the "top" or the triangle, and Keep Reading...
Brilliant Ways to Use a Hundreds Chart
In my shopping for homeschool curriculum this year, I was able to find all sorts of wonderful math manipulatives at really amazing prices (thank you, consignment sales). *Please Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Feel free to read our full disclosure policy here.* One small thing I picked up is a hundreds chart. It doesn't look like much (mine especially, it's rather well used), but it's an incredibly useful tool for Keep Reading...
Understanding the Distributive Property {FREE Lesson!}
I distinctly remember the week in 7th grade pre-algebra that was spent learning and (supposedly) understanding the distributive property. I remember this week so vividly because, for some reason, it made NO sense to me. None. At. All. Eventually I understood what it meant, and how to use it and apply it in the wonderful world of Algebra and solving equations and working with expressions. But I never forgot how confusing and nonsensical it Keep Reading...
Weekly Math Freebies Round Up!
Welcome to the weekly collection of math teaching freebies here at Math Geek Mama! Every week I share the best, FREE math lessons, games and printables on the web! If you have a free teaching resource you would like me to share, just send me a link! Kindergarten-2nd: I love this adorable animal version of a Sudoku game! Not only does it help kids with logic and problem solving, it provides fine motor practice! My kids will love this! (And Keep Reading...
Weekly Math Freebies Round-Up!
Welcome to the weekly round up of FREE math teaching resources here at Math Geek Mama! I gather all the best freebies that I find and share them here, every Saturday! If you have a fun teaching freebie that you would like featured, send me a link! I'd love to check it out! Kindergarten-2nd: It's always great to find hands-on activities and games to help your kids understand counting and cardinality, but these free Bug Counting Pages are Keep Reading...
{FREE} System of Equations Logic Puzzles!
The subject of systems of linear equations is very intimidating to most students. Especially if they have struggled to solve a single equation! It doesn't have to be scary though. I would introduce systems of equations with simple and fun puzzle challenges to ease kids in. System of Equations Activity: To help show my students that systems of equations are not all that scary, and actually quite doable, I would start by giving them a Keep Reading...
Math Curse Extension Activities! {FREE!}
Looking for a way to extend the learning with the book Math Curse? This free pack of Math Curse extension activities is a great way to help your kids see math in real life. Math stories are such a fun way to engage kids in math learning, as well as help them see math in the world around them. Stories can make math come alive and get kids excited! One of my favorite (and highly engaging) stories is Math Curse by Jon Sciezka. This hilarious tale Keep Reading...
