Do you ever get tired of the same old "teach then test" routine?? I know that I definitely do! And if we're tired of the same old routine, you have to imagine that our students are too! There are so many ways for students to demonstrate their learning. I recently created Math Menus that provide students with choice when it comes to showing what they have learned. While more formal assessments still play an important role, I think our students appreciate choosing their own methods to demonstrate their understanding of new concepts and skills. Here are some of my favorite choices for students: ...

Teachers spend a lot of time thinking about how to bring lessons into the "real world."  Creating engagement and interest by connecting math to everyday life is a great way to help kids dig into complex concepts that might not come easily.  But guess what?  Sunny skies and long, warm days are in store for the next several months, and that means opportunities to bring math into the real world in a more literal sense... by going outside! Choosing to teach math outside the classroom's four walls is a great way to generate some enthusiasm about a lesson (especially if fluorescent lighting is making things a little bleak indoors :). Taking lessons outside isn't just a good idea because of the fun factor.  There's actually reason to believe that activity can help kids learn math better, too.  One recent study of 4th and 5th graders in South Carolina demonstrated that math scores were notably higher for children who were given 10 or 20 minutes to exercis......

Teaching mathematical vocabulary is something that can be easily overlooked.  We want our students to be able to complete the math tasks at hand, but the vocabulary doesn't always seem as important.  Just like with any subject, students cannot learn what is being taught without being able to understand the language of instruction. Before beginning any unit or chapter, preview what you are going to teach to determine the vocabulary that is essential to student's understanding.  Most math curriculums already have these vocabulary words outlined for you. Once you have determined the words that are important for students to become familiar with, you can use the seven strategies below to introduce, model, and reinforce the mathematical vocabulary. 1.  Pre-teach the Vocabulary Consider this a preview of words.  Before you begin teaching the mathematical concepts, have a day where you showcase the words.  Introduce the word, its meaning, and give a br......

I love teaching area and perimeter! These geometry concepts lend themselves to some really fun hands-on activities, which is something I always enjoy! Here are some of my favorite activities to teach area and perimeter: 1. Area and Perimeter Songs Perimeter Around the Area by Bazillion - This one has really cool cats and music. The cats either travel around the perimeter of buildings or stay inside their area.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU8aWpRd6Qw Area and Perimeter by Flocabulary - This one is a rap and starts off with a Star Wars theme and then travels to Mars! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSVMrPu0__U 2. Area and Perimeter Outdoor Game I try to include movement throughout the day, whenever I can. This is a simple area and perimeter game that could be played either on a blacktop, in the gym, or on a grassy field. The important thing is that there is an obvious perimeter or boundary line around the outside of the square or rectangular ar......