Seven Reasons for Teachers to Love Math Crafts

There are many different ways to practice the math concepts you’ve been teaching – worksheets, task cards, math games, math crafts, to name a few.

Some practice formats will engage your students and motivate them to do their best. Others won’t. Using a variety of ways to practice basic math concepts is important and you’ll soon have your favorites.

I love using games for the regular practice of math concepts. But math crafts are fast becoming my favorite.

Here are seven reasons to love using math crafts in your classroom:

1. Focus on specific math skills

I can have students working on a variety of different concepts, addition, subtraction, multiplication number facts or multi-digit addition and subtraction, yet have them all doing the same activity.

2. Easy differentiation and multiple levels

If I’m working on the same concept, let’s say multi-digit addition or subtraction, I can have my students who aren’t quite reading to work on regrouping focus on just adding 2 digit numbers without regrouping while others subtract 3 digit numbers.

3. Use with the whole class, in centers or during guided math

Math crafts can be used with the whole class or in centers. I can even have my guided math group working with me on a few math problems (mostly addition and subtraction with regrouping) before they move to the next station to work on their own or with a partner.

4. Encourage math talk

Math talk can be developed. The visual instructions for each craft require kids to have the correct answer before tracing over it with felt-tipped pens. I’ve taught my kids to work together on difficult problems; not just sharing the answer but talking about how they worked it out.

5. Include fine motor skills

Fine motor and math are rolled into one. Kids don’t always get the essential practice they need to develop their fine motor skills. With math crafts, they are tracing, cutting, coloring and gluing. They’re using all those little muscles in their hands.

6. Follow written instructions

Following written instructions is an essential skill for students to develop. It helps them become independent and effective learners. Step by step instructions means that I don’t have to explain each craft to my kids. They know they must read and follow the instructions.

7. Make a wall display

I get a colorful wall display to show off my student’s work. And the bonus is I get to see how proud they are of their work.

Purchase A Pack

If you’d love to try math crafts with your class, you can purchase individual crafts, monthly craft packs, or a year-long bundle.

If you would prefer to purchase from our store on Teachers Pay Teachers, please click this link.

I absolutely love this resource. My first graders love completing the math crafts and I love that it requires fine motor skills and gives them extra practice in addition, subtraction or if they are bold they can choose the “extra challenge” differentiated levels. I also love the combination of different subjects like math and art, its very fun for everyone! Thank you so much! Mary M.