I was working with a child recently on her multiplication facts and asked her 6 X 6. “Just a minute,” she said and she broke into rap. “I only know them when I sing them,” she explained. You see, last year her class learned their facts by listening to times table songs. Mixing music and math is fun and can help… Read More
How to make Two Digit Subtraction with regrouping fun
If your class had the choice between completing a whole page of two digit subtraction with regrouping equations OR playing a math game that required you to write equations, which would they choose? The writing math equations part probably has you thinking, neither. But what if they could work with classmates. Talk about strategies or ask for help if needed…. Read More
Multiplication games for mastery over the facts
Games for multiplication facts practice are always a winner in the classroom. Give a child the option of: A. practicing their multiplication facts with a worksheet – columns of times tables to answer or; B. using games to practice their multiplication facts. What did they choose? It’s a rhetorical question really. We both know the answer. And while they may not… Read More
21 Centers for Motivating Sight Word Practice
You can’t expect all children to have the same sight word list. Some children can read a new word after seeing it once or twice. They’re the kids who zoom through their words. For others, successful sight word practice can mean needing twenty or more exposure before they recognize a word. The best way to meet the needs of our… Read More
Use Games to Make Learning Fractions Fun
Games are fun. Few children grab a worksheet and say, “Great, I love worksheets!” With a game, you know you have their instant attention. It’s the perfect teaching and revision tool. When I’m teaching fractions, I’ll always put more fraction based games in my math stations. Even when I’ve finished the unit I include fraction games every couple of weeks… Read More
A Sight Word Program That Will Save You Time
Every teacher wants a quick and easy way to gear their sight word activities to the level and interests of their group. One year, I thought I had the answer. I bought a whole heap of sight word centers and printed them off. Trying to organize them for my different reading groups wasn’t easy. I discovered, a little too late,… Read More