Have you tried journal writing in Math class yet? I have been using journal writing to assess my students general understanding of math, and gain a deeper knowledge of their thoughts and feelings about math, for quite a while, and I cannot begin to tell you how beneficial it is. When I first introduce journaling to my students in my class, I generally hear comments like, "Aren't we in Math class right now?", followed by, "Isn't journaling for Language Arts class?". Who would have thought that you can journal in Math class too! So, the BIG question... Why Journal in Math class? A Math journal ..read more

Hi there! I am interested to hear how you start your math class. I find that the first 5 minutes of the class are crucial to getting your students to "buy in" to your class. Are they going to be engaged, are they going to try their best, and they going to have a positive attitude?  I am here to tell you about how I get my students engaged and thinking mathematically within the first 5 minutes of class. Math warm-ups! Have you tried them? Transition times can be rough, especially in the social atmosphere of middle school. Students come into your room, already fully engrossed in the conv ..read more

Hi there! I am here to tell you that I LOVE Pi Day! Every year March 14 comes around I get a little giddy! I think every math teacher understands. I always make it my personal mission to make a big deal out of it, and get the kids super excited, days in advance. Here's a glimpse at how I celebrate Pi day: Every year Pi day looks a little different. I've celebrated the day simply within my math classes, I've celebrated with my whole team, and I've also organized the day for a whole grade level. I've done small scale and large scale celebrations, and they have always been well worth the orga ..read more

Ever notice that the internet is flooded with elementary math ideas, but that finding quality secondary materials is virtually impossible.... LOOK NO FURTHER! I'd love to introduce you to the Secondary Mathletes! Live.Love.Math - Danielle Krantz Grades 5 - 9 TpT Store Blog Facebook Lindsay Perro Grades 6 - 9 TpT Store Blog Facebook MissMathDork - Jamie Riggs Grades 4 - Algebra I TpT Store Blog Facebook Lessons With Coffee - Jameson Ivey Grades 5 - 8 TpT Store Blog Facebook 4mulaFun - Jennifer Smith-Sloane Grades 4 - 9 TpT Store Blog Facebook All Things Algebra - Gina Wilson Grades 6 ..read more

What happens when hundreds of wonderful TpT sellers decide that a fellow teacher is in need? A MASSIVE fundraiser happens! That's what! We call it Teachers Helping Teachers, and it came about after TpT teacher-authors heard the story of Diana Salmon, a New York teacher who lost a leg in a tragic hit and run accident. Diana is an inspiration to all who know her, sending a message of strength and resilience by returning to the classroom just months after the accident. Unfortunately, the extensive injuries Diana sustained require an expensive bionic knee for her to be at her dynamic best. Thi ..read more

Here is another book I love to read to my students in math class. * Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links*  “One Grain of Rice” by Demi. The theme of this particular book is best used when teaching about doubling (lower grades) or exponents (higher grades). Quick Summary – Rani convinces the king to give her 1 grain of rice, and double it every day for 30 days.             Before reading the story, I pose the following question to the students, “Would you rather receive $1 000 000 today, or rece ..read more

Here is another great book I read in my Math class. * Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links* Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, more specifically the poem, “Smart”. Ok, so it’s not technically a story but it will still make a great addition to your math lesson.  I love to use this particular poem during out unit on ratios and rates. I usually choose to read this poem to the students after we have worked with ratios for a few days and before I introduce rates Quick summary -The “smartest” son starts out with 1 dollar, but after making a few tra ..read more

Join me and my fellow math bloggers as we squash mathematical misconceptions, while offering you some insightful tips and tricks! Fractions... Whenever I tell my students that we will be learning about fractions, it is usually met with a collective groan. Fractions just have a bad rap! Students hear fractions and they think things are going to get tough.  Those pesky fractions aren't nice to work with like whole numbers...they're part of a whole. What's that about? It has that number on top and a number on the bottom...UGH! Sound familiar?  While we're being honest, how many of y ..read more

As promised, I wanted to share with you a few activities I do in my classroom that involve reading in Math class. Today's book is Sir Cumference and the Knights of the Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander. * Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links* I LOVE all the Sir Cumference books! If you have yet to check them out, make sure you do! They cover a range of math concepts - mainly geometry, but also a few others. I think the theme of this particular book is best used as a review of perimeter, and an introduction to circles, but I'm sure it could easily be i ..read more

As promised in yesterday's post, here is my list of must-have books for the upper grades. In honour of "I love to READ" month, I have complied a list of math related books that would be a great addition to your math lessons. Today's list features books that would be appropriate for grades 6 and up.  A few were already mentioned in the previous list, but they can be used at multiple grades to teach different concepts. Must-Have Books for the Math Classroom  (Grades 6 and Up) * Each cover page has been linked to Amazon, in case you find a book you can't live without ..read more