Author Archives: Mrs. Kirk

Mastering Multiplication

Posted in elementary, math, middle school, multiplication, websites by

mastering multiplication

Knowing multiplication facts help students see the patterns and relationships between numbers that are needed to be successful in other areas of math!   Division, renaming fractions, and balancing equations are just a few examples where being able to recall facts quickly and correctly are extremely helpful!

So what do you do as a teacher or a parent of  upper elementary or older students who have not mastered the multiplication facts? Here are 7 tips to help make multiplication practice less stressful! Continue reading →

Halloween Freebie!

Posted in addition by

Now that it is finally starting to feel like Fall I have done a little Halloween decorating and made a few new Halloween Math Games!  The first one I would like to share is a FREEBIE!

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To download the Halloween Addition Bingo Game for FREE, just click the photo above!

 

Place Value Relationships

Posted in elementary, hands on learning, math, place value by

Understanding place value is an important Math skill for elementary students.  One of the objectives is for students to describe the relationship between places in a base ten system.  Although this may seem difficult at first, starting with concrete manipulatives can really help students gain a deeper understanding.

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I like to start by letting students “play” with the blocks for a few minutes.  Then I will ask specific questions and have them use the blocks to work out answers.  One such example is “How many ones do you need to equal a ten?” or “How many tens can you use to make one hundred?”  Give students time to work together or independently with the blocks to answer the question, then discuss.  I also like to write the questions/answers on the board or have a record sheet for them to work along with. Continue reading →

15 Terrific Back to School Bulletin Boards

Posted in back to school, classroom ideas, elementary, middle school, multiplication by

7 fun back to school math activities!

Looking for bulletin board ideas for back to school? Look no further, I have 15 terrific bulletin boards for you to see!

1.  The bright colors on this design are awesome against the black background and the students will love to see their names! What a way to welcome the kids to class!

2. This bubble gum machine would be a fun way to welcome kids back! Put their names on the gumballs. Says first grade, but would work for any grade.

3. Have a sports theme? These jersey’s are super fun and cute just like this! You could also switch it up and give the students paper cut out like jerseys and have them design their own!

4. Another sports bulletin board! The students could decorate their own basketballs or you could prepare ahead of time with their names!

5. I love this interactive board! Such a great message for your students. You can have them write their dream on a cloud on the first day of school!

6.  This Guess Who bulletin board is so clever!

7.  I love this colorful back to school board! Take pictures at meet the teacher or first day of school and display!

8. Have a super hero theme? This super hero bulletin board rocks!

9. This clever display would take a little time to work out, but is SO terrific!

10. How about  a movie star theme? Your students will have fun writing bios for their photos!

11. These tissue paper cupcakes are so sweet!  I love the 3D effect from the tissue paper!

12. This burlap background with a welcome back banner is so cute and colorful!

13. So, technically this is a door display, but this owl theme would work great on a bulletin board as well!

14. I love this FAMILY bulletin board. What a great way to make students feel like they belong in the classroom!

15. This bulletin board is beautiful AND has a great message!

Want to see more bulletin boards? Check out my board on Pinterest:

 

Back To School Math

Posted in addition, back to school, elementary, estimating, math, multiplication, rounding by

Guess what?!?  It’s time to get ready to go back to school!  Here in my little world we have less than 2 weeks left until the kids are back in school!

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If you are a parent looking for something to use to help our kids brush up on Math Skills before the school year stats off, I have something perfect for you!  If you are a teacher looking for classroom work to help get your students back into gear, I also have something for you! Continue reading →

Back to School Get to Know You Activities

Posted in back to school, elementary, highschool, middle school, student engagement by

back to school 10 ideasThe first week of school is an important week that sets the tone for your whole year. Taking time to get to know your students and for them to get to know each other helps build a classroom of community and caring.  Here are some of my favorite ideas for back to school activities. I wish there was time to do them all!

I love to read The Important Book to my students! It is a short, but sweet book with a great message about being yourself. After reading the book, I give my students index cards and have them write important things about themselves that they would like to share me and with the class. Once they have written their cards, I pick them up and shuffle. I read one card at a time without saying whose card it is and the other students guess whose card it is. A fun way to learn about each other!

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Another activity that would go along great with the book is to have your students make posters about themselves to hang around the room.  This All About Me Craft would be perfect!

 

Who doesn’t love a great selfie?

 

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You could have your students draw “selfies” or make collages of themselves doing a favorite hobby or activity.  Then have students share the “selfies” with the class.

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Another idea for selfies is this selfie project which looks like so much fun! Download it for free!

 

 

Get your students moving while you have a beach ball toss with questions designed to get to know one another!

 

And while you are up, play a game of switch sides if …

 

Student searches can also be a lot of fun! Here is a free download.

 

I remember making an “All About Me” bag for a class when I was in high school.  We decorated the outside with magazine pictures and words and then brought the bag back to school with a few things inside to share. Here is a free download with instructions from A Love For Teaching:

 

 

How cute is this cootie catcher?  Way cute, right!

 

Need ideas for Back to School Math?

 

How about Science?

 

For more great ideas, check out my Back To School Board on Pinterest.