"EGG"-CELLENT IDEA THAT IS NO "YOLK"!

I know Easter has come and gone, but when I came across these cute plastic mini Easter eggs on clearance for $0.25 a pack, how could I resist!  I immediately thought "MATH STATION"!

First, a few tips.

     

Use scissors to snip off the little plastic piece that keeps the top and bottom portion of the egg together.  Then use a nail file to file down any plastic that juts out.  

For the next step, I decided to mix it up.  I closed up the eggs using different tops and bottoms.  They look so pretty and colorful!

I decided to make my stations on equations and inequalities because that's what my students need "EGG"-stra practice on.  I wrote the problems on the top portion and answers on the bottom portion using a permanent marker.  I suggest you keep eggs closed when you are writing problems and answers on them so that it is easier to keep track.

I used Crystal Light containers for storage. "EGG"-sactly twelve mini plastic eggs fit in the container if they are taken apart.

I made two sets with equations and two sets with Inequalities, typed up and printed out directions, then used packing tape to adhere directions onto the containers.

Twelve problems in each station for a total of four math stations.   An "EGG"-ceptional deal for $0.50!

 These stations provide great opportunities for discussions when students work in pairs or groups.  Students will be "egg"splaining, tutoring, teaching, and learning!
(Ha Ha!  Sorry, I just "crack" myself up!)

This is a self checking activity! Hold students accountable by having them show all of their work on paper.  Then have them check their answer by substituting their determined values for the variable.

Sometimes worksheets can be boring.  This simple hands-on activity will keep students engaged, hands moving, eyes looking and brains thinking! They won't even realize they did twelve problems.

I hope this was helpful!

Jenga Math Review

A while back I posted about a used Jenga game I purchased at a Goodwill store.  Well, I finally finished it!  It took me a while because I didn't really know what to use it for or how to fix it up.

Well, I'm finally done and here is the final product!

I used an old plastic bin I had for
storage since the original
box wasn't in good condition. 

They all fit perfectly!

I used fine point permanent markers to make the game colorful.  I included various types of skills that my students need review on. Since the game blocks were in excellent condition and very smooth, it was easy to write on them with markers. 

TIP:  Use brand new fine tip markers.  For some reason, my used markers bled into the wood. 

One of my student groups already tried it out and they said it was "cool"! 

I hope these tips were helpful.  Let me know what you think!
:

UPDATE:  I was able to get a picture of Math Jenga in action.

I have my students seated in groups of four and I rotate stations around the room by groups.  Many students were anxious to get their turn at this station.  :D

Here is another great test review activity available at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Spring Time Math Review - Decimals, Integers, Order of Operations, and more!

Mad Math Skills - Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, Fractions, Decimals, Integers

Circles Foldable for Math Journal!

Here's a quick and easy foldable for students to glue into their interactive math journal.

It's a great review on parts of a circle, as well as formulas for area of a circle and circumference of a circle.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the blackline master of this foldable,

just click HERE!

Thanks for looking!

Integer Fluency Circles

Practicing integer fluency will be fun with these Integer Fluency Circles!

Several different set ups to choose from. Blank circles also included so that you can create your own!

Quick and easy prep!  Just print and play!

Great as stations or even a little friendly classroom competition.

I printed and laminated one copy per student so that they could keep it in their pencil bag for easy access and so that they could use with a dry erase marker.

My students LOVE this activity!  I made it a bit of a competition withing their groups.  I first tell them what number to write in the center of the circle, then I announce "Ready? Set? ______!!!" Insert add, subtract, multiply in the blank. Then it's a race!  The person to get the most correct at the end of the round earns a point. Students keep score on their desk with their dry erase marker. When the round is over, I always have students discuss and acknowledge their mistakes with the group so that they know what to do next time!  

It can also be used as a math station.

Click HERE for this product.
Be sure to check out other products at MY STORE! 

Color Coding for Math Stations

As you know by now, I have several math stations in my classroom. Sometimes I make duplicates.  It's no fun when a student drops a station card on the floor.  Ugh!  Which set does it belong to?

Then it hit me.  COLOR!

Color coding with color dots, sticky notes, ink stamps or stickers makes it easier to match up station cards and pieces! I've even used color markers! Quick and easy color coding.

Here is a duplicate set of stations that I have color coded.  I've even started color coding the station envelopes to make it easier for students when it's time to put away. 

Pink Set

Green Set

I recommend placing your color codes on your stations before laminating.  

Already have your sets laminated? No problem! You can place your color coding dot, sticky note or sticker on your cards and then follow up with a piece of glossy tape to secure it.  You can also use a permanent marker. A different color for each set!

Hope this is helpful!

Foam Cubes for Combining Like Terms?

During one of my units, I noticed many of my students struggling with combining like terms, especially the ones that involved negatives.  That afternoon, I started thinking about what I could create that would help keep them engaged and focused.

Rummaging through my supply closet, I found some foam cubes I purchased earlier in the year.  This is what I came up with.

Algebra Dice: Combining Like Terms

It can be used as a whole class review displayed on a screen through projector or during small group instruction.

  Shake up cubes in a container and then dump them out onto the table.

 Line up the terms in any order and allow student partners to discuss what step is next.

 Call on a student to explain or show the class the next step.

 Have students combine like terms at their desk. I allow my students to write on their desk with a dry erase marker.  They become more involved and it makes math fun!

Here is another look at the cubes.  As you can see, I did included both negative and positive terms.





Foam cubes can be used for many different types of stations in many different ways.  Keep checking back for more ideas!

Here are the directions I have on my canister for this activity, as requested.  Of course, you can change the directions to suit your students' needs.

Here is an activity on combining like terms that you can find at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store. It includes a Matching Card Set, Student Work Page, "Ticket Out the Door" to check for understanding, a Quiz and Answer Keys for all listed above!

Combining Like Terms Matching Card Set - Simplify Expressions Using Like Terms

Hope this is helpful!!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!!!

So Cute, Small and Helpful!

Have you seen those packets of really little plastic containers hanging off the sides of shelves at the grocery store?

I always thought, "What would anyone ever store in that tiny thing?!"  Well, that's before I knew they were for storing condiments, like salad dressing, ketchup, etc. in your lunch bag. (Insert eye roll and blush here.)

Well, I found a use for them in the classroom.  Plastic baggies just aren't cutting it for storage in my classroom anymore due to rips and tears. So, I thought I would try these tiny containers and they work perfectly!  They are easy to store and stack on the shelves by my stations.

Here are a few pics to show you how I use them in my classroom.

I have game boards that I use several different card sets with.  This is just an example of one of my game boards. These tiny containers are great for storing all the game pieces needed for the game board!

  

Click HERE to see how to make your own game boards for your classroom!!!

Four game pieces and one number cube stored neatly in a tiny container so that students can just grab, go and play!

I also use them to store bingo chips for my bingo stations.  Students can just grab, go and play bingo!

As you can see, quite a few of the bingo chips fit neatly inside the container. Enough for up to four players!

On a later post, I'll show you how to make a game board for your classroom.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!!!

:D