Loop Game in Action!

What is a Loop Game?

It's a great way to get your students to become engaged in learning, to discuss and explain how to solve problems and to have students peer tutor other students.

Let's face it, some students can find worksheets boring. Loop Games will definitely break up the monotony that sometimes occurs in the classroom due to daily worksheets.

They can be used in a variety of ways from test reviews to having students practice skills while you work small group.

It's easy to monitor the class because students are walking around solving problems and having discussions while you facilitate learning.

I usually put students in groups of two to three, depending on the class size. I also make a reduced copy (print 2 to 4 pages on one sheet) of the Loop Game to use as an answer key so that it's easier check students' progress throughout the game as I am monitoring.

Here are some of my students in action during a Loop Game.

Notice the white pages with the blue border that are taped to the wall in each picture? This is how I set up my Loop Games. Students start at one of the problems, show all of their work on a sheet of paper and when they find the answer, they then look for the next card that has the answer they found at the top of the card.

For example, in the picture shown below students would ignore the 2 at the top of the first card because that's the answer to a problem on another card. They would solve the problem 5 x (63 ÷ 7) + 7. and then look for the answer at the top of another card in the room. In this case the answer is 52. Students would then solve (36 ÷ 6 x 5) - 20 and look for that answer at the top of another card in the room. In this case, the answer is 10.

Students then continue to do this until they locate the answer to the last problem at the top of the card they originally started at. Hence the name "Loop Game". Now, if they end up on the card they started at but did not solve all of the problems on the cards, that should tell them that they solved a problem incorrectly. To get them back in the game, I tell them which card they erred on to avoid frustration on their part.

Something I forgot to mention is that when I set the game up on the wall I make sure I mix up all of the cards so that the problems won't be in order. That way students won't expect their answer to be on the next card. I also have students start at different cards to avoid crowded areas. It's easier to monitor students when they are spread around the room.

Sometimes, I stand at the center of the room and listen to the conversations going on. I can say that I have smiled quite a bit! Mostly when I hear a student explaining to another student how the problem should be solved.

The best is when students in the same group rush over to me and show me their answers and they happen to be different. They ask, "Miss, who is right?". Well, I answer a question with a question of course and ask each to explain the steps. As they are explaining, that's when it dawns on the one with the wrong answer what he or she should've done to get the correct answer. Then it happens. The student with the correct answer yells, "I told you! I told you I was right!". I love the confidence in their voice.

Students rushing over to the teacher because they want to prove that they are correct! Imagine that. How often does that happen? LOL

I hope this information is helpful and that you try this activity in your classroom!

Here's a Loop Game you can try for FREE with your students!
Just click HERE.

Be sure to try out some of my other Loop Games at my TPT Store.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Math-Imagination

If you are interested in a Loop Game for a particular math skill, just contact me! I'll create it and post it on my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!!!

Spend It All!

Here is another math activity that will have your students practicing subtraction of decimals, regrouping, and unit rates!  It's also quick and easy to make!

You will need index cards, scissors, glue and store ads.

Cut out items on sale from the store ad.
I tried to chose items that I know my students would be interested in.

Next, glue them onto index cards.  Try to glue them so that you will have room to write on a section of the index card.  Also, only glue one per card.

You have two options to choose from for this next part.  You can either use markers to write on the cards or you can print out the info and glue it onto the cards.  I chose the easier one. :D

Here is what I came up with!  Notice, on some of the cards students will have to determine unit rates.

Here are some more examples for you.

How do you play "Spend It All"?

Number of players:  2 to 4

Materials:  Paper, pencil and one set of "Spend It All" cards.

Directions:  Place cards face down on the center of the table.  Each player starts with $100.  Player 1 takes a card from the top of the stack.  This represents a purchase.  The card will state the number of items the player must buy.  The player will then subtract the amount from their $100.   Player 2 then repeats the same process.  Each player will have different cards (purchases) each time.  The player to "Spend It All" first is the winner!!!

As you can see, it is great practice for subtraction from zeroes and regrouping.
I would let each group have a calculator so they could check each other's work. This is great for immediate feedback and if the student knows he or she did the math correctly, their confidence level is raised!

Here are some closer looks at the cards.  Hopefully it will give you some ideas! :D

I truly hope this activity is helpful and of use to you! I think that it is good to have students work with something they see everyday outside of school, such as these ads. That way, they can actually realize that math IS important to learn and that they WILL use it in their daily life.  

Don't you just LOVE FREE STUFF?!?!

Get a FREE download of my Simplifying Fractions Spinners Game!
It's great as a math station!
Just print and play!
Use a paper clip as a spinner.
Just click HERE for your FREE download.

Thanks and have a wonderful day!
:D

Integer Fluency Circles

I'm from Texas, and as some of you already know, many of the math standards have been rearranged to different grade levels.

As a 7th grade math teacher, it was my job to teach 7th graders addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of integers with and without models.  It was brand new to them in 7th grade until (insert horror music here) standards were changed.

Now, they are supposed to learn computation of integers with and without models in 6th grade.  Well, let's just say there are many gaps that still need to be filled, in all grade levels including 7th.

That's when I came up with Integer Fluency Circles. It's a spin off of multiplication circles I saw a few years back (okay, way waaaayyyy back).

I'm not a big fan of making thousands upon thousands of copies of worksheets for my students while standing by the copy machine fighting the urge to fall asleep due to the soothing rhythm it creates. Therefore, I made Integer Fluency Circles for each of my students and laminated them so that they could keep them in their "pencil" bag for easy access.  They also have a dry erase marker in their bag and small felt square they use as an eraser.

Students LOVE this activity!  I made it a bit of a competition within their group.  I first tell them what number to write in the center of the circle, then I announce "Ready? Set? ______!!!" Insert add, subtract or 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.  They keep score on their desk with their dry erase marker.

I post answers on the screen so that they can check.  For further review, I have them discuss mistakes made and what they need to do to get it correct next time.

You can find this activity HERE.  I've provided different sizes, as well as blank circles to create your own.