Math…a subject many teachers love to teach! Why? Math is fun. It CAN be fun and engaging for your students too! Below is a list of the best and most engaging math routines – and of course some tips and tricks! Read on to grab some math block routine tips and freebies to enjoy in your classroom.
Math Routines
Establishing consistent math routines definitely makes things run smoothly during the math block. It also allows for small group instruction as the other students will know what is expected of them during independent work. (Are you teaching online or have distance learners? Then head to these posts: Online Math Routines That Increase Engagement or High Impact Digital Math Routines for Distance Learning.) Check out these engaging math routines that are easy to implement in your classroom right away!
1. Start By Getting Organized
Okay, this tip isn’t really a routine… But, if you take the time to get all the math tools organized, your routines will thrive!
There are two areas in my classroom where all my math resources are stored. If you’ll be implementing math stations with centers or games, it’s key that your students know where to access materials so you can utilize that valuable one-on-one or small group instruction time.
The rest of my math resources are stored in plastic containers. In each container, I keep the teacher’s guide, printables, task cards, interactive notebook pages, anchor charts, and math station games. I love this system because everything that I need to teach for a particular unit is right at my fingertips and I don’t have to do any digging into files or cabinets!
Watch below to see ALL my best tips and favorite tools for classroom organization!
If possible, encourage students to use manipulatives whenever they feel it will help them with their math. (Of course, first talk about how manipulatives are math TOOLS and not TOYS!)
Or read all about organizing math centers: 2nd Grade Math Centers: Launching & Management and How to Organize Math & Literacy Centers.
AND, download our Math Centers from All Access!
2. Post Learning Targets
Posting learning targets, objectives, or standards can be beneficial for students. At the beginning of every math lesson, teachers can write the learning target with the students and talk about what they will be learning that day for math. For example: “We can add sums of ten,” or ” We can use our doubles facts to subtract.”
After teaching, guided practice, and independent work, then direct students back to the learning target to reflect on how they feel about their level of understanding. For a quick formative assessment, have students do a thumbs up if they feel confident that they know, understand, and can teach the skill to a friend. Thumbs sideways means they feel somewhat comfortable with their knowledge and understanding of the skill. Thumbs down means they feel uncomfortable with the skill and would like additional help tomorrow. This is a great way to guide teachers in planning the next day’s lessons or small groups. New, Lucky Little Learners has printable and editable I Can Statements!
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3. Exit Tickets
If teachers want a more concrete way to know if students mastered the day’s learning target, Exit Tickets are the way to go! This is a super easy math routine to implement right away–just print and go!
With 140 exit tickets covering all math standards and including standards checklists for whole group or individual a teacher can gain valuable insight and use the data to drive their instruction!
Find out more about exit tickets and how to implement them below!
All About Math Exit Ticket Boards
Using Exit Tickets to Differentiate Instruction
4. Daily Spiral Review
Getting a consistent math practice routine established is key! One way to make sure students are working on standards-based math skills is through the Spiral Math Review. This no-prep activity includes 40 weeks of daily math practice! Also, it is differentiated at three levels to provide individualized practice for each student.
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Hopefully, these math routines make your math block smooth and effective! Do you have any amazing math block routines that work in your classroom? We’d love to hear about them! Leave a comment below or find us in our Lucky 2nd Grade Teachers Facebook Group. Happy teaching!
8 Responses
Card games are such a great way to practice math facts! I love that you use them for homework, what a great way to get parents involved!
The Blessed Teacher
I absolutely loved this post. I am obsessed with math! My question for you is are you using the updated envision math? My district just switched to their newest addition. I really miss the individual teacher manuals for each topic. Thanks for all of the great ideas!
Oh man, I wish I would've prepared for this link up! I love ALL your math interactive notebook products!!!
♥ Stephanie
good idea
Such an amazing post and tips how to teach the children and how to resolve binary system answer with new technique thanks for sharing important information
We store these cards in the child's BEE binder which goes to and from school every day. Inside of the BEE binder I provide my parents with a game sheet that explains how to play a game that we have been playing in class. There's always a math skill involved with each game suggestion.
Kindergarten is such a fun year for writing and reading progress. I wish I would have saved more samples from my years of teaching over the years as each kid has such a unique style!
kids Kindergarten
We store these cards in the child's BEE binder which goes to and from school every day. Inside of the BEE binder I provide my parents with a game sheet that explains how to play a game that we have been playing in class. There's always a math skill involved with each game suggestion.