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Easy Warm Up Engagement Ideas For Distance Learning and In School Learning

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Easy and simple may be my middle name and that is exactly what I like to do in my classroom. Engaging warmups have always been one of my favorite ways to get kids excited about the lesson before we start. I love using warmup games that can easily be used for a variety of subjects, without having to reteach a new game every time! Remember, the easy and simple middle name thing? 🙂

*DID YOU KNOW?* I recently have added all of my math warm-up games and put them into ONE HUGE resource! Be sure to check them out here!

True or False? That is the question! We loved using this easy game as a math warmup! I wrote a fact on the board (it can be any subject, any question, not just math facts!) and kiddos had to tell me (in our Zoom chat) if it was true or false. If it was false, students had to tell me what made it true. To help with differentiation, I added a few numbers on the bottom so kiddos could use them to better help them figure out how to make it true! This was a hit and I’ll be using this in the classroom too!
OH SNAP!! This EASY & ENGAGING game is so fun! I picked a card and called on a student to read it, if they got it correct it went into their “pile.” If they read it incorrectly, it went back into the bin. After one student went, the next student went, and so on. If the card that came up was the OH SNAP card, I “snapped” up all of that student’s cards and returned them to the pile. So many ways to make this work for you and your kiddos in you classroom. (Sight words, math facts, SS/Sci vocab – kids will define the word that you show, morning meeting questions, grammar and more!) The possibilities are endless!
Today, we played 2 wrongs and 1 right. Students saw the problems, typed into Zoom the right and wrong answers, and we had a very dramatic reveal. Other ways to use this could be spelling, vocab, content definitions, grammar, and many more!
Make it true! Such a fun and easy math engagement warm up! I have always loved using warms ups before each guided math small group session but did not realize how important they were for our #onlinelearning time. My kids really looked forward to them. In this game, students have to make the number sentence true, however they choose to do so. I love when a student chooses to change the inequality and their minds are all blown. 🤯 😂 Looking forward to adding more #easyengagement games to our math rotations!
Poof! This easy engagement math warm up was so fun! Students had to use two numbers that equaled our target number and then the numbers that they used would POOF! and be taken off the board. Most students used addition but when a student used subtraction, their minds went 🤯🤯🤯! I’ve thought about using this with fractions, rounding, area, phonics, just to name a few!

These warm ups have been such a great addition to my class and I love creating new ones as the year goes on! 🙂

Distance Learning FREEBIES!

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Distance Learning has been ROUGH. At first, I was eager for a new challenge but the newness of the challenge shortly wore off and now I just want to hug my kiddos and be in school. I have tried to make this virtual learning experience as easy as possible for others so below I have listed a few different freebies that may be helpful for you all during this time! Be sure to follow me on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/missvin3 to check for all the additional free ideas and resources that will be included!

This easy engagement game was super fun! Head over to my Instagram page @missvin3 to check it out!
This resource will include ELA and Math JPEGS to upload to Google Classroom or Seesaw.
I have recorded ELA and Math videos to help your kiddos during this remote learning time!

Halloween: Possibly the most exhausting day of the year.

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HALLOWEEN. One of the most exhausting, fun, exciting, and did I mention exhausting days of the year? I mean is there anything better than seeing your kiddos excited about their costumes and candy and all things fall?

Halloween always seems to be a crazy day every year until I started implementing Halloween Centers. For some reason, the day went by so fast, the kids were engaged, and every 15-20 minutes they were up and moving (and maybe walking like a mummy or flying like a bat) to the next rotations. We played Halloween music, laughed, and truly had an amazing time.

This past year was the first year I truly “transformed” my room for this day. I love decorating the library area and covering it with spider webs or hanging witches from the ceiling to make the day feel “a little more exciting.” Everything I used to transform was either decorations I’ve gathered over the years, old decor that my mom gave me, or a few things I purchased from Dollar Tree, Target, or Amazon. 

Okay, now to get to the good stuff, THE CENTERS! I had all the centers laid out around the classroom. That way, each area had a specific center and kids were not running around like crazy, losing pieces of the center, etc. Before the centers began, I divided kids up into groups of 2-3 kids and that was their partner/group for the day. I assigned each pair/group a center to start and then together as a class we walked to every center, went over the activity together and answered any and all questions students had.

The centers we used are:

Eyeball Rounding: Students pick an eyeball and round that number to the nearest ten or hundred according to what their recording sheet says!

Build an array: At this center, students will pick a task card and build an array using the Target Dollar Spot Halloween Mini Erasers. I found this task cards for free on Teachers Pay Teachers years ago.

Grammar Sort: Students will pick a sign and decide what part of speech category it belongs in. (noun, proper noun, verb, adjective) I was surprised to see how many students had difficulty with this and was definitely a good informative assessment for me to use in my planning for the following week!

Monster Math: This game students will play as a whole group and one person begins and picks a card. Student will solve the card and show everyone in the group the card. Everyone will solve it and if the student who choose the card correctly solved it, that student gets to keep the card. Whoever has the most cards at the end of the game is the winner. There are some fun cards like lose a turn, extra turn, game over, etc.

 

You can find the multiplication and division version of this game here. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Multiplication-and-Division-Game-2805870

Fluency Reading: I found these fun witch/scary looking finger pointers in the Target Dollar Spot and gathered as many Halloween/Fall picture books that I had. Students whisper read with partners and loved falling along with the “fingers.”

 

Halloween Inferencing Game: This is one of the favorites!! Students will be in pairs and one student will pick a task card and read it and the other student will try and make an inference that matches the task card that their partner described.

 

Addition/Multiplication Game: Students will work in partners and spin a paperclip twice to get two numbers. Students will either add or multiply (depending on their Vampire sheet) find the answer and create a number sentence. Partners will check each other’s work. This can also be an independent center or you can have students add up all of their answers at the end and whoever has the highest score is the winner.

 

Overall, it was a wonderful and exciting day BUT I was looking forward to getting home to my couch and eating as many Reese’s Pumpkins as I possibly could! Happy Halloween!

I was almost 8 months pregnant in this picture!

 

Math Test Prep Boot Camp.. Reporting for duty!

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Sargent Mack is READY for Test Prep Boot Camp!

State Tests can be stressful for everyone in involved, from the kids, to the teachers, to administration. Enter: One of my favorite days of the year, Test Prep Boot Camp.

My main purpose of this day is to allow students to have fun and review different skills that will be on the state test that is the following day. Let’s be honest, no amount of “cramming” will really do the kids any good so why not make a fun day of review out of it?!

Students wear a badge and I always do a little ceremony and chant before we begin to enhance the excitement!

During our boot camp, we have 6 different stations, a station on multiplication and division, fractions, area and perimeter, graphing, time, and addition and subtraction. Students spend about 20 minutes (could be longer or shorter) at each station. When it is time for them to change stations, I blow my whistle and give them some type of “command.” (IE: March to your next station, 10 Jumping Jacks, repeating a chant after me, etc.) My students find this hysterical and I am sure to encourage them with silly chanting and commands throughout the day.

If you are interested in checking out this resource, I have linked it here for you!

Now let’s get into the details:

Room Decor: I “decorated” my room for about $40.00. I bought some camouflage tablecloths , a camouflage net, some faceprint, and some camouflage colored streamers. This may seem a little steep BUT I knew I will be able to use this all again for years to come! (Minus the faceprint, I’ll buy a new one each year.)

Station 1: Fractions

Students will complete a fraction game where they solve problems about identifying fractions, fractions on a number line, comparing fractions, equivalent fractions, unit fractions, and more. The first student to reach the finish line is the winner!

Station 2: Multiplication and Division

This might be the favorite station of them all. Students have flashcards with a multiplication or division problem on it and a “command” on the bottom. The command is some type of exercise. (5 squats, 3 sit ups, etc.) Student solve the problem and then complete the command! If the student gets the command correct, they keep the card and the student with the most cards at the end is the winner!

 

Station 3: Place Value

Students will complete roll and writes and need to round to the nearest ten or hundred. They will have a partner check their work before they are able to move on to the next worksheet on rounding!

Station 4: Area and Perimeter

Students will be given a task to create a map of the base using specific measurements of different buildings. Students typically choose to create these on large paper so they can decorate them once they have completed their questions but they can be down on smaller paper as well!

Station 5: Addition and Subtraction

This station students have to add and subtract numbers and find the matching puzzle piece to their equation. The students work in pairs and can check each other’s work with the inverse operation or you can have students work independently.

Station 6: Graphing

Students are given a data sheet and have to create a bar or pictograph according to the information. Students loved making the pictographs!

Station 7: Time

This station is new this year and I can’t wait to have students complete it! Students will use a schedule to answer questions about the daily life of a solider! Students can also complete a day in the life book about a solider using the schedule as well!

Overall, this is one of the best days of the year and my kiddos have so much fun, are so engaged, and usually forget that they are reviewing for a big test, which is exactly what I want them to do! 🙂

 

Do you use any kind of test prep activities in your room? I would love to hear about them below! 🙂

Math Workshop – How? What? Why?

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Math Workshop has truly become one of my favorite times of day. When I first started math workshop, I had NO idea what I was doing but read a ton of research on the importance in making this shift in math instruction and haven’t looked back. With the Common Core Standards, we as teachers cannot simply rely on teaching students just a formula to answer math problems anymore. As we know, students learn concepts at different paces and having math workshop in your classroom allows you to meet the needs of each and every learner.

What is Math Workshop?

Math Workshop is a method in which teachers assess students and group them according to their proficiency level. Groups will change depending on the topic/skill. I give a quick pretest before major topics are taught to be able to adequately group students.

•Each student receives small group instruction, followed by independent work time.

•Allows for students to be rotated/moved to different groups by lesson or unit.

•Students are engaged at all times in mathematics practice and concepts are reinforced daily in stations.

•Students are motivated by the rotation, and manage themselves with little need for teacher interruption.

What does Math Workshop look like? 

Math Workshop consists of a problem of the day, a mini lesson, four rotations, (Math Facts, At Your Seat, Teacher’s Choice, and Hands On) and a wrap up/exit ticket.

Before the Mini-Lesson

We often start off Math Workshop with a problem of the day. The problem of the day is projected on the whiteboard and students complete the problem in their math journal or on a personal whiteboard. These problems are open ended questions and are created from the Common Core Standards.

The Mini-Lesson
Mini lessons usually take about 12-15 minutes depending on the topic. During this mini-lesson, I am introducing the skill/standard that is going to be taught. I always have students on the rug with a whiteboard, marker, and eraser. First, I model how to solve a problem on that topic. For example, if our topic is using arrays for multiplication, I will explain to them what an array is, how to create an array, and why they are helpful. Next, we practice solving one or two problems together. Finally, students will do one or two problems independently and will usually Turn and Talk with a partner to explain their thinking. I invite students to come to the front of the room to share their genius thinking with their classmates. Teachers will then go over what the rotations will look like and math workshop begins! Rotations last about 15 minutes long.
M: Math Facts
At this center, I focus on strengthening fact fluency. I use anything from flashcards, math games on an IPAD or computer, math drills, or more.

A: At Your Seat

At this center, one of the most important things I learned was to review the skill/standard from the PREVIOUS day’s lesson(s). Since a group of students go to this rotation first, it is important that this rotation is used as a review. Students would not know how to complete the assignment since they have not yet been taught by you! (I learned this the hard way!) Some things students do in this rotation are worksheets, journaling, completing task cards, and independent centers.

T: Teacher’s Choice
At this rotation, students meet with the teacher for a small group lesson to practice the skill that was just taught in the mini-lesson. I always try to include a fun warm up activity before we get into the lesson. (Again, a review activity, not an activity that mirrors that lesson if it is the first day of teaching it!) I love having students use whiteboards and different manipulatives. As students are working, I will conference with a student and will take anecdotal notes during those conferences.
H: Hands On
At this rotation, students will work together to problem solve, play games, and collaborate with one another. Students can play math games/centers in small groups or in partners. They bring their math journals, whiteboards, or recording sheets with them to record their work while playing.
Exit Ticket/Wrap Up/Share
After the rotations are complete, students will come back to their seats and complete an exit ticket and then come to the rug. Exit tickets are very helpful for grouping students for the following day! Once the exit tickets are completed, (this should not take more than 5 minutes!) students share used strategies, ask questions, make connections, and reflect on their mathematical practice during math workshop.
REMEMBER to choose stations that:
  • You don’t need to change often.
  • Students know routines and can get started quickly and independently.
  • Are much less time consuming for you and allows you more time spent planning quality small group lessons.
  • Don’t require a ton (or any!) paperwork.

When planning the lesson:

  • Determine big ideas (based on student needs and standards!)
  • Decide what students need to learn and do to be successful.
  • Use assessment information. (informative and formative)
  • Choose specific teaching points for each group
  • Prepare differentiated lessons; gather materials.
I hope this was helpful for you as you are planning how to run math workshop in your room! Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. I would love to hear about how you use math workshop in your room! 🙂
-Jen