The hardest part about Building Thinking Classrooms is finding the tasks when you want to spice it up a bit! In this episode, I'm walking you through how I approach coming up with ideas for tasks! Want the task I talked about? You can get the 2nd Grade Cash Out Task here! K and 1st Grade versions are below. Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! Helpful Links Blog Post Kindergarten Cash Out Math Task 1st Grade Cash Out Math Task 2nd Cash Out Math...

Since you seemed to enjoy Math Games for Morning Meeting, this is a companion episode, not a math specific episode but helpful to create a respectful community so that all our academic work and be more successful! I'm going over packing up routines, closing circle routines, and how kids leave the classroom during dismissal. Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! Helpful Links Let's Connect! Instagram Website YouTube Channel

Truth. Kids don't need addition and subtraction symbols to do addition and subtraction symbols. But when they do, give them a little…spice. Today we’re talking about how to give those squiggles meaning! Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! Helpful Links Blog Post Addition and Subtraction Lessons Let's Connect! Instagram Website YouTube Channel

Subtraction games can be tricker than addition because we don’t want students working with negative numbers in Kindergarten or First grade! This episode shares 5 print-and-play math games you can use in your classroom tomorrow! Your students will practice math facts, writing equations, working independently and with partners, freeing you to circulate or work with small groups! Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google Form! Timestamps 1:06 - Spin and Subtract 2:15 - Spin,...

I love a good game to have kids learning and practicing math! The applause my students give when in math center time is music to my ears! These addition games are pretty simple and don't include a lot of varied directions, perfect to free you up to circulate the room if you need to or pull students one one-on-one or in a small group because they're engaged in these fast-paced games that are accessible to them and easy to differentiate. Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google...

Sometimes you have the perfect lesson and crickets. Or… most of your students get it, but there are a handful who don’t. What do you do for them? In this episode, I’m sharing tips to help your struggling mathematicians! Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! Helpful Links Blog Post YouTube Video Let's Connect! Instagram Website YouTube Channel

As teachers, it's our job to be the ones doing the “teaching” but there is a lot we can learn from our students too! Far beyond the most recent slang or trending dance on social media! Today I shared 4 things my students remind me of all the time! Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! Let's Connect! Instagram Website YouTube Channel

In this episode, I share some hands-on array math centers and a Building Thinking Classrooms Math Task involving arrays and unknown factors! Big kids love centers too! Get a free repeated addition task! Escaping Ants! Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google Form! Helpful Links Blog Post YouTube Video Array Bundle! Roll an Array Pick and Build Arrays Spin, Multipliy and Find the Array Empty The Board Multiplication Array Bake Sale Task Let's Connect! Instagram Website YouTube...

Do your 10 Frame centers need a refresh? In this episode, I share 10 plus warm-ups, math stations, and print-and-go activities involving 10 frames! If you want to know more about the benefits of 10 frames you can check out episode 30, All About 10 Frames! Helpful Links Blog Post All the Activities Quick Images, Spin Count and Cover: Halloween, Spin and Build, Pick Build and Cover, Go Fish 10 Frames, Roll a Rainbow Graph, Play-Doh Mats, WIkki Stix Numbers, Roll and Write, Spin and Write, 10...

This week we are talking all about 10 frames! Ten frames are a math tool that can help students develop anchors to 5 and 10 which are important pre-place value skills! I levels of the concept of 10, and 5 frame, 10 frame, and 20 or double ten frame activities you can use in your classroom today! Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google Form!   Helpful Links Blog Post Quick Images 5, 10, 20 Frames Pick, Build, Cover Spin and Build Roll and Write 10 Frames Time Stamps 0:37 What...

Morning meeting is a great way to connect with your students and build a classroom community. There are times when you just play to play, but if you want to sneak in some math in the morning meeting, I have versatile 5 games for you to do just that! Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google Form!   Time Stamps 1:00 In-and-Out Dance-A-Thon 2:33 What Number Am I Writing 3:52 Team Building 5:52 Catch My Pattern 6:47 What’s My Number Helpful Links Blog Post Let's...

Do you find your students are making the same mistakes over and over again? Using a worked-out example is a great way to have your students discuss different problem-solving strategies and techniques and helps them apply what they have learned to new problems! Learn about different worked examples and the impact they can have! Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google Form! Time Stamps 1:50 Fading Examples 2:44 Prompting Self Explanation 5:05 Comparing Examples 7:22 Which Type...

Are you looking for some math ideas for the 100th day of school? In this episode, I break down my favorite STEAM activities for the 100th day that your students will love! Every year, I get multiple student requests to keep the “centers” for math workshop because they enjoyed it so much! Whether you take one idea or the whole bundle, these ideas are sure to be a hit with your students! Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google Form!

Do you have a 100’s chart collecting dust up on your wall? I did too but it was a mistake! The 100s chart is a great tool for developing number sense! In this episode, I get into games you can play with the 100s chart, problem-solving tasks, hands-on math center, no prep math centers, and more all with the 100 and 120 charts! Have a topic you want me to discuss? Fill out the Google Form! Timestamps My history with the 100’s Chart 2:40 100’s Chart Morning Meeting and Group Games 5:43 Problem...

If you are looking for some recommendations of places to look to increase your knowledge of math pedagogy, center ideas, and more this episode is for you! I share with you how I first got my hands on a professional development book that I actually used and some others if you are looking to take your math knowledge to the next level. Math can be a subject a lot of people don't feel comfortable teaching or learning and these books can give you the background and confidence to continue your...

We all have off days, but sometimes your students are just not participating the way you would like in math and problem-solving. In this episode, I am sharing some tips you can try to help boost participation in your classroom! Time Stamps 0:56 Non-Curricular Tasks 2:25 When in doubt, theme it out! 2:55 Ask questions 3:50 Give them a Job 6:00 Mistakes Help Our Brains Grow Helpful Links 4 Non-Curricular Tasks Starter Pack Gingerbread Man Task Halloween Task Blog Post YouTube Video NRICH.org...

This episode comes from this YouTube video so you can see the games in action! Though some prefer to listen than watch! Your students may know their numbers to 20 in the figurative counter stage, but can they use them? In this video, you will learn 4 games you can play with your students to help them develop more sophisticated counting strategies. These games are perfect for students who are past the tricky teens and are starting to work on addition. Since the numbers are small, they can...

If your students aren't available for learning, it doesn't matter how perfect your lesson is. In today's episode, I’m talking about Trauma Informed Practice and implementing mindfulness in the classroom. I’m giving you practical tips, examples, and a peek into the importance of a trauma-informed classroom. Thank you to all of you who attended my Making Math Moment Talk I had a blast! This will be the last episode of 2023, fill out the Google Form if you have episodes you’d like to hear from...

Get my complete counting stages presentation slides! In this episode, I am giving you a sneak peek into the sessions I have my eye on in the Making Math Moments Virtual Summit. I’m looking at sessions on ✅Closing a Building Thinking Classrooms Math Lesson ✅Culturally Responsive Math Education ✅Math Play ✅ Children's books for math problems ✅Coding! There are so many amazing sessions, register to get in on this amazing opportunity! Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this...

Register for the FREE Making Math Moments Virtual Summit 2023! In this week's episode, we’ll look into the last counting stage Facile Number Sequence. In this stage, of counting, we will really see students who are flexible in the way they solve problems!They can use a variety of non-count by ones strategies and we’ll go into what they are! Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! Helpful Links Blog Post Let's Connect! Instagram Website YouTube Channel

Register for the FREE Making Math Moments Virtual Summit 2023! In this week's episode, we’ll look into the next counting stage Intermediate Number Sequence. In this stage, of counting, we will really start to see all of our hard work come together as students become more confident and successful problem solvers, specifically with subtraction! Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! Helpful Links Blog Post Let's Connect! Instagram Website YouTube Channel

Register for the FREE Making Math Moments Virtual Summit 2023! In this week's episode, we’ll look into the next counting stage Initial Number Sequence. In this stage, of counting, we will really start to see all of our hard work come together as students become more confident and successful problem solvers. We’ll Talk About… ✅Addtion strategies to look for ✅Other indicators of this stage ✅Centers to Support getting students to the next stage ✅The Making Math Moments Virtual Summit! Any...

Register for the FREE Making Math Moments Virtual Summit 2023! Any podcast episodes you want me to make? Let me know in this Google Form! In this week's episode, we are continuing our deep dive into learning trajectories for counting and how to teach counting and develop counting skills for young students. Counting is an area where students need a lot of practice to really develop their number sense and ability to count accurately. Today's focus is Figurative Counters. I’ll go over what a...

Register for the FREE Making Math Moments Virtual Summit 2023! In this week's episode, we are continuing our deep dive into learning trajectories for counting and how to teach counting and develop counting skills for young students. Counting is an area where students need a lot of practice to really develop their number sense and ability to count accurately.Today's focus is Perceptual counters. I’ll go over what a perceptual counter is, what to look for, and give you some ideas of math...