March 2015

MATH FEVER

Your students will catch “math fever” with these hands-on activities, games, and catchy tunes you’ll find this month on my website. Most of you already have a math curriculum, worksheets, and computer resources, so I’d like to share some ideas for ACTIVE LEARNING to add some movement and fun.
These activities can be adapted for a variety of skill levels and grades. For example, the free download this month is “Hickory Dickory Dock.” This is good for rhyming, counting, and cardinality. Older children can use their arms like the hands on the clock as they sing. Tie in a craft by making paper plate clocks and then moving the hour hand as you sing. Click here to download the free song, "Hickory Dickory Dock." You will also find a download of a "little book" version of Zero the Hero in the activities.
Whether your state has adopted Common Core or has created their own standards, the “framework” for math instruction is similar and includes:

Standards are meant to be guidelines to insure that all students get the “basics” they need to be successful in math throughout their educational career and life. I would add these goals to the above standards:

Remember that math doesn’t occur solely at “math time.” Children learn math as you do the calendar, take the lunch count, pass out books, play board games, keep score at PE, repeat a pattern in music, follow recipes…it’s a part of our daily lives. When you are familiar with the standards you can take advantage of those “teachable moments” by making those connections and making math meaningful.

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