Blue Mountain Math

Making Math Fun with Engaging Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free
  • Videos
  • Links

Everything Old is New Again

I don’t know how long you have been teaching, but even in my short 16 years in the classroom much has changed. I was reminiscing with a new teacher last week and she was amused to hear how teaching was different then.

When I began teaching we would take attendance by hand, do grades either by hand or in Excel. And technology was limited to those few computers in ONE computer lab on campus. Teachers were limited to 2 visits per month to the lab so everyone had an opportunity.

Technology Replaced Strategies

When technology found its way inside each classroom (I have had my own chrome book cart for the last 7 years) some of those old ideas went away. Some embraced new and exciting methods and strategies using computers. If you have been in the classroom awhile, can you think of a few things you discarded along the way in favor of the internet?

Students Need Variety

Don’t get me wrong, I love being online but like everything else, kids need variety, and no I don’t mean doing a different internet activity each day. Kids need movement, they need paper activities. Students benefit from talking to each other and hearing other explanations. And students are online so much, it makes a nice change to have them in “real life” in the classroom.

Power Point Games are Back

Remember those jeopardy style games in Power Point? I loved them, kids loved them but somehow the internet made them seem old. Besides, there are a few sites where the games are already created. You just need to assign them (quia.com) and kids play on their own. But recently I pulled out some of my old Power Point games, especially one called Give and Take and the kids went wild.

https://youtu.be/_kwnX8njguU

Strategy Games Engage

This game does the familiar, asks students to answer questions in teams. However, instead of getting to keep the points, the correct answer gives you the right to either give those points or take those points from another team.

The old Jeopardy style games always favored the “smartest” kid in the class. Other students knew who would win before the game started and after a few questions, everyone else just gave up. Give and Take, in addition to being a great review activity, is a game of strategy. No one can predict the winner until the last question.

Treasure Hunts

Another favorite “old” activity is treasure/scavenger hunts. When Chrome Books became available, I used web quests to engage the students. But I find that students need to move around the class. Especially in those classes after lunch, moving is critical to keeping them alert.

Treasure Hunts are great review for the class and gets students moving around. Active bodies = active brains.

All students need to talk with others and work out the problems–not just type. So I have revived treasure hunts. Even kids who seemed to lack motivation before are up and talking about math.

Task Cards

Task cards have fallen into the gap as well. I know there are teachers who never stopped using task cards and kuddos to you. Like others who have that magic Chrome Book cart, I began converting my paper, laminated task cards to digital cards and google slides. They are wonderful and have a lot of benefits, but there is something about pulling out a deck of task cards and playing a round of scoot to perk things up.

Maybe not just scoot, either. For that class who need a little extra practice, a few cards for a warm up or exit ticket may be just what they need. I have been using printed task cards on a regular basis just to mix up the routine (more on different ways to use them next week).

There are so many ways to use task cards. If you have never tried Scoot, just place one card on each desk and after a certain amount of time has passed, yell “scoot” and students move to the next card.

If you are trying to incorporate more movement in the classroom, try placing cards (multiple decks) in one large big in the back of the room. One student from each group goes to the bin and gets enough cards for his group at a time. When the group is finished with the cards, a students takes them back to the bin and gets more. If you really like chaos, use multiple bins and have all the students run over to get a card. The rule is one card at a time to prevent students from getting a hand full at a time.

I love my Chrome Cart as much as the next teacher, but there are times when students just need something different. And there are also times when the internet is down, so always have a back up plan. Any of these activities can be prepared in advance and are ready to use in an emergency. Try something new (or old) today!

Filed Under: activities, attitudes about math, fun stuff, games, math review, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

« Holiday Resources to Keep Students Engaged
Worksheet is Not a 4-Letter Word »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Categories

Boom Learning

Teachers Pay Teachers

Amazon Disclosure

Blue Mountain Math is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The links that are indicated as "affiliate links" mean I will be paid a small sum at no additional cost to you. Blue Mountain Math uses links to provide a service to the reader about products that have been used.

Latest on Pinterest

  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice finding combination and permutations. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)
  • Students practice using the distributive property, both in distributing and combining like terms, in these 2 puzzles in google slides. There are 2 puzzles--one in each simple level and challenging level. In the simpler level, the outside edges are blank, so if students are having difficulty, have them arrange the pieces so the blank sides are on the outside.
  • Sector Area in a Circle Paper Chain is a fun, engaging  activity that is self-checking, collaborative. Set of 15 problems that need to be cut apart, reassembled in the correct order and fastened together like a chain until the end is reached. Great worksh
  • This is a twisted trivia game where students (either in groups or playing individually with white boards) practice identifying solutions and writing inequalities from graphs. Check out the video preview to see the type of questions included.
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice tipping using a percentage and finding the total meal cost. I use this in my teen finance course during the budgeting unit. This is great reinforcement of rounding and using percents. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!) #bluemountainmath #boomcards
  • Great practice, worksheet alternative, formative assessment for students that you can HEAR if they are successful.  No printing, no laminating.  A Lifetime tool for the classroom.
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice solving one step equations and assessing their understanding. This will give students a challenge in solving equations. Students will see 6 different equations and need to select the two with the same answer. This set of Boom Cards features 40 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice adding expenses from a budget, finding savings on budget choices and finding budgeted amounts. I use this in my teen finance course during the budgeting unit. This is great reinforcement of rounding and using percents. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)#bluemountainmath #boomcards
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this 20- card deck, students practice solving quadratics using the quadratic formula This set of Boom Cards features different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)

Latest on Instagram

Bow Ties send a signal that you are smarter and mo Bow Ties send a signal that you are smarter and more tech savvy than people who wear neck ties.....just a thought..... #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
My cat is upset that dogs have a day until I expla My cat is upset that dogs have a day until I explained that National Cat Day is October 29. So Happy Dog Day to all your fur family. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
And for my southern relatives, have some fried chi And for my southern relatives, have some fried chicken with those waffles #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
AT last, a day for those of us who are over a cert AT last, a day for those of us who are over a certain age. Although, the picture does not reflect many of us. We are not sitting with our hands folder, we are still active and making a difference. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
I still love radio, mostly music. I used to listed I still love radio, mostly music. I used to listed to a lot of talk radio, but it got so negative that I noticed it was influencing my day. Are you a talk radio person and do you notice that? #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Did you know that the Wright Brothers who are cred Did you know that the Wright Brothers who are credited with the first airplane flight were not funded by the government? The government had funded several others, who failed. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Why can't we have a fajita day each week like Taco Why can't we have a fajita day each week like Taco Tuesday?  We could have Fajita Friday each week  So today enjoy the fajitas and think about having them weekly--like tacos. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
We have already used our colored markers and penci We have already used our colored markers and pencils.  Yeah, I love color. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Did you know that left handed people have brains t Did you know that left handed people have brains that work differently? Their brains communicates differently and have greater verbal skills....⁣
#teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt

Latest on Facebook

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
You have to do what makes you comfortable, however it is not feasible or even necessary to grade line item on every single paper and still remain sane.Read more 👉 lttr.ai/rkwv#minimizeclassroomdisruptions #savetime #seatingchart #seatingcharts #routines;TimeSavingTips #completenoncompletedassignment ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
Engaging Activities for Math Class after Spring Break: lttr.ai/vBby#familiaractivities #feelsafe #activities #famousthinghappened #blanktaskcards #doesntbelongworks #familiarclassroomstructure ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
It takes a long time to get a bingo, sometimes the entire class period is spent trying to get just one.Read more 👉 lttr.ai/jVPW#greatpractice #increasesengagement #bingo #playbingo #reviewmathwithbingo ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
Algebra tiles offers a great way to see an expression or what makes a variable different from an integer.Read the full article: Ways to Get Started With Algebra Tiles▸ lttr.ai/tLkj#concreteexamples #algebraicconcepts #algebratiles #manipulatives #activities ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
After students finish the worksheet, and the work is shown, have them scan to see if their answers were right.Read the full article: Save Time Grading▸ lttr.ai/sjen#homework #collectedclasswork #grading #selfcheckingactivities #partneractivities #activities ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.