4 Ways to Spice Up your Math Block

Ever feel like math time is a bit….lackluster?

Math time used to be pretty cut and dry in my classroom. I’d teach the lesson, we’d practice together, & then students would do their independent work. That was pretty much it. Luckily, I’ve since found some methods that are much more engaging and beneficial for my students. I can’t wait to share them with you below!

SPICE UP TIP #1: Daily Math Groups

Let me tell you, Math Groups are worth a try! The standard Math Block (the one I was taught to use in college) looked like this:

1. Math Whole Group Lesson (Model/Scaffold/Partner)
2. Independent Math Practice (Students do a work-page and get it checked)
3. Students who need help can meet with the teacher to complete their work.

The problem with this method? It leaves room for gaps. The high math kids are finishing before your small group is done with problem one. There’s always a kiddo who thinks they “got it” who come to find out DID NOT have it when you check their work. Now they need a new paper and re-teaching but your low group still needs you watching them each step of the way. The early finishers are now making too much noise and you’re juggling management with supporting the learners in front of you.

It can be a LOT. Trust me, I’ve been there! For some groups of students, the traditional style of the Math Block may work fine. But for many, it’s just a hot mess. When you experience enough hot mess, you know something different must be done!

Enter, MATH GROUPS, but daily. Every Friday used to be our “Math Group” day. Students would rotate between stations of skill based games and they loved them! They always looked forward to our math group day. When I first heard the concept of daily groups, I didn’t think I’d be able to manage them. Turns out, it’s even easier than the other way around!

How it works:

For each new unit, I divide my students into 3-4 skill based groups. Groups are fluid, so I can move them in and out of groups when I feel it is needed. Our block now works like this:

• Math Whole Group: We do the mini lesson together, scaffolding as we go
• Math Groups: We rotate between 3-4 stations (I prefer 3 for time’s sake)
• The groups always consist of three main categories:

1. Independent Work: (Students come to my table to complete their practice page.)
2. Math Game: Students play a math board/card game with peers (see below for specific ideas.)
3. Computer Practice: students practice math skills on a website (more on that later, too.)

Rotating the Groups:

My lowest group always begins with me. We start the independent work together and I gradually release students to try on their own as they are ready. It is SO much easier to focus on my group when other students are not coming up to get their work checked! I also love that I can give my low group the extra help they need without identifying them as my “low group.” They have no idea what happens in the other stations and feel no embarrassment for getting the help they need.

Sometimes I give this group a fewer amount of problems to complete on their own than other groups. Their goal may be to finish through number 8 while the next group might have to finish through 12. Whatever their goal might be, I do hold them to it! If it is time to switch and they are not yet done, they stay near the table to finish. During round two, my middle achieving group comes to me. The high achieving group comes last.

This system works well because my highest achievers rarely ever need more time, whereas my lower students may need time during that second round to accomplish their goal. Students also LOVE the game and computer stations in math groups. They stay engaged in their work the whole time and get great math practice in along the way!

SPICE UP TIP #2: Digital Elements

Leveraging technology during your math block is sure to engage your students in a way nothing else can! Combining the right amount of rigor with play will make this time effective and fun for your students. Below are a few tech tools I use to achieve this:

Xtra Math:

Think math flashcards meets digital goal tracking. This website is free, easy to use, and offers amazing practice for your class! Students login with their account and begin to “Race the Teacher” by solving math facts as quickly as they can.

You can set your students to begin on addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Once students become proficient in their skill, the website will even give them a badge of honor!

Students love trying to see how many answers they can get correct in a row. I have my students use this website daily as a “warm up” during their computer practice station.

AbcYa:

You’ve likely heard of this fun & free website already. It hosts tons of games on a variety of topics, and is even divided by grade level.

However, not all games are created equal on this platform-so I recommend getting on yourself and playing around. You’ll find some games are perfectly suited for practicing skills you are using in class, while others may be lacking in actual math practice. I prefer giving students a set game to play for the day (after Xtra Math) rather than allowing them to play freely. Below are some of my favorites for 2nd graders;

Adventure Man: Counting Quest (Skip counting practice)

Ducky Race Subtraction (Basic subtraction practice.)

Dolphin Dash (Counting money.)

Place Value Hockey (Selecting correct place value)

Time Blast Off (Telling time on a analog clock)

Always model the game for the class on the board before letting them loose! Some games need a bit of coordination with the keypad (such as the Time Blast Off game) and will need to be discussed more in depth.

Escape Games:

The most popular and by far the most fun-digital math Escape Games will create engagement unlike anything else! This is a great time to challenge students by raising the level of rigor. When students have high buy in to an activity, their willingness to work through hard problems will rise as well.

In my classroom, we do one math Escape Game per month. My students really look forward to these, so I often save them for special days, such as right before a break from school. On days we play an Escape Game, we do not do a traditional lesson or math group time. Instead, students learn about the game plot in whole group and then are given a partner and time limit to work on the game.

Math Escape Games can be made using Google Forms or by purchasing premade games on TPT. I create games for 1st-3rd grade called “Save Games” you can check out here.

SPICE UP TIP #3: Bring out the Board Games

Make the learning hands on and cooperative by bringing out the math board games! Students will thrive on this chance to get competitive and interact with others.

Fair warning: competition will naturally bring out the best and the worst in your students. You’ll want to discuss game expectations to prep your students for this time. Be prepared with a plan for students who have a hard time following your expectations. Below are some things you’ll want to discuss:

• How to decide who goes first (roll a dice, rock paper scissors, etc.)
• Moving your own piece (not others)
• Playing by the rules
• Problem solving disagreements
• Taking turns
• Being a good sport (not quitting, reacting when you lose, reacting when you win.)
• When to ask the teacher for help

Games I Love:

Below I’ve linked some of my favorite math games for my 2nd grade classroom. You may already have some of them in your classroom or school, so search around before purchasing on your own!

Place Value Mystery House

Pop to Win

SPICE UP TIP #4: Add in Songs

Finally, the last thing you need to boost your math block is MUSIC. Combining songs with learning helps concepts stick and makes the learning more fun for students. In my classroom, songs are often paired to the skill at hand and used as the hook or introduction to our lesson of the day.

Below are ways you can do this easily!

Number Rock:

These YouTube videos are perfect for using during snack time, transitions, and as a start to your math block! The videos are well made, enticing students to watch. The songs always have a catchy tune that feels modern-never old school boring. They also teach valuable math concepts that will help students connect their understanding of lessons you have taught in class. Below are a few of our class favorites:

• Even and Odd
• Place Value
• Skip Counting by 5

Class Learning Songs:

One of my most proud creations are my class songs. I create songs to build class community and some to specifically build learning engagement! I use math songs to help students memorize key elements of skills we are learning. What I love most about them is they are quick yet informative! My students often sing the songs back to themselves during their work and find it helps them recall the steps we learned in class. One example of this is our Doubles Rap, which can be viewed here.

Flocabulary:

This amazing platform of songs is both visual and done in rap-which is just stinking cool! Although this resource is rather expensive, it is so valuable! I recommend using the free trial for yourself and then asking your school about purchasing a membership. You may even be able to write a grant for this!

So there you have it!

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these four ways to spice up your math block! You and your students are sure to enjoy these elements in your classroom. Have any other suggestions from your own class? Drop them below!