Mental Math and Money Madness

Am I the only teacher who cringes when I see a parent on facebook bashing Common Core math? My school didn't adopt Common Core standards, but we do teach a Singapore-based math curriculum so the concepts are very similar. Many of the Common Core standards were designed with Singapore-based math in mind. Why you ask? Because it works!

Buy, Sell, Save!

Singapore math teaches children the why and how of math. Kids memorize algorithms just as we did as kids, but they develop a much deeper number sense, too. The first year I taught Math In Focus was a mess. If you are in the middle of your first year, don't despair! The main reason I struggled was because I never developed a strong number sense myself. Math was my worst subject in school. I made my only C in elementary school in math. By the end of that first year teaching, I could add three and four digit numbers in my head! Mental math became my best friend. Trust me the concepts work! Now the worksheets some teachers send home with students are another story. Writing down something you work out in your head, is very difficult. Writing it down and leaving blanks for a student to understand and fill in later, is next to impossible.

Buy, Sell Save Game

I teach my students all of the strategies, but when I test them I allow the students to use any strategy that works for them. Practicing mental math strategies is a must! I am constantly trying to develop new ways to let them practice without filling out more of those crazy worksheets. Right now we are learning to add and subtract money mentally. I can't wait to share this new game with them after Spring Break! It includes 60 word problems. Students start with $30 and add or subtract as they draw word problem cards. The first one to save $100 wins the game! Check out Buy, Sell, Save! on TpT.

QR Code Quick Start Guide

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The rowdy kids in 3 love using QR codes. It makes them feel very tech savvy! I've incorporated QR codes into our school day in many different ways. One way that is mutually beneficial to me and the students is to add the QR codes to task cards. I link the QR codes to the answers to each task card question. It is super simple and allows the students to check their own work and works so much better than simply printing the answers on the back of each task card. I know the students can't check the answer until I give them a device with an app to scan the qr code. It eliminates any temptation to take a peek before solving the original problem.

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There are several websites to generate QR codes, but my favorite is QR Code Generator. This site is completely free. Most only offer a limited amount of QR codes for free or limit how many characters you are able to use. To link an answer, click on the icon of a page and enter your answer in the box. The site automatically generates a QR code. Hit the download button and choose jpeg. An image of this unique QR code is downloaded to your computer. Just insert that image into your document. If you are using a ready-made worksheet, just print out your QR code and paste it onto your worksheet before copying for the students.

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Once the QR code has been generated, in theory it should work indefinitely. I have yet to have a problem with QR codes no longer linking to the original information.  The QR Code Generator site also allows you to make color QR codes, but I prefer to work in black and white for most situations.

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To see an example of task cards with QR code answers, check out my Multiplication Review product on TpT.com. If you have any additional questions about using QR codes in the classroom, just leave a comment below or send me an email.

Taking the Stress Out of Math Test Review

The closer we get to a math test, the more stressful math class becomes.  I know there is a limited amount of time to help each child master the skill.  We started using Math In Focus three years ago.  I finally have a group of students with enough experience with this Singapore based curriculum, that I feel like we can move at a reasonable pace.  However, we still have that test deadline looming and not everyone is ready.  After a particularly stressful day-before-the-test review, I invented a better way.

In 3B, the rowdy kids have a Math Dance Party.  Task cards with review questions are placed around the room.  Each child has an answer sheet and a pencil.  I play appropriate dance music, and the kids work on the problem in front of them.  When they solve the problem, they may dance to the music.  When the music stops, everyone moves to the next task card and starts again. The task cards are closely matched to the test.  If a child is able to get most of the problems correct with music blaring, I assume he or she is well prepared for the test.  The rowdy kids have a blast dancing and burn off some energy.  It also lets me know who is still struggling.  If several students missed the same question, I know it is a topic I need to review.  Any set of task cards in any subject will work for a dance party as long as you have enough cards for each child.  If you need to review for Math In Focus: Chapter 4 for 3rd Grade, Subtraction to 10,000, visit my TPT store for the same Subtraction to 10,000 Dance Party used by the rowdy kids in 3B.