Elementary Math Chat
Elementary Math Chat is a podcast for upper elementary math teachers looking for ideas and resources beyond the book. You’ll hear recommendations for structuring your math block, setting up math centers, and differentiating activities, as well as engagement strategies and classroom management tips. From the first day of school to the last, this podcast will support you with teacher-tested and student-approved ideas that work! Annamarie Krejci (kret-see) is a former 4th and 5th grade math teacher of 20 years and the face behind Krejci Creations. By sharing what she’s learned as a veteran teacher, she hopes to inspire and encourage teachers every step of the way. You can follow her on Instagram @krejci_creations or visit her website at krejcicreations.com.
info_outline
41. Season One is Done! Final Thoughts and Plans For the Future
05/21/2024
41. Season One is Done! Final Thoughts and Plans For the Future
Season One is done! I’m so grateful to each and every one of you for joining me each week to hear my favorite teaching tips and ideas around elementary math. I hope I’ve helped make your teacher life much easier, and I’m excited to reflect on what this season has meant to me in this Season One finale. In this episode, I answer a few questions that were submitted in a Q & A survey. I also share my final thoughts and reflections on Season One, my plans for the future of Elementary Math Chat, and one final Teaching Tip of the Week to help you work smarter and not harder to finish your end-of-the-year checklist. Connect with me: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30856953
info_outline
40. The Countdown is On! 5 End-of-the-Year Activities to Keep Students Engaged
05/14/2024
40. The Countdown is On! 5 End-of-the-Year Activities to Keep Students Engaged
The countdown is on...summer vacation is right around the corner! With all the special events that fall at the end of the year, the final week of school can be challenging to plan for. Every day has a different schedule, and the amount of instructional time also varies. If you need help planning activities to keep your students engaged until the end, this episode is for you! This week, I share 5 of my favorite end-of-the-year activities to help keep your students engaged during the final week of school. You’ll hear ideas to help you fill anywhere from 5-10 minutes, 20-30 minutes, or 60 minutes to help you plan around special end-of-the-year events. These activities are low prep and fun for everyone involved, including you! I also share an idea for an end-of-the-year gift in this week’s Teaching Tip of the Week. This gift won’t cost you a dime and your students will treasure it for many years to come. Resources Mentioned: Episodes Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30808438
info_outline
39. Innovative Ways to Keep Kids Learning Math Over the Summer with Melanie Doppler
05/07/2024
39. Innovative Ways to Keep Kids Learning Math Over the Summer with Melanie Doppler
Summer is right around the corner, and so are those last-minute requests from parents wanting to know how to prevent the summer slide. This episode is chock-full of ideas to keep kids engaged with math over the summer, which means you'll have plenty of tips to share with your families! This week, Melanie Doppler from Math Coach Connection joins me to discuss simple ways to help families connect math to everyday experiences at home over the summer. She shares clever ways to connect math at mealtime, during a trip to the park, when planning a vacation, and so much more! These tips will help parents keep the conversation going about math over the summer without the dread of making their children sit down to practice math skills, so grab a pen and paper and get ready to hear some amazing tips to share with your families! To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . Connect with Melanie: Summer Resources Mentioned: Math Projects: Math Mysteries: Career Projects: Party Projects: P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30892063
info_outline
38. Creative Teaching Tips and Ideas for Area and Perimeter Part 2
04/30/2024
38. Creative Teaching Tips and Ideas for Area and Perimeter Part 2
This week, I share my favorite teaching tips and ideas for the second half of my area and perimeter unit. Those lessons covered solving for missing dimensions, problem-solving with area, and a review lesson to help students prepare for the test. You’ll hear ideas to help you teach these concepts in a visual and relatable manner, how to incorporate review skills in your small group activities, and fun ways to help students prepare for the test. Don’t miss this week’s Teaching Tip of the Week where I explain how to play one of my favorite multiplication fact games. This game is unpredictable, it’s full of risk, and that’s what makes it so much fun to play! Resources Mentioned: (used for whole group lesson) Related Resources: Related Blog Posts To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30749648
info_outline
37. Creative Teaching Tips and Ideas for Area and Perimeter Part 1
04/23/2024
37. Creative Teaching Tips and Ideas for Area and Perimeter Part 1
Area and perimeter was one of my favorite units to teach. I enjoyed helping students make real-world connections to what they were learning, and they enjoyed imagining that they were planting a garden or painting a bedroom wall. However, this unit came with its fair share of struggles. In my experience, area and perimeter taught in isolation were simple concepts for most students. They began to confuse the two concepts when they got to word problems, mainly because the words area and perimeter were never included in the word problems. Instead, they had to rely on context clues to determine whether to find the area or the perimeter. This was something I embedded into my lessons from the start! This week, I share my favorite teaching tips and ideas for the first three lessons in my area and perimeter unit on perimeter, area, and area of combined rectangles. I share helpful ways to teach students conceptual understanding and creative ways to embed other review skills into your small group activities. In addition, you’ll hear a clever way to help students determine whether to multiply or divide when converting units of measure in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30700878
info_outline
36. Simple Ways to Transform Your Geometry Unit (Part 2)
04/16/2024
36. Simple Ways to Transform Your Geometry Unit (Part 2)
Why was the quadrilateral late to school? Why did the right triangle go to the beach? The answers to these fun riddles are included in this week’s episode with even more geometry tips! This week, I share my favorite teaching tips and activities for the last three lessons in my geometry unit on classifying quadrilaterals, line symmetry, and shape patterns. I share two days of whole group lesson ideas for classifying quadrilaterals, helpful tips and small group ideas for line symmetry, and how I changed my pattern lesson from one I dreaded to one I looked forward to each year. In addition, you’ll hear a fun idea for a small group extension activity using geoboards in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Episodes Mentioned: Related Blog Posts: S To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30579813
info_outline
35. Simple Ways to Transform Your Geometry Unit (Part 1)
04/09/2024
35. Simple Ways to Transform Your Geometry Unit (Part 1)
Geometry is one of those topics that people either love or hate. I’ll admit, as a student, Geometry wasn’t my favorite. I could work with numbers all day long. But lines, angles, and theorems? It wasn’t my thing. However, as a teacher, I enjoyed teaching Geometry. It was a nice break from all the fractions and computation we were so used to. But, I was fully aware that my students might have the same dislike for Geometry that I had when I was young. This motivated me to make my Geometry unit as interesting and as engaging as possible. In this week’s episode, I share my favorite ideas for the first three lessons in my Geometry unit, which cover lines and angles, classifying line relationships, and classifying triangles. These ideas include warm-up activities that will hook your students from the start, simple ways to relate Geometry to Olympic sporting events, kinesthetic games to play, and my favorite small group activities. I also share an idea for how to handle those challenging questions that come at the end of your lesson (when student engagement is low) in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30460158
info_outline
34. Tips for Building Math Fact Fluency with Danna Rodebush
04/02/2024
34. Tips for Building Math Fact Fluency with Danna Rodebush
Multiplication facts are the building blocks of upper elementary math skills. Yet many students struggle to memorize these facts and rely on counting strategies and multiplication charts instead. In this episode, Danna Rodebush from Teacher Tech Studio and the host of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast joins me to discuss what fact fluency means, why it is so important, and how teachers can motivate their students to memorize their math facts. Danna also shares a tip for setting up a fluency program and how to involve parents in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Danna: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29673258
info_outline
33. Testing is Done! 5 Ideas to Plan for a Day of Fun
03/26/2024
33. Testing is Done! 5 Ideas to Plan for a Day of Fun
Test prep is no joke! You and your students have worked extremely hard to prepare for state testing. When you finish that final test, I’m sure a sense of accomplishment and relief sets in…and it should! The hard part is over! So, take a victory lap and celebrate with a day of fun. So, what can you plan for the day after testing to give everyone a much-needed break? This day can be tricky to plan for. You’ll likely have students taking makeup tests, so you don’t want to begin a new project or plan a movie day. In this week’s episode, I explain how I created a day of fun choice board that included 5 categories of activities to choose from: draw, color, play, watch, and solve. I share the types of activities within each category and suggestions for additional activities to include. The best part about this day was that I was able to sit at my desk and get some of my own work done for once! I also share a unique job to give a few students to help take a load off of your very full plate in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30271383
info_outline
32. Glow Day: How to Make the Final Day of Test Prep a Memorable One!
03/19/2024
32. Glow Day: How to Make the Final Day of Test Prep a Memorable One!
You did it! You made it to the final day of test prep. What better way to celebrate than with a Glow Day? This celebration will be the highlight of your week and send your students into state testing feeling confident and ready to rock the test! In this week’s episode, I share everything you’ll need to know to plan a Glow Day for your final day of test prep. I explain how I blended review activities with games, how I held students accountable for their work, and how I set up and decorated the room for the Ultimate Glow Day experience! I also share a video to play during Glow Day that will give your room an extra boost of glow and keep your class focused and calm in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Related Blog Posts: Resources Mentioned: Some are Amazon affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through these links helps support the podcast. (with paper garlands, circle dots garland and star garland, black light reactive tapes in yellow, green, orange, purple, and pink To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers! Connect with me:
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30191403
info_outline
31. Plan With a Purpose: How to Use Data to Get the Most Out of Test Prep Week
03/12/2024
31. Plan With a Purpose: How to Use Data to Get the Most Out of Test Prep Week
When it comes to test prep, the week before testing is crucial. There is so much you want to review but so little time left to do so. How do you decide what to cover in your whole group lessons? Should you pull small groups, and if so, what lessons should you review? What type of activities should students work on? I’ll answer all of those questions and more. In this week’s episode, I share how I used the data from the practice test I discussed last week to help me quickly plan my test prep week. I explain what I did for my whole group lessons, small group activities, and choice boards. You’ll learn about a unique choice board, called a TEAM-work activity board, that helped my students get the extra practice they needed on heavily tested skills and how I held them accountable for their work. I also share an idea for a morning meeting topic that will have you covered for an entire month in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Related Blog Posts: Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30101998
info_outline
30. Help Students Prepare for State Testing with a Simulation Day
03/05/2024
30. Help Students Prepare for State Testing with a Simulation Day
Ready or not, test prep season is here! If you’re feeling a little anxious or unsure about the best way to prepare for state testing, I’ve got you covered! I’m dedicating the entire month of March to helping you prepare your students for state testing. This week kicks off a 4-part series that will each cover a different phase of preparing for state testing. I’ll share what I did in the early stages of test prep, the week before testing, including a Glow Day, and ideas for the day after state testing. In this week’s episode, I explain the importance of planning a test simulation day for students. The purpose of this day is to get out their jitters, review special rules and strategies specific to state testing, answer all of their questions about testing, and practice taking a timed test in an environment similar to state testing. I also share my go-to time-filler in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/30002538
info_outline
29. 5 Fun and Unique Ways to Improve Classroom Behavior
02/27/2024
29. 5 Fun and Unique Ways to Improve Classroom Behavior
This time of year can be a challenge when it comes to handling classroom behavior. Rules that were once set in stone seem to be tested on a regular basis. Routines that were once seamless seem to be strained. You may feel like you’ve lost control of your entire class. Well, teacher friend, it’s time to take back that control, and you don’t have to be a drill sergeant to do so. In this episode, I discuss 3 common problem areas my class struggled with and the unique and fun ways I addressed them. I explain how I used friendly competitions, challenges, and games to improve transitions, work at a reasonable voice level, and follow simple directions the first time they are given. I also share a teaching tip for adding fractions with like or unlike denominators in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29714973
info_outline
28. Why You Shouldn’t Handle Student Behavior Alone and What to Do Instead
02/20/2024
28. Why You Shouldn’t Handle Student Behavior Alone and What to Do Instead
If you are seeing a spike in student behavior issues this time of year, you are not alone. This long stretch without a break combined with too many indoor recesses can do a number on student behavior. In this episode, I take you through the steps I took when handling student behavior issues and how I relied on my support system for guidance. I share what to include in your conversation with students, a behavior self-assessment form to give students before speaking with parents, and suggestions for resolving common issues you might be having with students. I also share a tip for how parents can help their child at home with multiplication facts in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: (This is an Amazon affiliate link. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through this link helps support the podcast.🙂) To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29628408
info_outline
27. Teaching Tips and Strategies for Multiplying Fractions
02/13/2024
27. Teaching Tips and Strategies for Multiplying Fractions
Multiplying fractions is no problem, top times top and bottom times bottom…it’s that simple, right? Well, not always. In this episode, I share teaching tips, strategies, and activities to help build conceptual understanding of multiplying fractions. You’ll hear tips for adding engagement to these lessons along with common mistakes you can expect to see. Topics include: -Multiples of unit fractions (4th grade) -Multiples of non-unit fractions (4th grade) -Multiplying fractions by whole numbers (4th and 5th) -Multiplying fractions by fractions (5th grade) I also share a unique idea for a small group activity in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Episodes Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29858868
info_outline
26. Teaching with Unifix Cubes: 5 Math Skills to Pair Them With
02/06/2024
26. Teaching with Unifix Cubes: 5 Math Skills to Pair Them With
Manipulatives are an essential part of elementary instruction. For years my go-to manipulatives were base 10 blocks, fraction tiles, and pattern blocks. That all changed when I attended a Greg Tang conference and learned about the magic of unifix cubes. Previously, I thought these were better for primary grades, but he opened my eyes to all the ways upper elementary teachers can use them. Once I began using them with my students, they quickly became my favorite manipulative! In this episode, I share 5 upper elementary math skills that you can teach with unifix cubes, including basic division, prime and composite numbers, mixed numbers and improper fractions, subtracting mixed numbers, and patterns. For each skill, I explain how to use the unifix cubes and tips to help your students build conceptual understanding. Don’t miss this week’s Teaching Tip of the Week where I share a classroom management tip for using unifix cubes. Related Blog Posts: Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29520758
info_outline
25. Valentine’s Day Math Activities Your Students Will Love
01/30/2024
25. Valentine’s Day Math Activities Your Students Will Love
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to spread the love and plan a few heart-themed activities! In this week's episode, I share two of my favorite Valentine’s Day-themed activities that you and your students will love! The first is a restaurant simulation where students experience what it’s like to order at a restaurant, pay for their meal, and receive change. In addition, they play the role of a server, take someone’s order, calculate the total cost of the meal, and decide how much change to give their customer. Use real menus from actual restaurants and decorate your small group table to create a realistic Valentine’s Day dinner! The second is a festive Valentine’s Day craftivity, Fraction and Decimal Hearts. These hearts will showcase what they’ve learned about fractions and decimals and are the perfect display in your classroom or hallway for February! Finally, I share a fun activity to help students understand the need for common denominators in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29405558
info_outline
24. 6 Tips to Help You Rock Your Next Teaching Observation
01/23/2024
24. 6 Tips to Help You Rock Your Next Teaching Observation
There are so many things to consider when planning for your observation. Will you use the lesson from the workbook or create something from scratch? What kind of activities will you plan? Will you use manipulatives? Will your students work in groups? It’s no wonder that planning for your observation can feel overwhelming! In this week's episode, I share 6 things to make sure you do when it comes to your teaching observation. You’ll hear tips for planning and delivering your lesson as well as managing student behavior. These tips will hopefully help you feel a little less nervous and a lot more confident when your observation rolls around. Don’t miss this week’s Teaching Tip of the Week, where I share tips to find ambiance videos to play for every season, not just the crackling fireplace during wintertime. Resources Mentioned: Episodes Mentioned: Related Blog Posts: Favorite YouTube Ambiance Videos by Season: Fall Themes: Winter Themes: Spring Themes: Summer Themes: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29376193
info_outline
23. 6 Things NOT to Do Before, During, and After Your Observation
01/16/2024
23. 6 Things NOT to Do Before, During, and After Your Observation
No matter how long you’ve been a teacher, it’s normal to get nervous before an observation. They are a big deal, and you want them to go well! So, how can you motivate your students to behave? How can you make sure your lesson is engaging and effective? What will you do if you have any issues with technology? I discuss all of this and more to help you kick the nerves and feel more confident when your teacher observation rolls around. In this week’s episode, I share 6 things NOT to do before, during, and after your teacher observation. You’ll hear tips for the planning stages of your lesson, what to do if something goes wrong during your lesson, and how to handle a disappointing observation. I also share personal mistakes I made during my evaluations and how I turned those mistakes into valuable lessons. Don’t miss this week’s Teaching Tip of the Week where I explain an idea for a Morning Meeting topic, perfect for the Monday after a long break! Resources Mentioned: *Amazon Affiliate Link. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through this link helps support the podcast. Related Episodes: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29324438
info_outline
22. 6 Low Prep and Engaging Early Finisher Activities
01/09/2024
22. 6 Low Prep and Engaging Early Finisher Activities
Do you struggle with what to do with your early finishers? In a perfect world, all of your students would finish everything at the exact same time, and you wouldn’t have to worry about this. But the reality is, you’re going to have students who finish early, and you don’t want to give them busy work to keep them occupied. They’ll probably fly right through that as well! In this week's episode, I share 6 early finisher activities that are low prep on your end and highly engaging for students. These activities will get their creative juices flowing and provide opportunities for students to continue learning. Several activities, when completed, can even become early finisher activities for the future! I also share an idea for a low-maintenance bulletin board in this week’s Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/29089813
info_outline
21. 10 Holiday Party and Gift Ideas for Upper Elementary Students
12/05/2023
21. 10 Holiday Party and Gift Ideas for Upper Elementary Students
With winter break being right around the corner, it’s time to plan for your classroom holiday party! What activities and games will you play? What gift can you give your students that is cost-effective and something they will enjoy? In this week's holiday-themed episode, I share two easy ideas for student gifts that are practical and perfect for the math teacher. I also share ideas for games and activities to play both as a class and in groups for your holiday party. Student Gift Ideas Include: (Amazon Affiliate link) There is no additional cost to you, but it does help support the podcast if you choose to purchase through these links. Class Party Ideas Include: Make an ornament Decorate cookies Estimation jar Word search or word scramble I know not all teachers throw a holiday party, so if you fall into this category but still want to incorporate holiday-themed activities into your lessons, I share two math crafts for equivalent fractions and factors that are holiday-themed and lots of fun. Finally, don’t miss this week’s Teaching Tip of the Week where I share an efficient yet personal way to write thank you notes.Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28539641
info_outline
20. 5 Kagan Strategies to Boost Engagement and Build Community
11/28/2023
20. 5 Kagan Strategies to Boost Engagement and Build Community
If you are looking for simple ways to build community and boost engagement in your classroom, I have one word for you: Kagan. I learned about Kagan engagement strategies pretty early on in my career, and I used them regularly in my lessons. In this week’s episode, I share 5 of my favorite Kagan cooperative learning strategies that engage students, promote teamwork and collaboration, and build peer relationships. I explain how the strategies work, when to use them, and what skills to pair them with. Strategies Include: 1. Sage 'n' Scribe 2. I Have Who Has 3. Find Someone Who 4. Numbered Heads Together 5. Rally Robin/Round Robin I also share a tip for your small group center to help cut down on transition time in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28519607
info_outline
19. 9 Warm-Up Activities to Hook Students From the Start
11/21/2023
19. 9 Warm-Up Activities to Hook Students From the Start
The beginning of your lesson is your chance to grab your students' attention and keep it. Instead of doing the same every day, engage your students in unique ways that will keep them on their toes! In this week's episode, I share 9 warm up activities that will engage your students and hook their attention from the beginning. I also give tips for implementing these activities, specific examples to use with students, and what skills to pair them with. I also share a feel-good way to wrap up your lesson that will celebrate small accomplishments in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28512458
info_outline
18. Game On! 7 Review Games to Play in the Classroom
11/14/2023
18. Game On! 7 Review Games to Play in the Classroom
Raise your hand if you love a good review game! Review games not only help your students prepare for tests, but they also build teamwork skills and teach students how to win and lose respectfully. In this week’s episode, I share 7 of my favorite review games to play in the classroom when reviewing for a test. I explain how each game works, what I like most about each game, and I give suggestions to help the games run smoothly. I also share an organizational tip for your internet favorites in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28502468
info_outline
17. 4 Effective Ways to Pull Students for Small Group Instruction
11/07/2023
17. 4 Effective Ways to Pull Students for Small Group Instruction
At this point in the year, your small group instruction is up and running, but you may be feeling the need for a change, or you're curious if there's a better and more efficient way to run small groups. The truth is, there is no one best way to pull small groups. What works for one teacher may not work for another, and what works for your class one year may not work the next year. Because of this, it’s important to have different approaches to small group instruction. In this week’s episode, I share 4 different ways to pull students for small group instruction and how to use data from formative assessments to form these groups. I discuss ideas for meeting with strugglers only and ideas for meeting with all students. I also share a festive craft and/or bulletin board idea for November in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Episodes Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28441727
info_outline
16. 3 Essential Steps for Teaching Interpreting Remainders (Part 2)
10/31/2023
16. 3 Essential Steps for Teaching Interpreting Remainders (Part 2)
While many lessons can be taught easily in one day, interpreting the remainder isn’t one of them. Students not only need time to process the different ways to interpret remainders, but they also need a lot of practice. This additional practice will help students see the similarities and differences between the various ways to interpret the remainder. In Part 1 (last week), I focused on the concrete and pictorial phases of the CPA approach. In this episode, I focus on the abstract phase and share helpful tips and ideas for this part of the lesson. In addition, I suggest an idea for small group instruction to help students connect the parts of a division problem to the story. I also share a fun challenge to get your students to complete tasks in a timely manner along with my Spotify playlist in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28365992
info_outline
15. 3 Essential Steps for Teaching Interpreting Remainders (Part 1)
10/24/2023
15. 3 Essential Steps for Teaching Interpreting Remainders (Part 1)
Interpreting remainders is one of the most challenging skills to teach. Students often lack the real-world experiences these questions refer to, making our job as teachers even more difficult. So, what can we do to help students overcome these challenges? In this week’s episode, I share two small changes to my instruction that made a big difference in not only my ability to teach this lesson but also my students' ability to understand. I explain how to use a 3-step CPA approach (concrete, pictorial, and abstract) to help students gain a conceptual understanding of interpreting remainders. This week’s episode covers Day 1 of teaching interpreting remainders in the concrete and pictorial phases of the CPA approach. I give suggestions for manipulatives to use in the concrete phase along with sample questions to use with your students. Next week’s episode will cover Day 2 in the abstract phase along with ideas for small group instruction. I also share a fun idea for a Halloween-themed small group activity in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned: * * *The Amazon links mentioned are affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you, but it does help support the podcast if you choose to purchase through these links. To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28315106
info_outline
14. 5 Creative Ways to Use and Repurpose Task Cards
10/17/2023
14. 5 Creative Ways to Use and Repurpose Task Cards
Chances are you have a few sets (or maybe stashes) of task cards in your classroom, some of which haven’t been used in years. You’ve most likely used them for small group instruction, but task cards aren’t just for small groups! They are an extremely versatile resource that can be used in many ways. In this week’s episode, I share 5 of my favorite ways to use and repurpose task cards to help you get the most out of these resources. I share ideas for choice boards, partner activities to pair them with, and how to use them with cooperative learning structures. In addition, I explain how to use them in your whole group instruction and within a Google Form assessment. This week’s Teaching Tip of the Week is a request from my Instagram Stories on how to scaffold and differentiate small group questions on multiplying decimals. Episodes Mentioned: Resources Mentioned Task Cards to use with Quiz-Quiz-Trade 3rd Grade: 4th Grade: 5th Grade: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28237055
info_outline
13. 6 Small Group Activities for Every Math Teacher
10/10/2023
13. 6 Small Group Activities for Every Math Teacher
Small groups are often where the aha moments happen. Students sometimes need just a few more practice problems before the concept sticks, which is why small groups are so important. Now that you know how to differentiate and scaffold math centers (from Episodes 10-12), you might wonder what type of activities to use. In this week’s episode, I share 6 of my favorite activities to use in small groups, some of which are ideal for differentiation, and others that are just as effective but with more of a fun factor…because you gotta have a mix of both! I also share suggestions for what skills you can pair them with and simple ways to increase engagement. Topics include: Task Cards Writing Leveled Question Sets on the Board Writing Leveled Question Sets within a 3-Column Table Matching Activities (with and without themes) Sorting Activities (plus ideas for extension activities) 4-Section Activity Mats (perfect for review!) You’ll also hear a helpful tip for YouTube videos to prevent ads from ever appearing in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Dice Sets Mentioned: The above links are affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through these links helps support the podcast. 🙂 Activity Mats Mentioned: Matching Activities Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28079196
info_outline
12. How to Differentiate and Scaffold Math Centers (Part 3)
10/03/2023
12. How to Differentiate and Scaffold Math Centers (Part 3)
In this third and final episode of the series, I share specific examples for you to use in your classroom that are scaffolded and differentiated across three levels. The first level includes additional support for strugglers with a lower difficulty level. The second level includes grade-level questions with little to no support, and the last level provides unique and fun challenges for your high achievers! The skills discussed are as follows: 3rd Grade:1. Determining the unknown within a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers within 100 2. Add and subtract whole numbers within 1,000 4th Grade: 1. Multiply a whole number of up to 4 digits by a 1-digit number (partial product method) 2. Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to 4-digit dividends and 1-digit divisors 5th Grade: 1. Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols 2. Compare decimals to the thousandths place You'll also hear a tip for what to do if you accidentally close out an internet tab too soon in the Teaching Tip of the Week! Resources Mentioned: To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to . P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me . This helps spread the word to other teachers!
/episode/index/show/258d8f0f-1a5c-4cf2-bb66-4a7e0787260d/id/28128725