Approximate Sizes Math Posters

How far is it from Boston to L.A.? How heavy is a gallon? 

Multiplication Flash Cards with Strategies

Discussions about multiplication facts are always coming up in our Facebook group. And arguments for or against memorization of them seem to come up everywhere all the time, too. I remember panicking while waiting to recite my multiplication facts at our teacher's desk, so I get it. But I also know firsthand that not knowing their multiplication facts is a real self-esteem killer for high school students. It's not even the facts themselves; it's where they come up-- factoring quadratics, solving equations. Kids get to thinking they "can't do algebra" when it's actually a multiplication facts issue.

Simplifying fractions using visual models and primes video

My favorite way to simplify fractions is by working through a list or prime numbers, checking if both numerator and denominator divide by each larger prime. I like this method because it makes simplifying fractions super concrete for students who need it. It also helps eliminate errors that can occur when a factor is missed. Students who aren't as confident with their division facts can even use a calculator (or divisibility rules) to check each prime.

Activities for Teaching GCF and LCM

How do you teach students to find greatest common factors and least common multiples? Do you have them create prime factor trees or use the ladder method? In this post are a couple visual supports for students learning to find GCF and LCM as well as a few engaging practice activities.

Estimating square roots using visual models video

A teacher messaged asking if I had a video showing how to estimate square roots using manipulatives. I didn't, but it sounded like a lot of fun to make a video on this topic. 

7 Math Interactive Notebook Foldables

"Miss, why are we cutting and pasting? Do you think we're babies?"

Then within a few weeks, my consumer math seniors would be pretty into building their interactive notebooks. And not one student lost a notebook over the years. I believe this ownership was built along with the cutting, coloring, arranging and pasting. Their notebooks became something my students didn't want to lose because of all the work they represented. Though the cutting and pasting does take more time than typical math notes, I feel this tradeoff is well worth it. 

Linear equations foldables

Do your students enjoy building interactive notebooks? Or maybe you haven't yet tried them and are interested in learning about the benefits. To me, that ownership is the main benefit. Kids like and deserve getting creative, and math is a good a place as any for a little creativity. 

In this post, I want to show you some of the interactive notebook foldables I've made over the years for students of all ages. They can all stand alone as flipbooks. Each comes together with scissors and a stapler. 

Spanish Math Word Walls

By August 2021, the printable versions of every math word wall will be updated to include Spanish vocabulary. Above is a photo of how the Spanish math words look alongside their English counterparts.

August 28, 2021 UPDATE: Every math word wall now includes Spanish vocabulary. 

Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities Cheat Sheets

At some point I will update this post with videos on how to graph linear equations and inequalities, but for now (and maybe to put the pressure on myself to get those videos done soon), I wanted to at least share the two cheat sheets I've made recently for these two topics.