Are You Ready for Your Early Finishers?

With so much to prepare as a new school year begins, getting a variety of good options ready to use for your early finishers is one of those things that unfortunately tends to slip lower and lower on your to-do list.

After all, there's always "read a book" or "go on your Chromebook". But are those kinds of very broad choices the optimal use of learning time for fast finishers? It's not that they're not good choices, but every learner needs and deserves more!

What do the strongest options for K-3 learners look like? 

* The best options reward students with the opportunity to choose. They have to think about what they'd like to do, think about what's a new choice or what they've already done and want to try again (or what they don't!). They gain confidence as they practice making choices. Choice requires thinking, choice is empowering.

Having a collection of games that will give your students choices is a great starting point!

Here's a set of addition within 20 games for first grade as an example. 

The set includes ten easy prep solo challenge games that are designed to be played by just one player - no waiting for a partner to complete their work!

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You can find more solo challenge games for your fast finishers at these links!

                                   First Grade Addition Games

                                   First Grade Subtraction Games

                                   First Grade Place Value Games

                                   1st Grade Addition, Subtraction, Place Value Games Bundle

Find more games and activities for fast finishers here!

*  Look for options that allow your students to take what they've learned in class and extend it, learning more, for example, about the social studies or science topic you're teaching.

*  Seek out activities that your students can complete independently! Look for clearly written directions and activities in the same format as they've already completed as a class (color-by-code math pages, for example).

Let's look at a few options you might consider preparing today, before there's a little sweetie tapping on your hip saying, "What do I do now?" :)

1. Draw and Write: Prep a set of task cards or a chart list of people and/or places. Students who finish early can choose one or more cards and imagine a situation that places them together. Then they'll choose whether to illustrate and write a few sentences about the situation, or take a graphic novel / cartoon approach, writing the conversation between the characters.

Short on time and need some quick-and-easy prep task cards for this? Here's a set of 120 character and setting cards, available in both English and Spanish.

2.  Reading self-selected books is never a bad option, but consider getting more learning power from this by offering a collection of books that echo what you're currently teaching, as mentioned above. Your school librarian (pleeeease tell me that you still have a school librarian!) or public library will likely be able to help with suggestions!

For example, are you teaching the butterfly life cycle? Offer your early finishers choices from the books you've used as read alouds, or extend the opportunities to learn with something more advanced like a field guide to butterflies - there's so much to be learned from visuals, and pictures may be just what some students need to spark curiosity and learn more!

3. I mentioned color by code as an activity that works on repeat.  Another activity that will be used again and again is this math variation on word searches - sum searches through totals of 20. Print your word and number searches on cardstock and laminate - they'll get lots of repeat uses and you won't be running to the copy machine!

4.  Playing games is a fun and motivating way for early finishers (and ALL students!) to practice what they've learned. But it can get tricky if a student finishes and has no one to play a game with!

Look for activity type "games" that can be completed by just one person, like matching and sorting. 

5.  Offer a selection of puzzles and brain teasers that are so engaging that your students will think that they're playing, not practicing! 

One of my students' favorites was math riddle task cards, which are basically elimination riddles ... use math clues and critical thinking to eliminate all but one of the provided answer options.

I have TONS of math riddle sets in my store! If you click on these grade level bundles, you can scroll down on each to see the single topic sets that are included.

        

                                        

                                        

                            

I hope these options will be helpful for you, and get you thinking of other choices that will be a good match for your fast finishers! Above all, make your options so enticing that they'll motivate all of your students to stay on task so they too can be part of the exciting activities that you've gathered!

Happy learning!

Five Powerful Ideas for Using Riddles in Your Math Teaching!

If you want to keep your students challenged and having fun with math all year, riddle cards are the answer! 

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Here are five powerful ideas for using math riddles to bring new energy to your teaching!

* Start a math lesson by solving a riddle together. It will focus your students' attention, plus give you many opportunities to focus on concepts and vocabulary.

* Riddles are an awesome way to squeeze in some fun and engaging spiral review of math vocabulary on a regular basis.

* If you ever have a spare moment to fill, keep math riddles on hand as a sponge activity to refocus your students' attention in a meaningful way.

* Once you've practiced solving a few riddles, try writing riddles together. Writing about math is a great way to develop deeper understanding of vocabulary and concepts.

*  Looking for a way to keep your early finishers happily engaged in a math activity that's a fun and effective way to build mental math skills? Math riddles are your answer!

What makes these math riddle task cards so special?

Math riddle cards will keep your students actively using both math skills and critical thinking!

Click to find math riddle activities in my store for ... 

Kindergarten

First grade

Second grade 

Third grade

Fourth & fifth grade

Would you like to try some math riddle task cards for addition and subtraction through 20? This set is featured in the Dollar Deal Category in my store! This is a great low-risk way to give these riddles a try in your class! Click here or on the picture to see them!

Happy Teaching!

MORE Third Grade Math Riddles for 1 through 120!

Third grade teachers, I'm SO happy to share that the second set of number sense riddles for 1 through 120 is finally completed!

So, what are these riddles all about?

Each of the cards in this set has two to three clues that lead to a number between 1 and 120.  As your students progress through the clues, they'll narrow the options for which numbers might be the answer, until the last clue brings them down to just one number.

Here's an example.

Solving a riddle is great for daily spiral review and most definitely motivating - have you ever had a student who didn't like riddles?  But there's so much more that you can do with these cards!

Listen to some of the conversations that might happen beyond the solving if you were to use this card as the basis for a number talk. Note the great opportunitites to differentiate.

    "Can you switch out 8X11 and 100-7 to other expressions and still get the same final answer?"

    "Is there a quick way to tell if a number is odd or even?"

    "Is 5 a multiple of 10 or a factor of 10?  Explain..."

    "Can you substitute a new clue for the final clue and still get the same answer?"

    "Let's create a whole new riddle for this number."

And, of course, always, "How do you know? Explain your thinking."

See what I mean?  If you're teaching your students virtually, try giving your students the riddle of the day ahead of time, with the dual assignment of solving it AND coming up with a math talk question about the riddle.

How are teachers using these riddles?

* Using one or more each day is a great way to keep math vocabulary and concepts active in the minds of your students.

* Take a screenshot of any page and use with Seesaw or your favorite app so your students can solve these right on their devices.

* Practice comprehension skills across the curriculum by "thinking aloud" to model identifying key details, inferring, and drawing conclusions.

* In a small group or with partners, use the printable and task card activities. Great for small groups and math centers!

* Use math riddles as a sponge activity throughout the day.

* The riddle cards are a productive use of learning time for fast finishers or for enrichment.

*  Level up or down to differentiate with individual students or small groups.  See riddles for first and second grade here, and for fourth and fifth grade here.

You might be wondering what math topics these riddle cards address.  Here's a quick rundown of the topics/vocabulary in this set.

 

*  Addition and subtraction through 1,000

*  Multiplication and division facts

*  Products, factors, multiples

*  US coins and measurement

*  Area and perimeter

*  Attributes of 2D and 3D shapes

Are you ready to try this free set of six? Click here or on the picture below to download them now and try them with your students!

Happy Teaching!

Using Math Riddle Cards for Remote Learning

Distance teaching is no picnic, but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that.

Teachers need to work together - in some cases, it's a question of survival!  Again and again, I'm so impressed by how teachers are helping each other by sharing what's working for them in remote learning, even in the face of their own exhaustion and frustration.  Whether it's friend-to-friend, with a grade level team, or all over social media, the sharing is phenomenal!

So, trying to do my bit to help here and there, I thought I'd bring you just a few tips for using technology with some of my non-digital resources ... including a few like these free math riddle cards!

I chose these tips for using math elimination riddles. I chose this kind of resource for two reasons.

1.   These riddles are available at all levels, K-4.

2.   Since they're one of my most popular categories, I figure that there's a good chance that many of you already have one or more of these sets.

Not familiar with math elimination riddles? Here's a close-up of one of the cards. 

 

SOOO much thinking on every card!

Click here or on the picture to see more than 120 riddle sets in this category!

These tips are taken directly from teacher comments on TPT,  from real teachers who are out in the trenches making things work in this new world of teaching! My sincere thanks to these teachers and others who are so kind to take the time to share their ideas and help other teachers!

So, here are today's remote learning tips!

Do you use Seesaw? Here's a great idea from Gill H. This would also work well on your password-protected classroom website! Thanks, Gill!

Tip #2 is from Kimberly F. True confession: she left this comment on my Alphabet Riddles set. But it was so good that I just had to share it here, because it works with math riddles, too!  A riddle is an awesome way to focus attention at the beginning of a lesson. And since kids love riddles so much, the expectation of starting each meeting by solving a riddle together might be what you need to get your students logged in and ready to start on time! Thanks, Kimberly!

Would you like to try these tips with some free math elimination riddles? Here are more sets you'll like!

Thanks for stopping by!

Odd and Even... Win It Before You Can Buy It!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

At this time of year, when little minds are out on the playground or thinking about tonight's t-ball game, we have to work extra hard to keep our students focused and excited about learning.

Have you tried using riddles to increase engagement?

This new set of riddle cards for odd and even two-digit numbers will let your second graders stay active while still reviewing skills.  Because each of the 24 odd-answer and 24 even-answer cards has just two clues, they're quick to solve - and that makes them perfect for Scoot and Solve the Room! Two formats of student recording sheets (and answer keys!) are included for use with these games.


Here's a closer look.

As you see, the first (unstated!) clue is whether the number will be odd or even. The graphic will be their clue, adding a bit of extra thinking into the solution process.

Having one of those days when you're needing a quieter option? Sometimes we just need those kiddos to sit down for a while so we can all breathe a bit! Try putting partners together to solve a few cards, or use the Odd and Even Solve and Sort partner game that's included in this set.

This set will be coming to my TpT store this weekend, where it will be 50% off for the first 24 hours.
This set is now in my store, and will be half price through Monday morning, 4/24. See it here!

Would you like to win this set before it's even posted?  Here's a quick giveaway - three copies!  As usual, I've thrown in a few quirky options for entering. Have fun!  ;)

Giveaway ended! I loved reading all of your fun entries! Congratulations to Tanya, Julie, and Lynn! 

Please check your email.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Teaching!

120 New Math Riddles for First Grade ... and a Free Sample, Too!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

As the 100th day of school approaches for many of you, I'm thrilled to be offering a brand new set of one of my favorite resources, 120 Riddles for the 120 Chart.

These riddle cards are a fun way to build number sense and review first grade skills like addition and subtraction through 20, place value, adding and subtracting tens, coins (pennies, nickels, and dimes), odd and even numbers, and comparison signs.


The original set of one hundred multi-step riddle cards for the numbers 1-100 has been through a number of revisions, notably adding in riddles for 101 through 120 and adding a projectable version which allows you to easily use the riddles on your interactive board and handheld devices. 

If you are among the more than 5,000 teachers who own the set, be sure to download the most recent update!

See the original set (Set 1) here.

Although you'll find this riddle set to be perfect for your 100th Day celebration, there are so many other uses for these cards.  From teacher comments at my TpT store, here are some of the ways that teachers are using their riddle cards.


Angie suggested using a few riddles as a math lesson warm-up.

Gabrielle uses a riddle card to introduce the number of the day. 

Heidi says, "Great way to get the kids talking about numbers and exploring the 120 chart!"

Another buyer said she uses them for calendar time and finds them easy to differentiate. 

Amy uses them as a sponge activity between lessons.

Jan uses these riddles to build number sense and ease math anxiety.

Karen uses these cards to reinforce specific math concepts.

Lisa uses them once a week for problem solving.

Kathie G. says, "Perfect for whole group, small group, or even as a filler for when you have a few minutes between activities."

Another buyer uses the riddle cards for "Out the Door" cards as her students line up to leave the classroom.

A teacher uses them with her afterschool tutoring club.

Title I teacher Darlene uses them with partners and small groups.

Kristina uses riddle cards as an early finisher activity with her document camera. 

Jacqueline H. says, "I use it as a center activity in my grade 3 class, great reinforcement of concepts they should know."

Another buyer uses them for morning bellwork, and sometimes has her students write their own riddles and share them.

Laureen took the poster version of this resource and turned it into a book for the math library -  so clever! 



So, reading all of these wonderful ideas and comments (thank you, thank you - do you know how much TpT authors LOVE your feedback??), I got to thinking that many teachers who are using these riddles might be running out of riddle cards around this time of year.  

Every one of the riddles in Set 2 is totally new.  Even the graphics are new - adorable goldfish from Ashley Hughes at TpT.

Here's a closer look.

Click here to see them at my TpT store!


Would you like to try a few before you buy? Click here to download a free sample set of twelve riddle cards from the latest set!

Happy Teaching!

Movin' on Up ... Multiplication Riddles!

Dear Teaching Friends,

Are you looking for another way to keep the fun in your math centers and small groups? Try math riddle task cards! They're a great way to provide your students with lots of practice with math skills in a novel format.

Faithful readers know that I've been all about creating math riddle task cards lately. Although most of my resources are K-2, the latest in this series is movin' on up to third grade  - multiplication riddles! Here's a sample.

Here are some ideas for using riddle task cards:

*  For whole class review, use a card with your doc camera

*  In a math center for individual or partner work

*  To focus attention at the beginning of your math lesson, these make a great activity, again with
    your doc camera

*  For a fun skills review rotation, have your students move around the classroom ala "Scoot!",    solving clues either individually or with a partner

* Solve a few cards together as part of a small group lesson

*  Use as morning bell-ringers

*  At the other end of the day, use for exit tickets

*  A fun no-prep activity for tutoring

*  Keep the riddle cards handy for early finishers


I think you'll find this set will be a fun and useful addition to your classroom!

Happy Teaching!

Missing Addends Riddle Cards - Monkey Madness!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

If you're teaching missing addends ... if you've EVER taught missing addends... you know it can be quite challenging! Whether you teach missing addends with manipulatives or with number lines, as counting on to the total or subtracting - wait, you do all of these, right??  Well, you also know that most students just can't get enough practice on this skill!


Riddles to the rescue! Riddles are high interest, motivating, and the fun format of these riddle task cards beats a worksheet hands down!

When your students finish this set of 24 task cards, they'll have completed 72 number models for missing addends! And they won't even realize it, because these elimination riddles are fun!

How can you use these riddles in your classroom? Here are a few ideas!

* Use in a math center for individual or partner work
* Use with your document camera for whole class review or to focus attention at the beginning of a

   math lesson

* Use as a skills review rotation, individually or with partners, with students moving to stations 

   around the classroom to solve the clues - think "Scoot!"

* Use for morning “bell ringers”

* Use as exit tickets

* Use as challenge work or for early finishers

You might even have your students use them as models for creating their own riddle task cards! Writing, math, logic... I just love it when a few standards pile up on top of each other in one lesson!

If you find that you enjoy using riddles like these, here are a few more (okay, a bunch more!) that you might like!

                                      





                                        

You can find these and more riddles for K-4 in the Math Riddle Task Cards category at my store. Plus, these riddles are fun to make, so you can be sure that more are on the way! If you have suggestions of sets you'd like to see, I'd love it if you'd leave a comment! Thanks!

Happy Teaching!

Math Logic Puzzles ... and a Freebie!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

If you've ever used any of my resources, you already know that I'm a big believer in packing them with many layers of learning! As little learners are given opportunities to build connections between the things that they've been taught, they're developing new ways to understand and apply the concepts they've learned. This is lasting and rigorous learning ...disguised as fun, of course! ;)

I just posted a new set of number elimination riddles at my TpT store that's a good example of that kind of learning.  Try a few of these task cards yourself. You'll find that you're using math skills, but also logic and reasoning as you eliminate answers and draw conclusions. Just think of how much practice your students will get with the complete set of 24 cards!

Visit my TpT store to see the complete set of Dino's Secret Numbers Math Riddles. You'll find four free riddle task cards when you download the preview there!

If you'd like to try some other number elimination riddles, click here to download this free set of 17 task cards for K-3!

Happy Teaching!