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10 Ideas for Decorating Your Math Classroom

We want students to be comfortable in our classrooms. We want them to feel welcomed and inspired. Classroom decoration can play a role in creating that environment.

Ideas for decorating your math classroom

Below are some simple ways to decorate your math classroom.

Let students know what math is all about with this bulletin board. Each circle has a phrase, such as finding solutions, improving methods, testing ideas, and justifying answers. (Thanks to @mathwithhess for this photo!)

This same kit works great as a door decoration too. Welcome students to math class with this simple door décor. (Thanks to @teachinginsite for this photo!)

A math calendar is a functional way to use a bulletin board. Each day is represented by math problem. This one features written expressions for every day of the month. Find more options for math calendars here.

Encourage students to have a growth mindset with this bulletin board. It features math problems that have mistakes for students to spot. Change the problems throughout the year to make this an interactive error analysis board. (Thanks to @zillibuster346 for this photo!)

Got a large blank wall in your classroom? This wall display is the perfect way to create an eye-catching area and let students know what being a mathematician is all about. It features words like thinkers, investigators, and collaborators, all connected to the word mathematicians.

Students are always asking, “When am I ever going to need this?” This bulletin board answers that question, showing how a variety of careers and people use math. (Thanks to @angelicacreates31 for this photo!)

A large number line is a functional decoration that will come in handy for teaching integer operations, absolute value, rounding, ordering numbers, and more. This vertical number line prints on regular paper to create an 8-foot tall display.

Add some humor to math class with this math jokes bulletin board. A joke is written on each smiley face, and the mouths flip up to reveal the punch line. (Thanks to @jacsantilli for this photo!)

Write an inspirational message, class motto, the subject you teach, or your name with these math letters. Each letter has math doodles all over it. The whole alphabet, numbers, and symbols are included, so you can spell anything you like.

This door design is the perfect way to welcome students. It says, “Welcome to math class, where we have 5 sides to a pentagon, 4 quadrants on a coordinate plane, 3 angles in a triangle, 2 axes on a graph, but only ONE of you!”

I hope these photos have given you some ideas for your own classroom!

Thanks for reading.

-Rachael

Math Classroom Decoration Inspiration

10 End of Year Math Projects

The end of the school year is the perfect time to incorporate real world math and engaging activities. I love using projects to keep students focused the last few weeks of school.

math projects

Below are some of my favorites. Each one involves math and creativity!

Using Transformations as an Architect

Math Skills: Area of Irregular Figures, Transformations

Students design an apartment based on requirements, calculate the area of rooms, and then use transformations to create an entire floorplan of apartments.

College and Career Research Project

Math Skills: Real World Cost Calculations

This eye-opening research project has students investigating future careers and college options while calculating costs.

Design a Boat

Math Skills: Volume, Density

Density and buoyancy are tested as students create boats and experiment with how many coins they will hold.

Classroom Makeover Project

Math Skills: Measuring, Scale Drawing, Surface Area, Cost Calculations

Students measure their own classroom and then design their dream classroom, all while using important math concepts.

Plan a City

Math Skills: Graphing Lines, Systems of Equations, Parallel and Perpendicular Slope

Many cities are planned with a grid systems. Students use parallel and perpendicular lines, along with other graphing skills to create their own cities.

Sports Stats Scatter Plots

Math Skills: Graphing and Analyzing Scatter Plots

Description: Statistics can be revealing and interesting, especially when applied to sports. With this project, students look for trends and make predictions based on the data.

Geometric Sculpture Project

Math Skills: Measurement, Volume

Students design a sculpture involving a variety of 3D figures. They build it, measure it, and calculate the volume. Students love getting creative with this project!

Apartment Floor Plan

Math Skills: Area and Perimeter of Irregular Figures

Students get to see how area and perimeter can be used in a real world application as they think about materials required for an apartment.

Population Density Exploration

Math Skills: Population Density

Students explore and calculate population densities of cities, including their own. They compare benefits and drawbacks of densely populated areas. Research and writing is included as well!

3D Dilation Art

Math Skills: Graphing points, dilations

Math and art combine as students learn how to use dilations to create 3D drawings. They love this activity and always want to create more!

Hope you have been inspired to incorporate some of these ideas into your math class!

Thanks for reading.

-Rachael

Preparing Students for the Next Grade Level of Math

As the end of the school year draws near, we may start asking if we have done enough to prepare our students for the next grade level.

First of all, I have realized I could always use more time to teach more material. At some point, however, the year ends and the students must move on.

After reflecting over my experiences teaching 8th graders, Algebra I students, and Geometry students, I began to make a list of skills that I wish students had from previous grades. I have also spent the past school year observing 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, noting how certain prerequisite skills can either make or break a new concept. Additionally, I reached out to teachers everywhere for feedback on the skills they thought were essential for their grade level. Through this process, I have created checklists of skills and concepts needed before students start 5th grade math through high school Geometry.

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I hope these lists will help you prepare your students for the next grade level of math.

Are You Ready for 5th Grade Math?

I can use mental math strategies to add and subtract 2-digit numbers.
I know my times tables.
I can multiply multi-digit numbers.
I can divide with 2-digit numbers.
I can draw visuals to represent fractions and mixed numbers.
I can add and subtract fractions with the same denominators.
I understand place value of whole numbers.
I can round whole numbers to a given place value.

Download the list for free here.

Are You Ready for 6th Grade Math?

I can use mental math strategies to add and subtract 2-digit numbers.
I know my times tables.
I can multiply multi-digit numbers.
I can do long division.
I can add, subtract, and multiply decimals.
I understand the meaning of a fraction; I can compare fractions, change improper fractions to mixed numbers, and reduce fractions.
I can add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.
I can multiply fractions and mixed numbers.
I can find multiples and factors of numbers.
I understand place value, including decimals.
I know how to use a ruler to measure.
I can round and estimate solutions.

Download the list for free here.

Are You Ready for 7th Grade Math?

I can use mental math strategies to add, subtract, multiply, and estimate solutions.
I can locate fractions, decimals, and negatives on a number line.
I can do long division.
I can find equivalent fractions.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.
I can calculate unit rates.
I can solve one-step equations.
I can graph points in all four quadrants on the coordinate plane.
I can calculate areas of rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids.
I can calculate volume of rectangular prisms.
I can use a protractor to measure angles.
I can convert between fractions, decimals, and percents.

Download the list for free here.

Are You Ready for 8th Grade Math?

I can use mental math strategies to add, subtract, multiply, and estimate solutions.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers (positives and negatives).
I can convert fractions to decimals with long division.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.
I can use order of operations including exponents and parentheses.
I can solve two-step equations.
I can graph simple two-variable equations.
I can translate words into algebraic expressions.
I can calculate the volume of prisms.
I can find areas of polygons and circles.
I can find missing angle measures involving supplementary and vertical angles.

Download the list for free here.

Are You Ready for Algebra 1?

I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.
I can solve multi-step equations.
I can graph lines given an equation.
I can explain what a real world graph means using axis labels and an understanding of slope.
I can substitute a value for a variable and simplify an expression using order of operations.
I can translate words into algebraic expressions.
I can find multiples and factors of whole numbers.
I can solve problems with percents.
I can solve and graph simple inequalities.
I can estimate and determine if solutions are reasonable.

Download the list for free here.

Are You Ready for Geometry?

I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.
I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.
I can solve multi-step equations.
I can graph linear equations in any form.
I can estimate and determine if solutions are reasonable.
I can calculate areas of polygons and circles.
I can calculate volumes of 3D figures.
I can use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate missing lengths and distances.
I know the names and properties of polygons.
I can use a protractor and understand angle relationships.
I can translate, reflect, rotate, and dilate figures on the coordinate plane.

Download the list for free here.

These checklists could be used at the end of the year, sent home with students over the summer, or used at the beginning of the new school year.

Each one was determined by studying the CCSS standards, surveying teachers through Instagram, observing and teaching students, and preparing materials for math teachers.

Of course, many skills are important for success in each level of math. I hope these checklists give you a place to start. I also encourage you to develop your own custom lists at your school working with other grade level teachers!

Below are some bundles of resources that can help prepare your students for the next grade level.

Thanks for reading!

-Rachael

Word Problems: 4 Ways to Make Students Think

How would your students answer this question?

Robert Kaplinsky has brought recent attention to this word problem. In his study, 75% of students answered incorrectly. Students look for key words, operate on the numbers given, and supply an answer.

Getting students to break this habit is no easy task.

I have found 4 strategies that can force (or at least encourage) students to do more thinking (and less mindless solving) when given a math word problem.

1. Draw a picture.

Drawing is one my favorite math strategies. Drawing helps students visualize what is going on. To draw a picture requires a student to think about what the problem says. Plus, it is fun.

Tips for making this strategy work: If drawing in math is new for students, they likely will start out drawing elaborate, literal pictures. This is okay at first, and it will make the strategy enjoyable. As you use the strategy more and more, show students examples of simple drawings that get the point across. A quick drawing helps students organize information and make sense of the math.

2. Remove the question.

If you already have sets of word problems, simply remove the question. Then, the students’ task is to read the story and write 2-3 math questions that can be answered.

Tips for making this strategy work: This strategy is great for group work. Display or pass out word problems that have no questions. Give groups a few minutes to read and write their own questions. Then, select a few questions for everyone to answer. Challenge students to write difficult questions. (You might even display Bloom’s Taxonomy to encourage them to write different types of questions!)

3. Provide unnecessary information.

If students are in the habit of picking out numbers and operating without thinking, a sure way to stop this habit is to give unnecessary information and numbers. This strategy will force students to slow down and think about what information is important.

Tips for making this strategy work: Begin with fairly simple word problems and questions. Students will likely get frustrated if they are confused by the math while they are trying to pick out necessary information. The unnecessary facts can even be silly.

4. Remove the numbers.

Brittany from Mix and Math talks about how she stops students from finding the numbers and performing random operations by giving numberless word problems. When the numbers are removed, students cannot rush through the problem to get an (often incorrect) answer.

Tips for making this strategy work: This strategy is perfect for tricky numbers like fractions or numbers in scientific notation. Take those numbers out. Then, students are free to think about the meaning without focusing on the numbers. Once students think about the operations required, fill in the numbers.

I am always looking for strategies that make students think in math. I hope some of these can be used in your math class.

People are not calculators. We want to teach students to be thinkers and problem solvers.

Learn more about the shepherd problem and Robert Kaplinsky’s study here.

The task cards shown with unnecessary information are part of the following resource:

Thanks for reading!

Rachael

Pi Day: Help Students Discover Circumference and Pi

pi day circumference1

I love inquiry lessons and helping students learn concepts that will stick with them.

Pi Day is the perfect opportunity to allow students to discover pi. Here’s an outline for a Pi Day lesson. It is most suited for around 7th grade when students are learning the formula for circumference, but it also incorporates graphing and measurement skills.

Materials:

You will need several circles. These could be items already in the classroom (like a clock, cup, table) or you could cut different size circles from paper. Label the circles with numbers. Students will need string and rulers.

Lesson:

Pair students up and assign them a circle to measure. They will measure and record the diameter and circumference. To measure the circumference, they should wrap the string around the circle, and then measure the length.

Once everyone has measured a circle, they should find a new circle to measure. Or, have each student share their measurements with the class. Create a large table of values on the board to record each diameter and circumference.

Next, students graph the points to create a scatter plot. They can use graph paper to create a graph with the diameters as the x-axis and circumferences as the y-axis.

Then, have the students look at the pattern and try to write an equation for the relationship.

They will discover the circumference of a circle is always about 3 times the diameter. This can lead to great conversation about pi and the actual circumference formula. Bonus: The students will actually remember the circumference formula!

I love that this lesson is hands-on and helps students truly understand the circumference formula. Find an easy student template for this lesson in my Teachers Pay Teachers store:

Looking to practice circumference, area of circles, and working with pi on Pi Day? Check out this collaborative poster activity:

Hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas for Pi Day lessons that don’t involve pie!

Thanks for reading! Happy Pi Day!

-Rachael

Valentine’s Resources for Secondary Math

Doing something a little different is a great way to boost engagement. Below are some of my favorite math activities around Valentine’s Day. They may just look fun, but they are educational too.

Practice graphing on the coordinate plane, working with line plots, and decimal addition with this Valentine pack of activities from Cameron Classroom. Perfect for 4th – 6th grade students.

Translating words into inequalities is a challenging skill. Make practice a little more fun with these Valentine task cards from To the Square Inch. 6th grade students (or above) would really benefit from this activity.

In my experience, most students enjoy a good mystery graphing picture! Hayley Cain creates all kinds of them, and this rose would be great for the week of Valentine’s Day. Students in 6th grade or above would love this practice.

Integer operations can be a struggle when students learn them in middle school. Many high schoolers could still use the extra practice. In this activity, students add and subtract integers to create ordered pairs, which they graph to create a mystery picture.

Need to practice two step equations? In this activity, each solution reveals an interesting fact about Valentine’s Day. Decimals, fractions, and negatives are involved, making this perfect for 7th and 8th graders.

valentine1

Practice writing equations of lines when given two points with this fun activity from 4 the Love of Math. The lines make a heart when graphed. (And this is a freebie!)

Slope-intercept form is so important in 8th grade math and Algebra 1. These graphing exercises from Scaffolded Math and Science turn into a cute Valentine decoration when complete!

This Broken Hearts activity from 8th Grade Math Teacher has lots of options for approximating square roots. Have students find their partners with matching values or make a giant number line with roots of irrational numbers.

Need a fun way to practice using the quadratic formula? This collaborative activity from Algebra Accents will have students eager to work out the solutions.

Want to challenge high school students? These multi-step equations will do the trick. Each one reveals a cool fact about Valentine’s Day.

Practice congruent triangle theorems with this coloring activity from Kacie Travis. Geometry students will enjoy it, and you will be able to quickly see if they are solving correctly.

These activities are perfect to use in February to reinforce concepts. I love resources like these for early finishers too! Anything that adds a little motivation and engagement is a win.

Here are two more resources that are just for fun!

How cute are these cards from iteachalgebra?! Hang them as decoration or let students hand them out.

Students often ask why they need math. This Valentine door decoration will give them plenty of reasons to love math.

Thanks for reading!

-Rachael

What I’ve Learned from Using Multiple Representations

In math, we allow and push students to represent their thinking in multiple ways. In 7th grade math, 8th grade math, and Algebra I, this strategy is very beneficial when exploring the relationship between two variables. Teachers often ask students to use equations, graphs, tables of values, and descriptions.

Teaching 8th graders, I realized many students struggled with linear relationships, and many were totally lost when I presented systems of linear relationships. I turned to multiple representations as a way to help the struggling students. If they couldn’t understand the equations, maybe they could at least understand a graph or create a table of values.

Many standards focus on solving systems with graphs and with algebra (substitution or elimination), but few mention working with tables. However, tables were the key to my students’ success with systems. Once students read a story, many felt comfortable creating two tables of values and looking for a match to solve the system. Some went on to understand the algebra (and others did not), but the tables allowed them to makes sense of the whole idea of a system.

Through this experience, I learned to use tables to help struggling students. However, just this year, I realized something else.

I recently watched an 8th grade Algebra I class work through a system of linear equations problem. They were not given any direction on what procedure or representation to use. Would these students just use equations and arrive at an answer (which they were capable of doing)? No! Most students created tables of values. They were trying to understand their solution (because their teacher surely would ask them to defend it) instead of just solve it.

What did this teach me? Well, for one, tables are a great tool, but I already knew that. More importantly, I learned that good strategies are good strategies, no matter what the ability level of a student. Tables are a way that students can make sense of linear relationships and systems. When problem solving, everyone needs to make sense of what they are doing.

I am realizing more and more that a good strategy is a good strategy for every student.

systems pics4

Thanks for reading!

-Rachael

The following are some multiple representation resources I have created:

The question referenced in the Algebra I class can be found at map.mathshell.org.

Study Guides: The Negative Side Effect on Classroom Management

A study guide: a harmless way to help students prepare for a test. FALSE.

study guide pics3

Let me start by describing how I wanted my classroom to work. I created challenging tests that assessed true understanding of my standards. I planned engaging and rigorous lessons to prepare students for those tests. I wanted students to participate and learn everyday. I wanted students to enjoy class but also put all their effort into all their work. Classroom management would be… manageable.

That is how the year started, but it quickly deteriorated. Effort dropped, behaviors worsened, and students did not seem to be learning or retaining anything.

What happened?

I would have changed many things looking back now, but let me explain how study guides played a key role in my problem.

In the beginning of the year, students did participate in the lessons I prepared, and they learned. However, I was too concerned about their grades on that first test. I wanted them to ace it. So I made a study guide. I always liked when teachers gave study guides. I told students, “If you complete the study guide, you will be prepared for the test.” Then, I went over the problems step by step.

Is there anything wrong with the story above? I didn’t think so, at the time. However, let me repeat what I told them: “If you complete the study guide, you will be prepared for the test.” That was the problem.

Why participate in class? Why try my hardest to understand? Why do homework and practice? Why ask for help? Why do anything at all? Why not just wait for that study guide and memorize the types of problems I will see?

My study guide ruined any motivation to work hard to understand the material.

I did not realize the effect of study guides until many years later when I stopped giving them in the format I once had. Of course, students need to know what to expect on a test. A better study guide outlines the topics to study, notes to reference, and maybe practice (that is different from the test). I stopped worrying about test grades. If I have prepared good lessons and have monitored my students along the way, I will know if they are prepared. Students know each day is important for learning and understanding.

Lesson learned: If a student can use a study guide to ace a test on Friday, they probably will not show up (mentally) the rest of the week.
Download this Study Guide format here: Study Guide.

Thanks for reading!

-Rachael

Adding Conceptual Understanding to Your Math Class

Conceptual understanding: what is it, and how do we teach it?

An ideal picture of conceptual understanding in math class:

Students exploring the patterns they see. Students making sense and reasoning about what they know. Students predicting and solving based on ideas that they can explain. Students proving answers with models. Students teaching each other. It is a beautiful thing.

How do we teach conceptual understanding?

One thing I have found is that I need to stop teaching (in the traditional sense). Teaching often translates to telling, which will not result in the picture above.

Here are four ways to build students’ conceptual understanding in your math class:

Models allow students to see why formulas work and how to solve problems.

Students struggling with basic operations? Use physical models to build reasoning and number sense.

Students struggling with fractions? Use fraction tiles to model comparisons and operations.

Students struggling with area of triangles, circles, parallelograms or composite figures? Cut paper models to prove the formulas.

Students struggling with volume? Use cubes to build prisms and fill containers.

Students struggling with polynomials? Use algebra tiles to model multiplication and factoring.

Resources:

Instead of giving students a rule or formula to use, show examples and let students figure out the rule. Not only will this build conceptual understanding, but it will also boost students’ confidence as mathematicians.

Students struggling with adding and subtracting integers? Talk about examples using temperature or depth before talking about any rules to follow.

Students struggling to remember laws of exponents? Work out examples, and ask students to develop their own rules based on solutions.

Students struggling to remember angle relationship rules? Have students measure examples and tell you what they notice.

Students struggling with transformations on the coordinate plane? Have students transform examples and find out the rules for coordinates.

Students struggling with graphing quadratics in vertex form? Show students examples and ask them to find shortcuts on their own.

Students struggling with parent function transformations? Graph changes to parent functions and look for patterns.

Resources:

This simple question has a powerful impact. If students are forced to explain why, they are pushed into conceptual understanding.

Students may know to move the decimal when dividing, but do they know why?

Students may know to cross multiply to solve a proportion, but do they know why?

Students may know a zero exponent results in 1, but do they know why?

Students may know the formula for circumference is C=πd, but do they know why?

Experiments are not just for science class. Experiments allow students to explore, think, discover, predict, and develop conceptual understanding in math.

Want to design your own experiment? The scientific method is a great guide to get started:

Ask students a question.
Students make a hypothesis.
Students test their hypothesis and collect data.
Students analyze results and draw conclusions.

Experiments are engaging and lead to deep, lasting understanding.

Resources:

Conceptual understanding is true understanding. For many of us, it is not how math class was presented when we were in school. Therefore, we have to think outside the box and even push our own understanding to promote it in our own classrooms.

Thanks for reading!

-Rachael

Halloween Resource Roundup for Middle and High School Math

halloween cover

Halloween is just around the corner. I love getting students engaged with Halloween-related activities in math class. I’ve gathered some of my favorite resources for middle and high schoolers. These are so fun, students might forget they’re learning. Read along to find a Halloween activity for the topic you are teaching in your math class. (Click the images below to go directly to each resource.)

Students go trick-or-treating around the room as they answer scientific notation questions. I love this activity from 8th Grade Math Teacher. (And, she has other trick-or-treating topics in her Teachers Pay Teacher store.)

Students translate, reflect, and rotate shapes to create images of decorated pumpkins. The rigor is high, but the fun is too. You can find this one in my store.

Students love mystery graphs, and Hayley Cain is the queen of mystery graphs. This skeleton one is the perfect way to practice graphing this month.

Literal equations just got a little less painful with this resource from Math by the Mountain. Students “carve” their pumpkins as they solve each problem. Check the reviews; teachers and students love this activity!

Students square numbers, and you end up with the perfect door decoration for October. If iteachalgebra made it, you can bet it is going to be perfectly cute.

Practice integer operations and graphing on the coordinate plane. Students solve integer problems to reveal ordered pairs, and then graph the points to reveal Halloween pictures. Find this in my TpT store.

Engage students in simplifying and identifying equivalent algebraic expressions with this spooky mystery picture resource. Find it in my TpT store.

Happy October, and Happy Halloween! I hope you have been inspired to add a little Halloween fun to your math class.