I have had a ton of good things going on in my personal world lately…a newborn grandbaby, my daughter’s wedding, plus some travel adventures (definitely not math lessons). While I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this season of celebration and fun, I have fallen completely off the rails in my work world…the to-do list has turned into a to-do novel!
Needless to say, some of the to-dos feel like they’re slipping through my fingers. But I’m trying on a new mindset…I’ve been working on just letting them slip instead of trying to pick it all up!
After all, if they are slipping…wouldn’t that mean I’m trying to hold onto too much? I would have regretted not being totally present for my own kids’ big life moments.
If you’re feeling similar (like you’re behind and can’t catch up)…I invite you to adopt a little bit of that mindset I just shared.
Am I holding onto too much? Just a thought….
Luckily, years of running a math classroom means I have my math lessons all done…leaving plenty or room for all the other to-dos! But if creating engaging math lessons and practice activities are some of the things you have on your teacher to-do list that you’d like to let go of, you’re in luck. That’s why I’m here…I’ve done the research and creation so you don’t have to. Take your personal time back!
Math Lessons Designed to Cover Everything
These full year collections of math lessons for 3rd or 4th grade are designed to cover the required math standards in a high engagement, interactive classroom.
Whether you enjoy breaking your class up into smaller groups to utilize guided math and math centers or you prefer to keep them together for large group instruction, you will have everything you need included in these math lessons. Add a few dice and a couple packs of dollar store playing cards and you’ll be ready to go!
Each of the math lessons includes
- a mini-lesson so you can model the concept for your students
- an anchor chart to help students visualize new learning
- a peer practice activity to allow students to practice the concept with peers
- an interactive notebook entry
- a math game to be played with a partner or group
- a paper assignment for practice or homework
- an answer key
These math lesson are an easy-to-implement plan for meeting the increased expectations for rigor in math classrooms while still feeding your student’s need for play. The activities in each math lesson can each be used independently or woven together into a guided math block. Here’s an inside look at how I use them in my classroom:
Whole group mini-lesson and introduce the anchor chart: 10-15 minutes
Peer practice follow-up activity: 10-15 minutes
Group time organization-assign students to groups and front load the directions for small group and station tasks.
Rotating station work: 60 minutes broken up into 20-minute chunks.
Station 1: Game of the day with a recording sheet (sometimes I even send these home for homework so parents can see how much fun their kids are having learning during math!)
Station 2: Interactive Notebooking-students add the pieces to their notebooks and work the math problems included.
Station 3: Teacher table-we dig deeper and complete the worksheet, reteaching or extending as needed. (BONUS-I grade the papers as we go using this handy FREE math rubric)
So, let some of those to-dos fall right off the list without letting the quality of your math lessons fall with it. I’ve got you covered. Here’ where to you get more details on these collections of math lessons for 3rd and 4th grade.
Now if you happen to have a whole year of self-cleaning science labs ready to go send that my way!