Warm-Up Question
"Alright class, open your books to page...." How often do teachers start instruction whit those exact words? In my opinion, way too many! In math, I display a warm-up question for students to complete by a certain time everyday. Since my students have math after lunch this warm-up question really calms them down and allows them time to focus on math. The transition from lunch to math is a difficult one, but having the warm-up question as a task to complete really motivates the students to start working. I use the warm-up questions as a way to review past material from previous lessons or to challenge the students with topics we haven't yet discussed in class.
Exit Cards
I administer exit cards at the end of my math (and other subjects) lessons to plan for future lessons and to determine if students are having trouble with the topic I covered for that day. I feel that assessment should be more than just a summative test or project and I have found that exit cards really guide my instruction and they allow me to enhance student learning.
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Open-Ended Tasks
I enjoy using open-ended questions in my math units to allow students the opportunity to apply their mathematical knowledge to real life problems. Open-ended questions also allow students to approach a problem however they like. These type of questions can really allow students to be creative with their mathematical thinking and can boost confidence in their mathematical abilities.
GamesGames are a huge part of my instruction. I want to make learning as enjoyable as possible and what better way to practice mathematics than playing games. I use games to review for tests, to practice multiplication and division facts and most any other mathematical skill. The students really enjoy participating in the games and the best part is they don't even know they are learning when they are playing! The following are just a few of the games that my class has had the opportunity to play:Around the World, Buzz Game, Mental Math Warm-Up.
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