Ditch Calendar Math for These 3 Engaging Elementary Math Routines
Elementary math routines are so important to help students transition from one activity to the next, and with the right ones, can lead to tremendous learning in just a short 10-minute window.
In this blog post I’ll be sharing three engaging math routines that will help students review important skills while giving you time to set up for your math lesson. I’ll be covering:
Problem of the Day Protocol
Elementary Math Shakers
Number of the Day
So if you’re feeling like your math routines are not impactful or you need some ideas to shake things up a bit, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s get started.
Problem of the Day Protocol
Every elementary math class should have a problem of the day routine. Word problems are tricky and it’s a skill that needs to be reviewed regularly. I struggled so much with word problems when I was a third grader. I wanted to make sure my students had more success than I did.
Here’s how I made that happen:
When it’s time to teach addition and subtraction, plan to introduce a problem of the day protocol like this one.
Create story problems about students and their interests. What better way to learn than through stories about you?
Print the problem of the day template on cardstock and place inside a dry erase pocket sleeve.
Give each student one pocket sleeve that they can keep inside their desk or seat sack for easy access. They can solve the problem of the day using this template and an expo marker.
Before math class, write the problem of the day on the board.
While students are solving the problem, walk around the room and assist students who are getting confused or identify students who need more support during small groups.
If you want a simple way to teach word problems to your students, be sure to check out my word problem experts unit!
Elementary Math Shakers
A game changer for me my first year teaching was when I attended a workshop hosted by Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks. They create fun and engaging math games that my students loved to play.
One of their resources is what they call math shakers. It's essentially an empty plastic organizer filled with dice. The idea is students can shake the dice up in their “shaker” and practice many different skills.
Here are some examples:
Recognizing numbers 1-6
Comparing numbers including decimals
Doubles plus/minus one
Making 10 or 100
Rounding and estimating
Addition with multi-digit numbers
Place value
Fractions
It’s perfect for use during math routines because the games are no longer than 10 minutes and you can pick and choose different skills to practice using just one resource.
How to implement shakers in your classroom:
Pick skills students have already learned.
Introduce how to play each game one at a time and have students play that game for a few days before introducing the next one.
Each student needs one shaker filled with dice that they can keep in their desk or seat sack.
Make copies of the game recording sheets that students can keep in a section of their binder labeled “shakers.” Also have extra copies of all recording sheets somewhere in your classroom so students can grab them easily if they run out.
When it’s time for math class, write the shaker game you’d like students to play on the board.
Some games are played alone and some with partners, so have a system ready for them to pair up easily.
I attribute much of my success as a math teacher to these games because they allowed me to review important skills throughout the year. If you want to try a few games and see how your students like them, check out their FREE sample games that include game sheets!
Number of the Day
Every elementary math teacher starts the year teaching place value, so the perfect math routine to introduce those first few days of school is a number of the day. There are so many cute number of the day templates teachers have created on Teachers Pay Teachers. Be sure to find one for your grade level!
Once you have a template you like, print it on cardstock and place inside a dry erase pocket sleeve. Students can fill out the template using a dry erase marker. If you are also planning on using a problem of the day template, you can print double sided cardstock with the number of the day template on one side and the problem of the day template on the other side. Students can then easily turn the pocket sleeve back and forth depending on what routine you are using on any given day.
The biggest takeaways? Rotate through different math routines throughout the week to keep students engaged. Pick routines that review important concepts to get the most out of the first few minutes of class. Promote independence by making sure your students have easy access to supplies, giving you time to set up for your math lesson.
Be sure to download my FREE problem of the day template! Use the form below to get instant access!
