Use Cups to Teach Math

Cups can be used to teach and review many math topics.  Stop by my blog to learn ideas about how cups can be used to teach a variety of math skills.Click Here To See Illustrated Teaching Ideas

Learn Fractions With Legos

Legos and building blocks are not just for play. They can prompt great discussions about math and can assist students with understanding more challenging fraction concepts.  View my blog to see step-by-step directions and learn how you can use this resource in the classroom.Click Here

Learning Games from Household Items

Rhyming Golf Course

 Today we will create a tabletop golf course using a chopstick as a golf club.  We will also make a learning center from an empty Pringles container.  Visit throughout the week for more ideas.


Needed Materials

Materials:

1 chopstick

1 piece of grey cardstock paper

1 sheet of blue paper

1 sheet of green paper

1 sheet of red paper

1 sheet of black paper

1 bamboo skewer or 1 toothpick with the sharp points cut off

1 foam cup

Wooden discs (Or small round foam pieces)

1 foam cup

Glue Stick

Tape

Marker

Scissors





Directions

Standard 8 1/2" x 11" paper was used for this project. 

1.  Begin by wrapping one chopstick with black paper.  Glue and or tape it to fasten.

2.  Cut the grey paper into a wide letter "c" to make the end of the golf club and attach to the chopstick.

3.  Cut two circular pieces from the blue paper.  This will be the water for your golf course.



4.  Cut a foam cup to make it shorter and cover the top of the cup with red paper.  Then cut a "c" shaped hole on the side of the cup.

5.  Break the bamboo skewer in half and cut off the sharp edges for your flag.  Make a flag from red paper.  Glue the flag onto the stick.

6.  Write whatever you would like on the wooden or foam discs and flag. 

To Play:

 Slide the disc that matches what is written on the flag into the foam cup using the golf club. 

Empty Pringles Container

The second literacy center is made from an empty Pringles container that has been covered with printed paper.  Words were written onto clothespins for sorting.

Adapt these centers by sorting for fact and opinion, cause and effect, factors, types of angles, author's purpose, etc.

Beads for Making Patterns or as a Boredom Buster

This is my (I mean my kids') new favorite toy.  Okay, I have a confession to make.  Sometimes I buy toys because they look like so much fun!  Look at those bright colors.  Who could resist?

After deciding that I had to buy this toy from Target, I next needed to rationalize this purchase.  (I could use this for school.  Yeah.  That's a good excuse).  

They are really great for making patterns.  The goal was to secretly open the package when no one was looking and then sneak it to school as a math pattern practice center.

What was I thinking?  That was not going to happen.  My kids absolutely LOVE the beads, and each day they play with them.  

Maybe next time huh?