Elementary Math Chat

Season One is done! I'm so grateful to each and every one of you for joining me each week to hear my favorite teaching tips and ideas around elementary math. I hope I've helped make your teacher life much easier, and I'm excited to reflect on what this season has meant to me in this Season One finale. In this episode, I answer a few questions that were submitted in a Q & A survey. I also share my final thoughts and reflections on Season One, my plans for the future of Elementary Math Chat, and one final Teaching Tip of the Week to help you work smarter and not harder to finish your end-of-the-year checklist. Connect with me: Instagram Join my Newsletter Follow my TPT Store To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode41. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

The countdown is on...summer vacation is right around the corner! With all the special events that fall at the end of the year, the final week of school can be challenging to plan for. Every day has a different schedule, and the amount of instructional time also varies. If you need help planning activities to keep your students engaged until the end, this episode is for you! This week, I share 5 of my favorite end-of-the-year activities to help keep your students engaged during the final week of school. You'll hear ideas to help you fill anywhere from 5-10 minutes, 20-30 minutes, or 60 minutes to help you plan around special end-of-the-year events. These activities are low prep and fun for everyone involved, including you! I also share an idea for an end-of-the-year gift in this week's Teaching Tip of the Week. This gift won't cost you a dime and your students will treasure it for many years to come. Resources Mentioned: Line Plot Project Create a Math Board Game Mystery Person BINGO Episodes Mentioned: Episode 22: 6 Low Prep and Engaging Early-Finisher Activities Episode 33: Testing is Done! 5 Ideas to Plan For a Day of Fun! To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode40. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Summer is right around the corner, and so are those last-minute requests from parents wanting to know how to prevent the summer slide. This episode is chock-full of ideas to keep kids engaged with math over the summer, which means you'll have plenty of tips to share with your families! This week, Melanie Doppler from Math Coach Connection joins me to discuss simple ways to help families connect math to everyday experiences at home over the summer. She shares clever ways to connect math at mealtime, during a trip to the park, when planning a vacation, and so much more!  These tips will help parents keep the conversation going about math over the summer without the dread of making their children sit down to practice math skills, so grab a pen and paper and get ready to hear some amazing tips to share with your families! Summer Resources Mentioned: Summer Math Guides 3rd Grade Boot Camp Course Information Direct Link to the Course Summer Math Resources Math Projects: 5th Grade Baseball Math Project 4th Grade Baseball Math Project 2nd Grade Baseball Bat Bandit Math Mystery Math Mysteries: 2nd Grade Bundle 3rd Grade Bundle 4th Grade Math Mystery Parade Predicament 5th Grade Math Mystery Great Cookout Case All Mysteries Career Projects: 5th Grade Bundle 4th Grade Bundle 3rd Grade Bundle Party Projects: Circus Part Party Project All Party Projects Connect with Melanie: Instagram Website TPT Store The Dog Ate My Homework Podcast To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode39. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

This week, I share my favorite teaching tips and ideas for the second half of my area and perimeter unit. Those lessons covered solving for missing dimensions, problem-solving with area, and a review lesson to help students prepare for the test. You'll hear ideas to help you teach these concepts in a visual and relatable manner, how to incorporate review skills in your small group activities, and fun ways to help students prepare for the test. Don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week where I explain how to play one of my favorite multiplication fact games. This game is unpredictable, it's full of risk, and that's what makes it so much fun to play! Resources Mentioned: Missing Dimensions Task Cards (used for whole group lesson) Area and Perimeter Riddles Area and Perimeter Review Boom Cards 4th Grade Test Prep Boom Card Bundle Related Resources: Area of Squares and Rectangles Task Cards Missing Dimensions with Perimeter and Area Boom Cards Related Blog Posts How to Make the Most of Review Days To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode38. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Area and perimeter was one of my favorite units to teach. I enjoyed helping students make real-world connections to what they were learning, and they enjoyed imagining that they were planting a garden or painting a bedroom wall. However, this unit came with its fair share of struggles. In my experience, area and perimeter taught in isolation were simple concepts for most students. They began to confuse the two concepts when they got to word problems, mainly because the words area and perimeter were never included in the word problems. Instead, they had to rely on context clues to determine whether to find the area or the perimeter. This was something I embedded into my lessons from the start! This week, I share my favorite teaching tips and ideas for the first three lessons in my area and perimeter unit on perimeter, area, and area of combined rectangles. I share helpful ways to teach students conceptual understanding and creative ways to embed other review skills into your small group activities. In addition, you'll hear a clever way to help students determine whether to multiply or divide when converting units of measure in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Perimeter of Squares and Rectangles Task Cards To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode37. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Why was the quadrilateral late to school? Why did the right triangle go to the beach? The answers to these fun riddles are included in this week's episode with even more geometry tips!  This week, I share my favorite teaching tips and activities for the last three lessons in my geometry unit on classifying quadrilaterals, line symmetry, and shape patterns. I share two days of whole group lesson ideas for classifying quadrilaterals, helpful tips and small group ideas for line symmetry, and how I changed my pattern lesson from one I dreaded to one I looked forward to each year.  In addition, you'll hear a fun idea for a small group extension activity using geoboards in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Classify Quadrilaterals EDITABLE PowerPoint Lesson - 4th Grade Classify Quadrilaterals Better Lesson (Day 1) Symmetry Sort and Solve Growing Pattern Task Cards with Unifix Cubes Episodes Mentioned: Episode 26: Teaching With Unifix Cubes: 5 Math Skills to Pair Them With Related Blog Posts: Classifying Quadrilaterals: Fun Ways to Learn About Our 4-Sided Friends Simple 2-Day Plan to Help Students Classify Quadrilaterals With Confidence To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode36. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Geometry is one of those topics that people either love or hate. I'll admit, as a student, Geometry wasn't my favorite. I could work with numbers all day long. But lines, angles, and theorems? It wasn't my thing.  However, as a teacher, I enjoyed teaching Geometry. It was a nice break from all the fractions and computation we were so used to. But, I was fully aware that my students might have the same dislike for Geometry that I had when I was young. This motivated me to make my Geometry unit as interesting and as engaging as possible. In this week's episode, I share my favorite ideas for the first three lessons in my Geometry unit, which cover lines and angles, classifying line relationships, and classifying triangles.  These ideas include warm-up activities that will hook your students from the start, simple ways to relate Geometry to Olympic sporting events, kinesthetic games to play, and my favorite small group activities. I also share an idea for how to handle those challenging questions that come at the end of your lesson (when student engagement is low) in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Olympic Skiing and Types of Lines PowerPoint Winter Olympic Athlete and Angles Classify Triangles Sort and Solve Uclid of Alexandria To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode35. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Multiplication facts are the building blocks of upper elementary math skills. Yet many students struggle to memorize these facts and rely on counting strategies and multiplication charts instead.  In this episode, Danna Rodebush from Teacher Tech Studio and the host of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast joins me to discuss what fact fluency means, why it is so important, and how teachers can motivate their students to memorize their math facts. Danna also shares a tip for setting up a fluency program and how to involve parents in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Free Math Fact Fluency Master Class Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Facebook Page Upper Elementary Simplified Facebook Group Teacher Tech Studio Instagram YouTube Channel Teacher Tech Studio Website To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode34. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Test prep is no joke! You and your students have worked extremely hard to prepare for state testing. When you finish that final test, I'm sure a sense of accomplishment and relief sets in…and it should! The hard part is over! So, take a victory lap and celebrate with a day of fun. So, what can you plan for the day after testing to give everyone a much-needed break? This day can be tricky to plan for. You'll likely have students taking makeup tests, so you don't want to begin a new project or plan a movie day. In this week's episode, I explain how I created a day of fun choice board that included 5 categories of activities to choose from: draw, color, play, watch, and solve. I share the types of activities within each category and suggestions for additional activities to include. The best part about this day was that I was able to sit at my desk and get some of my own work done for once! I also share a unique job to give a few students to help take a load off of your very full plate in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: EP 30: Help Students Prepare For State Testing With a Simulation Day EP 31: Plan With a Purpose: How to Use Data To Make the Most of Test Prep Week EP 32: Celebrate the End of Test Prep Success With a Glow Day! Resources Mentioned: Directed Drawings Dot to Dots End-of-the-Year Games Pentomino Puzzles Pentomino Puzzle Pieces Pattern Block Activities To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode33. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

You did it! You made it to the final day of test prep. What better way to celebrate than with a Glow Day? This celebration will be the highlight of your week and send your students into state testing feeling confident and ready to rock the test! In this week's episode, I share everything you'll need to know to plan a Glow Day for your final day of test prep. I explain how I blended review activities with games, how I held students accountable for their work, and how I set up and decorated the room for the Ultimate Glow Day experience! I also share a video to play during Glow Day that will give your room an extra boost of glow and keep your class focused and calm in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Related Blog Posts: 4th Grade Math Test Prep Kit Resources Mentioned: Some are Amazon affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through these links helps support the podcast.  UV Black Light Bars Black Light Strips for the floor Neon Party Supplies (with paper garlands, circle dots garland and star garland,  black light reactive tapes in yellow, green, orange, purple, and pink Neon tape 4th Grade Problem-Solving Packet YouTube Relaxing Kaleidoscope Video To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode32. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers! Connect with me: Instagram Join my Newsletter Join the 4th Grade Math Facebook Group Follow my TPT Store

When it comes to test prep, the week before testing is crucial. There is so much you want to review but so little time left to do so. How do you decide what to cover in your whole group lessons? Should you pull small groups, and if so, what lessons should you review? What type of activities should students work on? I'll answer all of those questions and more. In this week's episode, I share how I used the data from the practice test I discussed last week to help me quickly plan my test prep week. I explain what I did for my whole group lessons, small group activities, and choice boards. You'll learn about a unique choice board, called a TEAM-work activity board, that helped my students get the extra practice they needed on heavily tested skills and how I held them accountable for their work. I also share an idea for a morning meeting topic that will have you covered for an entire month in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Related Blog Posts:4th Grade Math Test Prep Kit Resources Mentioned:Test-Taking Strategy PostersFree and Editable TEAM-Work Activity BoardTest Prep Kit on TPT To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode31. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Ready or not, test prep season is here! If you're feeling a little anxious or unsure about the best way to prepare for state testing, I've got you covered! I'm dedicating the entire month of March to helping you prepare your students for state testing. This week kicks off a 4-part series that will each cover a different phase of preparing for state testing. I'll share what I did in the early stages of test prep, the week before testing, including a Glow Day, and ideas for the day after state testing. In this week's episode, I explain the importance of planning a test simulation day for students. The purpose of this day is to get out their jitters, review special rules and strategies specific to state testing, answer all of their questions about testing, and practice taking a timed test in an environment similar to state testing. I also share my go-to time-filler in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned:FREE 5 Special Rules for State Testing Posters and Editable PowerPointFREE Test-Taking Strategy Posters Test Prep Kit Connect with me:InstagramJoin my NewsletterJoin the 4th Grade Math Facebook GroupFollow my TPT Store To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode30. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

This time of year can be a challenge when it comes to handling classroom behavior. Rules that were once set in stone seem to be tested on a regular basis. Routines that were once seamless seem to be strained. You may feel like you've lost control of your entire class. Well, teacher friend, it's time to take back that control, and you don't have to be a drill sergeant to do so. In this episode, I discuss 3 common problem areas my class struggled with and the unique and fun ways I addressed them. I explain how I used friendly competitions, challenges, and games to improve transitions, work at a reasonable voice level, and follow simple directions the first time they are given. I also share a teaching tip for adding fractions with like or unlike denominators in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Episode 28: Why You Shouldn't Handle Student Behavior Alone and What To Do Instead Episode 23: 6 Things NOT To Do Before, During, and After Your Observation Resources Mentioned: Behavior Assessment Test Prep Kit To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode29. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

If you are seeing a spike in student behavior issues this time of year, you are not alone. This long stretch without a break combined with too many indoor recesses can do a number on student behavior. In this episode, I take you through the steps I took when handling student behavior issues and how I relied on my support system for guidance. I share what to include in your conversation with students, a behavior self-assessment form to give students before speaking with parents, and suggestions for resolving common issues you might be having with students. I also share a tip for how parents can help their child at home with multiplication facts in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned:Behavior AssessmentMarble Sensory Toys (This is an Amazon affiliate link. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through this link helps support the podcast.

Multiplying fractions is no problem, top times top and bottom times bottom…it's that simple, right? Well, not always.  In this episode, I share teaching tips, strategies, and activities to help build conceptual understanding of multiplying fractions. You'll hear tips for adding engagement to these lessons along with common mistakes you can expect to see. Topics include: Multiples of unit fractions (4th grade) Multiples of non-unit fractions (4th grade) Multiplying fractions by whole numbers (4th and 5th) Multiplying fractions by fractions (5th grade) I also share a unique idea for a small group activity in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Multiples of Fractions Work MatAnimal Puzzles (for small group activity) Test Prep Kit Episodes Mentioned: Episode 20: 5 Kagan Strategies to Boost Engagement and Build Community Connect with me:InstagramJoin my NewsletterJoin the 4th Grade Math Facebook GroupFollow my TPT Store To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode27. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Manipulatives are an essential part of elementary instruction. For years my go-to manipulatives were base 10 blocks, fraction tiles, and pattern blocks. That all changed when I attended a Greg Tang conference and learned about the magic of unifix cubes.  Previously, I thought these were better for primary grades, but he opened my eyes to all the ways upper elementary teachers can use them. Once I began using them with my students, they quickly became my favorite manipulative! In this episode, I share 5 upper elementary math skills that you can teach with unifix cubes, including basic division, prime and composite numbers, mixed numbers and improper fractions, subtracting mixed numbers, and patterns. For each skill, I explain how to use the unifix cubes and tips to help your students build conceptual understanding. Don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week where I share a classroom management tip for using unifix cubes. Related Blog Posts: Subtract Mixed Numbers with Regrouping Using Unifix Cubes Resources Mentioned:  Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Unifix Cubes Task CardsSubtracting Mixed Numbers PowerPoint LessonSubtracting Mixed Numbers Work Mat Test Prep Kit To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode26. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to spread the love and plan a few heart-themed activities! In this week's episode, I share two of my favorite Valentine's Day-themed activities that you and your students will love!  The first is a restaurant simulation where students experience what it's like to order at a restaurant, pay for their meal, and receive change. In addition, they play the role of a server, take someone's order, calculate the total cost of the meal, and decide how much change to give their customer. Use real menus from actual restaurants and decorate your small group table to create a realistic Valentine's Day dinner! The second is a festive Valentine's Day craftivity, Fraction and Decimal Hearts. These hearts will showcase what they've learned about fractions and decimals and are the perfect display in your classroom or hallway for February! Finally, I share a fun activity to help students understand the need for common denominators in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned:FREE Ordering at a Restaurant SimulationFraction and Decimal Heart Craftivity To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode25. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

There are so many things to consider when planning for your observation. Will you use the lesson from the workbook or create something from scratch? What kind of activities will you plan? Will you use manipulatives? Will your students work in groups?  It's no wonder that planning for your observation can feel overwhelming! In this week's episode, I share 6 things to make sure you do when it comes to your teaching observation. You'll hear tips for planning and delivering your lesson as well as managing student behavior. These tips will hopefully help you feel a little less nervous and a lot more confident when your observation rolls around. Don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week, where I share tips to find ambiance videos to play for every season, not just the crackling fireplace during wintertime. Resources Mentioned: FREE Lesson Plan GuideCreate a Crossword Puzzle Episodes Mentioned: Episode 2: 5 Tips to Help Build a Lesson Plan in Minutes Related Blog Posts: 5 Tips to Build an Effective Lesson Plan in Minutes Favorite YouTube Ambiance Videos by Season: Fall Themes: Cozy Witch Cottage Thanksgiving Fireplace Autumn Thunderstorm Winter Themes: Winter and Snow Christmas Lights with Light Music Christmas Reading Nook Spring Themes: Leprechaun's House Spring Morning with Campfire Summer Themes: Tropical Beach with Fireplace Fireplace on the Beach To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode24. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

No matter how long you've been a teacher, it's normal to get nervous before an observation. They are a big deal, and you want them to go well!  So, how can you motivate your students to behave? How can you make sure your lesson is engaging and effective? What will you do if you have any issues with technology? I discuss all of this and more to help you kick the nerves and feel more confident when your teacher observation rolls around. In this week's episode, I share 6 things NOT to do before, during, and after your teacher observation. You'll hear tips for the planning stages of your lesson, what to do if something goes wrong during your lesson, and how to handle a disappointing observation. I also share personal mistakes I made during my evaluations and how I turned those mistakes into valuable lessons. Don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week where I explain an idea for a Morning Meeting topic, perfect for the Monday after a long break! Resources Mentioned:  No Yell Bell *Amazon Affiliate Link. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through this link helps support the podcast. Related Episodes: 5 Kagan Strategies to Boost Engagement and Build Community (EP20) To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode23. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Do you struggle with what to do with your early finishers? In a perfect world, all of your students would finish everything at the exact same time, and you wouldn't have to worry about this. But the reality is, you're going to have students who finish early, and you don't want to give them busy work to keep them occupied. They'll probably fly right through that as well! In this week's episode, I share 6 early finisher activities that are low prep on your end and highly engaging for students. These activities will get their creative juices flowing and provide opportunities for students to continue learning. Several activities, when completed, can even become early finisher activities for the future! I also share an idea for a low-maintenance bulletin board in this week's Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Open Middle PuzzlesCreate a Math Game Checklist Create a Crossword Puzzle FREE Problem of the Month Template  To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode22. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

With winter break being right around the corner, it's time to plan for your classroom holiday party! What activities and games will you play? What gift can you give your students that is cost-effective and something they will enjoy?  In this week's holiday-themed episode, I share two easy ideas for student gifts that are practical and perfect for the math teacher. I also share ideas for games and activities to play both as a class and in groups for your holiday party. Student Gift Ideas Include: Personalized Pencil 3-Pack Dry Erase Board, Marker, and Eraser Set of 30 (Amazon Affiliate link) There is no additional cost to you, but it does help support the podcast if you choose to purchase through these links. Class Party Ideas Include: Draw a Holiday Picture Candy Cane Hook ‘Em Game Make an ornament Decorate cookies Estimation jar  Jingle Bell Toss Word search or word scramble Saran-Wrapped Candy Ball Game I know not all teachers throw a holiday party, so if you fall into this category but still want to incorporate holiday-themed activities into your lessons, I share two math crafts for equivalent fractions and factors that are holiday-themed and lots of fun. Finally, don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week where I share an efficient yet personal way to write thank you notes.Resources Mentioned: Factor Trees Equivalent Fraction Trees To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode21. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

If you are looking for simple ways to build community and boost engagement in your classroom, I have one word for you: Kagan. I learned about Kagan engagement strategies pretty early on in my career, and I used them regularly in my lessons. In this week's episode, I share 5 of my favorite Kagan cooperative learning strategies that engage students, promote teamwork and collaboration, and build peer relationships. I explain how the strategies work, when to use them, and what skills to pair them with.  Strategies Include: 1. Sage 'n' Scribe 2. I Have Who Has 3. Find Someone Who 4. Numbered Heads Together 5. Rally Robin/Round Robin I also share a tip for your small group center to help cut down on transition time in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Episode 6: 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid in the New Year Resources Mentioned: Sage ‘N' Scribe Video I Have Who Has Video Find Someone Who Icebreaker I Have Who Has States and Capitals Math Tasks To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode20. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

The beginning of your lesson is your chance to grab your students' attention and keep it. Instead of doing the same every day, engage your students in unique ways that will keep them on their toes! In this week's episode, I share 9 warm up activities that will engage your students and hook their attention from the beginning. I also give tips for implementing these activities, specific examples to use with students, and what skills to pair them with. I also share a feel-good way to wrap up your lesson that will celebrate small accomplishments in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned:Episode 2: 5 Tips to Build a Lesson Plan in Minutes Episode 4: What I Learned About Sub Plans From My Year of Subbing Episode 14: 5 Creative Ways to Use and Repurpose Task Cards Resources Mentioned:60+ Free Lesson Plan Ideas Esti-Mystery  Estimation Clipboards Math Anagrams Quiz-Quiz-Trade Which One Doesn't Belong To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode19. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Raise your hand if you love a good review game! Review games not only help your students prepare for tests, but they also build teamwork skills and teach students how to win and lose respectfully. In this week's episode, I share 7 of my favorite review games to play in the classroom when reviewing for a test. I explain how each game works, what I like most about each game, and I give suggestions to help the games run smoothly. I also share an organizational tip for your internet favorites in the Teaching Tip of the Week.  Resources Mentioned: Survivor PowerPoint with Directions Stinky Feet Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Factile (Jeopardy) Kahoot Quizlet Live 4th Grade Math Review Boom Cards Bundle To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode18. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

At this point in the year, your small group instruction is up and running, but you may be feeling the need for a change, or you're curious if there's a better and more efficient way to run small groups.  The truth is, there is no one best way to pull small groups. What works for one teacher may not work for another, and what works for your class one year may not work the next year. Because of this, it's important to have different approaches to small group instruction. In this week's episode, I share 4 different ways to pull students for small group instruction and how to use data from formative assessments to form these groups.  I discuss ideas for meeting with strugglers only and ideas for meeting with all students. I also share a festive craft and/or bulletin board idea for November in the Teaching Tip of the Week.  Resources Mentioned: Factor Turkeys Episodes Mentioned: Episode 10: How to Scaffold and Differentiate Math Centers Part 1 Episode 11: How to Scaffold and Differentiate Math Centers Part 2 Episode 12: How to Scaffold and Differentiate Math Centers Part 3 To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode17. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

While many lessons can be taught easily in one day, interpreting the remainder isn't one of them. Students not only need time to process the different ways to interpret remainders, but they also need a lot of practice. This additional practice will help students see the similarities and differences between the various ways to interpret the remainder. In Part 1 (last week), I focused on the concrete and pictorial phases of the CPA approach. In this episode, I focus on the abstract phase and share helpful tips and ideas for this part of the lesson. In addition, I suggest an idea for small group instruction to help students connect the parts of a division problem to the story. I also share a fun challenge to get your students to complete tasks in a timely manner along with my Spotify playlist in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Episodes Mentioned: Episode 15: 3 Essential Steps for Teaching Interpreting Remainders Part 1 Resources Mentioned: Leftover Brownies PowerPoint Interpreting Remainders PowerPoint Lesson and Guided Notes Spotify Playlist To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode16. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Interpreting remainders is one of the most challenging skills to teach. Students often lack the real-world experiences these questions refer to, making our job as teachers even more difficult. So, what can we do to help students overcome these challenges? In this week's episode, I share two small changes to my instruction that made a big difference in not only my ability to teach this lesson but also my students' ability to understand. I explain how to use a 3-step CPA approach (concrete, pictorial, and abstract) to help students gain a conceptual understanding of interpreting remainders.  This week's episode covers Day 1 of teaching interpreting remainders in the concrete and pictorial phases of the CPA approach. I give suggestions for manipulatives to use in the concrete phase along with sample questions to use with your students. Next week's episode will cover Day 2 in the abstract phase along with ideas for small group instruction. I also share a fun idea for a Halloween-themed small group activity in the Teaching Tip of the Week.  Episodes Mentioned: Episode 2: 5 Tips to Help Build a Lesson Plan in Minutes Resources Mentioned: Interpreting Remainders PowerPoint Lesson and Guided Notes *Eyeball Gum *Ping Pong Eyeballs *The Amazon links mentioned are affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you, but it does help support the podcast if you choose to purchase through these links. To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode15. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Chances are you have a few sets (or maybe stashes) of task cards in your classroom, some of which haven't been used in years. You've most likely used them for small group instruction, but task cards aren't just for small groups! They are an extremely versatile resource that can be used in many ways. In this week's episode, I share 5 of my favorite ways to use and repurpose task cards to help you get the most out of these resources. I share ideas for choice boards, partner activities to pair them with, and how to use them with cooperative learning structures. In addition, I explain how to use them in your whole group instruction and within a Google Form assessment. This week's Teaching Tip of the Week is a request from my Instagram Stories on how to scaffold and differentiate small group questions on multiplying decimals. Episodes Mentioned: Episode 12: How to Differentiate and Scaffold Math Centers Part 3 Episode 13: 6 Small Group Activities for Every Math Teacher Resources Mentioned Quiz-Quiz-Trade Task Cards to use with Quiz-Quiz-Trade 3rd Grade: Compare Fractions 4th Grade: Estimate Products Estimate Quotients Divide By Multiples of 10 Multiply by Multiples of 10 Place Value Review 2D Figures 5th Grade: Simplest Form Clip Cards Simplest Form Task Cards To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode14. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Small groups are often where the aha moments happen. Students sometimes need just a few more practice problems before the concept sticks, which is why small groups are so important. Now that you know how to differentiate and scaffold math centers (from Episodes 10-12), you might wonder what type of activities to use. In this week's episode, I share 6 of my favorite activities to use in small groups, some of which are ideal for differentiation, and others that are just as effective but with more of a fun factor…because you gotta have a mix of both! I also share suggestions for what skills you can pair them with and simple ways to increase engagement. Topics include: Task Cards Writing Leveled Question Sets on the Board Writing Leveled Question Sets within a 3-Column Table Matching Activities (with and without themes) Sorting Activities (plus ideas for extension activities) 4-Section Activity Mats (perfect for review!) You'll also hear a helpful tip for YouTube videos to prevent ads from ever appearing in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Dice Sets Mentioned: 12-sided dice Place Value Dice The above links are affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through these links helps support the podcast.

In this third and final episode of the series, I share specific examples for you to use in your classroom that are scaffolded and differentiated across three levels.  The first level includes additional support for strugglers with a lower difficulty level. The second level includes grade-level questions with little to no support, and the last level provides unique and fun challenges for your high achievers! The skills discussed are as follows: 3rd Grade:1. Determining the unknown within a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers within 100 2. Add and subtract whole numbers within 1,000 4th Grade: 1. Multiply a whole number of up to 4 digits by a 1-digit number (partial product method) 2. Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to 4-digit dividends and 1-digit divisors 5th Grade: 1. Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols 2. Compare decimals to the thousandths place You'll also hear a tip for what to do if you accidentally close out an internet tab too soon in the Teaching Tip of the Week! Grab the free handout that goes along with this episode here! Resources Mentioned:-1-Digit Partial Product Multiplication-2-Digit Partial Product Multiplication-Long Division Work Mats To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode12. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

When it comes to your math centers, it's important for students to have different levels of questions to choose from. Are they struggling and need to solve a simpler problem first? Do they understand and need more challenging questions? Creating leveled math centers helps meet the various needs of your students. While this may seem like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be! In this episode, I break it down and explain how I used a traffic light self-assessment to help my students assess their understanding and how I incorporated the red, yellow, and green colors into my three levels of questions. The red-level questions were more basic with additional support, the yellow-level questions were on grade level with little to no support, and the green-level questions were more challenging, usually with an extra step involved. I also share specific examples of ways to provide more support for strugglers, such as providing a place value chart or work mat. The support you give them in the beginning stages will prepare them to solve more challenging problems. I also share unique ways to make things more rigorous for students who need an additional challenge, such as presenting the problems in different forms and adjusting the digits in a few different ways. In addition, I share a fun 3-5 minute fact fluency game to play in your small groups in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Traffic Light Self-Assessment Traffic Light Google Form Plickers Compare Numbers in Different Forms Task Cards Compare Numbers in Different Forms Boom Cards To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode11. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

When it comes to differentiating math centers, how prepared and confident do you feel? Many teachers are overwhelmed by the thought of it and therefore avoid trying to differentiate instruction. Others feel they don't have the time or the resources to differentiate. These feelings often come from common misconceptions teachers have about differentiation. In this episode, I clear the air about what differentiation is and what it is not. I also discuss the similarities and differences between differentiating and scaffolding and why they are important.  In addition, I give you simple tips to consider as you plan for your differentiated math centers. By the end of the three-part series, you'll have actionable tips and strategies to apply to your classroom. Part 1 topics include: What it means to differentiate and scaffold activities Similarities and differences between the two concepts Misconceptions about differentiation Tips for implementing these activities in your math centers You'll also hear a time-saving tip for those tasks that you only do a few times a year in the Teaching Tip of the Week. To view the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://krejcicreations.com/episode10 P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Word problems are one of the most challenging parts of math. Not only do students struggle with word problems, but a lot of teachers struggle to teach them. The biggest challenge that students have with word problems is not knowing what the question is asking, and therefore not knowing which operation to choose. Students often skim the questions, looking at the numbers and key words only, but this can take away from the meaning of the story and lead to mistakes. So how do we help students overcome the challenges they face with word problems? In this episode, I share a few dos and don'ts when it comes to teaching word problems along with my feelings on using acronyms for problem-solving. I also share the 6 steps that helped my students tackle word problems and examples of how you can implement word problems on a regular basis, not just during your problem-solving lessons. Topics include: Dos and Don'ts for Teaching Word Problems 6 Steps for Solving Word Problems 3 Ways to Implement Word Problems on a Regular Basis Additional Tips for Students Who Struggle with Word Problems You'll also hear a suggestion for how to have a little fun with your students when it comes to word problems in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Greg Tang Word Problem Generator Add and Subtract Whole Numbers PowerPoint Lesson Free Problem-Solving Posters To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode9. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Place value skills are essential in helping students build a strong number sense. These skills help students form relationships with numbers and make sense of their answers. But why do so many students struggle with place value?  There are a few factors that might contribute to this. Since place value is taught at the beginning of the year, students are still getting used to a new classroom and a new teacher. Plus, they are on information overload from everything else they are learning with classroom routines and procedures, so there's a lot going on in their world. With this in mind, breaking down place value concepts is vital to helping students reach their full potential.  In this episode, I share tips for planning your place value lessons, strategies to help students overcome the most challenging place value skills, and small group activities your students will love. Topics include: Reading Large Numbers Value vs. Place Value Place Value Relationships Rounding Numbers You'll also hear another suggestion for your parent newsletter for when you're running low on supplies in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Instagram Reel (shows rounding activity mat in action) Place Value Discs Decimal Place Value Discs Place Value Dice The above links are affiliate links. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through these links helps support the podcast.

If you've ever given your students a survey on their preferred learning styles, then you know firsthand the kind of results you will get. They will be all over the place. Some students prefer working with a partner, while others prefer working alone. Some students require more challenging work to keep them engaged, and others do better when things are more basic. Some students enjoy activities that bring out their creative side, and others are more logical/mathematical and enjoy solving puzzles or riddles. So, it's fair to say that when it comes to learning styles, one size does not fit all. Choice boards are an effective way for teachers to address all of these learning styles and needs. They are also a great way to tie in festive themes for the holidays, maybe Halloween or Christmas, which is always something students enjoy. Another reason choice boards are so effective is they provide opportunities for students to review previously taught skills throughout the year. This is especially important when end-of-the-year testing rolls around. The closer I got to state testing, the more review skills my choice boards included. I do think it's important to incorporate spiral reviews into your lesson, but it's a bonus to also include them in choice boards. In this episode, I share everything there is to know about choice boards, including what type of activities to include, how to organize choice boards, and where to find activities for choice boards. I also share tips for grading and setting up choice boards in your classroom. Be sure to download the free and editable choice board template to help get you started! Topics Covered in this Episode: What type of activities to include Where you can find these activities How long each choice board should last How to set up your choice boards Where students should keep their choice boards What to do when students finish their entire choice board early Simple ways to grade choice boards You'll also hear a fun suggestion for your Monday morning meeting which allows all students to share about their weekend in a matter of minutes. Resources Mentioned: 60+ Free Lesson Plan Ideas 3rd Grade Games 4th Grade Games 5th Grade Games Choice Board Template (I recommend downloading this as a PowerPoint after grabbing the Google Slide's template) To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode7. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

The first few weeks of school are the most important weeks of the year. This is your time to establish routines, review important procedures, and set clear expectations for students. The most challenging part is trying to balance these back to school procedures with teaching new content and getting to know your students. Because there is so much to cover, it's tempting to skip over or rush through certain areas. This is a common mistake teachers make and one you want to avoid. In this episode, I share 3 common mistakes to avoid when starting a new year and suggestions for what to do instead. You'll hear tips for fluency activities, setting up parts of your math block (small groups, choice boards, partner activities), and formative assessments to help you get to know your student's academic levels. You'll also hear a fun suggestion for your classroom newsletter in the Teaching Tip of the Week. This tip will encourage parents to ask their child about what they are learning and keep them involved in a unique and creative way. Topics Covered in this Episode: Fluency activities for Grades 3-5 How to introduce parts of your math block and expectations to share with students (partner activities and games, Boom Cards, choice boards, small group instruction) Formative assessments to gather data (Boom Cards and Google Forms) Resources Mentioned: Compare Numbers Boom Cards (Preview) Placing Commas in Large Numbers Boom Cards (Preview) Word Form to Standard Form Boom Cards (Preview) Place Value Base 10 Boom Cards (Preview) Xtra Math Fluency Program  To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode6. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

One of the most common topics being discussed in Facebook groups is how to stay organized when teaching in a departmentalized setting. How do you keep track of graded papers and missing assignments? How do you manage and share supplies between multiple classes? These are questions you must consider before heading into the new school year. Of course, there are a few perks to being departmentalized. Because you have fewer subjects to teach, planning is much easier. But there are also some challenges that come along with teaching multiple classes. More students means more papers and grades to keep track of, so having an organizational system is extremely important.  On the student end, this may be the first time they are switching classes. So, it's essential you have systems in place that help your students become organized. While some students are organized by nature, others are not and need to be taught. Topics Covered in this Episode: How to keep track of student work, graded papers, and missing assignments How to communicate missing work with your teammate(s) Tips for helping students organize their work and school supplies How to organize school supplies on the first day How to manage supplies between multiple classes Storage and organizational tips to save you time and help you find a place for everything I also share a helpful tip for labeling student workbooks in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Hanging Shoe Organizer Teacher Toolbox Task Card Bins The Amazon links mentioned are affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you, but it does help support the podcast if you choose to purchase through these links. To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode5. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Substitute teachers are hard to come by these days. When you find a good one, you want to do everything you can to make sure they return in the future. One bad experience might scare even the best of subs away! The truth is, your sub plans are the key factor in determining how their day will unfold. So, what should you include in your sub plans, and what is okay to leave out?  Having written my fair share of sub plans over the years, I thought I knew the answer to this question. My plans were extremely thorough, especially when it came to the math lesson. I made sure anyone who walked into my room could easily understand the lesson and teach it well. While that was (and still is) important, I was overlooking something that was equally as important. It wasn't until I spent a year as a substitute teacher that I realized what my sub plans were missing. In this episode, I share simple ways to set your sub up for success, what to include in your plans, and what is okay to leave out. I also share my favorite parts about subbing, what surprised me the most, and a fun freebie to help motivate your students when you are away. In addition, you'll learn about one of my favorite place value games in the Teaching Tip of the Week, Resources Mentioned: Classroom A vs. Classroom B Super for the Sub Tickets To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode4. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Ready or not, back-to-school season is officially here! This means your Meet the Teacher Night is just around the corner. You only have a limited time with parents, and you want to cover as much information as possible. However, it can be challenging to decide what to include and what to save for later, especially if you are starting from scratch. In this episode, I share 6 suggestions for what to include and how to handle the information you don't have time for. By the end of this episode, you'll be ready to master Meet the Teacher Night with confidence! In addition, I share an idea to use for a math discussion on growth mindset in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Related Resources: 60+ Free Lesson Plan Ideas Growth Mindset Video To view show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode3. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Do you want to save time and learn how to plan more efficiently? In this episode, I share 5 tips to help you cut down on the time you spend planning your lessons while still building engaging and effective lessons. I start by sharing a lesson plan framework that helps guide my planning and ensures my lessons have what they need. I also share suggestions for each part of your lesson, tips for making future planning a breeze, and how to make the most of your team planning session. In addition, I share a simple system that helped my dry erase markers last in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: 60+ Free Lesson Plan Ideas To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode2. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Do you ever feel like you've lost control of your classroom? In this episode, I share how I struggled early in my career with classroom management. I was putting so much time and energy into my lessons only to be met with frequent disruptions and unwanted behaviors, which made me feel unappreciated and undervalued. I wanted my students to understand that if they continued to act this way, things on my end would change. I explain how an activity called Classroom A vs. Classroom B helped me take control of my classroom…and keep it! Learn how you can use this activity with your students, just in time for back to school! In addition, I share a quick and easy activity to use in small groups to practice reading large numbers and placing commas in the Teaching Tip of the Week. Resources Mentioned: Classroom A vs. Classroom B Activity To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode1. P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Elementary Math Chat is a podcast for upper elementary math teachers looking for ideas and resources beyond the book. Tune in each week to hear recommendations for planning your math lessons, differentiating math centers, classroom management, and so much more. From the first day of school until the last, this podcast will provide you with teacher-tested and student-approved ideas that work! Annamarie Krejci (kret-see) is a former 4th and 5th grade math teacher of 20 years and the face behind Krejci Creations. By sharing what she's learned as a veteran teacher, she hopes to inspire and encourage teachers every step of the way. You can follow her on Instagram @krejci_creations or visit her website at krejcicreations.com.