Solving Math Word Problems - 2020 Challenge

Do your students struggle to read math word problems? 

Do they know how to quickly solve a math word problem? 

Solving math word problems doesn't have to be a ten-step process. Learning the basics will help your students succeed in understanding math word problems. Once students understand the types of word problems they read, then they will become better problem solvers. It's simple. It starts with teaching. How are you training your students to think mathematically?

Solving Math Word Problems - 2020 Challenge

The 2020 Challenge for Solving Math Word Problems is intended to get your students reading and understanding how to answer math word problems. The challenge is for your students to solve math problems for at least 10 minutes on as many days as possible. They’ll win the challenge by solving word problem for 20 days in January. 

Why do the Math Word Problem 2020 Challenge? 

1. Students Gain a Better Understanding. 

Doing the challenge helps your students start a new year connecting to math. Students will make new connections with math and become familiar with understanding math word problems. 

2. Students Get a Set of Strategies. 

They will learn new plans and strategies to implement problem solving. Students will become proficient at reading math word problems and using these key problem-solving skills to find a solution. Teaching these strategies will improve your students’ reading skills too. 

3. Students Grow into Problem Solvers. 

They may just find themselves getting better at reading math word problems, solving, and sharing with others how to implement problem solving strategies. Training your students to practice daily will help them become better problem solvers.




It’s simple to get started. Download the Challenge today!

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Happy Teaching!

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Math Activities 50th Anniversary

Did you hear about the 50th anniversary coming up? 

Do your students love incorporating science into math? 

Are you preparing for a Moon Space Unit? 

Over fifty years ago three men did the impossible. They orbited the moon twelve times, then on the thirteenth orbit, the Lunar Module separated and landed on the Moon. 

Apollo 11 Moon Landing 

Aldrin and Armstrong had done it. They successfully landed on the Moon. A historical event. They were the first humans ever to land on the Moon. But the story doesn't end there. It was like Christmas morning, they were so excited they had arrived on the Moon that they skipped their scheduled rest. They had just travelled four days through space and were supposed to rest? No. They suited up. Where were they going? To take the first Moon walk. 

The First Moon Walk 

You probably have heard Armstrong's famous speech at least twice, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Such an amazing accomplishment for the United States! Share this year's 50th anniversary with your students. 

Download Click >>HERE<<

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Activities

The Apollo 11 Moon Landing Math Activities for grades 3, 4, 5 will engage your students in the history of science with math content. Activities include Lunar Landing passage, Making a Moon Landing, and Apollo 11 Math. Students will enjoy watching the Moon Landing video and responding to the historic event.

Download Click >>HERE<<

Students can also create their own lunar landing module. This is a low prep project that can be differentiated for students. Provide engaging learning memories that your students will never forget. 

Happy Teaching!

Earth Day Math Activities

Are you preparing for April 22?

Do you teach Earth Day Math?

Do you want to engage your students in Earth Day math activities?

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Did you know that over 1 billion people celebrate Earth Day? You can too! The Earth Day Math Activities packet that will keep your third, fourth, and fifth graders engaged! Not only is it PACKED with grade level math problems, it also gives students fun coloring, puzzles, and problem solving. Use this packet for bell work, classwork, extra credit, fast finishers, or homework.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Earth Day Math Activities Packet Features: 

*7 different Engaging Math Activities
*FUN activities and puzzles centered on reviewing math curriculum.
*Packed with 3rd, 4th, 5th grade common core math problems for review and practice. 
*HIGH QUALITY CLIPART is included 
*Topics covered: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Operations with Money, Number Sense

Create Earth Math Activity Project

Activities Included:
-Earth Day Math (2 Versions with answer key)
-Recycling Math {with answer key}
-Recycling Rates {with answer key}
-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! {with answer key}
-Numbers Puzzle {with answer key}

-Earth's Land Area {with answer key}

-Create Earth {project}

I hope your students enjoy these math activities on Earth Day. Learning how to reduce, reuse, and recycle are key to keeping our planet ours for a long time. Taking care of your belongings is a great life lesson. Apply the mathematics of Earth Day and how it this helps your community to reduce, reuse, and recycle. 

Happy Earth Day!

Fast Finishers Center

I’m done, now what do I do?

Have your students asked you this question?

Do your fast finishers know what to do when they’re done with a task?



Creating a space for fast finishers will have a positive impact on your classroom. Students will know where to go and what to do independently.

Rules for Fast Finishers

Before students go to the fast finishers’ space you need to establish rules. You can have them show you their work, then go to the fast finisher center or they can go on their own after they’ve finished. This should be a smooth transition and not a distraction.

Creating a Space

It doesn’t have to be a very large space or table. Enough room for a bin but not more than a table for four people. In an upper elementary setting this might be a table for puzzles, task cards, and activities. In middle school it might be a bin where students pick up an activity to work on at their desk independently.

Choosing the activities

Picking the right activities is key. Students should want to visit the fast finishers area and be engaged with the content. Puzzles and pattern blocks are great brain activities to challenge and engage students. Do you need manipulatives? I've included affiliate links to the manipulatives I use. 

Click here for Pattern Blocks.

Click here for Large Numbered Dice. 

Do you need fast finisher puzzles? You can download these fast finisher activities today! Click HERE.

Happy Teaching!

Valentine's Day Elementary Math

Do you want to engage your students in Math on Valentine's Day?

Do your students enjoy activities and puzzles?

Click HERE to download 

These Valentine's Day Elementary Math Activities are NO PREP and ready to keep your third, fourth, and fifth graders engaged! This packet is just plain fun. Not only is it PACKED with grade level common core math problems, it also gives students fun coloring, puzzles, and problem solving. 

Other teachers have used this packet for morning work, class work, or fast finishers. There are nine different activities that students can complete independently and review key math skills. All activities are centered on reviewing Upper Elementary math curriculum. 

Click HERE to download. 

Topics covered: Addition, Subtraction, Operations with Money, Multiplication, Division, Operations with Decimals, Area, Geometry, Graphing on a Coordinate Plane and Adding & Subtracting with 3 or 4-Digit numbers

Activities Included:

-Valentine's Math (2 Different Versions with answer key)

-Valentine's Menu (rubric only)

-Valentine Equations (2 Different Versions with answer key)

-Dinner Dates (2 Different Versions with answer key)

-Find Sweet Prices (answer key)

-Spin & Send! (2 Different Versions with answer key)

-Find the Candy & Arrow (2 Different Printable Games)

-Number Puzzle (answer key)

-Valentine's Day Heart Area (answer key)

Click HERE to download. 

Get your students engaged in Math this Valentine's Day! From buying gifts to calculating dinner costs, there are many teachable math moments.

Happy Teaching!

Christmas Math Grades 3 to 5

Do you want a fun Christmas Math review?

Do your students need to review multiplication and division?

Do you want a NO PREP holiday bulletin board display with student work?

Click HERE to download 

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? These Christmas Multiplication and Division Coloring Pages feature coloring problems to create Candy Canes and Christmas tree pictures. 

Click HERE to download

THIS CHRISTMAS MULTIPLICATION & DIVISION PACKET FEATURES:

*2 different Engaging Math Activities (2 different color versions each)

*1 Version of Candy Canes (Multiplication by 2-digit numbers. Ex: 9 x 98)

*1 Version of Christmas Trees (Division by 2-digit numbers. Ex: 810 ÷ 90)

*3 different Banners to hang on a Bulletin Board

*NO PREP, Print & GO Activities! (Only materials needed: 3-5 different colored crayons or markers, and a pencil).

*FUN & rigorous activities centered on math curriculum

*HIGH QUALITY CLIPART is included

*Topics covered: Multiplying & Dividing by 2-digit numbers

*Engage your students in Math for the Holidays!

Click HERE to download 

Have fun this holiday season with your students and engage them with extra practice of multiplication and division. Every student enjoys coloring and creating mystery pictures. With multiple options for students to create, the pictures will all be unique to each student.

Happy Teaching!