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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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!

Middle School Math Card Sorts - Grade 8

Do you want your students to deepen their understanding? 

What are your students struggling with in math?

Getting students from struggling to mastery doesn't happen over night. Growing their understanding is a process. Card sorts are a great activity to get your students thinking about the why's and how's of the math. Students make sense of word problems and the steps to solve them.    

Click HERE to download

Having students work with partners on card sort activities helps create math talk. When students are verbal about math, they are better able to sort through their understanding and draw a conclusion. The card sort picture above is of an eighth grade sort called Writing Linear Equations. Students start with a problem and work through all the information provided. The goal is to get students to create and write linear equations. The process in getting there is broken down into three steps, finding the points, slope, and graph to write the linear equation. Students make sense of the information provided and link all the parts together to write the linear equation. Each card sort activity goes through the process of math discovery to mastery. The lesson units are intended to help you assess how well students are able to understand each grade level standard. 

Included in each lesson are:

• Directions, grade level common core standards, and mathematical practices

• Formative assessment (pre-test) task

• Card sort activity with concept development 

• Extension activity for students to deepen their understanding

• Summative assessment (post-test) task

• Answer keys for all the assessments and activities

Click HERE to download

Get your students thinking and mastering more math concepts this year. Engage your students in a math sort to deepen their understanding. Students can work independently alone or in groups to accomplish the tasks. Watch as your students go from struggling to mastery of math. 

Happy Teaching!