Engaging Games and Easy Assessment to Boost Multiplication Fluency

 I hope you’re having a sweet start to your summer holiday! Wherever you are, I hope that you’re calm and rested. And if you’re teaching multiplication, I hope that you find engaging activities to use with your students.

Fact Fluency Time

You’re buying freeze pops for your class. You left your roster at home, so you decide to do some quick math to figure out how many freeze pops you need to buy. You know that you have 6 students sitting together in table groups and 5 table groups total. How many students do you have altogether? How many freeze pops should you buy? Hopefully, you know how to multiply 6 X 5 to find the answer, but your students may not! They may need a multiplication refresher. 

For somel students, multiplication is difficult. So why not give students more practice this winter? 

Assessment

My Multiplication Fast Facts Bundle features activities with multiplication facts for numbers 0-12. Featuring timed tests with 100 problems per page, tons of games to practice multiplication keywords, a multiplication table, and a graph to chart growth, this resource is just what you need to help students practice multiplication skills. When it comes to ESL learners, teaching vocabulary keywords is so important. The games included with this bundle are not only engaging but also meaningful ways to allow ESL learners to practice using content language for math. Watch as their vocabulary and their confidence rises with these activities.

Multiplication Freebie

Looking for ways to supplement for your Spanish-speaking newcomers? Try this set of 0-1 Multiplication Games in Spanish for FREE. Discover how helpful it is for your Spanish-speaking newcomers to make connections between their first and second language by using this freebie alongside the English bundle. 

Teaching newcomer students content can be intimidating, but don’t take the easy way out by giving them busy work. I challenge you to find ways for them to engage with the content this summer. It just takes baby steps. Feel free to check out any of the resources in my shop or reach out for help. I never mind pointing you in the right direction.

Let’s teach!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OUR MULTIPLICATION RESOURCES, GAMES AND ACTIVITIES!

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❤️ 6 Idioms for July! Can you feel it?

 

It’s July and summer is here… we have 6 idioms for you ☀️…can you feel it?

In this blog post, we delve into a bouquet of 6 idioms that capture the essence of July’s rejuvenation, growth, and renewal. Ahh!

Teaching idioms is important because they help students understand how people really speak and write in everyday situations.

Even though idioms don’t always follow regular grammar rules, they show up all the time in stories, conversations, and classroom talk.

When we teach idioms, we help our students make sense of tricky phrases and build stronger vocabulary. It also gives them a peek into how language works in fun and creative ways, which makes learning more meaningful and engaging.

⛄️ 1 of 6 idioms: “A Cold Day in July”

Use this silly saying when you’re talking about something that’s never going to happen — like pigs flying or recess lasting all day! It’s a playful way to express that something is very unlikely.

Example:
“It’ll be a cold day in July before my students stop loving snack time!”

Ready for a few more idioms for July?

☀️ 2. Hotter than a firecracker in July

Use this phrase to describe something or someone extremely energetic, excited, or even angry — just like a sizzling firecracker on the Fourth of July!

Example:
“She was hotter than a firecracker in July when she found out the field trip got canceled!”

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🍉 3 of 6 idioms:. Knee-high by the Fourth of July

This saying originally referred to how tall corn should be by July 4th — but now it’s often used to talk about progress or growth, especially when things are right on track.

Example:
“Our classroom kindness chart is knee-high by the Fourth of July — we’re making great progress!”

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🎆 4. Like fireworks on the Fourth of July

This idiom means something exciting, showy, or full of sparkle and attention — just like those colorful fireworks bursting in the sky.

Example:
“When the students presented their projects, it was like fireworks on the Fourth of July!”

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🧺 5 of 6 idioms:. Full as a picnic basket in July

Use this fun expression to describe someone who’s very full after eating or a situation packed with good things.

Example:
“After the class party, I was as full as a picnic basket in July!”

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🌞 6. Soaking up July like sunshine

This phrase describes enjoying something to the fullest, just like you’d enjoy a warm, sunny summer day.

Example:
“Our class is soaking up learning like sunshine in July!”

Read more about teaching idioms here!

I hope you love ❤️ these idioms as much as I do and have fun teaching them to your students!

As we wrap up this look at the idioms of July, let’s remember these phrases as little gems of wisdom we can teach our students and carry with us.

They remind us of the relaxing summer time that July brings. Let’s keep using these expressions to add color to our conversations and to inspire us to embrace new opportunities.

With each saying, let’s celebrate the richness of language and the timeless truths it holds.

Catch you later! 😉

Looking for time-saving tips and tricks for teaching math and ESL? Sign up for my email newsletter to get free teaching resources and helpful strategies right to your inbox! Click here to sign up.

Let’s Teach! Lori

Need an organized curriculum for your ESL students for an entire year?  We have you covered!

Learn more here!

PARCC Practice - High Quality Questions For Grades 3-5

By: Greg Jusinski
3rd-5th Grade



I am excited to bring this PARCC bundle pack to you.  I created a product that will allow you to expose your students to the rigor and language of the PARCC. The problems in this bundle pack are presented as problem of the day and are great for discussions. They can be used as assessments, homework, some have even used them as a passport activity! You get all of the math CCSS included in this pack. I have used these in my classroom for the past few months and my students have greatly enhanced their math skills, changed their thinking, and are now justifying and modeling their work...a teacher's dream if you ask me!


The best part is that this pack also informs the teacher about certain aspects of the PARCC, such as the different question types, the language they use, and the fluency timed section. If you click the picture below it will take you to the PARCC Math Bundle at my TPT store. I also have a freebie if you'd like to try it out! 

Check out some testimonials from other teachers:

"It's that time of year & thank heavens for this product! Up until now, the only resource out there that looked like PARCC was PARCC! Not even textbooks or sample tests offer the same level of questioning to which students are exposed. This bundle has so many uses: spiral review, test prep, higher level thinking, centers, math journals, homework, etc. Great value for a year's worth of CCSS. As a K-5 specialist, I bought bundles at EVERY grade level to ensure kids are prepared for what lies ahead in just a few weeks!" - The Maen Teacher (TPT Seller)


"MOST AMAZING RESOURCE EVER. Bought it for 3rd grade and now I teach 4th, so I bought it again!" - Buyer


"This product was a life saver! It was a great resource to use in preparing students for PARCC. I'm switching grades so I am excited to see that there is one for 5th grade. I can't wait to use this throughout the year. I really enjoyed how you had Type I, Type II and Type III questions. It gave my students an understanding of how the questions can vary. Great product!!" - Devon M.

"This is by far one of my favorite resources for my my students. I like how the type of question is indicated along with the standard. The questions keep students engaged and thinking. It is really beneficial." -Buyer


"This problem of the day resource is INCREDIBLE!!! I love how it gets the students to understand/think about math in a deeper context. Thanks SO much!!!" - Cheryl W.

"These PARCC practice problems are awesome! Thank you so much for making them. I would gladly buy more if you feel like making a volume II for third grade:) 
Thanks for all your hard work...worth every penny." -Jennifer R.

Click the link below to access these products:

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Language Arts & Math Lessons: St. Patrick's Day

By: Krystin McGahan
Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade

Visit the entire unit here

Visit My Store Here

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day: St. Patrick's Day math and 

literacy activities, centers and games. 

St. Patrick's Day is here so it's time to start planning all things GREEN! Use these St. Patrick's Day math and literacy activities, centers and games to help your class celebrate in March. It's your lucky day...included are 14 activities and 82 pages that will help your students have a memorable and engaging St. Patrick's Day in your class :)

*** This product was updated on 2/11/14 (3 new activities and over 20 new pages added)

What's Included:

Marching in March: An idea for a St. Patrick’s Day parade with printable templates for student bowties, hats, four leaf clover badges and Irish flags

A Visit From Shamus: Get in the holiday spirit when Shamus the leprechaun makes an overnight visit to your classroom leaving behinds a letter and clues for you to help him find his pot of gold. The rhyming clues will take you on a scavenger hunt around the school. Printable writing paper also included for writing extension piece. 

Lucky Number: An addition game with printable game cards included

Lucky Charms Graphing Activity: Use this tasty St. Patrick’s snack to have your students sort, count, graph and analyze their results. Three student printables included. 

Greetings From Ireland: Have your students take an imaginary trip to Ireland where they create a scrapbook upon their return to share what they learned and saw. 10 page student book included.

My Leprechaun: Invite your students to imagine they caught their very own leprechaun. Included is a 10 page printable student mini book where they can share their adventures.

O’Memory: A St. Patrick’s Day vocabulary matching game with 18 colorful game cards included

St. Patty’s Day Journal Prompts and Stationary: 8 printable St. Patrick’s Day themed journal prompt cards and 5 different students stationary pages including one page of extra primary lines. 

Leprechaun Glyph: A following directions, listening activity with printable student page and teacher directions.

Tell Me A Tale: 24 colorful story cards to encourage creative, fictional story writing. Rubric included.

Shamrock Shuffle: A fun interactive math game to get your kids moving... game cards included.

Feeling Green: A great game to gets students to think outside the box. Perfect for a guided reading warm up , centers or small groups. Printable included.

Leprechaun Line Up: A cut and paste ordinal number math activity with black and white students activity pieces. 

Go McFishing: A St. Patrick's Day twist to Go Fish. Black and white and colored game card sets both included. 


By: Krystin McGahan

"Fun With Fractions"

3rd Grade
By: Greg Jusinski

Fractions can be a very difficult concept for 3rd graders, especially when they are asked to partition a number line and find equivalent fractions! This Fun with Fractions product makes learning these abstract concepts easier and less daunting. It provides excellent opportunities for students to practice these essential fraction concepts. There are also some engaging activities that utilize QR codes in this packet too! Check it out today!

Click here to check it out! 

"Let's Play A Math Game!"

2nd - 4th Grade
By: Greg Jusinski

Le'ts Play a Math Game is the perfect way to make math fun and engaging! This product covers key third grade CCSS, such as fractions, multlipication and division, rounding, addition, subtraction, and so much more! There are four highly engaging activities that will get your kids excited about math! The activities included are: Math Go Round, Divide-O!, Division Bingo, and Fractiontastic. The activities get the students up and moving around. They are great to be used as a whole class activity, small group activity, math centers, for sub work, or even homework! My students love playing these activities and they can't get enough! Come check it out today!

Click here to check it out! 

Language Arts - Valentine's Day Literacy Bundle

Jan'etta Hayden

Grades 1-3

Valentine's Day Literacy Bundle

Are you looking for a low prep bundle to practice

literacy skills? This is for you! Winter Literacy 

Bundle contains 9 learning center games and 16 

worksheets. Each is designed to work

on a specific literacy skill. Including ABC Order,

syllabication, synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech,

capitalization, mixed up sentences, and more.

Click HERE to download this fun and educational resource.

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Cordially yours,

Jan’etta