Math tools

  

Last week I went to a Guided Math conference with Dr. Nicki Newton. It is always nice to go conferences.  It's especially nice when you can come back with a few new ideas. So of course, last week I had to rush out and make some things to use right away. 
The first one is a number ladder found on Sparkle Box. Then I laminated it and cut small slits in top and bottom and added a pipe cleaner with a small bead.  Then use the bead to slide up and down and as you complete addition and subtraction problems.  SO simple and fun!  I have used a number line but I LOVE this.  It adds another element to the number line and students can actually move the bead to see how to solve the problem.  A must for introducing addition and subtraction.

The next tool is called a Rekenrek.  It is a math tool originally from Holland.  They make then out of boards and beads.  It's like an abscus but with only two groups of 10. You take two different colors of pony beads and then add 10 to each row.  This is so awesome for solving story problems.  Students can move the beads back and forth on the Rekenrek and see how to solve the problem.  So I saw this a couple of month ago on another blog.  Tara West from Little Minds at Work showed how to make Rekenreks using blinds.  SO  I rushed out and made them. 

Here it is.

Well, then Dr. Nicki had use make one using a piece of construction paper and pipe cleaners.  I was like, well duh.  Now they can have one to take home.  I think I would laminate the piece of construction paper first just for durability sake. Here is that one. 

So simple.  I am going to make these for the kids too.

OK the last tool for today.  It's actually more of a game.  It's called Tower Topple.

So you take Dixie Cups write any addition, subtraction, multiplication problem that you want on the inside of the cup. Then you write the answer on the bottom of the cup. 

Then you stack the cups.  The first person takes the cups and reads the problem on the inside of the cup and gives the answer. He then shows the other players the bottom of the cup. If he is right he can begin to build a tower.  If he is wrong the cup goes back in the stack.  I made a subtraction game for my 2nd grade son and he loved it.  It was fun to see how big the tower can get.  I also made a letter one for my four year old daughter.  They both had a blast building the towers and knocking them down.  FUN and cheap and easy way to practice math facts.

Here is a picture of my daughters.