The first few weeks of school are all about getting to know each other and establishing routines and procedures. However, I think that getting started with the curriculum from the beginning makes teaching and reviewing routines much easier. If you’re struggling with finding elementary math teaching resources to kick off your school year, you’re in the right place.
These resources will help you get to know students as mathematicians during the first few weeks without having to start the year with tests (yuck!). You can learn about your students and what they know by observing them as they complete the following activities.
Set Group Norms
We both know the importance of setting expectations with students, and that is especially true at the beginning of the year. That’s why this first elementary math teaching resource is focused on setting expectations. (I got the ideas for this math teaching resource from YouCubed’s Week of Inspirational Math.)
If you plan on using small groups throughout the year, you don’t want to skip this activity. Start by asking students what they need or want from others when working in groups. You’ll make two lists: things they like and don’t like that people say or do in math groups.
For example, students might say they want their group mates to be kind, and they don’t want their group mates to goof off the whole time.
You can have students talk with a partner first to get them warmed up and their ideas flowing. Then, have students raise their hands to share their responses. You can jot these down on the board and then later transfer them over to an anchor chart.
At the beginning of the year, you’ll probably need to refer to this chart a lot as students get re-familiar with group work. You can also turn the chart into a small poster or bookmark that students keep in a folder or in the activity tub. You might even make it a routine that students review the expectations before group work begins.
Place Value Activities
You might not have place value at the top of your to-teach list at the beginning of the year, but I’d consider rethinking that! Place value can help with lots of other concepts throughout the year, so having this foundation will help students succeed in the future.
One of my favorite elementary math teaching resources is riddles. As students solve math problems, they uncover letters which give them the answer to a riddle. These riddle activities are a fun way to ease into the school year, and they also allow you to observe how well students know place value.
Plus, it’s another opportunity for students to practice working in pairs or groups, so you can continue reviewing group work expectations.
I like to use the Place Value of 2 & 3 Digit Numbers for 3rd grade, Place Value to the Thousands with 4th grade, and Place Value to the Millions for 5th grade.
Want even more place value practice? Try this Free Place Value Mat. You can laminate a class set of these and use it throughout the year or have students put them in their binders to access whenever they need!
Escape Rooms
If I had to pick my favorite elementary math teaching resource for back to school, it would have to be escape rooms. Escape rooms are a really engaging way to check what your students know at the beginning of the year. You can also use it as a check for understanding after reviewing content from the previous year.
Once again, it will also give you an opportunity to practice group work routines and expectations. I typically like to have groups of three to four work on escape rooms together. Make sure to set the expectations before students begin and give students space to make mistakes when they are getting familiar with this new activity.
Some of my favorite beginning of the year escape rooms are Adding & Subtracting 2 Digit Numbers, Adding & Subtracting 3 Digit Numbers, Multiplying 2 Digit by 1 Digit Numbers, and Multiplying 3 Digit by 2 Digit Numbers.
The beginning of the year is always chaotic and tough, but you also get to meet a brand-new group of students! I hope these elementary math teaching resources helped you think of some fun and hands-on ways you can review procedures with students while also jumping into the curriculum.
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