Fish Bowl Review Game

Because this week is a crazy one (the week after state testing and the week before Spring Break) I knew I needed to find some ideas to keep my students engaged and motivated.  I had found this post  a few years ago and planned on using it with my 7th graders, but I never got the chance.  I thought it might be fun to try out this week with my 4th graders!

Remember those carnival games where you throw a ball into a box filled with cups hoping to win a giant stuffed animal?  This game is based on that.

I made my fish pond using soup cans my students had brought in for an earlier in the year science project.  You could also use red Solo cups (my original plan but I forgot the cups at home!).


Each student had a white board and a dry erase marker.  I gave them math problems to solve. They earned 1 point for a correct answer and the chance to earn extra points by getting their ball into the cup.

They had an absolute blast and I got to review multiplication and long division with them.  Win Win!

And speaking of winners... here are my winners with their hard earned prizes!

 I am linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday.

Easter Egg Showdown - Reviewing Division Game

This week I got a newsletter from Laura Candler which reminded me of an activity that I hadn't done in quite awhile.  Showdown!  I didn't even realize how long it had been until I pulled out my eggs...

Yep - that was from 7th grade math.  I haven't taught 7th grade in almost 2 years!

Well luckily Laura has division  problems in her Easter Egg Showdown which was a perfect review for my 4th graders.

When they came in from lunch, this is what they saw.

They were so excited to see Easter Eggs on their desks.  The best part?  They weren't even disappointed when they found out they were filled with math problems!

Each table had a team captain who opened the egg and pulled out the problem.  They read it out loud (a great way to practice since they like to reverse the divisor and the dividend when reading them) and placed them on the table for all to see.  Each team member answered the problem on their board and placed them face down when finished.  The captain called, "Showdown" and they shared their answers.  When they finished all of their eggs, they traded eggs with another team (which saved me copies!).

They had a blast!

Workshop Wednesday - Daily Math Review

I am linking up with
Jivey for Workshop Wednesday! 
Today is all about collaboration and bragging on others.  I knew I had to post about this topic because I am forever indebted to all of the wonderful teacher bloggers and TpT'ers out there who help to make my teaching practice better and better everyday.  I have purchased so many items and used so many ideas from so many wonderful people out there that it is hard to narrow it down to just one or two!

One thing that has been a mainstay and time saver (read life saver) has been
these spiral math reviews
 from Love, Learn, Teach.

I have bought each set separately as she has released them, but you can get
 the whole set here.

I have used them as both a spiral review and as homework.  At the beginning of the year, we used each week in the numerical order.  Then about week 4 or so, I started sending home the first week as an additional review and homework. I love the fact that we have covered geometry and measurement all year long (along with fractions, multiplication, division, etc.). I also love the fact that I haven't had to make them myself!