Blog - Core Inspiration

Latest from the Blog

Practice Modeling Fractions on A Number Line With This Unique Math Game

One of the greatest roadblocks when identifying and modeling fractions on a number line is the ability to visualize how to partition a number line into equal shares. A powerful way to strengthen this skill is to give your students time to physically manipulate a number line. The game Number Line Dash can help you do just that. The Objective of Number Line Dash This two-player math game will help your students become masters in modeling fractions on a number line. Their goal is to use a number line to model the fraction they “flip” before their partner models theirs. How To Set Up This Math Game Have students find an open space to play on the floor or on a table. They will need: Each face card has a special value for this game. How To Play Number Line Dash Make Modeling Fractions on A Number Line Easier For

Fractions on a number line model with movable paper clips to help students practice modeling parts of a whole equally

Bring Hands-On Learning To Your Fraction Unit With These 3 Unique Ideas

What do you think of when you hear/read the phrase “hands-on fraction unit”? When you first hear the words “fractions” and “hands-on” your mind probably jumps right to making fraction strips with your students or those magnetic pie pieces that you attach to your whiteboard while you teach students about parts of a whole. This blog post is not about those things. All three of the ideas I’m sharing today will give your students the opportunity to experience fractions in ways that are unique, and engaging, and truly help them build a strong foundational understanding of fractions concepts. Get ready to learn three new ideas for making your fraction unit a more hands-on learning experience. Give Every Student Their Own Reusable Fraction Strips Fraction strips. They sure are helpful for building an understanding of parts of a whole, but boy do they require a lot of organization…and coordination for young

Core Inspiration morning work Number of the Day 3rd Grade Binder page with a whiteboard marker and eraser.

How To Check Morning Work More Efficiently

The key to correcting morning work in a way that’s easy and seamless is to use a format that’s consistent each day so your brain doesn’t have to adjust to a new format as you’re checking student work. This also makes it easier for your students to complete their morning work independently so you have time in your schedule to take care of housekeeping tasks before the first lesson of the day. If you are looking for a consistent, reusable format for math morning work, check out these Number of the Day Binders. Students will quickly become familiar with the process for completing each activity and the open-ended skill work included on each page makes differentiation effortless for you each day. A Clear, Silent Signal To make checking work a calm and seamless process, have students who are done give you a silent signal that communicates they are ready to

Blog Post About An Effective Morning Work Routine For Elementary Teacher

An Effective Morning Work Routine For Elementary Teachers

A calm and consistent morning routine in your classroom sets the tone for the day. You will notice your students are happier, more peaceful, and far more productive when you start each day with the same routine. A consistent format for your students’ morning work is one of the most powerful ways to make this happen. Here are a few tips to make your daily morning routine something that brings you joy and peace, and sets the tone for learning every single day. Quick Prep For Morning Work Before Your Students Arrive Create a visual checklist that names everything students will do to complete their morning routine. This checklist should be on display when your students walk through the door. Will it likely be the same every day? Yes, most days, the checklist will be the same. On days when it isn’t, students will immediately notice and be eager to

8 Math Projects Your Third Graders Will Love

If you want to incorporate a project based learning component to one of your 3rd grade math units this year, but you’re having trouble deciding on a project, you’ve come to the right place! All eight of these math projects are designed with third graders (and their busy teachers) in mind. Each of the resources listed below makes prepping for project based learning a breeze and makes implementation seamless. These projects are presented in guides that feature detailed visual instructions on each page, making it possible for students to complete their unique projects with maximum independence. You know what that means…you’ll have the time you need to teach or reteach essential math skills to small groups or provide scaffolding to students who need it most while your students are engaged in meaningful work that helps them dig deeper and apply the skills they’re learning in math! Click the project that

Quadrilateral City Is A Geometry Project That Sparks Your Students’ Excitement for Learning

Project based learning can help you transform your 3rd grade geometry unit into the most memorable math unit of the school year. Your students are going to love applying their knowledge about the characteristics of quadrilaterals as they complete the project Quadrilateral City! Rather than spending time on worksheet after worksheet trying to memorize the properties of quadrilaterals (only to forget them soon after) your students can be fully-immersed in a geometry simulation that really brings their learning to life and helps those polygon characteristics stick for good! This resource is perfect for third grade classrooms, but can also be used as enrichment for second grade learners. Let’s take a closer look at this geometry project based learning resource. Project Overview During this project based learning unit, your students will be invited to create a new layout for Quadrilateral City’s town square. Quadrilateral City is a place where everything from

A Telling Time Math Project with A Narrative Twist

Your telling time unit is the perfect opportunity to connect math to the real world in a creative way. Rather than having your students complete worksheet after worksheet in an effort to master reading clocks and telling time, bring your math unit to life with an engaging hands-on project! If you’ve been wracking your brain trying to think of a creative way to bring more excitement to your telling time unit, look no further. The project based learning unit Time of Your Life will be your new go-to resource. The organization, standards alignment, and cross-curricular connections have all been planned out for you so you can focus your energy on the most important (and fun) part of your job…the teaching! The Time of Your Life project guide makes differentiation a breeze and is perfect for both second and third grade classrooms. Let’s take a closer look at this telling time

Camp Array Architects Multiplication Project Overview

A Camping-Themed Math Project That Makes Multiplication Practice Fun

As a third grade teacher, it sometimes feels like you are teaching multiplication and division skills for nearly half the year. While students work to understand all the properties of multiplication and memorize all their math facts, you may feel like they need a little dose of fun to mix up your math routine. The good news for you is you don’t have to sacrifice rigor and standards-based learning while bringing excitement to your multiplication unit this year! Simply use the math project Camp Array Architects. As your students work on this project, you’ll see them loving every moment of math while you collect high-quality assessment data for your multiplication and division unit. This resource is perfect for third grade classrooms, but can also be used as enrichment for second grade learners. Let’s take a closer look at this multiplication project based learning resource. Project Overview During this math project

Math Workshop Hands-On Games Q&A Roundup

We have reached the final week of our Math Workshop Q&A Series. This week I’ve gathered the most commonly-asked questions I receive about the Hands-On Rotation of Math Workshop. Here’s a refresher on the question categories I’ve shared each week during this blog post series: Mini Lessons (Week 1) Meet With the Teacher Rotation (Week 2) At Your Seat & Technology Rotations (Week 3) Hands-On Games Rotation (Week 4) If you’re just joining us and want to catch up on the previous posts or if you prefer to see all the questions in one place, I’ll send you a PDF with the full collection of questions from this series. Simply click here to let me know you’re interested. Let’s jump into our final question category: Hands-On Rotation (Math Games). Part 5: Hands-On Math Games Questions Q: Do you use games from your curriculum, or do you find them elsewhere? The

Math Workshop At Your Seat & Technology Rotations Q&A Roundup

We are heading into week 3 of our Math Workshop Q&A Series. This week I’ve gathered the most commonly-asked questions I receive about the At Your Seat Rotation and the Technology Rotation of Math Workshop. Here’s a refresher on the questions I’ve been focusing on each week during this blog post series: Mini Lessons (Week 1) Meet With the Teacher Rotation (Week 2) At Your Seat & Technology Rotations (Week 3) Hands-On Games Rotation (Week 4) If you’re just joining us and want to catch up on the previous posts or if you prefer to see all the questions in one place, I’ll send you a PDF with the full collection of questions from this series. Simply click here to let me know you’re interested. Let’s jump into your questions about the At Your Seat & Technology Rotations. Part 3: At Your Seat Rotation Questions Q: What do your students

Back of the classroom with an open oval-shaped small group table

Math Workshop Meet With the Teacher Q&A Roundup

Each week this month, I’m taking time to share a collection of the most commonly-asked Math Workshop questions I receive. Today, I’m jumping into the second category of questions which are all focused on the Meet with the Teacher Rotation of workshop. Here’s a refresher on the types of questions I’ll be focusing on each week during this blog post series: Mini Lessons (Week 1) Meet With the Teacher Rotation (Week 2) At Your Seat & Technology Rotations (Week 3) Hands-On Games Rotation (Week 4) If you prefer to see all the questions in one place, or you want a printable version where you can add your own notes, I’ll send you a PDF with the full collection. Simply click here to let me know you’re interested. Let’s jump into your questions about Meet with the Teacher. Part 2: Meet With the Teacher Questions Q: What materials do you use

Math Workshop Mini Lesson Q&A Roundup

When sharing my love for Math Workshop over the past several years, I’ve answered more questions than I can count from thoughtful elementary teachers who are excited to implement this framework in their classroom. I’m taking time this month to share a collection of the most commonly-asked questions I receive. Some of these questions might be your own…whether you’ve had the time to send them in or they’ve been lingering in the back of your mind. I hope this series of posts will serve as an easy reference for you as you implement Math Workshop in your classroom. Each week, the questions will be focused on a different portion of Math Workshop: Mini Lessons (Week 1) Meet With the Teacher Rotation (Week 2) At Your Seat & Technology Rotations (Week 3) Hands-On Games Rotation (Week 4) If you prefer to see all the questions in one place, or you want

Latest from the Blog

Practice Modeling Fractions on A Number Line With This Unique Math Game

Bring Hands-On Learning To Your Fraction Unit With These 3 Unique Ideas

How To Check Morning Work More Efficiently

An Effective Morning Work Routine For Elementary Teachers

8 Math Projects Your Third Graders Will Love

Quadrilateral City Is A Geometry Project That Sparks Your Students’ Excitement for Learning

A Telling Time Math Project with A Narrative Twist

A Camping-Themed Math Project That Makes Multiplication Practice Fun

Math Workshop Hands-On Games Q&A Roundup

Math Workshop At Your Seat & Technology Rotations Q&A Roundup

Math Workshop Meet With the Teacher Q&A Roundup

Math Workshop Mini Lesson Q&A Roundup

Practice Modeling Fractions on A Number Line With This Unique Math Game

Bring Hands-On Learning To Your Fraction Unit With These 3 Unique Ideas

How To Check Morning Work More Efficiently

An Effective Morning Work Routine For Elementary Teachers

8 Math Projects Your Third Graders Will Love

Quadrilateral City Is A Geometry Project That Sparks Your Students’ Excitement for Learning

A Telling Time Math Project with A Narrative Twist

A Camping-Themed Math Project That Makes Multiplication Practice Fun

Math Workshop Hands-On Games Q&A Roundup

Math Workshop At Your Seat & Technology Rotations Q&A Roundup

Math Workshop Meet With the Teacher Q&A Roundup

Math Workshop Mini Lesson Q&A Roundup

Find what you need

Facebook Community

Receive Weekly Tips