Saturday, November 29, 2014

Math Mountain Sorting Mats


Practice! Practice! Practice!
I am a true believer that practice will help a student better retain their learning! I am not a huge fan of worksheets that have a large number of equations. I much rather have students engage in cooperative learning, which allows for students to practice and teach one another. Using sorting mats the children worked in teams to place math facts on the corresponding mountain. They each took turns reading their math facts aloud and explaining why the fact belonged on the mountain. It was interesting to watch and hear them help correct each other. I smiled to myself as they strengthened their learning all while "playing a new game". Get your very own set of Math Mountain Sorting Mats here.  

New Bundle of Math Mountain Sorting Mats and Math Mountain Practice Mats Available Now!

Math Mountain Practice Mats


My Firsties have been working hard to show ways to construct and deconstruct numbers to 10. Our math program, Houghton Mifflin Math Expressions, uses Math Mountains to demonstrate building numbers. Using these engaging practice mats the children were able to work in partners to practice and show their understanding. I had the children use blocks to build a number on the mat and then record their findings on math facts recording sheet. I enjoyed hearing the children explain their thinking and prove their answer to their partners. I had to pull them away from the activity for recess! :) I will definitely be using these mats again to re-enforce their new mathematical understanding during our small group time.  Get your own set of Math Mountain Practice Mats here!