The Gift of Math

Hello all-

After all of the merry-ness of yesterday it is a full out, unapologetic pajama day today.  The rainy weather hitting the east coast just makes my PJs that much of a better choice. 

I was cleaning off the old Canon and realized there are so many pictures I haven't shared with you.  One such event is "The Gift of Math".  It is a festive bulletin board that I use for those students who are done in five minutes when you planned 20 and to review the different skills we have already learned this year.  

The display consists of a paper Christmas tree that I attach ornaments and lights to.  It looks like this.....

Oh so festive, isn't it?

Here is a Hanukkah present

Around the tree there are 6 presents that I made using Disney Scrapbook paper that I found at Michael's.  I made these presents a few years ago and laminated them for durability.  However, I had to change some of the presents to align with the new Math Common Core but that was an easy fix.  

The scrapbook paper looks like wrapping paper and I used
scraps to make ribbon.

The back of each present has a multi-step Math problem that reviews skills that we have already learned so far in the year.  Most of the problems require the application of more than one skill and in many cases my students refer back to their Math binder to review their notes on the different topics.  This helps to keep all the Math skills alive all year long.  I incorporate many activities like this to allow my kids time to review the skills so that we are never putting past skills away in the deepest parts of their brains.

Here are some examples of the questions behind the present.

I try to include teachers from the building,
this one is about my blogging buddy Kelly!

I love to create festive thematic activities for my kids (and me) even in fifth grade!  Hope you had a very happy holiday!

Damien