Elementary Math Chat

When it comes to test prep, the week before testing is crucial. There is so much you want to review but so little time left to do so. How do you decide what to cover in your whole group lessons? Should you pull small groups, and if so, what lessons should you review? What type of activities should students work on? I'll answer all of those questions and more.

In this week's episode, I share how I used the data from the practice test I discussed last week to help me quickly plan my test prep week. I explain what I did for my whole group lessons, small group activities, and choice boards.

You'll learn about a unique choice board, called a TEAM-work activity board, that helped my students get the extra practice they needed on heavily tested skills and how I held them accountable for their work.

I also share an idea for a morning meeting topic that will have you covered for an entire month in the Teaching Tip of the Week.

Related Blog Posts:

4th Grade Math Test Prep Kit

Resources Mentioned:

Test-Taking Strategy Posters

Free and Editable TEAM-Work Activity Board

Test Prep Kit on TPT

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode31.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Ready or not, test prep season is here! If you're feeling a little anxious or unsure about the best way to prepare for state testing, I've got you covered! I'm dedicating the entire month of March to helping you prepare your students for state testing.

This week kicks off a 4-part series that will each cover a different phase of preparing for state testing. I'll share what I did in the early stages of test prep, the week before testing, including a Glow Day, and ideas for the day after state testing.

In this week's episode, I explain the importance of planning a test simulation day for students. The purpose of this day is to get out their jitters, review special rules and strategies specific to state testing, answer all of their questions about testing, and practice taking a timed test in an environment similar to state testing.

I also share my go-to time-filler in the Teaching Tip of the Week.

Resources Mentioned:

FREE 5 Special Rules for State Testing Posters and Editable PowerPoint

FREE Test-Taking Strategy Posters

Test Prep Kit

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode30.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

This time of year can be a challenge when it comes to handling classroom behavior. Rules that were once set in stone seem to be tested on a regular basis. Routines that were once seamless seem to be strained. You may feel like you've lost control of your entire class.

Well, teacher friend, it's time to take back that control, and you don't have to be a drill sergeant to do so.

In this episode, I discuss 3 common problem areas my class struggled with and the unique and fun ways I addressed them. I explain how I used friendly competitions, challenges, and games to improve transitions, work at a reasonable voice level, and follow simple directions the first time they are given.

I also share a teaching tip for adding fractions with like or unlike denominators in the Teaching Tip of the Week.

Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 28: Why You Shouldn't Handle Student Behavior Alone and What To Do Instead

Episode 23: 6 Things NOT To Do Before, During, and After Your Observation

Resources Mentioned:

Behavior Assessment

Test Prep Kit

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode29.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

If you are seeing a spike in student behavior issues this time of year, you are not alone. This long stretch without a break combined with too many indoor recesses can do a number on student behavior.

In this episode, I take you through the steps I took when handling student behavior issues and how I relied on my support system for guidance. I share what to include in your conversation with students, a behavior self-assessment form to give students before speaking with parents, and suggestions for resolving common issues you might be having with students.

I also share a tip for how parents can help their child at home with multiplication facts in the Teaching Tip of the Week.

Resources Mentioned:

Behavior Assessment

Marble Sensory Toys (This is an Amazon affiliate link. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through this link helps support the podcast.🙂)

Test Prep Kit

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode28.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Multiplying fractions is no problem, top times top and bottom times bottom…it's that simple, right? Well, not always.

In this episode, I share teaching tips, strategies, and activities to help build conceptual understanding of multiplying fractions. You'll hear tips for adding engagement to these lessons along with common mistakes you can expect to see.

Topics include:

-Multiples of unit fractions (4th grade)

-Multiples of non-unit fractions (4th grade)

-Multiplying fractions by whole numbers (4th and 5th)

-Multiplying fractions by fractions (5th grade)

I also share a unique idea for a small group activity in the Teaching Tip of the Week.

Resources Mentioned:

Multiples of Fractions Work Mat

Animal Puzzles (for small group activity)

Test Prep Kit

Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 20: 5 Kagan Strategies to Boost Engagement and Build Community

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode27.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Manipulatives are an essential part of elementary instruction. For years my go-to manipulatives were base 10 blocks, fraction tiles, and pattern blocks. That all changed when I attended a Greg Tang conference and learned about the magic of unifix cubes.

Previously, I thought these were better for primary grades, but he opened my eyes to all the ways upper elementary teachers can use them. Once I began using them with my students, they quickly became my favorite manipulative!

In this episode, I share 5 upper elementary math skills that you can teach with unifix cubes, including basic division, prime and composite numbers, mixed numbers and improper fractions, subtracting mixed numbers, and patterns.

For each skill, I explain how to use the unifix cubes and tips to help your students build conceptual understanding.

Don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week where I share a classroom management tip for using unifix cubes.

Related Blog Posts:

Subtract Mixed Numbers with Regrouping Using Unifix Cubes

Resources Mentioned:

Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Unifix Cubes Task Cards

Subtracting Mixed Numbers PowerPoint Lesson

Subtracting Mixed Numbers Work Mat

Test Prep Kit

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode26.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to spread the love and plan a few heart-themed activities! In this week's episode, I share two of my favorite Valentine's Day-themed activities that you and your students will love!

The first is a restaurant simulation where students experience what it's like to order at a restaurant, pay for their meal, and receive change. In addition, they play the role of a server, take someone's order, calculate the total cost of the meal, and decide how much change to give their customer. Use real menus from actual restaurants and decorate your small group table to create a realistic Valentine's Day dinner!

The second is a festive Valentine's Day craftivity, Fraction and Decimal Hearts. These hearts will showcase what they've learned about fractions and decimals and are the perfect display in your classroom or hallway for February!

Finally, I share a fun activity to help students understand the need for common denominators in the Teaching Tip of the Week.

Resources Mentioned:

FREE Ordering at a Restaurant Simulation

Fraction and Decimal Heart Craftivity

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode25.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

There are so many things to consider when planning for your observation. Will you use the lesson from the workbook or create something from scratch? What kind of activities will you plan? Will you use manipulatives? Will your students work in groups?

It's no wonder that planning for your observation can feel overwhelming!

In this week's episode, I share 6 things to make sure you do when it comes to your teaching observation. You'll hear tips for planning and delivering your lesson as well as managing student behavior. These tips will hopefully help you feel a little less nervous and a lot more confident when your observation rolls around.

Don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week, where I share tips to find ambiance videos to play for every season, not just the crackling fireplace during wintertime.

Resources Mentioned: FREE Lesson Plan GuideCreate a Crossword Puzzle

Episodes Mentioned: Episode 2: 5 Tips to Help Build a Lesson Plan in Minutes

Related Blog Posts: 5 Tips to Build an Effective Lesson Plan in Minutes

Favorite YouTube Ambiance Videos by Season:

Fall Themes:

Cozy Witch Cottage

Thanksgiving Fireplace

Autumn Thunderstorm

Winter Themes:

Winter and Snow

Christmas Lights with Light Music

Christmas Reading Nook

Spring Themes:

Leprechaun's House

Spring Morning with Campfire

Summer Themes:

Tropical Beach with Fireplace

Fireplace on the Beach

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode24.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

No matter how long you've been a teacher, it's normal to get nervous before an observation. They are a big deal, and you want them to go well!

So, how can you motivate your students to behave? How can you make sure your lesson is engaging and effective? What will you do if you have any issues with technology? I discuss all of this and more to help you kick the nerves and feel more confident when your teacher observation rolls around.

In this week's episode, I share 6 things NOT to do before, during, and after your teacher observation. You'll hear tips for the planning stages of your lesson, what to do if something goes wrong during your lesson, and how to handle a disappointing observation.

I also share personal mistakes I made during my evaluations and how I turned those mistakes into valuable lessons.

Don't miss this week's Teaching Tip of the Week where I explain an idea for a Morning Meeting topic, perfect for the Monday after a long break!

Resources Mentioned: No Yell Bell *Amazon Affiliate Link. There is no extra cost to you, but purchasing through this link helps support the podcast.

Related Episodes: 5 Kagan Strategies to Boost Engagement and Build Community (EP20)

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode23.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!

Do you struggle with what to do with your early finishers? In a perfect world, all of your students would finish everything at the exact same time, and you wouldn't have to worry about this. But the reality is, you're going to have students who finish early, and you don't want to give them busy work to keep them occupied. They'll probably fly right through that as well!

In this week's episode, I share 6 early finisher activities that are low prep on your end and highly engaging for students. These activities will get their creative juices flowing and provide opportunities for students to continue learning. Several activities, when completed, can even become early finisher activities for the future!

I also share an idea for a low-maintenance bulletin board in this week's Teaching Tip of the Week.

Resources Mentioned: Open Middle PuzzlesCreate a Math Game Checklist Create a Crossword Puzzle FREE Problem of the Month Template

To view the show notes with the full transcript, head to https://krejcicreations.com/episode22.

P.S. Has this podcast been helpful for you? If so, screenshot an episode, add it to IG, and tag me @krejci_creations. This helps spread the word to other teachers!