MATH MADNESSBy: Chelsy DeLaney

Money ProblemsProblem Solving Station

Goal: The goal of this activity is that first graders learn the concept of money and how to figure out money problems. The goal is that when in first grade we can present a simple math money problem, and the students will be able to use their problem solving skills to solve the money math problem.

This book is about an entrepreneurship, a how-to that celebrates the thrill of the marketplace without shying away from its cold realities; and a parable about persistence." A lemonade stand in winter? Yes, that's exactly what Pauline and John-John intend to have, selling lemonade and limeade--and also lemon-limeade. With a catchy refrain (Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LIMEADE! Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LEMONADE!), plus simple math concepts throughout.

What You Do:With this activity, it can be done in small groups, individually, or as a class. The directions are still the same:

1. Read the money math problem from the board if working asa class, or from the flip chart itselfif working individually or as a small group.

2. Set up the problem. Does this problem involve addition,subtraction, multiplication, or division?

3. Solve the problem.

To Create the Flip Chart Cards:1. Take 10 note cards, write out 10 different math related

money problems on one side2. Solve the problem, write the answer along with your

work on the back.3. Punch a hole in the corner of all of the cards4. String cards onto the binding ring clip.

Materials Needed:(To Make The Flip

Chart Cards)•Construction Paper•Note Cards•Pencil/Pen/Markers•Binding Ring Clip•Hole Punch

Materials Needed:(If working as A

class)•Set of Flip Chart Cards•White Board•Dry Erase Marker

Home-Made Manipulative

Grater Than < Less Than GameNumber Operations Station

Goal: Compare and order numbers in this fun math card game. Perfect for first grade, partners will work together to evaluate whether or not a number statement is true. Grab a deck of cards and make your own inequalities! This is a fun way to practice the important skill of assessing number value. Children will gain confidence in ordering numbers... an essential building block for other vital math concepts.

Materials Needed:•A deck of playing cards for each player•Pencil•Paper

What You Do:1. Make 3 inequality indicators for each player, each one featuring one of these symbols: <, >, and =

2. Each player should remove the face cards (jacks, queens, kings) from the deck.

3. Players will take turns dealing their deck of cards and selecting from their inequalities.

4. First, one player will select from his 3 inequality options and set it down.

5. Then, the dealer will lay out two cards from his deck, face up and making sure to place the cards down in the order they are dealt, from left to right.

6. Players should then determine whether or not the statement made by the cards is true. If a player's inequality using the greater than or less than sign (<, >) is correct, they earn 3 points. If it's incorrect, they must subtract a point.

7. If a player's inequality using the equal sign (=) is correct, they earn 15 points. If it's incorrect, they don't gain or lose any points.

8. When no more cards remain, add up your scores to see who's won!

Is your age more than 5?Is it less than 10? Eddie's got to guess. And he doesn't want to be wrong! Eddie has a booth at the school fair, guessing people's ages. He hasn't guessed wrong yet, but if he does, he gets dunked. Can Eddie keep guessing right -- and keep from getting wet? Comparing whole numbers and understanding what's more and what's less are a big part of Eddie's strategy, and an important math skill for young readers to learn.

Wisconsin FractionsAlgebra Station

Goal: Winter brings with it cold, snow, and sometimes, cabin fever. Despite the frigid temperatures, it’s important for children of all ages to stay active and get lots of exercise and fresh air. First grade bodies are full of energy, and it’s important that they get a chance to get the wiggles out! In first grade, children are introduced to fractions. This is a new concept for them, and one that takes lots of practice to fully absorb. Following recipes with simple fractions is a good way to give your first grader some practice with this new concept.

What You Do:1. Fill each spray bottle ¾ full of water. Have your child complete this step, and review the concept of fourths in the process. Have him use the dry erase marker to mark lines on the spray bottle so that it’s divided into four approximately equal parts. Then remind him that the fraction ¾ means “three out of four parts.” Ask him to point to the line that represents 3/4., before filling the bottle with water.

2. Add drops of food coloring to tint as desired. (The darker the color, the better the effect in the snow.) Make one color of water for each bottle

3. Bundle up for some outdoor fun! Take the spray bottles outside and test them to be sure they are working well. Then have your child use the snow paint in a variety of different ways for some great exercise and fun. While you are playing, have your child keep an eye on how much water is left in the spray bottle. When does it get down to 1/2 full? What about 1/4 full? To get started, here are some wintry day activities to try with your snow paint:

4. Dress the Snowmen Relay: (for two groups of players) ;Make two plain snowmen, side by side. Divide into two groups, and line up opposite the snowmen, the spray bottles at the front of the line. Race to see who can “dress” the snowman (paint him from head to toe) first!

Materials Needed:•Plastic Spray Bottles•Food Coloring•Water•Dry Erase Marker

This fun filled book about math fraction problems, takes the fear out of math and puts the fun back in.

Shape Up 4 TwisterGeometry Station

Goal: Shape Up 4 First Grade Math, is an interactive game that is perfect for children in 1 st grade, this game combines shape, color, and motion with a review of basic shape terms that will be especially useful in math later on, when kids move to studying three dimensional shapes and early geometry. More importantly, it gets kids writing and reading, by inspiring them to take an active role.

Materials Needed:•Construction Paper (Various Colors)•Child safety scissors•Crayons or markers•1 metal paper fastener•Scotch tape•Pencil•Lined paper

What You Do:1. Set the stage. Use crayons or markers to draw 2 of each of the following shapes: square, rectangle, triangle, diamond, circle, & star. Make them fairly large—at least 6-8” across, and use plenty of different colors of paper. Then lay them in rows on the floor.

2. Make directions. Create a list of directions. Write them on a sheet of lined paper. Examples: "Place your right hand on the ____ ." "Place your left hand on the _____ ." "Place your right foot on the ______ ." "Place your left foot on the ______ ." "Move your right hand and place it on the _____ .”

3. Make a spinner. Use crayons and construction paper to create a paper spinner showing each of the colored shapes they have created. Draw a circle on white paper, and divide it into sections using a pencil. Color each section with one color crayon. Draw a picture on each colored section to match the shapes they created. Then cut out an arrow from another piece of construction paper, cut it to fit the spinner circle, and fasten it at the center with the paper fastener.

4. Play! Play the game by reading a direction from their list. Then spin the spinner to determine which colored shape they will land on. Continue until they have identified all of the colors and shapes..

When Matt and Bibi are locked inside an Egyptian pyramid with only each other, their dog Riley, and geometric hieroglyphics to help them find their way, the twins must use their math knowledge to solve the riddles on the walls and locate the burial chamber.

My Pumpkin Math BookMeasurement Station

Goal: This math activity book is a whole lot of fun. Kids will experiment with weight, measurement, buoyancy, scientific illustrations, texture, predictions and counting. This Pumpkin Math Book is designed to reinforce important first grade math skills in an interactive and interesting way.

Materials Needed:•String•Tape•Scissors•Stapler•Large glass bowl filled with water•Markers•Scale•Small hand-held pumpkin•Pumpkin Math Book (Printable)

What You Do:1. Print both pages of the Pumpkin Math Book and

carefully cut along the dotted lines. Arrange and staple the eight-page pumpkin math book.

2. Color the cover.

3. Weigh your pumpkin and record. Be sure to label (pounds, kilometers, ect)

4. Measure the circumference of the pumpkin with string and tape it into the book.

5. Circle the words that describe the texture of your pumpkin. Add your own describing words too!

6. Make a prediction about whether your pumpkin will float or not. Test your pumpkin in the bowl with water. Record the results.

7. Complete the pumpkin pattern.

8. Count the stripes on your pumpkin.

9. Draw your pumpkin. Add a face!

In this classic book, a winsome, winning inchworm is proud of his ability to measure anything under the sun.

Summer FunData Analysis Probability Station

Goal: Draw some educational value out of a summer stocked full of adventures! Using a simple bar graph, children will get to keep track of all their fun activities. The best part is, they won't even realize they are getting invaluable math practice in the bargain!

What You Do:1. In preparation for this activity, keep a small notebook with the child. Each day ask the children to list what they have done that day, from swimming in the pool to singing along with the radio -- anything and everything that she feels worthy of remembering. Do this for one week.

2. When the week is over, total up the various activities.Draw the axes for a simple bar graph. Along the bottom axis, help list the activities. Now number the side axis. Make sure the numbering goes high enough to count whatever activity was done the most.

3. How many times did you do the first activity? Draw a bar for that on the graph that reaches to the appropriate number. Repeat, using a different color, for each activity.

4. Now that they made the graph, help them understand what it shows by asking her which activity was done the most, the least and if any were done with the same frequency.

Materials Needed:•Notebook•Pen/Pencil•Crayons/Markers•Plain White Computer Paper

Two comical creatures go crazy with graphs in an imaginative look at organizing information. Young readers can learn about bar graphs, pie charts, Venn diagrams, and more. Details about how each graph was made are shown at the end plus instructions for students to make their own.