Mix and Math

When I first started teaching, I loved how naturally hands-on measurement and geometry topics were. Using rulers, protractors, scales, and measuring tapes felt like an easy way to bring math to life. And while those tools are great for helping students understand the size of units and how we measure, I eventually realized something... They don’t always help students make the leap from hands-on exploration to abstract understanding. I wanted students to not just use measurement tools, but to build a deep, lasting understanding of measurement and geometry concepts. That’s when I started thinking more intentionally about the manipulatives I used. So, what are the best manipulatives for measurement and geometry? We’ve rounded up our top five favorites and how to use them over on Instagram! The best manipulatives aren't just about measuring or constructing shapes--they're about bridging the gap between concrete experiences and big math ideas. So head on over to the @mixandmath Instagram page to check out our favorites. We’d love to hear what tools have worked best for your students! -from Christy at Team Mix and Math

Don’t miss our LIVE virtual event about fractions! Are fractions coming up on your scope and sequence? Because we’re counting down the days until our upcoming virtual event, which is all about fractions! ?? If you’re a Mix and Math 360° teacher, you’re invited to join us on Saturday, January 18th from 11am-2pm EST (8am-11am PST) for an interactive workshop led by Brittany and Christy from Team Mix and Math. In this workshop, we’ll explore what a fraction?really?is and how you can build students’ fraction sense so they have the foundation needed to be successful with operations with fractions. We’ll also talk about the most effective manipulatives and visual models to support students’ understanding of fractions. If you haven’t saved your spot yet, click the button below to register! Not a Mix and Math 360° teacher yet??Click here to learn more and join us: https://lnkd.in/eePTJeuD Register for LIVE virtual event about fractions: https://lnkd.in/eh6TBfQC

If there is one thing we love to keep handy all times in the classroom, it is grid paper! And not just the grid paper you can buy from Office Depot. (Are those even around anymore?) We're talking about?base ten grid paper?which is just a special kind of grid paper where you can clearly see each 10x10 square. It’s a small tweak that makes this kind of grid paper so versatile! You can use base ten grid paper to… ? Represent and compare whole numbers or decimals? ? Make connections between fractions and decimals? ? Model addition and subtraction problems? ? Create area models for multiplication? ? Show how to divide decimals? …and so much more! Take a look at how the area model on the base ten grid paper connects to the open area model. We can clearly see why the open area model works! Sometimes it’s the simplest tools that make the biggest difference. We made base ten grid paper for you to print and keep in the classroom! We’d love to know how your students use it!

Recently, Brittany interviewed Crystal Harris, a fifth-grade teacher and Mix and Math 360° member. Crystal's own experience with math in school left her insecure and confused, and she realized she didn't want her own students to feel the same way. Mix and Math 360°, along with a strong commitment to self-reflection, helped propel Crystal down a path of growth. ??You can read more about Crystal's journey here in the Mix and Math blog! https://lnkd.in/eFbu7XMN #math #handsonlearning #manipulatives #makemathclick #professionaldevelopment? #mixandmath?

Did you know that Mix and Math has a podcast? ?? Check it out to hear Brittany's thought-provoking math conversations with guests like Peter Liljedahl, Juli Dixon, Robert Kaplinsky, and more! You can find all episodes! ?? Here on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eTGrM_ZY? ?? Here on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e9dGKE2m

Kids love talking about REALLY big numbers.??? ?? ?? As a teacher, I used A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars every year to kick off my place value unit. After reading the book as a class I asked my students one simple question… How do you write "one hundred billion trillion" in standard form? They would spend the rest of the class period noticing place value patterns, trying out ideas, discussing, debating, and eventually agreeing on a number. From then on, my students were HOOKED on large numbers and did everything they could to learn about them. As a class, we would have discussions about how our number system works, how we read and write numbers, and the relationship between place values. If you're interested in checking out A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars for yourself, you can see the author read it on YouTube for free! ?? https://lnkd.in/eTSggbVh Oh, and spoiler alert: the number one hundred billion trillion in standard form is 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. It's read "one hundred sextillion” ?? -Christy from Team Mix and Math

We're hiring! ?? We're looking for a part-time graphic designer. If you know anyone who might be interested in applying, feel free to send them this link: https://lnkd.in/ebfgd7Y5

Math content you want. Straight to your inbox. ?? We dive into countless educational resources so you don't have to. Innovative teaching ideas, math resources, and inspiration for 3rd through 5th grade teachers—all in a quick, easy-to-read email. A new one is coming out this week! ?? Sign up for our Mix and Math newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/exj3tS6K #math #handsonlearning #manipulatives #makemathclick #professionaldevelopment? #mixandmath?

If you know it’s waaay past time to pull out all those math manipulatives shoved in your storage closet… But you’re also still:? – Wondering how to organize them ??? – Overwhelmed at the idea of passing them out and cleaning them up ????? – Not quite sure when or how to use them anyway ?? Good news: We can fix this. We’ve wrapped up allll the tips and tricks for creating the ~perfect~ Math Manipulative Management Game Plan in a FREE 5-day email series. And even MORE good news? It comes with all the printables (like these cute bin labels ??) that you need to make it happen. Click the link below to get signed up, and get ready to tackle that giant bag of base-ten blocks way up there on the top shelf. ? https://lnkd.in/ezVSvzvu?

Stop googling! We’ve got your answers! ??? The first step to a hands-on math classroom is having the right manipulatives for the concepts you teach. With so many options, how do you know which ones are must-haves and which ones you can live without? (Spoiler alert: pattern blocks are a must!)?? Discover our favorite math manipulatives for 4th and 5th grade and why pattern blocks are at the top of the list by clicking the link below: https://lnkd.in/gRhmzCRc Fifteen minutes from now, you’ll have a head start in planning for a hands-on school year and you’ll know how to get all our FREE resources for setting up your math manipulative game-plan. ????