Stop Relying on Luck: How Efficient Planning Can Save Time and Streamline Your Math Lessons

It's finally March! I don't know about ya'll, but January and February felt like an entire year up here in the snowy Northeast. I am beyond ready for flowers and sunshine (and maybe some lounging by the pool wouldn't hurt, either!) 


But with warmer weather always comes the teacher guilt. All I want to do is spend my weekend outside, enjoying the fresh air...yet, I find myself attached to my laptop planning all. the. things. 

So, I am here to help you do the unthinkable. Even without magical powers (unless caffeine counts as magic!), teachers everywhere can plan, prep, and be ready for super fun and meaningful activities without sacrificing that precious free time. 

You're probably on the edge of your seat wondering what this sorcery is. The secret is simple. Prep once, do twice (or thrice, or...whatever four times is.) See, if you find resources that you print, laminate, and cut once, but can use for a bunch of activities throughout the week, you can cut your prep and planning time down a ton!!

I was always a visual learner, so, let me show you how this is done. Take this resource from my TPT store, TheElemenoPreK. This Rainbow Write-The-Room activity is already a steal at a buck (teacher score!) but it's a real powerhouse when it comes to being reused in different ways. 




Activity One: Write-The-Room

Use as a write-the-room (obviously). 
Hide the rainbow cards throughout the room - painter's tape is great for this!
Students walk around the room, with a recording sheet...I laminate mine and use dry erase markers...and practice writing the numbers that they find. 



Activity Two: Table Top Number Practice

  • Stack the cards face down. 
  • Flip the top card. 
  • Count the rainbows and write the corresponding number. 



Activity Three: Comparing Numbers

Use the rainbow cards as a visual to teach comparing numbers. 
Introduce the concept of more than and less than. 
In small groups, play WAR using the rainbow cards. 


Activity Four: Find the Gold Coin Game

Lay the rainbow cards on the floor or place them in a sentence strip holder. 
Have all the students close their eyes while you hide the gold coin.
Ask students one at a time (I love using pick sticks for this!) to guess which number they think the coin is hiding behind. 


Activity Five: Use In A Sensory Bin

Place the rainbow cards in a bin of colored rice, noodles, or beads. Add gold coins and pots for extra fun! Have students search for specific numbers or let them make up their own game. Here, we matched the rainbow cards to our tens and ones sticks. 


Using the cards in a salt tray, working on number order, making a number line, using them with ten frames...the possibilities are endless if you really want to stretch your resources. 

So, go ahead. Slather on that sunscreen and get going into the great outdoors. Enjoy you leisure time guilt free!

Happy Teaching!

Marisa at TheElemenoPreK