Math Sculptures Concept Lesson

Math Sculpture

Math Sculptures are a great way to bring hands-on math into your classroom.

Materials:

  • Linker cubes
  • Paper
  • Markers
  • Stickers

Counting Collections

We usually start by distributing linking cubes. Our classrooms have a nice supply that came with our official district math program. We created counting collections that can be shared between classrooms. There are probably lots of ways to organize them. We just simply have them in a big bucket and hand out random fistfuls. Kids are allowed to get more or different colors if they need to.

Creating Sculptures

The kids love building with the cubes and come up with pretty interesting designs. Some kids simply create 3-dimensional patterns, others build animals or flowers. We don’t impose any rules other than not creating models of weapons.
Next, the kids have to take inventory. How many cubes did they use and how many of each color.

Creating Word Problems

Then comes the fun part. Creating math problems with the sculptures. This is the meat of the math sculptures concept lesson. Kids will use the sculptures to create their own math problems. The ability to manipulate the problem with the actual object is incredibly important to develop number sense.

Math Sculpture ExHibition

Last, the class has a math exhibition. We have half the class share and the other walk around and solve the different problems. Presenters give out stickers for each problem solved. The presenters then switch with the audience and this way everybody gets a turn.

Did you try it? Let us know in the comments below. For more fun and engaging hands-on math lessons click right here.

Swamp Goblin and Fairy House Math Game

img_8347

We love to make our own math games, and nothing brings equations home like a game of Swamp Goblin/Fairy House.

The game is very easy to make, and kids get really creative with it. Last time we had pop-up swamp goblins, and fairy houses with working doors and windows.

Materials:

  • Paper
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Scissors

Procedure:

We introduce the concept of true and false equations with a directed lesson. This game aligns very well to the two math programs we are using. The sample in the picture was made as a preteach activity for Eureka Module 1 lesson 17, and as an extension with MyMath lesson Grade 1 Lesson 14.

We show the kids how to fold the paper and go over true and false equations. Each kid prepares their own came and equations. They exchange them and feed the equations to either the fairies or swamp goblins. We send the games home at the end of the day, and the kids love showing it to their families.

Domain: Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Major Cluster: Work with addition and subtraction equations.

1.OA.7 Understand the meaning of the equal sign and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false.

Thanks for stopping by. Check out some of our other math lessons right here.

Haunted Math House

img_8364

Our haunted math houses are a big hit every year. They give students a creative outlet to explore and deepen their mathematical reasoning. The best part is that there is virtually no prep needed for this awesome project.

Materials:

  • Paper
  • Black marker
  • Crayons

Procedure:

We review math stories and then demonstrate how to draw a house with the rooms exposed. The class helps generates ideas for math stories in the haunted math house. Favorites have been ghosts, spiders, and jack-o-lanterns. Sometimes we even act them out.

The materials are then distributed, and the kids get to work. It is amazing to see what they come up with. Some kids make flaps and trapdoors, to make their stories more interesting, others have pop-out ghosts and ghouls.

Once we have introduced this activity we offer it as a choice during math centers.

You can find more hands-on math activities by clicking right here.