Top Teachers Blog Swap and Hop

I am so excited to be joining in on the Top Teachers Blog Swap and Hop! I know you are going to love reading all of the posts by us! Be sure you go and read my post over on Making It As A Middle School Teacher!

Who says middle school math can't be fun? I sure don't.  I learned long ago that text books were meant to be used as a "lap desk" when working on activities on the floor, as a booster for your chair, or to use as a makeshift carrel when playing Battleship. I build or find games and activities for every  lesson I do in my class. Some tend to think that many things are too elementary for secondary students, that students will think it's too childish for their age. There is one thing I know for sure, if you present things in a fun and exciting way, students will love it. One of the great activities I incorporate to reinforce skills, is to make (what my class calls) fortune tellers or (what I've seen others call) cootie catchers. I found a book of these fortune tellers, but they were geared (as are most fun activities) towards much younger math students. I decided to start making them myself using the skills my students are working on at the time. It is a great way to get students to work a few problems without them realizing they are actually "practicing math." These great games motivate even the most reluctant math learners. They are self-checking, leaving the teacher to moderate all groups much easier. I also use these in a class we call Focus, which is a second, remedial math class that some of our students have to take.

I generally allow students to pick their own partner. My thought process (right or wrong) is that students are more likely to enjoy, therefor be more open to learning, by being partnered with someone they want to be partnered with. They will also not be as afraid to try (with the possibility of making a mistake) working out problems that they would generally skip over if working alone, or refuse to do if working with a partner they aren't comfortable with.

I like to have two different fortune tellers per group. They should have the same skill, but different problems. After folding the fortune teller, they will take turns solving one of the problems. One partner holds the fortune teller while the other partner chooses a number. Partner one folds the fortune teller in and out the number of times partner two called for. Partner two chooses one of the problems to work (all problems must be worked, so they can not call a problem they've already worked). Partner one checks the answer by lifting the flap for the answer underneath. If I am wanting to make sure they are working the problems, or are wanting to make sure they have the concept mastered, I have them fill out a recording sheet as they play. The following are step-by- step instructions for folding the fortune teller.

Cut out along the black, outside lines.

With printed side down, fold each of the corners to the center.

Flip the fortune teller upside down.

Fold the corners into the center again.

It should look like this.

Fold it in half, and open back up.

Now fold it the other way and then open it back up.

Put your fingers into each section.

The funny thing is, is that your students probably already know how to fold these (anyways mine did). There is only one caution with letting your students do this activity.........be prepared for them to want more. Here is a free one that I've made for operations with integers. I have also included a blank one so that you can make your own.

Here is a link to my freebie fortune teller.

 Here is a link to a blank fortune teller so that you can use it for any skill you are working on. You can use the fortune teller above as a template for where and how to place the problems and answers.

These are not limited to just math, but can be adapted to any subject and any topic. I hope your students enjoy them as much as mine do.