Use to model quick and easy ways to build number relationship flexibility

1. Math Activities for Staff Meetings Set #1
(10 minutes or less. Perfect for a “soft opening” as people come in)
Squeeze Source: Van de Walle
Secretly, choose a number. Choose a number below it and one above it that will draw out some good
thinking. Draw an unsegmented line to represent a number line. Place your chosen end points on the
number line. Start task by saying, “My number is larger than (minimum) and smaller than (maximum).”
Take one prediction of your secret number. The prediction, if wrong, becomes the new endpoint. Mark it
with a PostIt. Repeat task with the new endpoints, “My number is larger than (minimum) and smaller
than (maximum).” Continue until a prediction is correct.
Number talk starts or writing prompts: How did you make your prediction? Were you using a strategy?
Was your prediction close to the actual number? If not, how would you adjust for next time?
Grade level adjustments: 1st grade numbers to 100; 2nd grade, use 700s, 800s, 900s; 3rd use fractions to
half, simple decimals; 4th – 6th use fractions and decimals to hundredths.
Take it up a notch: Model student engagement technique by having each staff member record the same
moves on a piece of scratch paper or whiteboard or iPod or tablet. Be sure to model that least the four
minimum aspects: teacher gives task, ensures participation of at least 80%, monitors each response, and
provides corrective feedback.
Counting Around the Class Source: Van de Walle
Counting forward, backward and starting at any number. Play whole class a few times then set a goal of
going around the room quicker and quicker. If you can give more practice by breaking the group into
smaller group size – counting around the table maybe.
Number talk starts or writing prompts: What patterns did you notice? How can this help you with formal
assignments? Could you use this to divide without cranking out a computation problem?
Variations K-2nd Variations 3rd – 4th Variations 5th – 6th
K just experiment with all Use halves and fourths forward Use fractions, mixed numbers
numbers and backward. and decimals, especially
landmarks – 0.25, 0.2, 0.20
1st and 2nd use numbers high in Count by 25s and build as a
their standards (70s through 100) landmark number. Go backwards, through
negatives.
Double any number including
odd numbers. Requires a restart Start with a number in the
when the numbers get large. millions and do 1/10th of a
number.
Take it up a notch: Model student engagement technique by having each staff member record the same
moves on a piece of scratch paper or whiteboard or iPod or tablet. Be sure to model that least the four
minimum aspects: teacher gives task, ensures participation of at least 80%, monitors each response, and
provides corrective feedback.
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Riverside Unified Elementary Education Department: www.elemeddept.blogspot.com www.bit.ly/ElemEdDept www.twitter.com/elemeddept
If you use this document, please le us know how you used it, how it worked, and how you would modify it.

2. Math Activities for Staff Meetings Set #1
(10 minutes or less. Perfect for a “soft opening” as people come in)
Number of the Day Source: Ten Minute Math
Select a number for the day. Ask students to make another representation of that number. When you
start, give students leeway. If you play the game regularly (at least once a week) begin adding
constraints.
Example Day 1: Today’s number is 24. Write any number sentence that has a result of 24.
Example Day 2: Today’s number is 24. Write any subtraction sentence that has a result of 24.
Example Day 3: Today’s number is XX. Write any expression with two operations that has a result of 24.
Example with constraints. (1st or 2nd) Write a number sentence with at least two operations. (3rd or 4th )
must include both multiplication and division; must include one fraction; (5th or 6th ) must include one
exponent; must have the proper order of operations; must include a decimal; must include a fraction that
is not halves or fourths, each new number sentence must be related to the one above it.
Take it up a notch: Choose a winner – the person with the most unique expressions (unique being one-in-
the-class, no one else has it. NOT unique meaning really strange and complicated. Choose a winning table
that has the highest number of unique expressions combined.
Like Numbers Together
Give each student an index card, sticky note, or scratch paper. “Write a number between (minimum) and
(maximum). Now look at everyone’s number and get into groups that are alike.” Have a number talk
about the groups. Record on the board how they are alike. “Now group the numbers in a different way.”
Record. Discuss. Contrast. Repeat.
Take it up a notch: Change to prompt to include a specific type of number. Examples: a number in the
ten thousands, number that can be factored, an odd number; a base number and exponent, a decimal in
hundredths.
Guessing My Number
Tape a number to each student’s back (use index cards, sticky notes, or scratch paper). Have students use
questions to determine their number.
Number talk: What were the last three questions you asked? Why did you ask those? Were you using a
strategy?
Take it up a notch, assign a two minute write: In two minutes, respond to this prompt, “As people tried to
guess my number, I realized ___________________. End your composition with, “The way I finally
guessed my number was ______________________________. Word bank words: estimate hundreds
fraction decimal prediction approximately overestimate reasoning increase decrease
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Riverside Unified Elementary Education Department: www.elemeddept.blogspot.com www.bit.ly/ElemEdDept www.twitter.com/elemeddept
If you use this document, please le us know how you used it, how it worked, and how you would modify it.