As students engage in authentic problem solving, they learn how to apply the mathematics they learn in the classroom to the world beyond! Students must determine who received a greater portion of a tray of brownies in task. -This task encourages students to apply their fraction sense to determine when and how to appropriately multiply and divide whole numbers and fractions. -Additionally, students will compare two unit fractions to determine which is greater. This PowerPoint includes teacher facilitation questions, a guide to understanding the mathematics in the problem, a scaffolded approach to problem solving, and possible solutions. This is the method I use to help my students engage deeply in problem solving and stretch themselves beyond "number plugging" as many students do when they solve a "word problem". I have included a powerpoint version as well as a printable .pdf to fit the needs of your classroom.

X’s and O’s Three in a Row A fun way for students to practice graphing on a coordinate grid while looking for patterns to determine best placement to win a game. This game has two levels of difficulty to allow for differentiation in small group practice or provide two separate whole class activities. Level 1 - Quadrant 1 Graphing Level 2 - All 4 Quadrants

This lesson plan helps students develop a conceptual awareness of divisibility through exploration. Students test a variety of numbers for divisibility (I prefer to let them use calculators for increased reliability) and then look for patterns to develop divisibility rules. Relationships between factors and divisibility become evident as students notice that they can use their understanding of factors to predict what a number may be divisible by. Materials for the lesson include posters for students to write on as they do the activity and number cards to test. The graphic organizer included can be printed in multiple formats so that you can choose how much information you want students to write, vs. what you want to provide for them.

Students practice identifying patterns which use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (and combinations of these operations) by playing this fun, interactive game. Teachers can use this game as a whole group activity or let students play in small groups after modeling the game. Student recording sheet, key, and directions sheet included.

A fun game for students to practice multiplication of one digit numbers. Students place each puzzle piece so that each value is connected to an equivalent value. Pairs of equivalent values should be both vertical and horizontal. It is a self checking puzzle, since it can only be solved completely with correct combinations. Two levels of complexity Level 1: Multiplication with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Level 2: Multiplication with 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 Puzzles with frames are included so that students can solve the puzzles quickly for 10-15 minute station work. Puzzles without frames give students a greater challenge and are more appropriate for group or 15-20 minute stations.

This Magic Puzzle Board is a self checking set of puzzles that allow students to practice converting units of capacity. You can teach this skill in a variety of ways, though I find using ratios and unit rates to be a wonderful lead in for this topic.

This is a self checking puzzle that students love to do! You can customize this puzzle based on complexity or time with 4 options to choose from. If you like this puzzle, make sure to check out my store "The Merry Mathematician" for more puzzles and games for math stations.

8 mazes to help your students practice rounding decimal values to the nearest whole number, tenth, hundredth and thousandth. These are EASY to set up, requiring minimal time for the teacher. Directions are clear and easy to understand so students can focus on the intended math practice.

A fun game for students to practice subtracting integers! Students place each puzzle piece so that each value is connected to an equivalent value. Pairs of equivalent values should be both vertical and horizontal. It is a self checking puzzle, since it can only be solved completely with correct combinations. Two levels of complexity Level 1: Subtracting Positive Integers (Outcomes may be negative) Level 2: Subtracting Positive and Negative Integers Two Puzzle Frame Options -Puzzles with frames are included so that students can solve the puzzles quickly for 10-15 minute station work. -Puzzles without frames give students a greater challenge and are more appropriate for group or 15-20 minute stations.

Differentiated Task Cards To help students develop fluency with Number and Operations with Fractions 4.NF.C.6 Target Skill: Understanding Decimal Notation for Fractions using Models Converting Fractions and Decimals #1-10 Using 100’s Grids to Write Decimal and Fraction Value to Hundredths Place #11-20 Using 100’s Grids to Write Decimal and Fraction Value with Simplifying Fractions #20-30 Using Equivalent Fractions to Convert Fractions to Decimal Fractions to Hundredths #30-40 Using Equivalent Fractions to Convert Fractions to Decimal Fractions Thousandths

Activities for students to practice their skills with decimal values through the thousandths place. Can be used with a whole class, or in stations. Includes: -Modeling with Base Ten Blocks -Writing Decimal Values in Standard, Word, and Expanded Form -Comparing and Ordering -Estimating and Rounding -Addition -Subtraction

Parenthesis Brackets and Braces Differentiated Task Cards (Color and Black/White Option Included) Common Core Aligned These task cards are broken into 4 levels of difficulty, including two levels integrated into base ten topics. Students practice proper usage of these grouping symbols as a precursor to formal Order of Operations. #1-10 (2-3 operations) #11-20 (2-3 operations and embedded grouping symbols) #20-30 (operations/embedded grouping symbols with powers of 10) #30-40 (operations/embedded grouping symbols with decimals) Tips for Classroom Use -Place/Hang these in an area of the room where students can use them when they are finished with other work for extra practice. -Choose the section of these cards which is just right for working in small groups. -Let students check these out for practice at home, a great way to differentiate homework! -Play using gameboards as a station.

Differentiated Task Cards to help students develop fluency in Operations and Algebraic Thinking. This set is designed to help students master the skill of writing and interpreting numerical expressions from number and real world contexts This set includes 4 levels of difficulty and each section includes 5 number only expressions and 5 expressions from a real world context. #1-10 Expressions with one operation and number values given #11-20 Expressions with one operation and variable values #20-30 Expressions with > than one operations and number values given #30-40 Expressions with > one operation and variable values Check out my Parenthesis, Brackets, and Braces Task Cards here: https://www.tes.com/us/teacher-lessons/parenthesis-brackets-and-braces-task-cards-11372976 Check out my Decimal Numbers written in Standard, Word, and Expanded form Task Cards here: https://www.tes.com/us/teacher-lessons/decimal-numbers-in-standard-word-and-expanded-form-differentiated-task-cards-11361745 Check out my Gameboards for Task Cards here: https://www.tes.com/us/teacher-lessons/4-gameboards-for-task-cards-11362054

A quick and easy way to help students recognize patterns in numerical sequences. Minimal set-up required! Easy to understand rules for game play. An excellent choice for math stations! Includes: 12 pairs of “Sequence and Rule” cards Printable backing for cards Procedures page.

Three Activities for stations that students can use to develop their understanding of multiples and multiplication. These activities come with a procedure page, materials if necessary, and a student recording page.

Great for Stations or a Class Wide "Scoot" with Partners! These puzzles are easy to set up and self checking! To set them up just print (two sided), cut them out, and paperclip the sets together or sort into small baggies. Then students can organize them in order from least to greatest. If they think they are in the right order they flip them over and look for the message on the back. If the message makes sense, then they have them in the right order. If not, they should flip them over and try again. A student recording sheet and key is also included!

A fun game for students to practice adding integers with like or unlike signs.. Students place each puzzle piece so that each value is connected to an equivalent value. Pairs of equivalent values should be both vertical and horizontal. It is a self checking puzzle, since it can only be solved completely with correct combinations. Two levels of complexity Level 1: Adding integers with like signs Level 2: Adding integers with "unlike" signs Two Puzzle Frame Options -Puzzles with frames are included so that students can solve the puzzles quickly for 10-15 minute station work. -Puzzles without frames give students a greater challenge and are more appropriate for group or 15-20 minute stations.