Hey Reader,

Here's a look at what's inside this week's STEAM up! ⤵️

💡 Tip of the Week: It's not just tape

📲 Let's Get Social: Awesome hack that'll save you 💰

💻 Blog of the Week: 10 Simple & Fun STEM Ideas for March

🧠 Featured Resource: How to master fluency WITHOUT timed tests

🌟 Freebie: Fluency Math Game

💡 Tip of the Week

What is that tape in your classroom for?

I use this tape to create a human number line, measure distance, and line students up in their spots. Our number line starts at zero so students can see that it has no value.

When adding and subtracting, I give students opportunities to interact with the number line so they can feel that each "hop" has a value.

No measurement was needed because I used the tiles to help me space it evenly. 😄 If you have carpet or a super nice floor without tiles, I suggest using a yardstick to measure it evenly.

I love using the painter's tape because it comes up easily yet doesn't come off easily. I use Sharpie to write each number on the number line. We've also used mini number lines around the room to practice skip counting by 5s, 10s, and 15s for telling time.

Here's the exact tape I use in my classroom (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/42kdHPe

📲 Let's Get Social

This is one of my favorite teacher hacks! I know it might look weird if you don't know what it's for, but it's an affordable hack that I won't give up on.

🔗: Check it out on IG here!

💻 Blog of the Week

This March, let's turn the classroom into a playground of imagination with "10 Simple and Fun March STEM Ideas." From celebrating reading with puppetry to engineering with Pi, these activities will captivate and educate. Who said learning can't be a blast? Dive in and discover the joy of STEM this March.

🔗: Read the blog post HERE!

🧠 Featured Resource

This is the time of year when it becomes so important to master math fact fluency. Let's get real about procedural fluency—it's more than just following steps; it's about doing it efficiently, flexibly, and accurately across all math domains. We've got to ensure every kiddo gets it conceptually because that's when the magic of reasoning happens.

When they're puzzled, mistakes creep in. So, let's mix it up with a variety of strategies, not just one-size-fits-all algorithms.

Our students should be like strategy ninjas, able to swap tactics when the first one doesn't cut it. And hey, those basic facts? They're not just rote memorization; they're about understanding relationships and using reasoning. It's time to rethink assessments too—ditch those timed tests that only stress kids out.

Let's use observations with these games to see if they really got it! When we do it right, our students will be problem-solving pros, choosing the best strategy for the task at hand, not just mimicking what we showed them. Let's make it happen!

This mini-bundle of addition and subtraction games gives students multiple low-risk opportunities to practice a variety of strategies.

🔗: Click here to shop this mini bundle today!

🌟 Freebie

Just in case you're unsure about whether or not these addition and subtraction math games are for you, I've got a sample game for you to try. This game is ideal for introducing how to play to your students. Once you learn how to play, you can play all year with any of my K-5 Math or Grammar games.

🔗: Claim your FREE Game here!