Scaffolding Math Guru
667 Followers
Orange, California, United States
About the store
For nearly three decades, I've had the incredible privilege of guiding young minds through the captivating world of Pre-Algebra. My students have included sixth, seventh, and eighth graders with unique strengths and challenges, including Limited English Proficiency, Special Education, and limited math skills. Alongside this rewarding role, I've dedicated countless hours to providing engaging staff development in scaffolded approaches to middle school math and upper elementary teachers in my District.
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Seeing the Connection: A Visual Approach to Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
Do your students need to build a conceptual understanding of how fractions, decimals, and percents connect to each other? That's precisely what this ready-to-use, classroom-tested resource offers. Students develop a solid grasp of fractions, decimals, and percents through a visual approach that connects pictures, words, and the numeric representations of these concepts. This resource concentrates on the most frequently encountered fractions, decimals, and percents: fourths, tenths, and hundred
5th - 8th
Decimals, Fractions, Math
Engage Early Math Finishers w/ Challenging Puzzles: Order of Operations and More
Are you seeking a way to engage and challenge your “early finishers”? Or do you need a substitute teacher activity in a pinch? Your search ends here! These five puzzles allow students to hone their skills in order of operations, substitution, and one-step equation solving. The fun and engagement peak when they are required to complete the puzzle, calling upon their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Puzzles 1 and 2: Order of OperationsPuzzle 3: SubstitutionPuzzles 4 and 5: So
5th - 8th
Algebra, Math, Order of Operations
30 Engaging Cross Number Puzzles: Order of Operations, Percents, Integers & More
Are you looking for fun and engaging activities to motivate your students? Do you need a substitute day worksheet? Look no further! These 30 Pre-Algebra cross-number puzzles provide unique and engaging activities covering key topics such as integers, percents, order of operations, solving equations, and much more. Each puzzle includes 20 problems that range from easy to challenging, ensuring students' success in getting started and challenging them as they progress. Key Topics Covered:Integer
5th - 8th
Math
Food to Introduce Variables, Combining Like Terms and Distributive Property
Are you looking for a fresh, differentiated, and scaffolded approach to introduce expressions and variables? Look no further! Using food as a learning tool, students dive into variables, expressions, combining like terms, the distributive property, and substitution, all while having fun! You will love the carefully scaffolded worksheets, starting with simple expressions and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. Students develop a strong foundation in expressions and variables as they
4th - 7th
Math
CCSS
6.EE.A.1
, 6.EE.A.2
, 6.EE.A.2a
+1
40 Activities to Master Equivalent Fractions, Decimals and Percents with Ease
Do you want to make the whole idea of equivalent fractions, decimals, and percents a breeze? Then this eBook is for you! It's packed with fun, engaging activities and cool visuals that make these math concepts all click together. Your students will love it because it helps them connect the dots between what they see and what they read regarding fractions, decimals, and percents in a fun and unique way. It’s a real time-saver! This eBook comes with 40 ready-to-use, printable activities, whic
5th - 8th
Fractions, Math
Engage Early Math Finishers with Fun Pattern Cross-Number Puzzles
Are you seeking a dynamic solution to keep your 'early finishers' engaged and challenged? Or perhaps you need an engaging activity for substitute teachers at a moment's notice? Your search stops here! Our collection of three puzzles is designed to sharpen students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they tackle these fun and challenging pattern puzzles. Each puzzle features a set of 20 patterns, varying from simple to challenging. Check the preview for details and examples! Ver
4th - 7th
Arithmetic, Math
CCSS
4.OA.C.5
, 5.OA.B.3
Algebra Tiles + Worksheets for Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Are you searching for an effective and engaging way to teach solving multi-step equations with variables on both sides? Look no further! This comprehensive resource includes 88 ready-to-use animated teaching slides that guide students through a step-by-step process of solving multi-step equations with variables on both sides. These slides effectively bridge the visual representation offered by Algebra Tiles with the mathematical steps required to solve multi-step equations. Alongside the teachin
6th - 9th
Algebra
CCSS
7.EE.B.3
, 7.EE.B.4a
, 8.EE.C.7
Scaffolded Activities: Exploring Graphing Linear Equations Through Patterns
Looking to engage your students with activities that help them grasp the concepts of linear equations, slope, and y-intercept? This introductory, scaffolded resource is precisely designed for that purpose. It employs patterns to introduce these fundamental concepts, demonstrating how growth slope, y-intercept, t-tables, and graphing linear equations interconnect. Prep is quick and easy! The 14-page lesson plan guides you on introducing each concept using guiding questions to introduce key patt
6th - 9th, Adult Education
Algebra, Graphing
CCSS
8.EE.B.6
Adding and Subtracting Integers with Hot Air Balloon and Vertical Number Line
Are you searching for a fun and engaging resource to help students develop a conceptual understanding of addition and subtraction of integers? Look no further! During the Hot Air Balloon unit, students use a hot air balloon and a vertical number line as manipulatives to deepen their understanding of addition and subtraction involving integers. Students love moving the hot air balloon up and down along the vertical number line as they evaluate different expressions. In doing so, they not only e
5th - 8th
Math
CCSS
6.NS.C.5
, 6.NS.C.7
Integer Operations Activities: Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing
Searching for engaging and scaffolded activities to teach integer operations? Look no further! This resource simplifies the learning process by adding integers with money, tiles, sea level, and number lines, followed by word problems. It also covers subtracting integers using the 1-2-3 method and multiplication and division with a guided discovery of the rules. It begins by modeling the addition of integers using multiple representations: money, tiles, sea level, and number lines. This helps
6th - 8th
Math
CCSS
6.NS.C.5
, 6.NS.C.7
, 7.NS.A.1
+2
Using Hundredth Chart to Compare, Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide Decimals
Are you in search of a ready-to-use and engaging tool for teaching decimals? In this meticulously scaffolded resource, students will grasp the concepts of decimal comparison, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by utilizing a hundredth chart. Each worksheet is thoughtfully designed to guide students from the visual to the conceptual, with every page designed as a graphic organizer. You will love how this resource is thoughtfully scaffolded, commencing with tenths and their vari
4th - 7th
Decimals, Math
CCSS
5.NBT.A.3
, 5.NBT.B.7
, 6.NS.B.3
Order of Operation Practice without PEMDAS: A Scaffolded and Conceptual Approach
Want your students to learn and practice Order of Operations beyond just memorizing rules? Then this is for you! This resource provides a scaffolded and engaging approach that empowers students to evaluate expressions by representing them through words and pictures. By doing so, they work on their number sense and develop a conceptual understanding beyond rote memorization of rules and acronyms. Your students will love how it builds from one concept to the next, making it easy to understand as
4th - 8th
Math, Order of Operations
CCSS
5.OA.A.1
, 5.OA.A.2
, 6.EE.A.2
+3
Teaching Slides for Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Are your students struggling with the addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators? Look no further! This PowerPoint is a teaching tool to break the process down into clear, step-by-step instructions with a helpful color-coding system. Students can follow along by utilizing the blank worksheets provided, enabling them to learn and practice in a structured and scaffolded manner. Time saving! The 20-slide PowerPoint is ready to use, and presents both addition and subtraction s
5th - 8th
Fractions, Math
Unlocking Rates and Ratios: A Differentiated, Scaffolded, and Visual Approach
Imagine a classroom where learning rates and ratios is not only educational but also fun! That's exactly what this ready-to-use, classroom-tested unit of study offers! Students develop a solid grasp of rates and ratios using a scaffolded and visual approach, learn to solve word problems with ease, and organize their solutions using a graphic organizer. You'll love seeing your students find the answer to each word problem using a picture, a table, and finally, a proportion. Furthermore, this sc
5th - 8th
Math, Other (Math)
CCSS
6.RP.A.1
, 6.RP.A.2
, 7.RP.A.1
+1
Percents: From Multiples to Proportion: A Unique Teaching Approach
Are you looking for a different approach to teaching percents? Look no further! This scaffolded, ready-to-use resource uses multiples to introduce various types of percent problems, employs multiple representations to help students visualize percentages, and culminates with students solving percent problems using proportions. The unit is thoughtfully structured to frontload various percent-related questions, enabling students to comprehend how they connect to the same whole. This approach help
6th - 9th
Math, Other (Math)
CCSS
6.RP.A.3c
, 7.RP.A.3
Less Than and Greater Than Exploration: Making Inequalities Fun with Store Ads
Looking for an enjoyable and fun approach to teaching inequalities? You've come to the right place! This resource offers a creative, hands-on approach to teach and reinforce the understanding of inequalities. By utilizing store and supermarket ads, students identify three products that fulfill the specified inequality and three that do not, reinforcing the concept that inequalities are statements that compare two expressions. Check the preview for details and examples! Students love the thumb
6th - 8th
Algebra, Math
CCSS
6.EE.B.8
Answer “Why Do We Need to Learn This” with Spot the 99 Fails Math Game!
Are you looking for a ready-to-use, no-prep math game? Your search ends here! This resource features a 99-slide PowerPoint, each showcasing a real-life fail. Students are challenged to identify mistakes, ranging from mathematical errors to various blunders. Through problem-solving, students apply their observations and knowledge to pinpoint each mistake. With a range of difficulty levels, this game offers diverse and engaging challenges. Your students will love playing this game! I project the
5th - 8th
Basic Operations, Math
Scaffolded Step-by-Step Percentages Word Problems to Master Sales Tax
Are your students struggling with word problems involving sales tax and percentages? If so, this resource is tailored to meet their needs. It includes guiding questions and step-by-step instructions to help students accurately solve percentage word problems. For additional practice with these guiding notes, this resource includes a PowerPoint with a blank copy for you to add the sales tax percent word problems your students are struggling with. Check the preview for details and examples!
6th - 8th
Math, Other (Math)
Area and Perimeter of Rectangles + Exploring Quadrilaterals Worksheets
Looking for ready-to-use area and perimeter worksheets for rectangles? Your search ends here! This resource provides a variety of activities suitable for teaching, reviewing, practicing, homework assignments, or substitute teacher days. Additionally, it includes worksheets that guide students in drawing and identifying the characteristics of quadrilaterals. You will love the scaffolded approach to the different activities. It begins with measurements in centimeters and millimeters to ensure e
4th - 7th
Geometry, Measurement
BUNDLE: Visual and Scaffolded Approach to Pre-Algebra Using Algebra Tiles
Want your students to succeed in writing expressions, combining like terms and the distributive property? This is the resource you need! This collection of four resources offers a visual, scaffolded, and interactive approach to help students learn, practice, and review writing expressions, combining like terms and the distributive property. Algebra tiles are utilized to introduce these concepts, fostering students' conceptual understanding and building a strong algebraic foundation. Topics c
6th - 9th
Algebra, Math
Showing 1-20 of 86 results
About the store
Experience
For nearly three decades, I've had the incredible privilege of guiding young minds through the captivating world of Pre-Algebra. My students have included sixth, seventh, and eighth graders with unique strengths and challenges, including Limited English Proficiency, Special Education, and limited math skills. Alongside this rewarding role, I've dedicated countless hours to providing engaging staff development in scaffolded approaches to middle school math and upper elementary teachers in my District.
Teaching style
Develop conceptual understanding of mathematical and pre-algebra concepts using scaffolding methodologies, graphic organizers, multiple representations, real-life situations, and group activities.
My emphasis on students is understanding mathematical concepts rather than memorizing rules and procedures.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Presenter at
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics
California Math Council
and other local and state conferences.
My own education history
Bachelor in Computer and Information Science
Masters in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction
Single Subject Credential in Mathematics and Spanish
Additional biographical information
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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