Fast Finishers

This Fast Finishers measurement project focuses on calculating area through designing a posh pet retreat, with two picky owners that have very specific needs for their new business. Students will design floor plans that incorporate all of the demands. This project is designed for advanced students who might need a project to work on when they finish their classroom work early—with little to no instruction needed from the teacher. Included are four extension ideas to do after students finish

Your primary students will love dreaming, researching, and creating their very own zoo! Usable by a full class or small group, this project has students researching a zoo animal of their choice, calculating food costs, recording habitat needs, and more! As the final activity for this project, students should be directed to either draw or build their zoo exhibit, making sure to include a short essay about the important information they found such as habitat, diet, and cost. I also had my stu

Here's a quick handout for students working on the Fibonacci Sequence. Students use their prior knowledge of the Sequence to determine salary at a new job, and make decisions based on different scenarios. Which salary will they choose depends on what they discover!

This fun I Have, Who Has takes a new spin on the familiar game. Rather than going one number at a time, this version asks students to skip count a short series (three numbers at a time), then ask their peers "Who has the next three numbers?" There are 18 cards, enough for each child in a SAGE (small class size) classroom to have at least one card. This could also be used in a small group setting. If you like this style but need more cards, I would be happy to make one for you that goes hig

Need a project for your fast finishers? Send them to Mr. Tiddlebug, who is an elderly gentleman looking to build a retirement home for himself and his dog. This project focuses on area on a smaller scale, and lasts only a couple of days, depending on how much time students have to work. Extend the activity by having students actually build their house plans! Students will need graph paper to complete this project. They may also need a computer, if they wish to print out pictures of furnit

Roll the dice and use just the right operations to reach the target number! Get a partner or small group and roll three dice. Using each number you roll only once, try to create the target number using addition or subtraction operations. You can use both operations or just a certain type-- whatever gets you to your target number. You might not necessarily be able to reach the target on your first try-- but try to do so in fewer rolls than your partner(s)! Each “hole” has a certain number fo