About the store
I've never been able to stick with the textbook...!
I have over 20 years of experience teaching mathematics to middle and high school students, as well as serving as a Math Coach. In these roles, I impacted thousands of students and their teachers in one of Pennsylvania's largest districts. In 2012, I relocated to Austin, Texas, where I've taught Math 8, Math 8 Accelerated, RTI Math, and Algebra I in a 1:1 iPad classroom.
Check out my blog for classroom happenings!
http://www.mathycathy.com
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Properties of Numbers Cut-and-Paste Matching Quizzes: 2 Versions
A twist on the traditional "matching" assessment, these quizzes assess students' understanding of basic number properties. Page 1 is a more challenging assessment, and page 2 assesses more fundamental properties. First, students work together to match specific problems to their corresponding property names. To add higher level thinking, students then create an additional example of each property. Beware! "False Properties" are also included in the mix, and students must critically analyz
6th - 10th
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
Battleship Plotting Points Coordinate Plane Math Competition Game
Students enjoy practicing plotting points by using this activity sheet. Students work in pairs, keeping this sheet from view (I usually use folders or binders, similar to the old-fashioned"BATTLESHIP" game). Each student uses a copy of this page to plot "ships" of specific lengths. Students take turns naming ordered pairs, and respond "HIT" or "MISS" for each pair named. To keep track of one's own guesses, mark this sheet with an "x" for each missed point and a point for each hit. First pla
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Algebra 2, Applied Math
Why is a Negative Times a Negative, Positive? Integer Multiplication Discovery
Use this spin on the typical multiplication tables chart to guide students to discover patterns and, ultimately, generalize the rules for multiplying integers... and if you dare... ask students to consider division while they're at it!
5th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Algebra, Applied Math, Basic Operations
BINGO Translating Algebraic Variable Expressions and Word Phrases
Great activity to keep all students engaged while practicing an all-important problem-solving skill. Students randomly select variable expressions from a list, then the teacher describes each expression in words within a problem-solving context. This practice with translating is a key skill to real-world problem-solving!
You might also like:
Ratios and Rates Graphic Organizer
This Solving Equations "Write-Around"
Linear Systems Problem Solving with Unique Graphic Organizer!
Fractions Pape
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Applied Math, Math Test Prep
"Before & After" Warm-Ups: Promote Reflection About Common Errors
My daily math warm-ups have received a major make-over! This template is a simple way to adapt warm-ups to promote student engagement and reflection.
Present students with a warm-up problem each day. I also recommend using a timer and having a specific number of minutes per day set aside for warm-up time. Next, students individually copy and complete the day's problem in the appropriate space on the left. (Note: To hold students immediately accountable for their first attempt, I walk arou
4th - 12th
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
Middle School Math Warm-Ups Galore! Encourage Error Analysis & Reflection
Included in this bundle are 10 weeks worth of daily math warm-ups. Student versions and teacher versions are included, as well as detailed teacher notes to guide procedures encouraging student reflection and error analysis!
Problems are based on 8th grade math TEKS but may be appropriate for use with grades 6 through 9. Problem types include short answer, multiple choice, and "gridded response". Consider print copies, or use PDFs to annotate on iPads!
I have developed this system of admin
6th - 9th
Applied Math, Math, Math Test Prep
"I Have... Who Has...?" Algebraic Variable Expressions Activity
Translating verbal phrases to variable expressions and vice-versa can be challenging to the new Algebra student. Create a climate of fun with this classroom activity - every student has a turn to speak, and all students must pay attention for their own phrase to be called! Activity cycles back to the first card. Time yourselves to see which class can complete the round the fastest!
You're invited to stop by my classroom anytime at mathycathy.com/blog!
5th - 12th
Algebra, Applied Math, Math Test Prep
MATH 8 TEKS STAAR Review Warm-Ups Galore! Encourage Error Analysis & Reflection
Ready to review for the Math 8 STAAR using bite-sized daily warm-ups? Here you go! Included in this bundle are 8 weeks worth! Every one of the 40 unique problems included here aligns to one of the 40 assessed Math 8 TEKS (and every problem is clearly labeled with the TEKS standard to which it aligns for your reference)! Student versions and sample teacher keys are included, as well as detailed teacher notes to guide procedures encouraging student reflection and error analysis! These are
4th - 8th
Applied Math, Math, Math Test Prep
TEKS
MA.8.9.A
, MA.8.1.A
, MA.8.1.C
+44
Perfect Squares BIG HUGE PUZZLE - Great Bulletin Board Too!
This BIG HUGE PUZZLE measures 14 inches by 14 inches when complete! Students match up bases raised to the second power (squared) to their equivalent perfect square products. Works great as a pairs activity, an anchoring activity, or even, at this size, as an interactive bulletin board to display in the classroom (which is why I designed it in the first place - to print on card stock, laminate, and velcro the pieces to a bulletin board).
This puzzle also provides a clever little way to reinfor
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
Classroom Contract, "Math Profile" Social Media New School Year Docs
Here are some resources I've "tweaked" over the years to exchange information with students at the start of a new school year or semester.
Page 1 is a classroom contract I developed based on Harry Wong's suggestions in "The First Days of School." A behavior management plan most appropriate for grades 4-9 is included.
Page 2 is a "Tell Me About You" page that could be used for the first day or week of school to assess student interests, contact information, and feelings about mathematics
5th - 12th
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
"Bell Ringer" Exit Slip Ticket for Math Class
I developed this "bell ringer" out of my own need to formatively assess my students. Sometimes gaining meaningful feedback from students during a lesson is difficult, because they don't know what they don't know! This simple form provides the teacher with feedback about a student's perception of his or her own understanding as well as evidence of this understanding through a simple task of your choice (a problem, a writing prompt, whatever suits the lesson objective for the day). Very adaptab
5th - 12th
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
Distributive Property Versus Order of Operations: Solution to the Battle
Every year, when I present The Distributive Property using only numerical expressions, students argue... "Why can't we just use the Order of Operations?" To tell them they need the Distributive Property later in Algebra is not an acceptable answer, (trust me) so I designed this activity to allow students to validate and explore BOTH methods for simplifying numerical expressions.
This task guides students through some expressions that are more easily simplified by using the Distributive Prope
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
Problem-Solving Using Digital Photography: "The Math Cam" Template
Start to Focus Students’ “Mathematical Lens” with the Math Cam Template!
The Math Cam template encourages students to start looking at the world through a mathematical lens. Every day, we encounter mathematical curiosities that are so easily dismissed, yet have great potential to bring real-world problem solving into our mathematics classrooms. Our students have never been better equipped with technological tools to record these moments. Taking a picture and filming a brief video clip are oc
6th - 9th
Applied Math, Math, Math Test Prep
4-Corners Activity: Simple & Compound Interest Financial Literacy WARM-UP!
Spice up your warm-up time and add a low-stakes formative assessment strategy to your repertoire! Get students moving and talking about math (and possibly arguing about math) by using this "4-Corners" strategy! Using 4 different sets of similar problems included here, students FIRST work individually on a brief set of problems. Students may not realize that there are 4 different versions of the problems floating around the classroom just yet! Then, after a few minutes of independent work, se
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Applied Math, Math, Other (Math)
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
7.RP.A.3
, MA.8.12.A
, MA.8.12.B
+4
Show Your Work! 2-step equations: Help for early algebra students
The battle begins! Students are learning how to solve basic equations in one variable, and the problems are "so easy" they can "do it in their heads" and don't want to show work! Here is a strategy that has helped me get students to show the work I really want. Very adaptable - especially useful as a supplement to typical textbook worksheets that don't provide students any room to show the work we so desperately want to see!
6th - 10th
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
April Fool's Day Cumulative 8th Math Quiz! Different Problems Have SAME ANSWER!
Want to sneak a cumulative Math 8 review in, but have a little April Fool's fun in the process? This cumulative "quiz" is just the trick! Nine problems in this review "quiz" address the concepts listed below, which are aligned to the 8th Grade Math Texas TEKS (state standards) to help students prepare for state testing, the Math 8 STAAR Exam. The funny part is that every problem has the exact same answer - TEN! A sample key is included. Watch students as they start to see the pattern in their a
4th - 10th
Applied Math, Financial Literacy, Math Test Prep
CCSS, TEKS
8.G.A.3
, 8.G.B.8
, 8.G.C.9
+15
Jigsaw Review Actively Engages All Students - Templates Teacher Notes
Using a "jigsaw" as a review is an effective way to keep all students engaged while addressing a volume of material in a short amount of time.
1. Copy enough of each jigsaw form to accommodate your class. For example, in a class of 30 students reviewing 6 topics, create 5 copies of each of the 6 forms.
2. Expert groups will be determined according to each topic. In the previous scenario, 6 expert groups would meet initially, with 5 students per group. Each member of each expert group would
5th - 12th
Algebra, Applied Math, Math
A-MAZE-ING PUZZLE! Calculator Exploration of Decimal Operations
Students erroneously think that multiplication always "grows" numbers, and division always "shrinks" things. Using this calculator exploration, students examine the effects of various operations on decimals, namely, that multiplying by numbers less than one actually "shrinks" things, and dividing by numbers less than one actually "grows" things. This is quite an epiphany in the world of number sense! A warm-up provides a strategy for students before they attempt the A-MAZE-ING DECIMALS PUZZLE
3rd - 12th
Applied Math, Arithmetic, Math
Vocab-A-Round: Unique, Kinesthetic Way to Review Math Vocabulary - QR-Codes Too!
Get students out of their seats... and even out of your classroom! At the end of this Vocab-A-Round, students will have a resource to study... or an assessment to submit. Included in this activity are:
* Detailed Teacher Notes to help set-up and execute the activity
* Student work template, fit for photocopying or sharing as a PDF for mobile devices
* 14 Vocab-A-Round posters with QR-Code "hints"! Included in this Vocab-A-Round are the following terms and their definitions, which align to wo
5th - 10th
Applied Math, Math, Math Test Prep
DOTS game - Integer Addition Practice in Pairs
I remember filling a sheet of paper with "dots" and playing this classic paper-pencil game as a kid. Two players take turns connecting dots either vertically or horizontally with a line segment. When a player closes a square, he/she prints his/her initial in the square... you know the drill :-) This activity takes this classic game further by incorporating integer addition practice. Enjoy.
5th - 12th
Applied Math, Basic Operations, Math
Showing 1-20 of 24 results
About the store
Experience
I've never been able to stick with the textbook...!
I have over 20 years of experience teaching mathematics to middle and high school students, as well as serving as a Math Coach. In these roles, I impacted thousands of students and their teachers in one of Pennsylvania's largest districts. In 2012, I relocated to Austin, Texas, where I've taught Math 8, Math 8 Accelerated, RTI Math, and Algebra I in a 1:1 iPad classroom.
Check out my blog for classroom happenings!
http://www.mathycathy.com
Teaching style
My high-energy teaching style and commitment to engaging all learners ensure a variety of instructional techniques and materials. The resources I create evolve based on my students' specific needs and my goal of keeping them engaged and excited about mathematics. Rather than keeping all the classroom fun to myself, I take pride in sharing these classroom-tested resources here on TPT so that students around the world can benefit. I hope you can sense my dedication as you explore the diverse materials I've posted here with your own aspiring mathematicians!
Awards & shining teacher moments
I'm so proud to be a math educator!
To explore some of my accolades, visit this Media & Mentions list, which features published articles and video media of news stories and keynote addresses at a variety of professional conferences. I'm especially proud of my ShadowCon talk at NCTM - it's a great place to start on this list!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/137ay9dShzcYDn8bB3wCIjjZ2sYucGwR0PG_4nZeKg04/edit?usp=sharing
My own education history
I received my Bachelor of Science in Education at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Secondary Education/Mathematics. I received my Master of Science in Education from Wilkes University in Classroom Technology.
Additional biographical information
Middle school mathematics is my greatest passion! I began my teaching career in Pennsylvania, working exclusively with 7th graders for six years. I also taught SAT Preparation courses through Penn State Lehigh Valley and worked with potential first-generation college students in a Saturday and summer program, also through Penn State. Over the years, I have engaged in extensive private math tutoring with students ranging from grades 6 through 12. After a three-year period as a stay-at-home mom, I returned to full-time teaching as a math coach/specialist, collaborating with teachers and students across three middle schools in one of Pennsylvania's largest school districts.
In 2012, I moved to Austin, Texas, where I currently teach 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (and occasionally a few accelerated 5th or 4th graders) in my own 1:1 iPad classroom. I admit it — I can’t *just* stick with a textbook! Since the beginning of my career, I have consistently developed my own educational materials tailored to meet student needs, enhance engagement, foster dialogue, and promote conceptual understanding. Many of these effective resources are available here on TPT. Thank you for stopping by!
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