Spiral math review is a proven way to help students master math skills as they work through the curriculum. Math Mats are an engaging and consistent educational tool for teachers to offer spiral reviews to students of all ages.
Spiral Math Review in the Form of Fun Math Mats
Spiral math review involves offering students a set of questions that either build on one another or work together to teach a concept. Math Mats are a simple and engaging tool to help students work on taught skills without losing focus and while building confidence.
Common Math Challenges
Scenario 1
Imagine this: Carter, a kindergarten student, seems lost while working on his math worksheet. When you ask him what’s happening, he says he isn’t sure what to do. Granted, you just gave the instructions, but he needs some assistance getting started.
You’ve been there.
Students like Carter thrive on consistency with their work. They become more independent as they get used to worksheets and activities with similar outlines and instructions. Carter would benefit from an activity with clear instructions and separation between tasks.
Scenario 2
Imagine this: Maria has been working on her second-grade addition worksheet for about 10 minutes now, and she’s getting bored. She’s done several problems and can keep going, but you can tell she’s lost interest.
Do your students lose focus too?
Maria would benefit from an activity that breaks things up and lets her brain work on several skill sets. Instead of drilling one concept into her mind, she needs something that helps her practice and apply multiple skills.
What are Math Mats?
After teaching for years, I experienced the above scenarios repeatedly and decided to create something that would give kids clear tasks with numerous skills to practice.
Math Mats scaffold student learning and build confidence as kids work on their math skills. Not to mention, their independence grows as they work on the Mats during centers and work times.
How & When to Use Math Mats
Math Mats are perfect for independent practice times, homework, morning work, center work, and small group instruction. Make them a consistent part of your math lesson routine, so students get used to the structure and build their confidence with math skills.
Make sure to go over certain parts of the Mats so students understand how to use them. After explaining them a few times, kids will catch on and no longer need instructions.
Math Mats are highly versatile and provide many options for use.
Here are six ways to use the Math Mats.
- Print Math Mats on cardstock, laminate them, and use them with whiteboard markets in your math centers.
- Print the Math Mats and include them in math centers for more student choices.
- Copy the Math Mats back to back and bind them together for a daily math journal.
- Copy the pages and put them in a folder to be used as fast finishers or for morning work.
- Use the digital slides in Seesaw and assign them to students for daily work.
- Assign the Math Mat slides in Google Classroom for homework or extra practice in centers.
Digital Math Mats
In this age of technology, it only makes sense to use digital versions of the Math Mats. Use the Mats in Google Classroom or on Seesaw for extra practice in centers or at home.
Digital Math Mats are a great way to scaffold learning for students who work better on computers or struggle with handwriting skills. Keep these on hand for virtual days, students absent for long periods, and technology center times.
What Teachers are Saying About Math Mats
Sarah M. says, “These are great ways to start a lesson and get students warmed up and ready for learning while reviewing their math skills!”
Marley F. says, “I love all the mats that Proud to be Primary makes! We use the writing, phonics, and now this math one to spiral previously taught standards. Students love them, and I do, too!”
Olivia says, “YES! These are one of my favorite ways to practice math with my students. They are able to do these worksheets independently or with guidance from me and I can even use these as assessments when needed! I love this resource so much! Thank you!”
Amanda says, “We use these everyday! My students love them and it has helped reinforce core standards that we are learning at school.”
Laura says, “Absolutely one of my favorite math resources. Use them daily.”
Free Math Mats to Try
Try Math Mats in your classroom with this FREE printable resource! Using these in your classroom will encourage confidence and fluency with the math skills taught and allow you to overlook where students need assistance.
Click the image below to grab a copy.
Math Mats for Kindergarten, First, & Second Grade
Try the monthly sets of Math Mats by Proud to be Primary. They are available for Kindergarten, First grade, and Second grade. Each Math Mat has four skills to practice and 20 mats per month, so students can practice skills every day.
You’ll be amazed by how much students grow in their independence, fluency, and confidence in math!
Take a closer look and see Math Mats by Grade.
More Math Activities for Primary Education
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