In the world of teaching, there are two kinds of teachers: those who revel in hours of cutting, laminating, and prepping materials for math warm-up activities, and those, like me, who prefer a more time-efficient approach. If you find yourself in the latter camp, fear not! I’m here to show you that low-prep activities can be just as captivating for your budding math enthusiasts. In this blog post, get ready to discover seven math warm-ups that your first graders will love!
7 Engaging Math Warm Ups
1. Number Fitness Math Warm Up
Get ready for a dynamic activity that turns counting into a full-body workout! In this engaging exercise, students pair counting with physical movements. For instance, let’s try ‘Jumping Jacks by 5.’ As they skip count by 5, they’re also doing energetic jumping jacks up to 100. Or how about ‘Number Squats by Place Value’? Here, students count from 1 to 20 by place value while adding squats to the mix. The result? Not only will your students become counting champs, but they’ll also get their hearts pumping for some added fun!
2. Shake It Up Math
Let’s make fluency within 10 fun for our first graders! Enter the ‘Shake It Up Math’ game, a hands-on way to master this essential skill. Start by choosing a target number, let’s say 7. Now, pair up your students and give them 7 two-sided discs. They’ll take turns shaking and spilling those discs, recording their discoveries on a blank number bonds sheet. For instance, they might find that 2 and 5 make 7. Rotate roles, so everyone gets to be the shaker and the recorder. This activity is perfect for learning all the ways to make 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10!
3. Crack the Code Math Warm Up
Who can resist a good puzzle? Challenge your students with engaging math riddles that’ll keep their minds buzzing with excitement! Whether they work alone or with a partner, these riddles are bound to spark their mathematical curiosity.
4. Number Line Stroll
Get ready for an interactive math warm-up that’ll have your students on their feet and loving every step of it. For this math warm up, you will need a number line floor mat or you can DIY one on the floor using painter’s tape and numbers. Students will be faced with addition or subtraction equations, and their mission? To walk along the number line and solve them! Trust me when I say, they’ll all be eager for their turn. It is definitely a great way to introduce the number line to your class.
5. Mystery Bag
For this fun activity, choose any small items to place inside the ‘Mystery Bag,’ like counting bears or unifix cubes. Then, inform your students that hidden within the bag are some items, and it’s their job to unravel the mystery and figure out how many are tucked inside. Present them with a problem like 5 + ? = 11. Students can work on a personal whiteboard or with counters to figure out the answer. Afterwards, reveal the contents of the ‘Mystery Bag’! This activity is a fantastic way to sharpen skills in both addition and subtraction.
6. What’s Hiding Math Warm Up
Here’s a math warm-up with a twist, similar to the Mystery Bag, but this time, we’re playing ‘Hide and Seek’ with numbers! You’ll conceal a number, either on a number line, a 120 chart, or even on a place value chart. It’s the students’ job to figure out the hidden number.
7. Subitizing Showdown Math Warm Up
Okay, so this activity does require a little bit of prep but I promise it’s totally worth it! For this activity, you will need subitizing cards. You will flash a card quickly to students and their mission? To become subitizing superstars by instantly recognizing the number of objects! They will have fun and you will love that you are helping your students get a better sense of quantity. And hey, if the thought of prepping loads of subitizing cards isn’t your jam, fear not—there are digital versions available.
There you have it! Seven engaging math warm ups to ignite your first graders’ math skills while keeping them thoroughly engaged. Remember, not every activity needs to be a prep marathon. Sometimes, the simplest ones are the ones that our students enjoy the most. Tell me, what other math warm-ups do you love to use with your students?
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