"Waltz and Multiply by Three" Song

My third graders are learning multiplication facts, and I just found this cute multiplication song from songsforteaching.com, called "Waltz and Multiply by Three." I've copied the lyrics below; to hear a sample, click on this link. The tune is a waltz, and the lyrics cover the 3s facts of the times table. I love this song--it's easy and catchy. What's more, a waltz often has 3 beats to a measure. I think it would be fun to insert a little music theory and social studies along with those math facts. =)

Waltz with me; multiply by 3;
Multiply by 3; waltz with me.

3 x 1
3
3x 2
6
3 x 3
9
This is waltz time

3 x 4
12
3 x 5...
.....

Tap your toe.
Do some more!
3 x 9...
....

Come and dip with me!
3 x 11...
.....

This is not the end.
Please bow and do it again.

(Song repeats)

Our waltz has reached the end.
Now bow to your friend!

Rounding Numbers Song

I've been inspired lately, as I've been finding great teacher's websites through links shared on Pinterest. Wow, there are so many wonderful teachers, who are creative and dedicated in their teaching! I'm glad we have the technology to share and spread our ideas.

I just came across this Rounding Numbers math song, posted on 3rd grade teacher Jessica Winston's website. I love this! I would even add gestures. The kids would have fun crouching down (while holding up four or fewer fingers) and jumping up (while holding up five or more fingers), along with the lyrics.

Rounding Numbers Song (tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Verse
If you’re rounding to the [tens] place, look at the [ones].
If you’re rounding to the [tens] place, look at the [ones].
If you’re rounding to the [tens] place, then always look at the
[ones] place.
If you’re rounding to the [tens] place, look at the [ones].

Chorus
If that digit’s four or lower, you round down.
If that digit’s four or lower, you round down.
If that digit’s four or lower, then the number will be smaller.
If that digit’s four or lower, you round down.
If that digit’s five or higher, you round up.
If that digit’s five or higher, you round up.
If that digit’s five or higher, then the number will be bigger.
If that digit’s five or higher, you round up.

Creative Classroom: Recycled Poker Chips

Place value disks,
available from Schoolsuppliesatoz.com

 

My case of Math Chips,
with place value card

I recently came across these foam, color-coded-by-place-value disks. How great these would be to use with my third graders, who are learning about place value, renaming, and regrouping.

This afternoon I happened to drop by the thrift store. What should I find on the board game shelf but two cases of plastic Poker chips for 69 cents each! For a fraction of the cost of commercially-produced manipulatives, I was able to easily make my own. It only took a few minutes to write the numbers on the chips, with a Sharpie marker. I also made an accompanying place value card, for stacking the chips. So far my collection of Poker *ahem, Math* chips only has three place values, but for now that is sufficient for the 3-digit regrouping problems that my third graders are currently learning. I'm excited to see how this new manipulative will help my students to better grasp the math concepts.

Fast Food Math

Check out these engaging fast-food themed math manipulatives! Give your students a good taste for math concepts such as fractions, place value, and decimals, with the Fraction Burger, Base Ten Fries, and Decimal Dog. Available from Delta Education.