The holiday season is a magical time for students, filled with excitement and anticipation. As educators, we often find ourselves searching for ways to channel this enthusiasm into productive and educational activities. Enter holiday math banners – a fantastic tool to engage elementary students in academics while sprinkling a dash of holiday fun into your lesson plans.
A Horrible Halloween
In my first year teaching fourth grade, I planned our curriculum at the start of the year, including a lesson on multi-digit division for Halloween day. I didn't anticipate any issues, assuming that the party in the afternoon wouldn't affect the morning's math lesson. With the Halloween festivities scheduled later, I expected the day to proceed as planned, despite introducing a complex topic that students had never encountered before.
I could not have been more wrong. From the moment my students walked through the classroom door that morning, the Halloween festivities were already making their way into the room. Although students were not wearing costumes until the afternoon parade, capes and tiaras were already spilling out of their over-stuffed backpacks. And fixing costume malfunctions had begun!
As you might expect, transitioning to teach a challenging new math concept left many of my fourth-graders in tears. It took several days of extra instruction and support to help them recover from this challenging experience.
That first Halloween showed me a critical lesson in teaching. Don't teach something new on the day of a class party. Now I use holiday math banners to reinforce the lessons we've already completed. They are an engaging activity that meets the needs of every student in my classroom. When students finish the three math banners, I provide them with the "fun-activity" banner. Then, they color the decorations and take a finished project home to display.
Why Holiday Math Banners?
1. Reinforce Grade-Level Concepts:
Holiday math banners are designed to be both fun and educational. Students get the chance to review key grade-level math concepts while coloring holiday-themed pages. It's a win-win situation where they learn and have fun simultaneously. #mathreview
2. Artistic Expression:
The creative aspect of these banners is a big hit with students. They can bring their artistic talents to life by coloring the holiday decorations on each page. This adds a personal touch to their work and they love sharing their finished products with parents!
3. Differentiation Options:
One of the best features of holiday math banners is their flexibility. You can choose to use one, two, or all three banners, depending on the level of challenge you want to provide to your students. There's even a "Fun Activity" pennant that can be used as a reward for completing math problems correctly or for fast-finishers.
Educators Love Holiday Math Banners:
⭐️ "Holiday math banners are so cute and a perfect activity to fill the morning hours before our class parties. I like reviewing grade-level math skills and letting the students color and attach the banners. Families have enjoyed seeing their work, too."
⭐️ "This was my first time using holiday math banners in my classroom and my students loved it! They were so proud of the problems they completed and the craft they produced all in one activity."
⭐️ "I love holiday math banners! My students worked on them each day for a week. They looked so good when they finished coloring, too!"
Ways to Use Holiday Math Banners:
1. Keep students engaged in academics on the day of a class party.
2. Use them for a fun holiday review, math centers, or homework.
3. Collect and create a year-long portfolio showcasing your students' math progress and creativity.
How do I begin?
Students can complete the math problems on each banner, color the holiday clipart, and attach the pages together. You have options for assembly - staple the edges like a book, compile using a metal ring in the corner, or tape them to yarn to hang on the wall. The banners print on standard 8.5” x 11” paper, making them convenient and accessible.
Get the yearlong bundle!
Holiday math banners offer a delightful blend of learning and holiday cheer, making them an invaluable addition to your elementary classroom. By incorporating these engaging activities, you can create memorable learning experiences for your students during the holiday season, fostering a love for math that extends beyond the classroom walls. So, why wait? Embrace the joy of holiday math banners and watch your students thrive in both math and holiday spirit.