5 Tips for Doing Math Crafts in Your Classroom

Why do math projects with your students? Math crafts make a wonderful culminating project that can really cement the new learning students have done.

Math Crafts in the Classroom Tip #1:

Do a quick review of the math topic you are making the craft for.

Before you ask the students to do the math craft, engage them in a quick, focused review of the math skill learned and needed to complete the craft. Give your students the opportunity to practice the skill and use the academic vocabulary. I do this as a whole class “I do” and “We do” review and then the math craft is the “You do” portion of the lesson!

In the math projects I have created I always include some projectable pages to guide and foster a quick review of the math topic. I most often use math projects as culminating topic activities. So, a quick review of the math project topic is beneficial to all students and is a great way to introduce the activity!

Math Crafts in the Classroom Tip #2:

Make an example craft to show your students.

When doing a math craft with my students I always give them a lot of creative freedom. However, for our more concrete and visual learners I find it is helpful to provide a visual example of a completed math project so they know what is expected of them. It is also useful to have this completed math project as a sample to refer to when giving directions for the math craft.

Math Crafts in the Classroom Tip #3:

Low prep math crafts are the way to go!

When I do a math project with my class students need a pencil, scissors, and a glue stick. Things they already have in their supply box! I keep the teacher prep simple and easy too. All of the math projects that I have created for my students are a few pages that need to be copied. Then I rough-cut pieces to hand out to kids (if needed). Between printing, copying, and quick cutting I’ve never spent more than 5 minutes prepping for a math craft!

Math Crafts in the Classroom Tip #4:

Set clear expectations.

While planning your math project ask yourself:

Do you want your students to cut all the pieces first, then glue, then write?
Do you want to check their work before they glue? When should they throw away their scraps?
Do you want your students to trace their writing in marker?
Where are they handing in the project when it’s complete?

Decide the procedural expectations you want your students to follow while working on their math craft. Before handing out the materials, discuss these expectations. You might even want to write them down for students to refer to while they are working. Setting clear expectations will help keep you and your classroom calm and organized. This way everyone enjoys making a math craft!

Math Crafts in the Classroom Tip #5:

Have fun with it!

One of the best parts of math crafts is how each one comes out so unique. Remember the main objective: students show that they have an understanding of the math topic taught. As long as the students are able to create the math project that shows their understanding of the concept. Doing math crafts can make math fun and since the math projects are aligned with standards students are reinforcing key math skills! It’s a win-win!

BONUS TIP for Math Crafts:

Finding the right colored paper!

If you need colorful paper for an element of your math craft and don’t have the color astrobrights or colored paper that you’d like just check your construction paper supply! Or maybe you can visit your art teacher. Mine is alway willing to share a few pieces of construction paper!

Here is what you do once you find the construction paper:

Cut a piece of construction paper to 8.5 x 11 inches. This is the size of printer paper. I like to use a piece of paper as a guide.
Next, feed it through your printer! I’m not brave enough to try this in the copy machine…don’t mess with the copy machine! But I’ve never had an issue using construction paper in any printer that is able to print on cardstock!