Math Menus: A Recipe for Developing Number

Sense(Grades 3-5)

Elizabeth Ward, PhDElisabeth Johnston, PhD

Wendi EarnheartJessica Walls

Amanda Wright

Math MenusWhat is a math menu? • A way “to provide learning activities that can include problems, games, and investigations

that students work on independently” • Required and optional tasks are given • Within a menu students are able to make choices of the optional tasks

What is the purpose of math menus? • A way to give ownership of learning to the student • New concepts can be explored • Review older concepts

Marilyn Burns, About Teaching Mathematics A K-8 Resource (Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions, 2007) p. 60.

Why Math Menus?1. Can’t see the forest for the trees2. Students stay engaged in mathematics3. Lowers affective filter4. Lots of fun-for the students and you

Activities for Addition/Subtraction/Estimation Menu

1. Shopping with $102. Krypto

•Illuminations websitehttp://illuminations.nctm.org/

•Flip 5 cards, 6th is the target number•Basic and advanced version

Possible Solutions

• 3 + 7 – 10 + 5 – 4 = 1

• 10 + 5 – 7 – 4 – 3 = 1

• (7 * 5) – (10 * 3) – 4 = 1

Activities for Multiplication Menu

1. Array Game2. Product Game

Activities for Measurement Menu1. Cups and Gallons2. Area and Perimeter Tic-Tac-Toe

Three-Shape Menu(Westphal, 2011)

• Complete one activity for each shape

• Easy to understand

Tic-Tac-Toe Menu(Westphal, 2011)

• Three in a row• Might include free choice• Easy to use• Students might complete

a product out of comfort zone

Meal Menu(Westphal, 2011)

• Select one item for each meal.

• Dessert is extra• Real-world application

Give Me Five Menu(Westphal, 2011)

• Must earn five points• 2-5-8 version (10 points)• More points higher level

thinking skill• More control over learning• Flexibility for different

ability levels

Differentiating Instruction with Menus(Westphal, 2011)

• K-2, 3-5 books• Overview of different types of

menus• How to grade items• Examples-

– Numbers/Number Sense– Operations – Geometry– Measurement

Contact Information• Elizabeth Ward, PhD ekward@txwes.edu• Elisabeth Johnston, PhD elisabeth.johnston@sru.edu