Shop 1200+ Teaching Resources in Our TpT Store

    • Whimsy Workshop Teaching

    Teacher Clip Art, Literary Resources, Classroom Ideas

    Home

    Integrate Writing and Math With Building

    You know how some students (especially in the first weeks of school) just sigh when you give them writing or math jobs because what they really want to do is play with blocks or Lego all day?

    Here’s how I got those students excited to do some writing and math (while still letting them build and use their imaginations.)

    Just add a writing or counting task after they build! Create a recording page similar to those pictured below (or you can see the ones I use by clicking HERE.)

    Use the materials that students LOVE to integrate writing and math with this FREE no prep activity

    All you need is a bin of ANY building materials and the recording sheet!

    You Can Use:

    Blocks
    Lego
    Cubes
    Playdoh
    Pipe cleaners,
    Pattern blocks
    Beads
    Colored pasta
    Colored paper shapes

    or…anything, really!

    Integrate math and writing with materials that students already love using - lego and blocks

    DIFFERENTIATION

    To differentiate for your students, there are several levels that you can work with. Just choose how complex to make the task:

    1. Build something.

    2. Draw a picture of it.

    3. Count and record how many of each color was used.

    4. Add up the total number of blocks and compare it to the original.

    Because not all colors are represented on the sheet, there are further thinking challenges that you could assign to more advanced students, such as….how many blocks were not on the recording sheet? What color are they?

    5. For the writing task, describe what was made in as much detail as possible. Depending on the abilities of your students, you can extend the writing task to include more descriptive language and detail. For example, one student of mine wrote a story about a spaceship he made!

    6. More advanced students can fill in the colors and numbers FIRST, then work to create something according to that criteria. A partner can be responsible for checking that it’s done properly!

     
    Integrate math and writing using materials students already love - hands on blocks and lego

    While students work, I used my iPad or iPhone camera (connected wirelessly to my projector through my Macbook) as a traveling document camera.  Projecting images of their creations was a great way to share inspiration!

    I can challenge the students more as the year goes on and, best of all – no prep at all! Great for assessment, too. Because of integration of subject areas, you’re covering a lot of core skills at once, and everyone is engaged!

    You can make your own simple template, or see the one I use with my students by clicking HERE.

     

    Build Count and Write FREE

    Looking for art integration?

    Click the pictures to check it out!
    Directed Drawing and Writing prompts to fill your independent literacy center all year.

    Colorful Math integrates Math, Art, Writing and Science to create stunning bulletin displays. There are 50 differentiated themes to fill your independent math and literacy centers for the whole year.

    Free set of Math Pictures download!

    If you’re having trouble finding what you need for math, literacy or clip art, you can grab the Clickable Resource List seen below! It’s a comprehensive, always updated list of everything in my TPT store  – a big time saver when you need something fast! Download it for free, and tuck it away for when you need it!

     Click here to download the clickable resource list to keep for later.

    Clickable Resource Catalogue WWT
    Click to download this clickable resource list for your files!

    You May Also Enjoy These Posts

    Using board games to practice core math skills in seasonal math centersGames for Math and PhonicsSpelling Switcheroo – Word BuildingGiant Sight Word Board game to print and play FREESpelling Patterns and Sight Words

    Reader Interactions

    147 Comments

    23. Jamie knefely

      Please be me, Please be me …. I am saying this over and over. I just started on TpT and this could really help me out. Keeping my fingers crossed and sending a little prayer to the giveaway gods!!!!!!

      Jamie
      teachingtidbit.blogspot.com

    89. Amy Harrod

      Thank you so much for offering this opportunity! Your work is exceptional! Professional! Amazing!

      Always prints crisp and clear!

      I'm your biggest fan!!!

    111. Karen Ganon

      I don't have my own blog, but I wanted to enter a comment for the fantastic giveaway. I find your clipart so amazing. I have one of your forest sets. I also think you chose a perfect name for your blog–I love the word "whimsy"!
      [email protected]

    124. ♥ Owl in a Vowel Tree ♥

      I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your clipart. Absolutely precious!!! What a fantastic giveaway, the winner will be one lucky, lucky person 🙂 My little blog has not had much TLC lately, but I would love for you to visit: owlinavoweltree.blogspot.com

      My email is owlinavoweltree at gmail dot com 🙂

    126. Loved By His Grace

      How exciting!!! Yes, the incredible give away… But more so the 1000+ followers milestone!! I know you must be THRILLED!! Your quality of work and creativity is such a gift to each of us who have purchased your items as well as a gift to the precious little lives that learn because of your talent and passion for education! Congrats and THANK YOU…. From all of us!!! :))

    141. Abbie Wence

      This is awesome! I am just learning how to use clip art and where to even find it! This would set me up for life!

    Check out these related resources...

    math-first-grade-bundle-worksheets-workbook-centers-curriculum-assessment-full-year-skills-strategies 1st Grade Math Full Year MegaBundle math-first-grade-worksheets-curriculum-assessment-intervention-full-year-skills-strategies.png Math Assessments & Math Intervention math-art-crafts-curriculum-projects-lessons-kids-easy-activities-first-grade Crafty Math Bundle #1 math-art-crafts-doodles-curriculum-projects-lessons-kids-easy-activities-kindergarten-first-grade Math Doodles Seasonal Bundle math-art-crafts-curriculum-projects-lessons-kids-easy-activities-first-grade Crafty Math Bundle #2 math-art-crafts-curriculum-projects-lessons-kids-easy-activities-first-grade-3 Crafty Math Bundle #3 math-art-crafts-directed-drawing-projects-kids-easy-activities-kindergarten-first-grade Directed Drawing for Math math-puzzles-centers-games-activities-bundle-full-year Math Puzzles Full Year Bundle literacy-directed-drawing-phonics-sentences-math-bundle-projects-kids-easy-activities-kindergarten-first-grade Directed Drawing for Math, Phonics and Sentences Bundle
    More Like This