Spiral Math Homework {3rd grade...your turn!}

You can see the homework here.
If you are a follower of this blog, you know that there are certain things I do in my room that I am really passionate about and truly believe in.  One is Calendar Math. I could go on for days and days about it (and from all of my posts here, I probably have ;) )  Another is the Spiral Math Homework.  You see, when I first started teaching, there was no such thing available to me.  I would give the kids the problems from the math book that we just had worked on that day and never go back again.  Doesn't make for very good retention.  So when I was teaching 3rd grade for the first time (back in....gosh...SO long ago...2003)  I started to create my own spiral math homework.

It was simple.  A few problems from all that we had learned, sprinkled in amongst stuff we did that day.  To my great surprise, the kids retained it all...and their scores soared!  They were learning the rote basic math, leaving me time to work on the concepts of it all.

At first, it was hard on everyone.  The kids and parents were just not used to this style of homework.  They expected a review sheet of what we did that day in class. Some literally freaked out when something new that hadn't been taught before was on the homework.  After time though, I found that the parents and kids actually *enjoyed* the homework like this.  They saw the growth I was seeing and they liked it just as much as I did.  The kids began to use strategies from class to tackle problems they had never seen before......and they were getting them right!  Homework because *easy* for them.

Then, I had my first baby and went to 4th grade.  I made up the math homework there...and the same magic happened!  When I moved to 5th a few years later, the math homework continued...and so did the soaring.

So here we are...10 years later and I swear by it.  When I started my blog, I made some homework for you all in the 5th grade (since that is what I am teaching now.) followed by 4th grade...and I know some of you have caught the spiral math bug.  I am getting emails DAILY from people who are seeing just how magical and beneficial it is (as test scores are coming out now ;) )  Thank you so much for emailing me. I  mean, I know how it works in my own room, but I love hearing how it works in your rooms too!

Well, I have finally gone back to my roots.  3rd grade teachers...your wait is over!  The first quarter of 3rd grade Spiral Math Homework and Quizzes is ready!!










 Now, I do have to say, this is a tiny bit different than the 4th and 5th versions in that it is less problems.  I just felt like the students were still so itty bitty (I mean, they were just second graders not too long ago) so they didn't need 10 problems right away.  I start them with 5, then move up to 6.  As the year goes on, they will eventually make it to 10 problems a day...and be ready for 4th grade.  :)













Have you used Spiral Math (mine or another one) in your room?  How exactly do you implement it? 

14 comments

  1. This looks so good. I wish you had one for second.

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  2. I just proofread the 3rd grade one for you and loved it - However I teach 5th - just found out you have 5th grade done already - Now I have to save up my spending money to get that one too! :)

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  3. I hate to sound greedy/stingy and ungrateful, because these look awesome and I can't wait to buy them. But do you think the rest of the year will be done before you head back to school? I'd really rather but the bundled pack 😉

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    1. Unfortunately, no. They take far too long for me to make them before the beginning of the school year. Quarter two will be out within the next few months (before it is needed by everyone ;) ), followed by Quarters 3 and 4 before the end of the year. So sorry about that.

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  4. I am so glad to see this post! I'm teaching 3rd for the first time and was so, so sad I wouldn't have the spiral homework. Now I can have it again. YAY! I love that you've tiered it to start with only 5 problems and then move up. That is such a great idea.

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  5. Thank you! I'm moving from 4th to 3rd, and this is so, so perfect!

    Mary Kate
    Windy City Learning

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  6. Do you plan on making any for 2nd grade?

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    1. Not at this particular time Brittney. Sorry about that. If in the future I decide to, I will let you know.

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  7. How do you suggest packaging this for the students? Do you put the whole year in a binder or give it to them one week at a time in their homework folder? I am new to fifth and I am going to buy the bundle but didn't know the best way to manage it. Thanks!

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    1. I only give them the one sheet a day for homework. We then go over it the next day and I ask them to take it home to use it as review for the state tests. I usually suggest they keep it in a binder....and most do!

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  8. I love the fact that you only give the students 10 problems a night. In many of the textbooks, there are upwards of 20 problems, and some of my colleagues just assign it that way. I can remember getting this when I was in school... no wonder I hated math! I learned to love it though as a teacher. ;)

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  9. I give a spiral review for math homework each night also. I couldn't agree with you more, it's so beneficial. Your spiral review looks great!

    Tammi
    www.thebalancedclassroom.blogspot.com

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  10. CANNOT wait for you to do 6th grade...but I am going to have to wait a while I know!!

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