The New Year is in full swing and that means 3rd quarter begins addition and subtraction timed tests for my first graders. This is definitely one of those challenging areas for me because the weekly tests I have given for the past 12 years have been pretty boring.
I knew if I was to make it through another semester of weekly timed tests, I had to do something to JAZZ it up a bit.
Lucky for me, I have TWO incredible first grade experts (and friends) who have totally changed my opinion of managing these weekly assessments!
Let me introduce you to Bubble Gum Math.
Christy and Tammy over at Fluttering Through First Grade
have made my job so much easier this year!
I was jumping for joy when I was printing these units out!
Then I got on Amazon and ordered a gumball machine!
Gordon Food Service has the gumballs for eight bucks!
I knew if I was to make it through another semester of weekly timed tests, I had to do something to JAZZ it up a bit.
Lucky for me, I have TWO incredible first grade experts (and friends) who have totally changed my opinion of managing these weekly assessments!
Let me introduce you to Bubble Gum Math.
Christy and Tammy over at Fluttering Through First Grade
have made my job so much easier this year!
I was jumping for joy when I was printing these units out!
Then I got on Amazon and ordered a gumball machine!
Gordon Food Service has the gumballs for eight bucks!
Next up:
Copying the timed tests.
I decided to color-code, so all addition tests are on blue and all subtraction tests are on red(hot pink).
Copying the timed tests.
I decided to color-code, so all addition tests are on blue and all subtraction tests are on red(hot pink).
Then, I made divider-tabs (in the corresponding color) to separate each level of tests.
Laminate for durability.
I made two separate folders for the Answer Keys.
Students will keep track of their gumballs earned and graph growth of weekly tests using their blue Bubble Gum Math folders.
I made color copies of the gumball machines.
One for addition and one for subtraction.
I walked the kids through the steps and process of picking up the correct test(s). I want the kiddos to be as independent as possible!
Yesterday we took our first Addition +0 and +1 tests!
These eager-beavers were so stinkin excited!
One minute on the clock, and......
GO!
I gave the test in the morning, graded them (easy-peasy) during lunch, and returned the tests to the students in the afternoon.
Students get busy right away and graph their stamina for each test!
The timed tests are out of 15 problems.
If students earned 12 or higher,
I circled the level indicated at the top of the test and made a star above it. That indicates a PASS score and students can pick up a gumball to add to their gumball machine.
We are keeping the folders in our desks for now!
If a student does not reach their goal,
they can sign up to take the TEST B during recess the following day. I will take the higher score of the two.
Here you see a student today signing up to retake subtraction tests during recess tomorrow.
Gumball Stickers and sharpies-
Awards-
I keep track of the points earned on these tests using GradePro.
I also have a bag of pennies in there too!
Once students have passed 3 addition (levels), they earn an Award and penny to buy a gumball!
Needless to say, my students are EXTREMELY stoked about this new find! Bubble Gum Math has made taking timed tests
Deliciously-Sweet!
I have created some additional Bubble Gum materials for these units and I am happy to share them with all of my Bubble Gum math fans!
Click here or on any image to download-
Bubble Gum Math was definitely a WOW find for me, so I have linked up with Em Hutchinson for her Wednesday WOW linky!
Special Thanks to Ideas by Jivey for letting me share this post with her weekly Wednesday Workshop Linky!