Teaching geometry was one of my favorite 6th grade units because it blends logic, creativity, and real-world applications. Something was exciting about seeing my students go from memorizing formulas to understanding how shapes and space work together. Whether they’re breaking apart polygons, calculating the surface area of a gift box, or figuring out how much space a storage bin takes up, these skills give them a whole new way to see the world around them.

Today, I’m sharing the unit that made teaching geometry fun and effective. From hands-on foldable activities to coordinate plane challenges, real-world word problems to interactive notes, the activities in this unit make learning feel like a discovery, rather than a drill. By the time we wrap up, they aren’t just solving for area and volume. They’re thinking critically, problem-solving, and making connections to everyday life.

The “Why” Behind Teaching Geometry

Why is learning about geometry, specifically area, surface area, and volume, so important? It’s more than just plugging numbers into formulas. These concepts are the foundation for so many real-world skills. Whether our students realize it or not, they’ll use geometry in everything from designing a school project to figuring out how much paint they need for a wall.

Understanding area helps our students break down space efficiently. This is useful for arranging furniture in a room or laying out a garden. Surface area plays a role in wrapping gifts, designing packaging, or even predicting how much material is needed to build something. And volume? That’s everywhere, like packing a suitcase, measuring ingredients for a recipe, or determining how much water fits in a swimming pool.

Teaching geometry strengthens our students’ spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. It encourages them to visualize, plan, and think critically. These are key skills that go beyond math and into STEM fields, architecture, and even art.

Unit Plan for Teaching Area, Surface Area, and Volume

Geometry is one of those subjects that naturally spark curiosity. From the patterns in nature to the designs of buildings and everyday objects, shapes and measurements are all around us. That’s why teaching geometry to our 6th graders needs to be more than just learning a formula. It’s about helping our students see math in action.

In this Geometry unit, the focus is on three key concepts: area, surface area, and volume. Each one builds on the others, giving your students a well-rounded understanding of how to measure and calculate space. You will start with the basics, exploring polygons and their properties, then move into surface area with nets and real-world applications. Finally, you’ll tackle volume, helping your students visualize and calculate the space inside 3D objects.

Throughout the unit, you’ll be able to incorporate interactive notes, hands-on practice, and engaging challenges that push your students to think critically. Instead of memorizing formulas, they explore why they work and apply them to real-world problems.

Laying the Foundation for Teaching Geometry

Before diving into formulas and calculations, you want to make sure your students have a strong foundation in key geometry vocabulary. This is where the Geometry Word Wall​ comes into play. You can display essential terms, like quadrilateral, trapezoid, vertex, and edge, so your students can easily reference them throughout the unit. This helps reinforce vocabulary in a way that feels natural rather than forced. Instead of constantly repeating definitions, you can encourage your students to use the word wall when working on problems, discussing, or explaining their reasoning.

Once your students are familiar with the terms, you can move into the student packet​, which is packed with guided notes, graphic organizers, and foldables that break down key concepts. You’ll love using foldables because they make abstract concepts more tangible. Your students cut, fold, and manipulate paper to reveal information step by step. These interactive elements transform note-taking from a passive task into an active learning experience. Instead of simply copying formulas, your students work through structured examples, reinforcing their understanding before practicing independently.

Exploring Area When Teaching Geometry

To introduce area, you can start with rectangles and squares. These familiar shapes make it easy for your students to see how multiplication plays a role in finding the area. Once they’re comfortable, you can expand to triangles, trapezoids, and parallelograms. By using the area graphic organizer,​ students can compare and contrast formulas.

Students will learn to decompose shapes to find their area. I have found that modeling this a couple of times helps them quickly see the strategy and how they can use it to break down irregular figures into known shapes. This strategy helps with geometry and strengthens problem-solving skills they’ll use in algebra and beyond.

A favorite part of this unit is the coordinate plane activities. Your students will plot points, connect them to form polygons, and then determine their area. This is a great way to bridge geometry and graphing, reinforcing their coordinate plane skills while making math more hands-on. You’ll love how these activities build spatial reasoning and give your students a new perspective on how geometry applies outside of isolated shape calculations.

Teaching Geometry With a Focus on Surface Area

Surface area can be tricky for some students, so you want to make sure they see how 3D shapes unfold into nets​ before expecting them to apply formulas. I start with physical models, giving students cut-out nets of cubes, rectangular prisms, and pyramids. They fold these into solid figures and then unfold them to see where each face comes from. This hands-on activity makes it much easier for students to visualize and calculate surface area.

Once your students grasp the concept, you can introduce the graphic organizer and practice pages​ to solidify their understanding. Some of your students will prefer working with nets. Others find formulas more efficient, so just make sure they practice both methods.

A game-changer when teaching geometry is the review coloring sheet included in the unit​. Your students will solve surface area problems. Then, they will use their answers to determine which colors to apply to different sections of an image. This makes practice more engaging and provides instant feedback. They know to check their work if their answer doesn’t match a color. It’s a low-pressure, high-engagement way to reinforce learning.

Bringing Volume to Life When Teaching Geometry

Volume can feel abstract to students, so I like to connect it to real-world objects. You can start with rectangular prisms, using unit cubes to physically build different shapes and count how many cubes fit inside. This concrete representation helps your students see volume as more than just numbers on a page.

As you transition to formula-based calculations, you can integrate real-world word problems. Your students will calculate the volume of fish tanks, storage bins, and gift boxes, helping them understand how these concepts apply to their lives. These problems push your students beyond simple plug-and-play formulas. It encourages them to think critically about dimensions and units.

To keep your students engaged and ensure they’re grasping the material, make sure to use exit tickets​ at the end of lessons. These small, daily check-ins ensure your students aren’t just memorizing formulas. They’re understanding how and why they work. The quick checks allow you to pinpoint misconceptions and adjust instruction as needed before moving forward.

Assessing Understanding

By the end of the unit, your students will be ready to demonstrate what they’ve learned through a geometry test​. This assessment includes a mix of matching definitions, calculating area and surface area, and solving multi-step word problems. By this point, your students have built confidence in their skills. You’ll be able to see how they tackle these problems with a deeper understanding than when you started.

Supplementary Resources for Teaching Geometry

In addition to the core components of this unit, I loved incorporating a variety of supplementary resources to reinforce key concepts and keep my students engaged. Below are a few examples of materials that can support you when you are teaching geometry. These resources provide additional practice and different ways for your students to explore area, surface area, and volume.

Volume Color By Number

One of my favorite activities I used to keep my students engaged while practicing volume calculations was my Volume Color by Number worksheets. This resource blends math practice with creativity, turning problem-solving into a fun and approachable experience.

Your students begin by solving problems related to finding the volume of rectangular prisms and composite figures. Each correct answer corresponds to a specific color, which they then use to complete a coloring sheet. This self-checking approach makes practice more engaging and provides immediate feedback. If an answer doesn’t match the expected color, students must double-check their work.

This resource also includes multiple worksheet versions with different levels of complexity. This includes whole-number and decimal-based problems. It also offers customary and metric unit options so your students can practice using different measurement systems. The digital version in Google Slides allows your students to complete the activity online by digitally filling in their answers and coloring.

Surface Area Footloose Task Cards

One of the best ways to keep your students engaged while practicing surface area calculations is through Surface Area Footloose task cards. This activity gets your students up and moving while solving problems. It makes it a great way to reinforce concepts without feeling like traditional seatwork.

Your students start with a grid where they record their answers. They each receive one of 30 different task cards, which include problems requiring them to find the surface area of various shapes. Some problems ask your students to determine missing dimensions based on given surface areas. This adds a layer of critical thinking.

Instead of sitting at their desks completing a worksheet, your students move around the room. After solving a problem, they place their card back in a designated spot and pick up a new one. This helps keep energy levels up and encourages your students to stay engaged. The answer key and doodle notes provide additional reinforcement, allowing your students to check their work and review key concepts.

Area and Perimeter Practice With a Truth or Dare Twist

Bringing a game-like element when you are teaching geometry always keeps your students engaged. Area and Perimeter Truth or Dare is one of those resources that turns practice into a fun challenge. Instead of a traditional worksheet, your students choose between Truth or Dare question cards. They then solve problems related to area and perimeter while competing for points.

The Truth cards focus on quick, conceptual questions. Your students might need to determine whether a statement about area or perimeter is true or false or solve a basic calculation. The Dare cards push them a little further by requiring more complex problem-solving. They might have to find a rectangle’s missing side length, given its perimeter, or solve a real-world application problem. Dares are worth more points, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game.

You can have your students work in small groups, rotating turns and recording their answers on a Truth or Dare recording sheet. The structure encourages discussion, collaboration, and critical thinking. Your students will often have to justify their reasoning when solving for missing measurements. Groups can check answers by designating an “answer checker” or using the included answer key at the end of the game.

5 Days of Free Math Notes

Finding quality ready-to-use math resources can be challenging, which is why I am sharing 5 Days of Free Math Notes. These resources provide a full set of print and digital materials designed specifically for five different 6th grade math lessons.

Each day includes math notes, a practice page, and exit tickets, which offer structured lessons that help reinforce key concepts. Whether you need additional review, extra practice, or a quick way to check for understanding, these materials provide a great balance of instruction and application. The fact that they are available in both printable and digital formats also makes it super flexible for different classroom setups.

Signing up is simple. Just click the image below to be taken to the sign-up form. All you need to do is enter your information and hit the “Send me the notes!” button. The resources are delivered straight to your inbox. This is an easy way to grab five days of math lessons for free, making it a no-brainer if you’re looking for additional support in teaching 6th grade math.

Make Teaching Geometry Engaging and Effective

When it comes to teaching geometry, having the right resources can make all the difference in keeping your students engaged and helping them build a deep understanding of area, surface area, and volume. Your students gain confidence in their problem-solving skills while seeing how geometry applies to the real world. These resources provide multiple ways for your students to interact with geometry concepts. With the right tools in place, teaching geometry becomes not just a lesson but an exciting learning experience that your students will remember.

If you’re looking for even more ways to enhance your geometry lessons, be sure to check out the 6th grade geometry resources in my TPT shop for a full selection of activities, notes, and hands-on learning tools!

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If you’ve been working hard teaching converting fractions to decimals, your students are probably really starting to get the hang of it! But, if your kiddos are anything like mine, the moment we introduce percentages, it’s like all that knowledge and confidence suddenly disappears. Adding this new layer can feel a bit overwhelming for some students. That’s completely normal. Don’t worry, because I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’m sharing all of my blog posts and resources that will help make teaching fractions, decimals, and percents easier for both you and your students. Let’s keep that momentum going!

Why Do Our Students Need to Know Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Equivalencies?

Being comfortable with these equivalencies is about more than just passing the next math test. Understanding these equivalencies is a life skill that will follow our students far beyond the classroom. Whether they’re comparing prices at the store, figuring out discounts, or even baking their favorite treats, being able to switch between fractions, decimals, and percents effortlessly helps them be successful in the real world.

Knowing these equivalencies also helps our students develop critical thinking skills. When they can see the relationships between fractions, decimals, and percents, they start to grasp how numbers work together. This is key to problem-solving. Plus, this knowledge makes them more confident in tackling real-world situations when they may find themselves in situations dealing with managing money or interpreting data.

Another big reason is that these concepts lay the groundwork for more advanced math topics, like algebra and statistics. By mastering fractions, decimals, and percents now, our students are better prepared for the challenges ahead in their math journey. So, when we emphasize these skills, we’re not just teaching math, we’re also setting our students up for real-world success and future academic achievement!

Resources to Explore for Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

Now that we’ve covered why understanding fractions, decimals, and percents is so important, let’s dive into some resources that will make teaching these concepts a breeze. I’ve gathered a few of my favorite blog posts that go deeper into each of these areas. Whether you’re looking for creative ways to explain equivalencies or need extra practice activities, these posts have you covered. Let’s explore how you can make fractions, decimals, and percents click for your students!

Teaching Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Conversions Math Wheel

This first post is all about my Fraction-Decimal-Percent Math Wheel! This graphic organizer is about making these math concepts more interactive and engaging for our students. The math wheel is a hands-on tool that helps our students visually see the connections between fractions, decimals, and percents. It makes it easier for them to understand and remember these relationships. I walk you through how to create and use the math wheel in your classroom by offering tips on how to introduce it. I explain ways to reinforce learning and ideas for practice activities.

This tool transforms what can sometimes be a challenging concept into something tangible and fun. By giving our students a visual and interactive way to explore fractions, decimals, and percents, the math wheel helps them build confidence and deepen their understanding. It’s a great resource to add to your teaching toolkit if you’re looking to make these concepts more accessible and enjoyable for your students!

Fraction, Decimal, Percent Fold it Up for Middle School Math

The next post is all about my Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Fold It Up! This is a fantastic resource for making these concepts more engaging for our middle schoolers. This foldable is a simple, yet powerful, tool that helps our students organize and visualize the relationships between fractions, decimals, and percents. In the post, I guide you through how to create this foldable with your students. I offer step-by-step instructions and tips for using it effectively in your lessons.

What I appreciate about this foldable is how it turns a potentially tricky topic into something interactive and manageable. It’s a great way to help our students see the connections between these math concepts in a way that’s clear and easy to understand. A bonus is that the foldable is something they can keep and refer to whenever they need a quick refresher. If you’re looking for a hands-on activity that will help your students grasp fractions, decimals, and percents, this Fold It Up is definitely worth trying out!

Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Conversions

Another great post to explore is all about my Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Number Lines. These number lines are game-changers when it comes to helping our students visualize and understand these often confusing concepts. This post dives into how using a number line can simplify the connections between fractions, decimals, and percents. It’s a resource that makes it easier for our students to grasp how they relate to one another. The number line is an excellent visual tool that helps our students see where different fractions, decimals, and percents fall in relation to each other. They reinforce the idea that these are just different ways to represent the same values.

One of the things I love about number line activities is that they encourage our students to engage with the material actively. By plotting fractions, decimals, and percents on the number line, they can better understand the relative size of these numbers. They can also see how they convert between the different forms. I also provide ideas for how to incorporate this activity into your lessons, whether you’re introducing the concepts for the first time or providing extra practice.

The number lines are helpful regardless of learning levels. It doesn’t matter if you’re working with students who are just starting to learn about fractions, decimals, and percents or those who need a bit more of a challenge. The number line is a great tool to make these concepts more concrete and less intimidating for our students. They can easily visualize and recall equivalences during tests or real-world applications.

Activities for Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

Now that we’ve explored some fantastic posts to help your students understand fractions, decimals, and percentages, let’s talk about a few more resources that can take their learning to the next level. Whether you’re looking for extra practice, interactive activities, or creative ways to reinforce these concepts, I’ve got something for you. These additional tools will make your lessons more engaging and help solidify your students’ grasp of fractions, decimals, and percents in a fun and meaningful way!

Color By Number Activities

My Fraction, Decimal, Percent Color by Number resource is one of my favorite tools for making practicing conversions more interactive and fun for students! This activity challenges students to solve conversion problems by switching between fractions, decimals, and percents. Once they solve the problem, they locate the corresponding number on a coloring sheet and color it based on the key provided. It’s such a great way to reinforce their understanding while also giving them a creative outlet! I’ve found that students enjoy the process and stay engaged longer, especially since it feels more like a game than a typical math worksheet.

There are multiple versions available in both print and digital. This makes it super flexible for our different learner preferences. I love that there’s a Google Slides option, so students can type their answers and use the fill bucket tool to color in their digital sheets. It’s the perfect option for an engaging math activity with a technology twist.

Application Through Word Problems

My Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Problem-Solving resource is one of my go-to tools for helping my students apply what they’ve learned in real-life scenarios. It’s packed with word problems that require students to convert between fractions, decimals, and percents. They also work on comparing and analyzing these values. I love how each problem set is designed around a theme, like enjoying pizza or studying for a test. It makes math feel more relatable and engaging for our students.

In my classroom, I would break the class into small groups. I assigned each group a different set of problems to work through together. This encouraged math discussions and collaborative problem-solving, which really helped reinforce understanding. The great thing about this resource is that it’s flexible. I’ve used it in centers where my students work individually or in groups. I liked to laminate the pages for reuse, so it’s easy to pull out whenever we need extra practice.

Footloose Task Cards

My Fraction, Decimal, Percent Footloose activity is another fun and interactive way for students to practice converting fractions, decimals, and percents! It’s a great way to get students up and moving while practicing important math concepts! It’s an interactive game that helps them solidify their understanding of converting between fractions, decimals, and percents, but with a twist that keeps them engaged.

AND. . . it is so easy to play. Just print and distribute Footloose grids to each student. Then, hand out cards with different math problems related to fractions, decimals, and percents. They answer the question on their card and record it in the corresponding box on their grid. After they complete a card, they return it to a central location and pick up a new one. You can also place the math problem cards around the room and have the students rotate around the room. It’s a fun way to add a little movement into the class period and keep kids engaged and active.

What I love about this activity is that it’s not just about solving math problems. It also encourages students to think strategically and collaborate with their peers. The game aspect motivates them to stay focused and work through the conversions. The flexibility of the game means it can be easily used with small groups, during centers, or as a full-class activity.

Additional Resources for Fractions, Decimals, and Percents to Explore

Looking for more resources to enhance your lessons on fractions, decimals, and percents? Make sure to take some time to explore some of the other resources related to fractions, decimals, and percents!

• Converting Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Pixel Art
• Converting Fractions to Decimals Activity ~ Playing “Decimal Dice”
• Teaching Fractions with the Ultimate Fraction Toolkit
• Teaching Fractions in Middle School: Reviewing the Basics

Time to Make Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Fun For Our Students!

I hope you’re feeling inspired and ready to tackle teaching fractions, decimals, and percents with confidence! Whether you’re using interactive tools like the Math Wheel, hands-on activities like the Footloose game, or diving into problem-solving with your students, these resources are sure to make learning both fun and effective. Teaching these concepts can sometimes feel challenging, but with the right tools and a little creativity, you’ll keep your students engaged and excited to learn. Now it’s time to try out these strategies and watch your students’ understanding of fractions, decimals, and percents grow stronger daily!

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The post All the Best Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Resources in One Place appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

There’s been a shift towards making note-taking more interactive by moving away from those endless pages of notes. I’m thrilled about this change because traditional note-taking, while beneficial, often poses a challenge for many students. As interactive note-taking gains popularity, it also becomes more fun! Some teachers love the creative aspects of interactive notebooks, with all the cutting, folding, gluing, and coloring. Others prefer a more simple approach that’s still engaging but with fewer steps. Today, I’m comparing two note-taking strategies: math wheels and interactive notebooks, to help you find the best fit for you and your students!

Why Are Interactive Note-Taking Strategies Helpful for Our Students?

Interactive note-taking strategies transform the way our students engage with the material. Instead of passively writing down notes, they become active participants in their learning. This hands-on approach helps to improve concept retention and understanding. Interactive note-taking strategies, like math wheels and interactive notebooks, cater to different learning styles. This makes the learning experience more personalized and effective. Plus, the fun and creativity involved in these strategies keep our students motivated and excited about their lessons.

These strategies also encourage our students to organize their thoughts visually, which can make complex concepts more accessible. The use of colors, diagrams, and interactive elements helps break down information into manageable chunks. This enhances comprehension and also aids in long-term retention. By involving our students in the creation of their notes, they develop a deeper connection to the material. This helps them to grow a sense of ownership and responsibility for their learning. Interactive note-taking strategies can also facilitate better classroom discussions and collaborative learning, as our students are more engaged and prepared to participate.

Pros and Cons of Note-Taking Strategies

Now that we’ve explored why interactive note-taking strategies are so beneficial, let’s dive into the details of two popular methods: math wheels and interactive notebooks. Both have their own unique advantages and drawbacks. Understanding these can help you decide which approach might be the best fit for your classroom. Whether you’re looking to enhance engagement, cater to different learning styles, or make note-taking more fun, comparing these two note-taking strategies will give you a clearer picture of what might work best for you and your students.

Math Wheels

Pros of Math Wheels

One of the biggest advantages of math wheels is how they make note-taking visually appealing and engaging. The circular format and the use of colors and doodles can make math concepts easier to understand and remember. Math wheels also allow students to break down complex information into smaller, more manageable sections, which helps with retention. All the information is on one side and not hidden behind flaps or on multiple pages. This also saves time because students don’t need to worry about gluing, folding, and cutting.

Making math wheels can be a fun and creative activity that helps students approach the material with ease. Having the steps chunked into sections with short definitions, makes students feel less overwhelmed by a new or confusing concept. I love that they can also be placed inside my students’ binders or math notebooks. Throughout the unit or the year, they can refer back to these math wheels. Interested in using math wheels to help your students break down math concepts? I have a whole collection of math wheels that cover multiple grades and a variety of math concepts!

Cons of Math Wheels

On the downside, math wheels can be time-consuming to fill out, discuss, and add color and doodles. If you have a tight schedule, the instruction time needed might be a challenge (depending on the topic). However, you can overcome that by breaking the completion of the math wheel into more than one lesson or by having students color during down time.

Some of your students might find the format confusing, especially if they are not used to this style of note-taking. It might also be difficult to cover extensive or detailed information within the limited space of a wheel. While math wheels are great for visual learners, they might not be as effective for your students who prefer more traditional note-taking methods.

Math wheels can be a fantastic tool for making math note-taking more interactive and engaging. When deciding if this strategy is right for your classroom, it’s important to consider your students’ needs and preferences. To see how I use math wheels or doodle wheels in other subjects, read Using Doodle Wheel Graphic Organizers for Math and ELA.

Interactive Notebooks

Pros of Interactive Notebooks

Interactive notebooks are fantastic for encouraging creativity and making learning hands-on. They allow our students to personalize their notes with drawings, foldables, and other interactive elements. This can really enhance understanding and retention. These notebooks also provide a structured way to organize information, making it easier for them to review and study later. The process of cutting, gluing, and coloring can make note-taking feel less like a chore and more like a fun, engaging activity.

Looking for an interactive notebook to use with your own students? Explore my 6th Grade Math Interactive Notebook to make note-taking more interactive! Your students will have the chance to turn note-taking into a hands-on experience as they cut, fold, and glue into their notebooks.

Cons of Interactive Notebooks

On the flip side, interactive notebooks can be quite time-consuming. The cutting, folding, and gluing can eat into valuable class time, which might be a concern when we have a packed curriculum. If pieces are not secured in the notebook before class ends, you’ll need to have an envelope or baggie for students to keep those pieces safe. They can also be a bit messy and require multiple supplies, which might not always be feasible.

Some students may find the process tedious or distracting, especially if they prefer more straightforward note-taking methods. From personal experience, I have found that cutting time increases the possibility of more off-topic conversations. Depending on how fast you can bring them back to focus, time can be lost. Keeping the notebooks organized and intact throughout the school year can be a challenge. Pieces may fall out or may go missing.

Interactive notebooks are a great way to make note-taking strategies more dynamic and personalized. It’s essential to weigh the time and resources required against the benefits for your students. To learn more about how I use interactive notebooks, make sure to read Interactive Math Notebooks in Middle School Math.

Both Note-Taking Strategies Are Effective for Students

Both math wheels and interactive notebooks are excellent note-taking strategies that can benefit our students. Whether you choose the visually engaging and creative approach of math wheels or the hands-on, personalized experience of interactive notebooks, both methods offer unique advantages. The key is to find what works best for you and your students, making learning more enjoyable and effective. You might even find that math wheels work well for some topics but the traditional interactive notebooks work well for others! So, dive in, experiment with these strategies, and watch your students thrive with their note-taking!

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Teaching Box-and-Whisker Plots in 6th Grade Math

Box-and-whisker plots are a brand new concept for my 6th-grade math students, and when 6th graders are first introduced to them, they seem a little scary. 

However, with some structured directions, students catch on very quickly.

As with all math concepts, there are different approaches to teaching this one. 

See Box and Whisker Plot Resources

What has worked in my classes is this: 

I break the creation of the box-and-whisker plot into 5 steps, in order to plot the 5 points needed to create the box and whiskers:

1) Order the data set from least to greatest.

2) Identify the smallest and largest values; place those points on the number line (above the number line).

3) Identify the median and place that point on the number line.

• Students need to understand and remember that if there’s an even number of numbers in the data set, the median will be the mean of the two middle numbers. Even though they’ve found median in the past, many students tend to need this reminder.

4) Find the first and third quartiles and place those points on the number line.

This step can be tricky for students…I’ve found it to be the step that most often throws off their box.

• Here’s what I’ve noticed: when there’s an odd number of numbers in the data set, it’s a little easier for students – the median is not included in the upper and lower halves of the data, so they have no trouble with circling the halves on either side of the median and then finding the median of each half, as in figure 1.

• When the data set has an even number of numbers, students need to remember that the median is between numbers and that exactly half of the numbers are in the upper half of the data and half are in the lower, as shown in figure 2.

The common mistake students make is to assume that since the two middle numbers (in this case 6 and 7) were used to find the median, they aren’t part of the upper and lower halves. 

This throws off their 1st and 3rd quartiles. I’ve found it’s important to spend extra time on the different scenarios possible in this step. I’ve also found that drawing that middle line to represent the median is a very helpful visual.

5) Draw the box and whiskers:
a) Draw a box, with the (vertical) end lines going through the points of the first and third quartiles.
b) Draw a vertical line through the median.
c) Draw lines from the box to the least and greatest values.

Box-and-Whisker Plot Fold It Up

I created this notes/fold-it-up a couple years ago, to help guide my students as they began creating box-and-whisker plots on their own. 

There are two versions: a blank one for students and a completed one for me:-) 

(If students miss the instruction due to absence, I give them a copy of my completed version when they return.)

Using the blank version, I walk the students through their creation of the box-and-whisker plot. And when we’re done, they have the notes for their independent work.

The only folding part of this fold-it-up is the section at the very bottom that has the definitions of the vocabulary. 

Students will need to cut the vertical lines along the bottom, fold them up, and then write the vocabulary words on the outside of the flaps

• quartiles
• first quartile
• third quartile
• variation
• interquartile range

Download the Fold it Up Here

Box-and-Whisker Plots Notes and Practice

I recently created a box-and-whisker math wheel. 

It has the same steps outlined above, just in a different format, which is a little more colorful and fun! Both of these resources are great for interactive notebooks!

See the Wheel on TPT

Box and Whisker Plot Practice

If you need some additional, engaging practice for box-and-whisker plots, check out this color by number activity!

The problems in this activity require students to identify:

• First quartile
• Median
• Third quartile
• Interquartile range

Check out the color by number

• Range
• Minimum
• Maximum
• Number that would be in each quartile, based on a number of students surveyed
• Data in terms of percent (25%, 50%, 75%)

Box-and-Whisker Plots Lesson ~ Reading and Creating

If you’d like a full lesson, which includes the fold-it-up and additional guided and independent pages plus exit tickets, check out the lesson using the button below.

See the Full Lesson Here

Interested in more Fold It Ups? Check out these blog posts:

• Integers Fold it Up Freebie
• Fraction, Decimal, Percent Fold it Up for Middle School Math
• Using the Ladder Method in Middle School Math, for GCF, LCM, Factoring

The post Teaching Box-and-Whisker Plots appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

Will you be teaching about integers in your middle school math class soon? If so, this integer activity is for you! This foldable is a great addition to your interactive notebooks. But don’t worry – if you don’t use interactive notebooks it still makes a great note-taking activity.

I really love using foldables in the classroom because of the hands-on aspect.  When students are working with their hands, their brains are activated in different ways.  And if something as easy as foldables helps my students learn new concepts, then I’m all in!

The integer activity is a foldable that is very easy for students to use.

• Students simply cut out the large rectangle (pictured below)
• They fold the triangles into the center, so the terms are showing on the outside.
• Students add the integer-related definitions inside the fold it up (suggested definitions are provided in the download)
• Last, they glue the integers fold it up onto a page with a number line.

I especially like this integers foldable, because of the fact that it gets glued onto the second page, with the number line. This allows for some flexibility when teaching about negatives, positives, and opposites integers.

• The number line can be used during the introduction of the integer concepts, to label vocabulary on the number line, making it visual.
• Or, it can be used during review, when preparing for a test or quiz….students can label when self-quizzing (or quizzing each other)!

Other Math Resources

Looking for more resources for your 6th grade math class? Check out these blog posts and activities that will help you save time and energy!

• Math Units: Innovative 6th Grade Curriculum for Teachers
• 6th Grade Math: Mastering Through the Magic of Math Doodle Wheels
• Graphing Linear Functions in 6th Grade Math
• Exploring Surface Area in 6th Grade Math
• 6th Grade Math Units
• Rational Numbers Unit

And. . . don’t forget to download the Integer Activity Foldable from this post.  I hope you can use this integer activity in your classroom!

The post Hands-On Integer Activity Your Students Will Love appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

The post Fraction, Decimal, Percent Fold it Up for Middle School Math appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.

Ratios, Equivalent Ratios, and Rates Fold it Up

Select to Download Fold It Up

This Fold It Up is now part of my Grade 6 Ratios Unit. Select to see the Ratios Unit on TPT

The post Free Ratios, Equivalent Ratios, and Rates Fold it Up appeared first on Cognitive Cardio Math.