Math projects are an ideal way to consolidate learning. I recommend using them as an engaging activity AFTER skills have been learned rather than during learning. You will likely find that engagement is very high and that your students ask to do more of these!

There are many ways to use math projects in your classroom. Some of the most popular are:

•a small-group or pairs activity

•a guided math activity to allow you to see where your students are struggling

•a fun, rewarding way to engage your early finishers

•a low-prep, easy-to-implement activity for a substitute teacher

You might choose to print specific tasks to use during Math centers, or you might make a booklet out of all six tasks and let your students choose which one to do when. The choice is yours.

Take a look at what you’ll find inside The New Year's Project:

RESOLUTION #1: SAVE UP FOR A PET

Alexis has wanted a puppy for so long and finally, her parents have agreed! BUT she must save up enough money to purchase the puppy and pay for its vet bills, food, and supplies. Her New Year's Resolution is to save up enough to pay for all of these expenses.

Math Skills: money, addition, subtraction

RESOLUTION #2: RUN A MARATHON

Ashton loves to run! He has decided that this year he’d like to run a 5 kilometer race that’s coming up in about two and a half months. He’ll need to create a training schedule to ensure that he can run the entire race! Can you help him?

Math Skills: fractions, increasing patterns, mapping

RESOLUTION #3: EAT MORE HEALTHY FOODS

Cheyenne’s New Year's resolution is to eat more healthy foods. She wants to make sure that she is eating from all of the food groups.

Math Skills: multiplication, graphing

RESOLUTION #4: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Travis has decided that his New Year's resolution is to do more random acts of kindness for others. He hopes that if he does kind things for others, then they will also do kind things for others, and it will continue to spread! His first task – painting his sister’s bedroom. Shhhh! It’s a surprise!

Math Skills: area, perimeter

RESOLUTION #5: RAISING MONEY FOR A CHARITY

Three years ago, Jericho’s brother had to spend 2 months in the hospital. Because of that experience, Jericho has decided that his new year's resolution is to raise money to buy toys for children that have to spend extended periods of time in the hospital.

Math Skills: basic operations, money

RESOLUTION #6: ACHIEVE A READING GOAL

Melissa loves to read! Her New Year's resolution this year is to read 700 pages in January!

Math Skills: basic operations, elapsed time

BONUS: MY RESOLUTION

Get your students thinking about their own New Year's Resolutions!

ANSWER KEYS ARE PROVIDED TO MAKE SELF-CHECKING SIMPLE.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My students really enjoyed this activity! They were able to work in groups to help these "students" make plans to achieve their resolutions. This is also a great activity to talk about how their resolutions and what will their plan be to achieve them! Super recommended!" Laura A.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I am using this the first week back from Christmas break as a review for math, as well as, getting their brains moving again before I begin in our unit. The students are loving it! Plus, it has lots of skills that they need refreshed on!" Ohio Aces Teacher

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "This project is a great entry into problem-based learning! The clip-art is tasteful and not at all babyish so it can be used with our middle schoolers who are performing significantly below grade-level. The pack covers a variety of topics and skills and is a great refresher for kids coming out of winter break." Elise S.