Spider Math was inspired from a math workshop I attended where they used ants to teach some math concepts after reading The Ants Go Marching One by One. I utilized spiders and further developed a Multidisciplinary approach to teaching many math concepts. Additionally, we tied this into life cycles, habitats, comparing and contrasting arachnids and insects, and report writing about different spiders. During this unit, I always read Charlotte's Web by E.B. White to the class.
On Monday, we did the Area and Perimeter Spider Array and discuss the perimeter, area, and the related multiplication facts. I gave my students copies of all these to fill in as we did it together on the overhead, to increase retention.
On Tuesday, we did the Spider Stair Step Multiplication Table together. The rest of the time, I filled in with math book activities I had to cover.
On Wednesday, for all weeks except for Zero, we made The Spiders Go Spinning One by One books, which change according to the multiplication facts learned that week. I have one sheet that has 4 covers on it to cut out and easily hand to the class. Each student gets a sheet to cut, fill in the answers, and assemble into a mini book.
Tuesday through Friday, I gave each student a Multiplication Minute Strip to fill in to help commit the multiplication facts to memory.
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