There are many ways to teach maths concepts in creative ways. In teaching multiplication, for example, maths manipulatives may be used to help students understand concepts better. And, while there are many wonderful professionally-designed resources that you can use, there are also many inexpensive materials that maths teachers can use.

One very useful item from home that teachers can use is the egg carton.

To teach multiplication using “egg carton maths”, collect as many egg cartons as you can (or ask students to bring their own). Egg cartons may be assigned per student or per small group (2 to 3 at the most). As counters, you can use any item that you can find – buttons, marbles, stones, pebbles, leaves, etc.

You can introduce multiplication concepts using the egg carton by teaching students that each section of the egg carton is a way to group items (counters). So, for example, when you ask students to group 3 items in to 3 sections (3 x 3), you can ask them to add up the number of items in their cartons to get the answer.

Best Practice Tips:

1. Introduce the use of the egg cartons by computing multiplication algorithms as a whole class to start with. Once the students show that they are comfortable with the use of the egg cartons and their counters to solve multiplication problems, give them some practice equations to work with independently (or in groups).

2. When doing the multiplication algorithms as a whole class, make sure to write the “number sentence” (4 x 5 = 20) that goes with the word problems (“group 4 items in to 5 sections”).

3. You can use the egg cartons when introducing specific times tables (x2s, x3s, etc). This is a good way to introduce the concept of multiplication being “groups of”. It’s also an interesting way to visually show the relationship of multiplication with addition.

4. “Egg carton maths” may also be used in teaching division computations.

1. Strategies for Special Education and Inclusion Classrooms – Here’s a blog on the topic of special education from popular publisher, Scholastic. It includes posts on special education teaching tips, ideas, and commentaries.

2. Teaching All Students – This is a blog by Peter Black, a special education teacher who also loves technology. He shares some tips and insights on the subject matter in this blog.

3. Teaching Effectively – Commentaries and ideas about teaching in the special education field.

4. SpedPro – An informational blog for professionals in special education.

5. On Special Education – News, commentaries, and other matters about special education from EdWeek.

If you have other special education blogs that you wish to recommend, please leave a comment with a link to those blogs below.

• Castle Waiting by Linda Medley (Graphic)
• Beauty by Robin McKinley
• Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
• Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep by Gail Carson Levine
• Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
• Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale (Graphic)
• The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• Beware of the Storybook Wolves by Lauren Child (Graphic)
• Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? By Lauren Child (Graphic)
• Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley
• Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley
• Cinderellis and the Glass Hill by Gail Carson Levine

For a more comprehensive list, you can download the printable file below.

Please note that you need to be a registered member of this site to download the file.

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One activity that educators can use in teaching multiplication is the use of Times Tables Grids. In this example, you can find a grid that includes multiplication from x1 to x12. This is a useful way of showing students the relationship of the numbers in this operation.

If you wish to find a downloadable version of this grid in PDF format, you can download this file below. You can also find a blank times tables grid that you can use as a worksheet in your classroom.

Please note that you need to be a registered member of this site to download the template.

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1) Teach the alphabet – Teaching children their basic ABCs is the most common way that teachers use alphabet flash cards. Teachers can come up with alphabet flash cards in all capital letters, in all small letters, or a combination of capital and small letters.

2) Teach letter sounds – To help children understand the relationship between letters and the sounds they make, teachers may want to use alphabet flash cards.

3) Teach beginning letters – When introducing words, alphabet flash cards may be useful in teaching the beginning letters to students. Showing pictures that represent the words might also be useful. A sample, of course, is to show the letter ‘a’ when introducing the word ‘apple’. Showing the picture of an apple will be good for this too.

4) Teach handwriting skills – Teachers may want to use alphabet flash cards as a way to model desired handwriting samples.

5) Use as an assessment tool – Other than using the alphabet flash cards as teaching tools, educators may also use them as an assessment tool. They may be used in assessing children’s knowledge of the alphabet, letter sound relationships, beginning letter knowledge, and handwriting skills.

Please feel free to share other ideas on how to use alphabet flash cards in the classroom.

If your school doesn’t have the budget for purchasing interactive whiteboards, then you might want to look for alternatives. This video by Johnny Lee (of Carnegie Mellon University) shares a system whereby you can set up an inexpensive system that enables you to use surfaces, similar to an interactive whiteboard or a tablet using infrared pens that you can make yourself and a Wiimote (plus a few other materials and a surface).

If you’re using this system in your school (or even at home), I’d love to hear from you. I’m interested to see if this works in the ‘real life’ setting.

The video made it all look so simple and doable. So, I’m looking forward to hearing what other people think about it.

“Every single day in classrooms all across America, you are making a difference. You don’t always get the recognition that you deserve. In a global economy where the greatest job qualification isn’t what you can do but what you know, our teachers are the key to our nation’s success; to whether America will lead the world in the discoveries and the innovations and economic prosperity.”

And, when Mr Mullen was asked by a reporter what he thought makes a great teacher, he mentioned the following traits:

• Passion
• Professionalism
• Perseverance

Mr Mullen also added,“Good teachers possess some other special quality. The really good teachers are able to read a child’s story, and recognize the remarkable opportunity to help author that story… Really good teachers know they have the ability to make a child happy or sad, to make a child feel confident or unsure, to make a child feel wanted or discarded. And students know when we care.”

Very good reminders for all those in the field of education.

1. Art Projects for Kids

This is a fantastic blog maintained by Kathy Barbro, an experienced elementary school art teacher. It contains several art lessons and ideas, complete with samples and even templates when needed. She also offers some of her more elaborate art projects (such as class murals) for sale at a very affordable price. Just visiting this site can spark a lot of wonderful art lessons.

2. Kinder Art

Kinder Art is a very well-developed site that is dedicated to teaching various art techniques and ideas to children. It has several lesson plans, projects, printables, and even teaching kits. Some of its unique areas include: multicultural art lessons, cross-curricular art ideas, and a special art section for people with special needs.

3. Art Lessons K-6

Arranged by appropriate age levels, the sample art lessons in each level give a good guideline on what to teach students in primary school. There are basic lessons on drawing and painting, as well as more developed ones that teach art appreciation.

4. Art Attack

Based on the hit art TV show by Neil Buchanan, Art Attack contains a lot of interesting art activities and projects that may be completed by different types of students. Many of the ideas presented in the site can be great starting points for teaching art in the classroom.

5. Draw Your World

This site is based on a drawing instruction book for children. It is specifically designed to teach students different drawing techniques, as well as other strategies that will help them with their general learning of art. Lessons include basic ideas such as correct pencil grips, as well as more elaborate step-by-step drawing tutorials.

1. Identify why you want to become a teacher.

2. List the pluses, minuses and opportunities of becoming a teacher.

3. Talk to trusted friends and family about this plan.

4. Seek the help of a career advisor.

5. Create and execute a research plan.

6. Get a teaching mentor or two.

7. Try your hand at becoming a teacher or a teacher’s aide.

8. Read some books on teaching and other resources.

What about you? Are you studying to become a teacher – or, are you still in the process of making that decision? Or perhaps, you’re already a teacher. What are the things that you’ve put in to consideration regarding teaching as a career?

Do you have any other tips that you wish to share to those who may be considering going in to this pathway?

Currently, I am a pre-service teacher here in Australia, undergoing a Master of Teaching (Special Education) degree, with a Junior Primary/Primary focus. I also have a Master of Social Science degree in Applied Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

Although I am not a registered teacher yet in Australia, I have had previous experience teaching when I was living in Manila. Primarily, as a tutor for elementary school kids and as an enrichment teacher in the field of communication. I also taught English as a Second Language to expatriate Japanese and Chinese professionals. And, I also taught general psychology for a semester in one of the universities in Manila.

My hope for the Education section here at Kidoosh is to be able to build a good resource for teachers (Reception to Year 7). If you have any suggestions, feedback, and tips, please feel free to send them along. Contributions are always welcome too!

I look forward to sharing this love for education with you.