It’s the same scenario every morning meeting: greeting and sharing go well, but take too long, and you’re down to only 10 minutes for an activity. You’re anxiously looking at the clock thinking about how disappointed your students are going to be when you tell them there isn’t enough for an activity. You think to yourself that tomorrow you’ll make the greeting faster, or skip sharing. Anything to have enough time for an activity.
I’m here to tell you that 10 minutes is plenty of time for an activity. What can you do in 10 minutes? A LOT!
Here are three math-related activities you can do in just 10 minutes:
Guess the Number
For this activity, students need to figure out what number you are thinking of by asking only yes or no questions. I love this game because it makes kids think about the most efficient ways to get to the right number. Start by saying, “I’m thinking of a 3-digit number.”
Good questions include:
- Is the number even?
- Is there a 3 in the hundreds place?
- Is the tens place greater than 6?
Students will quickly learn that simply guessing a number (is it 371?) won’t really help them solve it.
Suggestions:
- Write the number down somewhere only you can see it – I find that I can’t always remember the number I’ve chosen!
- Stick with three-digit numbers. Two digits are too easy and four digits will take too long.
- Once the students get the hang of this activity, allow the person with the correct guess to decide the next number. They can help you answer the questions until they’re comfortable doing it on their own.
Pica Ferme Nada
With this game, students are also trying to guess a number, but you’re giving clues based on each digit. Start by writing three lines on the board: _____ _____ _____
Ask a student to give you any 3-digit number. I always remind students who provide the first guess not to be discouraged because they are starting without any clues at all and may not guess any of the numbers correctly.
Write the three digits on the lines, one on each line. Below each digit, write a P, F, or N.
- Pica means the digit is in the number but not in the correct place.
- Ferme means the digit is in the number and in the correct place.
- Nada means the digit is not in the number.
Suggestions:
- Students may not remember what the P, F, or N mean. Write their meanings somewhere on the board for students to refer to while playing.
- Depending on the ability of the class, I will either erase all of the numbers and letters and leave the lines between each guess or leave up any numbers with the F underneath.
- Once the students get the hang of this activity, allow the person with the correct guess to decide the next number. They can help you answer the questions until they’re comfortable doing it on their own.
Bullseye!
This is a great activity to play when you only have 10 minutes!
Write five digits on the board between 1 and 9. These are the given numbers.
Then write a number between 11 and 30 to the right of the given numbers. This is the target, or bullseye, number.
Students use the given numbers and any of the four operations (+, -, x. ÷) to make the bullseye number. It is not necessary to use all five given numbers in each equation.
I love this activity because it forces students to use their math fluency skills.
Here’s an example: 4 2 9 1 6 16
A possible equation using the given numbers to make the bullseye number is (4 x 6) – (9 – 1) = 24 – 8 = 16.
Suggestions:
- Challenge your students to come up with ten equations.
- Leave the numbers and equations up somewhere in the room and allow students to add to it (at appropriate times) throughout the day.
- Depending on the ability of the class, use larger bullseye numbers and allow the use of exponents and square roots.
Bullseye is a great way to warm your students up at the start of the day, at the start of the math lesson, anytime you need a 10-minute activity, as well as for early finishers and small groups. Interested in knowing more about Bullseye? Try out this Bullseye FREEBIE! It includes 5 unique puzzles provided as worksheets, task cards, and digital slides. This freebie also includes Bullseye Badges and Bullseye Certificates as incentives!
Try out these 10-minute math-related morning meeting activities – your students are going to love them!
