It Was The Best of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times

A few weeks ago, my students started working on multiplication. Admittedly, I had mixed emotions about teaching the concept to a group of third graders who still struggle with 5+3, but just as Siegfried & Roy have taught us this past year, the show must go on.

I thought to myself: How will they memorize their facts? How can they build on previously taught concepts that have yet to be mastered? And equally as important, how can I teach this without wanting to repeatedly shove a fork into my eye?

Then it hit me. Since I'll be knee deep in this adventure for the next few weeks, I might as well have a little fun with it. So I created a bulletin board with pictures of mugs the kids colored in. For every times table factor they master (i.e., all the 2's, 3's etc...) they get a marshmallow with the number on it added to the cup.

But the piece de resistance is the title of the display:

We've Got Chills For Multiplying

Ahh, I kill me.