Math warm-ups are a great addition to your math enrichment time. They allow you to review previous concepts and introduce new math concepts in a short time period.
My third, fourth, and fifth grade math enrichment groups usually complete math project based learning activities that require a lot of time, effort, and critical thinking. While I do believe that this is important and how I like them to spend most of their time, their math scores on district and state assessments were not always reflecting this in-depth work. This was primarily because they were focused on specific math concepts for weeks or even months at a time when immersed in a project.
Therefore, I started implementing a math warm-up time with all of my groups. This is a short (less than ten minute) time that allows students to solve a problem that focuses on a different math concept than they are working on in their projects. This has allowed me to review math concepts that we focused on earlier and introduce new math concepts in a quick, low stress, way.
After using math warm-ups for over a year I noticed a significant improvement in my students’ math confidence, skills, and even test scores. I have compiled my favorite warm-ups for you. There is a mixture of online and print resources. I usually focus on one to two problems a day and mix them up throughout the year to cover a wide variety of concepts.
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Online Games
There are several online games that work great for math warm-ups. Many have a puzzle of the day and reset each day. The downside to these websites is that you do not have an answer key until the next day. There was more than one that we were unable to solve this year!
The Set Daily Puzzle is just like the card game. Set involves a series of cards with three different shapes, three different colors, three different patterns, and three different numbers. You have to create a set where either all three cards are different or all three cards are the same. The daily puzzle requires you to find six combinations. This game is great for mathematical patterns and quick thinking.
All Ten is a daily math game from Beast Academy. You are given four numbers. You must create equations with all four numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The goal is to try to get all ten answers from one to ten. This is a great game for equations, critical thinking, and order of operations.
Adsumudi is available online and as a card game. Adsumudi is a combination of the first parts of the words addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This game has a target number in the center and five other numbers around it. The objective is to make the target number with the other numbers by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing. The easy version requires using two numbers, while the most complex requires the use of all five numbers. This is great for math problem solving and flexible thinking.
Online Puzzles
Online puzzles are easy to access and project on your screen. All of these sites have a large quantity of puzzles that are free to access and most are self checking so you know if you are correct.
Solve Me Mobiles are a type of math puzzle that require each side of the puzzle to be balanced. They are a great way to challenge high ability students to use problem solving skills to create equal equations. This site progresses from easy to hard, but you are able to skip around and start where you want.
Who Am I Puzzles provide a series of clues to help you pinpoint a specific number. They also progress from easy to hard and allow you to skip puzzles. These are great for math vocabulary and number sense.
Esti-Mysteries are created by Steve Wyborney and available for free on his website. They show a jar with a variety of materials. Students record their estimate and then revise based on clues revealed one at a time. I used these with second and third grade students with a 100 chart. They crossed off numbers as they were eliminated from the clues. This is great for estimation and number sense.
Splat is another series of puzzles from Steve Wyborney. A total number is given in the top right corner. Some objects are shown and the rest are covered up with a “splat.” Students must determine how many objects are covered. Advanced versions have multiple variables and fractions.
Printable Puzzles
Printable puzzles are often the easiest to use because each student can receive a copy. It is easier to keep track of the puzzle that you are on and an answer key is available.
Open Middle was created by Robert Kaplinsky. These problems ask students to use the digits 1-9 (in most cases) to fill in blanks to solve a problem. They are available for different grade levels and different math concepts. Students have to try multiple combinations, test their combinations, and make adjustments to find a correct combination.
Missing Decimals involve a mysterious spill on a receipt that resulted in missing information. Students will add, subtract, and divide decimals to determine the missing amounts. These promote critical thinking, problem solving, and money equations.
Missing Side Puzzles require students to problem solve their way through determining the missing side when provided with area or perimeter measurements. It’s a hands-on approach to reinforce concepts, encourage critical thinking and mathematical reasoning. They are also available for volume and surface area.
Which One Doesn’t Belong is a great warm-up for a variety of math concepts. It asks students to look at four different images or equations and determine which one is different and explain why. There is often more than one right answer. Students often answer with reasons that are not based on mathematical reasoning though, so it is important to remind them to think like a mathematician.
I hope that you find something that can benefit your math instruction. Feel free to comment with your favorite from the list or another resource that you use for math warm-ups!
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