Fidget Poppers Will Transform Math Skills in These 5 Ways
Fidget poppers, aka pop-its, are super popular with children (and I love them too). They are engaging and tactile. But did you know they can also help to enhance math skills? Here are five ways to incorporate fidget poppers into your math lessons, making math both enjoyable and effective.
Use them as Multiplication Tables
You can snag a fidget popper already marked as a multiplication table here at Amazon, or take your blank pop it and write the numbers on it with a sharpie. You can teach your students how to use it to find the answers to multiplication problems up to 9 x 9.
Roll to 100 Game
The Roll to 100 addition game is a fantastic way to practice math skills – specifically addition. Here’s how you can incorporate fidget poppers into this game.
Students need a die and a 10×10 pop it. Students roll the die and pop that number (for example, 5). Their partner rolls and pops their number (so if they rolled 2, they pop 2 more, and now the pop it has 7 pops). Whoever pops the 100 bubble wins! If you need to buy one, here is a 100 pop it for the game.
Determining Even and Odd Numbers
Another way to practice math skills with fidget poppers is to determine whether a number is odd or even. Students will pop every other bubble on the pop it. The first column of bubbles in the image below are odd, the unpopped ones in the second column are even. Students find a bubble to match the number they want to check, such as 15 shown below. The fifteenth bubble is popped so that means it is odd. What a fun way to practice! Just make sure the pop it lines up with odd and even. Message me if you have questions!
Use them as Ten Frames
Of all the math skills in the primary grades, adding to 10 and fact families to 10 are so important. To use pop its as ten frames, cut your pop it in 2 rows x 5 bubbles! Use the ten frame to practice making a ten with students in math class.
You can also teach repeated addition and / or arrays! Use the ten frame to pop bubbles for arrays. Using ten frames helps students visualize number relationships and develop understanding of basic arithmetic.
Keep reading for more strategies!
Hands-On Multiplication Practice
Pop its are so helpful in building math skills because kids can see the arrays. I also love using them for multiplication word problems! I get them for pretty good prices at Amazon (for example 12 full size for $18.99) or Walmart. I even use the giant fidget popper sometimes!
This method helps students visualize that multiplication is repeated addition and it reinforces their understanding of arrays.
Ready-to-Go Bundle of Math Resources for Fidget Poppers
To save time and ensure you have a variety of activities for important math skills at your fingertips, consider using a ready-to-go bundle of math resources specifically designed for fidget poppers. These bundles often include printable task cards, activity sheets, and detailed instructions for various math concepts.
Benefits:
- Time-saving: Pre-made resources allow you to quickly add fidget poppers into your lessons without a lot of preparation.
- Variety: A bundle typically covers a wide range of math skills.
- Engagement: These resources are often interactive and fun, keeping students motivated and focused.
You can find helpful bundles on Teachers Pay Teachers, created by educators like you!
A Resources all Ready to Go for You in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store
Ready to use pop its in the classroom for math skills but don’t want to have to figure out the details? Try this already created set of pop it resources for math! I did the work for you so you can save precious time!
What’s Included?
- Adition and Subtraction Word Problems
- Combinations to a 10
- Graphing
- Adding 3 Numbers
- Multiplication Word Problems
- Beginning Multiplication- Arrays and Repeated Addition
- Number Bonds
Multiplication arrays
Help your students with basic multiplication concepts of arrays and repeated addition with these pop it resources! A busy teacher who tried it described how she feels: “My students were SO engaged by this activity. I used it first in small groups, but plan to add it into my station rotation so they can continue to practice it independently. Thanks for a great resource!” on Teachers Pay Teachers!
Graphing
Use pop its in the classroom to help students read, create and analyze data charts and bar graphs! Students will also be problem solving by using clues to complete data charts. These are printable task cards and kids need the hands on resource of 6×6 rectangular pop its.
Addition and Subtraction Word Problems
Another one of the important math skills is addition and subtraction word problems. Addition and subtraction can be visualized with hands on fidget poppers!
Multiplication Word Problems
Students will also find it fun to pop and solve multiplication word problems! One teacher who tried it reviewed it on TPT: “My students LOVED this activity. They didn’t want to stop. Great activity for students.”
Adding 3 Numbers
Adding three numbers is a key component of the math standards. This resource provides differentiated practice for adding three numbers with sums up to 12 and sums over 12. It includes response sheets and answer keys, making it ideal for second graders, as well as first and third graders who need challenge, enrichment, review, or extra practice.
Number Bonds
Number Bonds with pop its are a fun way to practice addition and subtraction. Includes practice for number bonds with sums up to 24 as well as response sheets and answer keys are included.
Five Star Reviews:
For the included resources: “My students absolutely LOVED this activity! Totally worth the investment of the pop its. It was a wonderful hands on way for them to practice arrays.”
“My students loved using this resource, and with the multiplication pop-its I had purchased. Please make more!“
“My students loved using pop its to visually check their answers! I was able to put this in a center while I worked with small groups.”
And for the bundle: “My students have loved this resource! They find it engaging and I love the progress I’m seeing!”
Other blog posts you may want to check out:
- 8 Ways to Use Pop Its to Engage Learners
- Fun Ideas for Review Math Skills
- Back to School Math Review
- 7 Ways to Practice CVC Words
- 8 Effective Beginning Multiplication Activities
If you want to save this blog post for later, pin this Pinterest ready image below! If you try any resources, please take a moment on Teachers Pay Teachers to leave feedback. It means so much to me!
Let me know if you have any other great ways to boost math skills with pop its!
