It’s starting to get sunny and warm and that means it’s pool noodle time! So today I’m going to show you how $3 and less than 20 minutes can turn an ordinary pool noodle into pool noodle math! This adding and subtracting activity can be differentiated and it’s also great for fine motor skills. Did I mention super cheap and easy?!
You’ll need: 2 pool noodles and a dish tub. I snagged mine at the Dollar Tree (AKA Teacher Heaven). Total cost: $3.
First, I measured my pool noodles into 2 inch sections and cut those apart with a bread knife.
Then you’ll need to cut a slit into the pool noodle so it has an opening.
Next, number the pool noodle sections using a Sharpie. Depending on the skill and level you want your students to practice you can number 0-5 or 0-10. I did 2 sets of 0-5 for addition to 10 and a set of 6-10 so we could also do subtraction to 10!
You’ll also need a plus and minus sign!
And that’s all there is to creating the pool noodle math pieces.
Put the desired numbers into a dish tub.
Students choose 2 numbers and a symbol and place them on the edge of the dish tub. Then they write and solve the equation on the recording sheet!
Pool Noodle Math Recording Sheet
Thank you to my friend Vicky at Teaching And Much Moore for the inspiration!