Math Starters (2^nd Ed.)
5- to 10-Minute Activities Aligned with the Common Core Math Standards, Grades 6-12

Now updated with new math activities for computers and mobile devices?and now organized by the Common Core State Standards?this book includes more than 650 ready-to-use math starter activities that get kids quickly focused and working as soon as they enter the classroom. Ideally suited for any math curriculum, these high-interest problems spark involvement in the day's lesson, help students build skills, and allow teachers to handle daily management tasks without wasting valuable instructional time.

• A newly updated edition of a bestselling title
• Ideal for math teachers in grades six through twelve
• Includes more than 650 ready-to-use starter problems

About the Authors xxv

Acknowledgments xxvii

About This Book xxix

Standards and Problems Chart xxxi

Part 1: Making Math Starters Part of Your Program 1

The Value of Math Starters 3

Starting Class with a Math Starter 3

Purpose and Value of a Math-Starter Notebook 4

The Value of Written Explanations 7

Cooperative Problem Solving Using Math Starters 7

Organizing Groups for Problem Solving 7

The Value of Sharing and Discussion 11

Using Problem-Solving Strategies 11

Evaluation 14

Checklists 14

Point Systems 14

Quizzes That Include Math Starters 15

Review of Math-Starter Notebooks 15

Student Participation 15

Portfolios 15

A Final Word 15

Part 2: Math Starters 17

Section 1: Whole Numbers and Integers: Theory and Operations 19

Section 2: Rational Numbers: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 51

Section 3: Algebra and Beyond 101

Section 4: Functions 163

Section 5: Geometry 185

Section 6: Statistics, Probability, and Data Analysis 281

Section 7: Number and Quantity 319

Section 8: Potpourri 335

Answer Key 363

Judith A. Muschla taught mathematics in South River, New Jersey, for over twenty-five years. Along with teaching and writing, she has been a member of the State Standards Review Panel for the Mathematics Core Curriculum Content Standards in New Jersey.

Gary Robert Muschla taught at Appleby School in Spotswood, New Jersey, for more than twenty-five years. His specialties include mathematics at the middle school level, reading, and writing. Judith and Gary have coauthored several very successful math activity books, including The Algebra Teacher's Activities Kit, Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, and The Math Teacher's Book of Lists.

Erin Muschla-Berry teaches eighth grade math at Monroe Township Middle School in Monroe, New Jersey, and has collaborated with Judith and Gary on four previous math books, including Teaching the Common Core Math Standards with Hands-On Activities, Grades 6-8.