These stations change each year based on what the group needs. We usually host the carnival the second to last Friday before Christmas or sometime during the last week before Christmas break. NOT the very last day because we get out at noon and eat lunch at 10:30. And it's just a crazy, crazy day.
I use the math carnival to review a few topics that I noticed my class struggled with during the main instruction or things I don't want them to lose from the beginning of the year.
Oh, Factor-Tree
This station reviews prime factorization of numbers. I cut out a Christmas tree from a poster board and laminated it because I wanted it to last. On a yellow star, I write the number I want the students to "prime factorize." On red circles to represent ornaments (or whatever color), I write every number involved in breaking the number down to prime factors. Example:
Every number gets put on a red circle. I like to cut straws in thirds for the lines. :) In groups, students are supposed to build the tree from top to bottom. If they have extra numbers, they have to rearrange until every number is used! My parent helper has a detailed answer key to check it, though I've been fortunate to have parent helpers that have helped enough that they already know how to do it. Win! I usually make 5-6 different problems to complete. Remember, they are only at each station for 15ish minutes.
SKUNK
You can change this to whatever you want to suit your theme: elves, Santa, Claus, reindeer (if you want a longer round), etc. This is to practice basic multiplication facts. Instead of just adding the numbers together, I like to have the kids add the number and then multiply them by a certain number for each letter. ex: for the u, everything gets multiplied by 6, for the n, everything gets multiplied by 9, etc. My old teaching buddy actually has a product for it here if you'd rather not make it yourself: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Game-of-Chance-to-Practice-Basic-Facts-660547
The detailed instructions are here:
http://illuminations.nctm.org/Lesson.aspx?id=956
http://illuminations.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Lessons/Resources/6-8/Skunk-AS-FurtherExamples.pdf
Divisibility Rules
One year our kids really struggled with this. We wrote out numbers, placed them in a brown paper bag, and then the kids had to figure out which numbers they were divisible by. We chose 4 digit numbers so they actually had to apply the rules. :) It was pretty low key. You could have them roll the dice to come up with their own numbers or make it a scavenger hunt.
Moveable Fractions
This year my kids need practice with operations. We've done a million hands on lessons, but they need to improve their speed because they can't rely SOLELY on drawing it out. (Not that I am opposed to drawing it out - I think its CRITICAL for deep understanding, but speed and fluency in math is also important). So I'm using this that I created for my first group: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jolly-Fractions-Fractions-with-All-Operations-CCSS-5NF1-5NF4-6NS1-1377655
I'll put this group in the hall with some Christmas music. They'll LOVE it!
Mostly this is just a time to review and make it fun! If students earn a sticker at each station (just for participating and not being obnoxious and genuinely trying), they can cash their stickers in for a homework pass after Christmas break. I also give everyone a Christmas word search so that if their station ends early, they have something to work on, and my parent helpers aren't scrambling.
Hope that helps my friends, you can make it though these last few days!!!
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