An Easy and Delightful Alternative To Math Spiral Review For The Classroom

Math curriculums seem to be covering more and more information and concepts. Teachers are often trying to find ways not just to cover the new concepts but also to review all of the older concepts students may have learned years prior or even last month. Whether using guided math groups, or math workshop, you are most likely having your students complete some sort of the spiral review worksheet. But what if I told you I had an alternative to math spiral review? A much more engaging way to allow your students to review older math standards,  test prep, or just get a little more practice on more challenging math concepts.

What is Spiral Review Math?

Spiral review math is where you give students questions based on math concepts they already have learned. At the beginning of 4th grade, you may provide students with questions based on 3rd grade math standards. Then as the year goes on, you’ll spiral back and give students 4th grade math questions based on topics you learned in the months prior. The spiral review helps keep concepts fresh in students’ brains since math often uses older concepts in newer lessons! Many teachers use spiral review math for morning work or math bell work worksheets in the upper grades like middle school.

Alternatives To Math Spiral Review

We have all seen the spiral review worksheets in our math teacher manuals or the kid’s workbooks. You may have even searched for them on TPT, and those worksheets are totally fine! They are quick formative assessments of what your students definitely know and what they still need to work on. But, whether you are giving a 5th grade spiral review worksheet or a 2nd grade or a 3rd grade. Those worksheets will become tedious not only to the students but to you! Imagine all of the grading you will have each week! 

So how can you give your students daily spiral review without being up to your eyeballs in paper? Try using this alternative to math spiral review.

Spiral Math Center Review 

Using math centers in my classroom is definitely a favorite. I love to be able to work with small groups and know the rest of my class is working hard on independent games, activities, or worksheets. The coolest thing about math centers is you can easily add in daily math spiral review!

Board Games

Board games are a great way to help students practice math standards and are super easy to implement in your classroom. Check out this blog post on how to do so! Using board games in your classroom will excite your students and help them practice past math skills. There are so many different games available to you, but I suggest you implement simple board games. Having simple board games will allow you to teach the directions once and allow your students to work without your help easily. These games will save you and your students time.

Grab these simple board games in my TPT store here!

Differentiated Activities

Many teachers think the only way to differentiate spiral review is to create a billion different math spiral review worksheets. 

NOPE!

Create one fun flipbook with your students that can be put together and help them review different math concepts. A math center with differentiated questions is an excellent alternative to math spiral review. It’s also a great way to ensure you give each student the help they need, even when working with a small group. Since you have already split your students into small groups based on their ability level or understanding of a certain standard, you can easily have differentiated activities available for each group. When forming your group, I suggest you use colors, numbers, or letters. This way, each student knows what activity they need to complete.

Grab a spiral review flipbook here!

Puzzle Activities

Puzzles are another activity students love, no matter what their grade level. They are also a great alternative to math spiral review. Puzzles aren’t always seen as math resources. However, they are some of the best math resources. Puzzles can easily be differentiated and are great for independent work, partner work, or even small group work. Another simple activity that students can learn how to complete once. Then will need little to no help the next time they pull the puzzle out.

I have a bundle of all my puzzles in my TPT store! You can get it here.

Spin And Answer Games

Spin and answer games are simple and easy to bring into your classroom. As an alternative to spiral review, you can use spin and answer games to help students practice their math facts, finding the volume, and rounding. Plus, all your students need is a worksheet, a pencil, and a paperclip. Easy prep for you and easy to complete for students.

These are available here.

4 Alternatives To Math Spiral Review

There you have it. Four alternatives to math spiral review. Although they all allow students to review concepts they have learned, these review activities are not just worksheets! Your students will love playing games, solving puzzles, and creating colorful flipbooks.