5 Middle School Math Ideas for the Week Before Break

The week before any extended break is always challenging. Students are nervous, excited, and thinking about everything BUT school! This post includes 5 activities that get kids moving and engaged, while also still focusing on academics.

1. Mystery Prize Review Activity

This has been my favorite to do THE DAY before any break. It is fairly easy to prep, students love it, and it is still focused on math! The idea is pretty simple. Post 5-7 math problems around the room with a corresponding "mystery prize" next to each problem. You can fill the bags with whatever you would like! I have done candy, gum, pencils, or erasers in the past. Each problem will also need an entry basket and scrap paper next to it.

Students wander around the room, attempting as many of the problems as they can and submitting their work into each entry basket. Once students have had enough time to try each of them, bring the class back together. One at a time, you go over each problem and draw a winner from each basket. The first correct answer drawn from each problem wins that prize! Grab this free set of Number Operations and Algebra problems to get started!

*Tip: I usually say each student can only win one prize, unless they are the only correct answer for their second prize.

2. Scavenger Hunts

Students love scavenger hunts. I don't know what it is about them, but they always seem to go over well. The movement that is naturally built into scavenger hunts make them a perfect fit for the week before break! For mine, I post 12 problems around the room. Students start at one of the twelve problems, usually with 2-3 students starting at each one. The answer to each problem will lead students to their next problem!

I have a ton of scavenger hunts available for 6th and 8th grade, covering almost any concept you can think of! You can try this free 6th Grade Number System Scavenger Hunt and this free 8th Grade Probability Scavenger Hunt to get an idea of how they work! For other concepts, you can take a look at my two scavenger hunt bundles at the links below!

6th Grade Math Scavenger Hunt Bundle

8th Grade Math Scavenger Hunt Bundle

3. Rotation Review Activities

This rotation review activity is another great way to get students moving while learning math. I especially like to use these as a review at the end of a unit. Five or six problems, written on poster board, are posted around the room. Students start in groups at each of the problems, usually 4-5 students per group. Each student begins with one Post-it note for each problem (I usually have them number them). When you say go, each group gets about 2-3 minutes to do their problem on their Post-it note. When you say switch, each group rotates to the next problem (bringing all of their Post-it notes with them). Repeat this process until every group has attempted every problem!

Once finished, students can then go around the room and post their work, on the Post-it notes, to the corresponding problems. If you have time, students can then go around and look for things the class did well and common mistakes from each problem!

4. Math Games

In my opinion, there is never a bad time to introduce a new math game! The weeks before break are an especially great time to try one out! Depending on what you are working on, I have lots of math board games available for different middle school concepts. You can check some of them out below!

Fraction and Decimal Board Games

Fractions and Decimal Board Games (With Negatives)

Algebra Board Games

Geometry Board Games

Statistics and Probability Board Games

5. Siega

This game isn't necessarily math related, but if you need a fun and engaging game to get you through the last days of school, this is it! Students get with a partner and make game boards by creating a 3 by 3 grid of squares on any piece of paper. Each student begins the game with three counters of "their color" on one side of the board. Each player starts on a side opposite their opponent.

Students then take turns moving pieces. On their turn, they can move any of their colored counters to a square the is touching its current position. This could be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. They cannot jump over counters or move to a spot that is already occupied!

The goal of the game is to be the first player to get their counters in a line of three in a row, in a spot other than where they started! The first player to do this wins!

What are your favorite "week before break" activities?

I'd love to hear about your favorite activities to use before break in the comments below! For more middle school math ideas, be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter at the following link! You will also receive an Angle Relationships Task Card freebie when you sign up!

Weekly Newsletter from Middle School Math Man