Before I jumped down to elementary, my middle school teacher self didn’t understand the draw to anchor charts. Like so what, it’s a poster on the wall. But in elementary land, anchor charts are the basis of how you teach. Whether it’s collecting ideas from a class discussion, sharing the steps to solve a particular math problem, or serving as the mentor text in writing, anchor charts anchor the learning. (who knew?!). When I realized that, I became obessed with looking for all the best ideas for math posters.
So now that I know all that, it seems I cannot stop scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram looking for ideas for math posters. I love a good anchor chart and I want them to be bright and colorful while still being useful to my students. I was obsessed with the queen of anchor charts herself Amy Groesbeck, her handwriting, her free-hand skills, she has got it all!
And she sells traceable charts…if you are looking for math anchor charts 3rd grade skills. But I taught 5th grade so that didn’t really work! So I made my own math charts for 5th grade! If you want them, you can grab them here, but today I’m just rounding up ideas for you. Consider it like inspiration for your own anchor charts!
Helpful Ideas for Math Posters
Anchor charts don’t have to be complicated to make! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need perfect handwriting or drawings to create useful anchor charts. Here are some tips and tricks to helping you make the most of the anchor charts in your classroom. Remember, the purpose of the posters to make them useful for students!
Notebook Sized
While I love anchor charts, I was quickly running out of wall space for all of these wonderful learning snapshots. I decided to get creative with my math posters and shrunk them down for students to glue into their math interactive notebooks. Well, now I use math folders so I don’t have to shrink things down but the idea still applies.
Students can keep track of their posters and they can actually see the posters like a reference sheet. This also creates more independent learners because they have the posters at their finger tips. This is great for reviewing for the state test or if they just forgot how to add and subtract fractions.
These notebook sized posters have blanks for students to fill in while I create the anchor chart for the whole class. 5th graders can start to take notes without it feeling like notes. And then they can reference their own posters all year. Teacher hack right there!
Trace the Basics
Another helpful hint to making anchor charts is to trace the main pieces before the lesson. The basic pieces like title, math problem and numbers for the steps can be filled in before students come to class. Then we are just filling in the learning part together. This also let’s me use all the fun fonts and bright colors. And I don’t have to try to spell in front of kids which for some reason always makes me nervous!
Focus on the Main Things
One chart is not going to hold every single thing you need students to know about a particular topic. Keep the chart focused on the main thing, whatever that might be. If you are utilizing a chart to keep track of steps to solving long division, then the steps should take center stage on the poster. If you are using a poster as a word wall, then make sure the vocabulary jumps out on the page. Whatever the main thing is, that’s what your eye should be drawn to.
Keep it Neat
I love bright colors as much as the next person but sometimes too much color can give the poster a feeling of chaos. Use colors, but also embrace white white space. I like using a color-coordinated theme for my posters. I also love a good color code moment, especially in math lessons for 5th graders.
In addition to sticking with just a few colors, minimize designs. I don’t put borders around my anchor charts because I think it makes math posters look complicated. I also don’t add doodles just to doodle. I want the focus to be on the math. That’s not to say I don’t use visuals or models on the poster. Especially when teaching fractions, models can add so much to a lesson. But I’m not going to draw something if it won’t help my students remember.
Bigger is better
Escpecially if you aren’t printing off mini posters, make sure that students can read what you wrote. Not every student will get to sit right in front of the chart, so make sure they can read what’s on it. This also goes back to not having too much on 1 poster. Write big and make the main thing the main thing.
Math Anchor Charts 3rd Grade
As I’ve already mentioned, Amy Groesbeck is like the queen of anchor charts that just so happens to teach 3rd grade. If you are a 3rd grade teacher, give her follow for all of the cutest anchor charts.
Here are also some ideas for 3rd grade topics like telling time, adding and subtracting whole numbers, and multiplication strategies.
4th Grade Ideas for Math Posters
Teach 4th grade? These posters are perfect for any of your upcoming math units. I know 4th grade is all about fractions so there are a lot more fraction ideas for math posters down below.
Math Charts for 5th Grade
I use my charts for 5th grade because they also come with fill-in-the-blank options for students to have in their math interactive notebooks or math folders. The student option makes it easy for students to see the charts no matter what topic we are learning. This is a great resource that students can use when tackling spiral review problems. If we are learning about fractions, but a student is trying to solve a long division problem, they can look back at their version of the anchor charts for help.
Math Posters Middle School
Yes anchor charts can be used in middle school! Instead of making them in front of each math class you teach, I would just take a problem from the notes and work it on chart paper after the lesson. Because students have their notes, they did the learning with you, it’s easier (and takes less paper) to make 1 version rather than 7!
Just like when creating upper elementary anchor charts, be sure to keep the charts simple and focused in on the topic. Also be sure to write large enough that all students can read it. I’m guilty of trying to cram a lot of information onto one poster. This is not only overwhelming to look at but it also makes the words hard to read. I find that as the topics get more intense, the more important anchor charts are for students to use.
Place Value Anchor Charts
Place value anchor charts are a common reference tool for students but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! Here are some ideas for math posters that focus on place value:
Anchor Charts Fractions
Oh fractions, how I love thee! Well, at least anchor charts fractions addition! Because fractions are so visual, it makes a lot of sense to have anchor charts for the unit. Everything from place value to dividing fractions, anchor charts just make sense. It also provides a reference tool for students when solving fraction problems that have a lot of steps. How to add and subtract fractions no longer has to be so complicated!
More Ideas for Math Posters
Looking for more ideas for math posters? You can really fall down a rabbit hole on Pinterest but if you are looking for blog posts all about anchor charts be sure to check out these!
Anchor Charts Tips and Tricks: great round-up of hints to help you make your charts
Anchor Chart Hacks: tips to make the anchor charts of your dreams
Why Anchor Charts are a Must in Every Classroom: a podcast interview with the queen of anchor charts
Math Anchor Charts to Start the Year: great ideas for the beginning of the school year to set the tone for math class
5 Must Have Worksheets for Grade 5 Maths: this post as even more ideas for math posters and other resources you need for 5th grade
Do you use anchor charts in your classroom? Have any tried and true ideas for math posters? Be sure to drop them in the comments below!
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