# Lesson 120: Math fair day

🧮 MATH (40 Lessons) • 🟠 E. Problem Solving & Projects

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## Objective

I can use what I learned this year in numbers, shapes, measurement, data, and money to make a simple math fair station. I can explain my station to others using clear math words.

## Materials

- Paper for signs and instruction cards
- Crayons or markers for posters
- Small objects for counting or sorting (blocks, buttons, counters)
- Shape cards, pattern strips, or small building blocks
- Play money, number cards, or simple spinners (optional)
- Clipboard or small chart to record scores or data

## Mini-lesson — What happens on math fair day?

Today is math fair day! You use all the math you learned to create a fun station that other children can visit.

Math stations you might see

- Counting & patterns station: Count objects, make patterns, or find the next number in a pattern.
- Shapes station: Sort shapes, build pictures, or make a shape picture with triangles, squares, and circles.
- Measurement station: Compare lengths, weights, or how much containers hold.
- Data station: Ask a short question and make a simple graph to show the answers.
- Money station: Use coins and notes to buy and sell small items in a mini shop.

Every station needs three things

- A short name (for example, Shape game).
- Steps that tell visitors what to do.
- A way to show the math (numbers, shapes, graphs, or coins).

How to explain your station

- Use words like add, take away, more, less, longer, shorter, heavier, lighter, or equal.
- Speak slowly and point to the materials as you talk.
- Let visitors try the activity while you watch and help.

Your job today is to show your math learning in a way that is fun and clear for visitors. Your station does not need to be perfect. It just needs to be kind, safe, and mathy.

Picture strip: Three simple math fair stations.

Counting & patterns

Shapes & building

Mini shop station

## Guided Practice — Planning your math fair station

You will choose one type of math you enjoyed this year and turn it into a math fair station. Use the steps and the tracing pad to get ready.

1. Choose your math topic: Pick one: numbers, shapes, measurement, data, or money.
2. Give your station a short name: For example, you might call it Shape fun, Coin game, or Count race.
3. Decide what visitors will do: Think of 2 or 3 steps. For example:
   • Step 1: Pick 3 shape cards. • Step 2: Make a picture. • Step 3: Tell how many of each shape you used.
4. Choose the math you will show: Will visitors count, add, compare, sort, or graph?
5. Write key words: On your paper, write 3 important math words for your station (for example, count, graph, coins).
6. Use the tracing pad: Trace your station name (in short form) and one or two math words you will put on your sign.
7. Add a simple picture: Next to your traced words, draw a small picture that matches your station (blocks, shapes, coins, or a graph).

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice 1 — Plan the math fair station

Use this section to finish planning your station before you set it up.

1. Topic choice: Circle one:
   numbers / shapes / measurement / data / money.
2. Station name: On your paper, write a short name for your station.
3. Materials list: Make a list of 5 things you need (for example, blocks, cards, counters, cups, coins).
4. Game or activity rules: Write or draw 2 or 3 steps to show visitors what to do at your station.

## Practice 2 — Set up and test the station

Now it is time to build and test your station.

1. Arrange the table: Put your materials where visitors can see and reach them.
2. Post your sign: Place your station name and math words sign where it is easy to read.
3. Do a test run: Pretend you are a visitor. Follow your own steps and see if the game works. Change any step that feels confusing.
4. Practise explaining: Say out loud, "Welcome to my station. Here we..." and explain what to do using at least one math word.

## Practice 3 — Share and visit math fair stations

In this part of math fair day, you run your station and also visit other stations.

1. Run your station: Let visitors try your game. Help them count, sort, build, measure, or use money if they need it.
2. Use math language: While they play, use words such as more, less, equal, add, take away, longer, or shorter.
3. Visit another station: Choose at least one other station to visit. Try the game and notice what kind of math it uses.
4. Talk about it: On your paper, finish the sentence: "My favourite station was... because we used..." (say what math you used).

## Quick Check — Understanding math fair day

Answer each question about math stations, math words, and how to be a good math fair helper. You may look back at the mini-lesson.

1) What is the main goal of math fair day?

To race and win a prize To show what we learned in math in a fun way To watch TV about math
Math fair day is a celebration of the math you learned this year.

2) Which is a good short station name?

Very long and confusing name I do not know Shape fun
A short and clear name like "Shape fun" is easy for visitors to read.

3) Which station idea matches numbers best?

Counting blocks and adding how many Listening to music Colouring only
Numbers stations should use counting and adding or comparing numbers.

4) Which station idea matches shapes best?

A station about cooking Building pictures with circles, squares, and triangles Playing only with letters
Shape stations use different shapes to build or sort.

5) Which station idea matches money best?

Measuring how tall you are Sorting pictures of animals Using coins to buy small items in a mini shop
A money station lets you use coins and notes to pretend to buy and sell.

6) Which station idea matches data best?

Asking a question and making a simple graph of answers Jumping as far as you can Drawing only pictures with no numbers
Data stations collect information and show it on a chart or graph.

7) Which is measurement?

Saying your favourite colour Comparing which pencil is longer Singing a song
Measurement compares lengths, weights, or how much something holds.

8) What should every math fair station have?

A secret that no one can understand Only decorations with no math Clear steps and some math to show
A station needs clear instructions and math to do.

9) Which sentence uses math words well?

"Add the blocks and tell me the total." "Just play." "Do something."
Saying "add" and "total" helps visitors know the math you are using.

10) How can you help a shy visitor at your station?

Laugh at them Smile, speak kindly, and show the first step Tell them to go away
Math fair day should feel kind and welcoming.

11) At a shapes station, what could you ask visitors?

"What is your favourite song?" "How many pets do you have?" "How many triangles did you use?"
Shape stations should ask about shapes, such as triangles, squares, or circles.

12) At a money station, what could visitors practise?

Paying with coins to match a price Running a race outside Painting a picture with no numbers
A money station lets visitors practise using coins and notes.

13) Why is it important to test your station?

To make it a secret To see if the steps make sense and the game works To hide the math
Testing helps you fix problems before visitors arrive.

14) After you visit another station, what is a good thing to say?

"This was boring." "I did not like the maths." "I liked your station because we used numbers to make a graph."
It is kind to give a reason and notice the math you used.

15) Which sentence best describes your job on math fair day?

To share my math learning clearly and kindly with others To keep all the math to myself To do no math at all
Math fair day is your chance to share what you know and help others enjoy math.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can choose a math topic (numbers, shapes, measurement, data, or money) for a simple station. Student can plan clear steps for visitors to follow at the station. Student uses correct math words while explaining the activity. Student can work kindly with visitors and partners at the math fair. Student shows understanding of this year's main math ideas in at least one station activity.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I loved math fair day and feel proud of my station. 🙂 I liked math fair day but still need more practice explaining my math. 😅 Math fair day felt tricky, and I want more practice.

#### Next time I will practise…

Using clear math words when I explain a game Planning steps that are easy for visitors to follow Trying a different kind of math station (shapes, data, or money)
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