Mad Minute

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Mad Minute
By Julie

Several third through fifth grade teachers at my school used the Mad Minute book, or variations of it. They are timed quizzes for the students to take. We made ours a fun activity by building a Sundae. I started with the
ones test, in order to go on to the next test, you had to complete the test in the alloted time and score a 100.
For each level completed, students were able to add a component to their sundae. I gave each student a piece of construction paper, and when they completed a level, I gave them the piece of the sundae that went with it. They could then glue it together on the piece of construction

paper. Start with the bowl, banana, ice cream scoops, etc.

At the end of the grading period, all students took their paper sundae to the cafeteria where the teachers had a sundae assembly line. Students could build their real sundae according to the paper one in their hands. It required parents to help man each station, and we got funding from our generous Partners in Education, but it was well worth it because students were able to work at their own pace and all were rewarded. As for completing the facts before after the party, I obtained some gift certificates to Braums and Sonic (they gave them to me for free once I explained what they were for). When the student completed the sundae, I gave him/her one of these coupons.

It worked great. All of my students went to the next grade knowing their basic multiplication facts through 12.