Diffy Box Fun!

So--do YOU know what a diffy box is?? I posted a Diffy Box FUN! pack (pictured below) a few days ago and talked a little about them yesterday. Allow me to explain a little more now--

The only thing your kids (or YOU) will have to know before using a diffy box is basic subtraction--that's it! (Diffy as in difference!) In fact, these can be fun for math nerds like me any adult too! You may find yourself doing these at a restaurant while you wait for your order (if you're cool enough to be a math nerd like me). Ready to try it??? Grab some paper and a pencil--it won't take long!

1. To start, just draw a box. Make sure it's big enough for you to be able to write inside of it.

2. Pick 4 numbers (let's just stick with 1-digit numbers for now) and write one per vertex.

3. Find the difference of two adjacent vertices and record it at the midpoint of their common side.

4. Now, connect those numbers to form a new box.

What numbers do you see? Are they all zeroes? If they are, skip ahead to step 7. If not, continue on to step 5. 

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all numbers are zero. When you have all zeroes, continue on to step 7.

6. Thank me for giving you your brain exercise for the day.

7. All zeroes means you are FINISHED.

And that's basically how to do a diffy box--simple, huh?? I think these boxes are the coolest! The kids have a blast with them! These can be fun for multiple grade levels, from 1st to middle school.

Have you ever used diffy boxes?? Please share!

In my pack, you will find a step-by-step whole group lesson (with more than what I just explained to you), diffy box templates in various sizes, several extension activities and ideas, and a math station diffy box game. Click on the picture to check it out! And until Tuesday night you can enter to win a free copy of this--click to head over to the giveaway! :)

On an unrelated note--tomorrow I am throwing a linky party!! :)

I'm curious to know--what's your teacher story?? We all got to the classroom somehow, most of us not taking the same path. Now is your chance to share your story with me and others! The party starts Monday morning, so start reminiscing and get your posts ready!! :)