Engaging Math Practice with Watch, Think, Color

Watch, Think, Color is the first ever resource I made for TPT! I wanted a fun, easy-to-use activity that would keep my students busy while I prepped homework packets or worked in small groups. But I also wanted the activity to be educational for students. That’s how Watch, Think, Color or WTC was born! These resources are essentially math mystery picture activities where students unveil an image while answering math questions. They’re fun, easy to prep, and will keep your students engaged (while you knock out other tasks).

What is Watch, Think, Color?

Watch, Think, Color activities are essentially math mystery pictures! But of course, I’ve made them a lot more fun. Here’s how it works -

#1 Watch the PowerPoint or Video

Originally, WTC was only available in the PowerPoint version, but in 2020, I started making Watch, Think, Color videos! Depending on the resource you’ve selected, you’ll either display the PowerPoint for students or load the WTC video.

The slides or video will display a math problem, based on the math skill you’ve chosen. Watch, Think, Color covers a ton of skills, including fractions, multiplication, number words, counting coins, and more. I have skills across multiple grade levels, so you can choose a WTC activity to review, practice, or challenge students’ knowledge.

#2 Think about the Problem

Next, students will look at the math problem on display and think about the answer. They may need to solve an equation or count coins. If you’re using the PowerPoint version, you can set a timer for each slide to keep students moving through the problems. If you’re using a WTC video, it will automatically move to the next equation after a set amount of time. 

One big perk of the Watch, Think, Color videos is the ability to adjust the time. You can choose between two speeds, 15 seconds or 20 seconds, depending on how challenging you want the exercise to be! You can also adjust the speed in the video settings, if you’d like to add more speed or slow things down.

#3 Color Your Answer

Lastly, students will color in their answer on a hundreds chart. Slowly but surely, they’ll reveal the math mystery picture! Whether you’re using the paper or video version, students will need a printed copy of a hundreds chart and crayons to complete the activity. 

To add in some extra fun, I’ve created many themed WTC activities, so you can use them during holidays or to appeal to students' interests. You’ll find themes like Thanksgiving, Frozen, pirates, winter, and so much more.

Try Watch, Think, Color in Your Classroom

There are many ways to use Watch, Think, Color in your classroom. Play the video as a time-filler activity. Display WTC to keep students busy and engaged while you work with a small group. You can even assign these math mystery pictures for quiet work time or sub plans. They are simple to use and take seconds to prep.

There are two different versions of Watch, Think, Color: PowerPoint and video!

PowerPoint Watch, Think, Color

If you want control over the pacing, the PowerPoint version of Watch, Think, Color is a great fit. You’ll display each slide and give students time to solve the problem before moving on to the next one! You can set your own timer or go at your students’ pace, it’s flexible.

Just like the video version, students will color in their answers on the hundreds chart as they go, slowly unveiling the math mystery picture. I have several themed options to match the season or your students’ interests, like Halloween, video games, and summer. There are even paper crown WTC activities, where their colorful creation becomes an accessory. Explore the PowerPoint Watch, Think, Color activities!

Video Watch, Think, Color

The video version of Watch, Think, Color practically runs itself! It’s like having a second teacher in the room. Hit play, and the video will guide students through math problems as they fill in their hundreds charts.

Each video is timed to give students space to think and solve before moving on. You can choose between 15- or 20-second slides, depending on how much time your students need (or how challenging you want the exercise to be). And of course, the video mystery pictures come with the same fun themes, from Thanksgiving to superheroes.

Want access to all the Watch, Think, Color videos? Join the Whiteboard Warm-Ups Club! Choose from over 20 different skills and multiple themes, all in one easy-to-use library.