Image Map

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Math Work Stations Blog Party Chapters 1-2

I’ve ben doing Math  Stations sort of hit and miss over the years, because I was doing so may other things in math. But this year I decided to focus on Math Work Stations and boy did it ever pay off. I felt like my students had more hands on time with the concepts we were studying.

IMG_2594          IMG_2592

Chapter One: What is a Math Work Station

In terms of her checklist in Chapter 1 here’s how I fair.

1. I do demonstrate the game before I place it in a station.

2. But I am guilty of changing my materials weekly(the games still have the same concept), but I will do better with this next school year.

3. This year we did go to stations 99.9999% of the time. My students begged to go each day.

4. I can say with a big fat no my materials weren’t differentiated, something I’m definitely working on this summer.

5. But I definitely met with small groups during math station time, it was  usually the strugglers who were having a harder time understanding the concept.

STH_2357     STC_2352

Chapter Two: Organization

This is my fourth year back in the classroom after leaving to become trained as a Reading Recovery teacher, so each year I’m building up my repertoire of organization skills. I’m still in the process of purging.

This year  I stored station activities for the week in plastic baskets.

Classroom Paper Baskets, 12-Pack – Earth Colors               Oversize Paper And Folder Baskets - Primary Colors

Here is a picture of my storage of math materials like dice and counters. This year I’m working on getting more use out of the nine drawers.

IMG_1863

But, I like how Mrs. Wills has hers (dice, game pieces) stored in smaller containers, verses taking up big drawers which could be used to store other items.

 

Station Labels:

This year during Math Station time I had four stations going plus the Promethean board( I plan on doing the same thing next year).

We rotated to one work station per day. I’ve created some generic station basket signs (you could use them however you like). I also included a mini size for your organization board. I didn’t name them, because I figured that would give you more flexibility, but I did include four blank signs so if you wanted to name them you could. I also included both Promethean and Smart Board signs.

Click on the picture to download.

image

image   image

image image

Math Work Station Storage Signs:

If you’re like me and everything must have a place, here is a great storage idea.

I bought a bunch of these Sterilite Show Offs. I plan on using these to store all of my math work station games and activities. I’m thinking maybe two containers per concept(number, addition, etc.) I usually buy the letter sized kind. I’ve created labels for your convenience, they even come in two sizes. I love these little totes.

Click on the picture to download your labels. If you download please consider leaving a comment and following me. Thanks!

image

image

 

image

Don’t forget to link up with Mrs. Wills and post your thoughts on Chapters 1-2.

34 comments:

  1. Love it! Thank you for sharing!

    Mary Beth

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Will be sharing with my staff your blog site! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I too am reading Math Stations...it's nice to know great minds think alike! Your organization labels are awesome..thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so loving this post! I was wanting to do mather centers/stations next year! I have no clue how to get started. Do you make all your games for your stations? And what do you plan to do at the very beginning of the year in your stations? Would love to learn more about this so I can get my materials ready for next school year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for sharing your labels! I follow you :-)
    You have great ideas!

    ReadWriteSing

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks ladies!
    Elizabeth I do make most of my games (99.999% of them). At the beginning I start off simple. I'll usually introduce Color Squares, War, Four in a Row. I plan to post some of my first of the year games during the book study chapter on Addition Stations. In the meantime you can check out Shari Sloanes Site...she has great ideas for simple math games.

    ReplyDelete
  7. L.O.V.E, L.O.V.E, L.O.V.E your labels! Very cute! That differentiation seems to be getting us all. Sure makes you think!

    Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your organization labels! Thanks for sharing.

    Have a quick question......are the sterilite show-offs hanging file folder boxes?

    Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes, they are hanging file folder boxes. I love that they are plastic and more durable.
    Ms. A

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the idea of using the Sterlite containers. I also have a lot of math mats that I use. Right now, they are in boxes but these seems more effective and easier to use. Love the storage labels. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are a hit!! Your labels are fantastic.

    I had too many words in my reflections; however, I am prepared to use my notes at a PD meeting during post planning.

    You continue to inspire me! Thanks a bunch.

    Cheryl
    Primary Graffiti

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love, love, love your labels! Thank you soooo much for sharing!Like many out there I also struggle with differentiation...it is something that I am trying to improve upon....I'm hoping to get many ideas from all of you FABULOUS bloggers out there!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for sharing your math thoughts and ideas. What math curriculum do you use? Our school is implementing Everyday Math in the Fall. I brought home the 1st grade materials to preview/ plan this summer. Just wondering if Debbie Diller's Math stations and ideas would compliment Everyday Math. Thanks for any info.

    ReplyDelete
  14. My District uses Scott Foresman math..but next school year is our last year with the program. I think Everyday Math would go along perfectly with Math Work Stations.
    Head over to Mrs. Wills page...a follower posted the same question.

    http://www.mrswillskindergarten.com/2011/06/math-work-stations-blog-party-chapter-1.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank You so much! for your ideas! I love them all and am inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  16. JStarcke, Thanks so much! Your kind words warm my heart :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the labels. They will help me to organize my materials and they are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  18. The labels are great!!! Okay, my book is supposed to be here today. Tap, tap, tap my fingers. Of course, my children have had to take turns checking the mailbox at 100 degrees today.;)

    Differentitation - such an issue for everyone!! After 10 years of teaching gifted, I find it fairly easy to differentiate up (probably like most people) but doing it down is KILLING me!! I feel like that is really my weaknesses and I am trying to reflect on it over the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for sharing!!! You are helping so many teachers and students with your fabulous work!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great comments. I'm still trying to wrap my head around practical differentiation too!
    Teaching Happily Ever After

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are WON.DER.FUL.!! Thanks so much for posting. I just ordered my book this morning and I can't wait to join in on the discussions.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for the storage labels! I'm doing some organizing this summer! Can't wait to get started.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for sharing all ur ides. I am a recent Teacher Graduate and all these blogs have helped me out so much! I actually purchased Debbie Dillers Math station book about a month ago and now I see so much about it. I havent had the chance to read it yet, but I hope to soon. I thought about getting file folder organizers and organzing games into folders by Topic such as Money. Time, Addition, subtraction etc. If you label the folders it will make it easier to grab them out instead of searching. Just an idea:)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love, love, love your blog! I have gotten so many ideas from you that I can't wait to use. I have been teaching for 14 years and I felt like I was in a rut. But you have inspired me to do better! Thank you for your ideas!

    M. Traynum

    ReplyDelete
  25. I LOVE this Blog Party. This is such a cool way to share ideas together. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome ideas, concepts and thoughts!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. You are soooo very generous with your ideas! I can't imagine how much time and hard work you put into everything you make and then you share it so freely with people you don't even know! Wow!! THANK YOU!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for sharing. Your blog is awesome . I have bookmark your blog. Keep it up .

    ReplyDelete
  28. Very cute - thanks for the freebie! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the storage labels! I'm doing some organizing this summer! Can't wait to get started.

    ReplyDelete
  30. In different chapters there are even more of the prospects have been disclosed in detail and it will be a good thing for the students to occupy every fact in detail. pharmacy personal statement examples

    ReplyDelete

Kind words are appreciated here.