Organizing Math Centers

I typically start my math block with a whole group mini-lesson. Then we break into groups during the rest of the math time.

How do we organize our math groups?

Most of our students need small group guidance on their math development daily. This can be a juggling act! Not only is it a challenge deciding what to do with these small math groups, but also, what do the rest of the students do while the teacher is occupied?

Here are some suggestions:

I use magnets to display these cards on my board. The names have magnets as well. (I change my groups frequently, depending on the topic I'm teaching and the needs of my students.) 

The above board represents how I might assign groups at the beginning of the school year. I would spend the first block of time teaching a game or two, and expectations for each center. The groups follow the cards vertically. Tanner's group would explore manipulatives first, while Bailey's group uses computers or tablets. Ethan's group has independent practice while Brian's group will play math games. Partners are usually assigned and are listed side by side. In the case of an odd amount of students, there will be a group of three.

At the beginning of the year, there is no "work with teacher" station. I use that time to circulate among my students, making sure they understand expectations and staying quietly focused on their assignments.

Once they've got the routine down,  the board might look more like this:

I'll be meeting with three of the four groups today. I'll find time to check in with the fourth group, but this is the group that needs less guidance. I'll only meet with them 2-3 times a week. I make sure to meet with my lowest group daily. I typically teach my groups a warm-up they can do without me, so I'll have a chance to make sure the other students settle into their centers.

As the year goes on, there are times when I need to assess individuals. 

My daily schedule might look something like this. I kept the one math group that really needed the guidance, but during the other 2 stations, I would pull individuals for assessment as needed. (You can see I used one of the blank cards for the group that needed time on that STEM project.)

If you're interested in these cards, just see the image below!

See the image below for information about organizing literacy centers.

How do you organize your math centers?

Ten Things for Students to Do While You're Teaching Math Groups

With the variety of skills students come to you with Mathematically, it's important to meet the needs of ALL students. Teaching Math in small groups is a great way to come closer to meeting their individual needs. The big question: 

What do the other students do while you're teaching math to small groups?

Here are some of the things that students can do when the teacher is busy with other students.

1.Independent Practice

Do you have a math series with workbook pages or practice sheets? This is where they fit in... but only if the children can perform these tasks on their own. Some of your more challenged students may need to be practicing skills that are more appropriate for them. They all love this, and it's a great way to build that number sense. (and easy to differentiate!) 

• Count to 1000 booklet

2. Working with a partner

Children are social beings and absolutely LOVE when they get to work together! For those children who are a little insecure in their skills, having a partner might help them build a little confidence. Plus, working with a partner leads to those rich conversations that help internalize learning.

3. Playing math games

Children love games, and will play them over and over again! That means they'll be practicing the skills over and over! Try some of these popular Math games: 

• Three Digit Card Draw
• Twenty One
• Base Ten Block Trading Game

or try this collection

• Sports Themed Bingo Math Games

4. Writing math stories

Some children LOVE to write! Here's a chance to let them do what they love while practicing math. Once they've written the math stories, they can share them with classmates for solving! 

5. Facts practice

If students spend 5 minutes a day practicing math facts, they will develop math fact fluency in no time at all. Here are a few posts that tell more about building math fact fluency.

• Drill and Kill: Do Students Still Need to Memorize?
• Making Addition and Subtraction Facts Stick
• Developing Multiplication and Division Fact Fluency
• Five Minutes a Day to Fact Fluency

6. Explore math manipulatives

They do love those manipulatives, don't they? In order to learn with manipulatives, they need to KNOW the manipulatives. My favorites are pattern blocks and Cuisenaire Rods. Read about these here:

• Number Sense with Cuisenaire Rods
• Learning Math Facts with Cuisenaire Rods

7. Digital task cards

I'm a HUGE fan of Boom Learning Digital Task Cards, and so are the kiddos! Here are a few favorites:

• Math Basic Concepts Second Grade Review
• Digital Fact Fluency Addition & Subtraction Levels 1-10 Bundle
• Digital Fact Fluency Multiplication & Division Levels 1-10 Bundle

Another option would be a digital math program. I've had much luck with Happy Numbers. It's a research-based individualized program that is easy to use and adapts to the mathematical needs of the students. Plus, teachers can see a record of how each child is doing! It's easy for the teachers and fun for the students. 

8. Practice with a teacher assistant or a parent volunteer

Some students need the assistance of an adult. I often refer to these adults as a "guest teacher." Sometimes, These adults have specific directions for their time with the child, and I'll let the child choose. 

9. Math puzzles and brain teasers

I'm sure you have plenty on hand, and the children love these! Here are some examples:

• Tangrams
• Sudoku
• Magic Squares
• Dominoes

10. STEM activities 

Who doesn't love a good STEM activity? This is a good time for children to work on a STEM problem that's already been introduced and needs more time, or one with easy directions, since the teacher is unavailable during this time.

Looking for some ideas on organizing these math activities?

Try this link!

Looking for some similar ideas for reading groups? Try this link!

What do your students do while you're teaching math groups?

Even or Odd? A Game for Two Students

I played a game with my students this week, since we were studying even and odd numbers. 

I remember doing this activity as a child.

I don't remember what we called it.

I don't remember much about it at all, so I shared with my students what I remembered, and made up the rest.

 

 

It worked.

Here's how we did it.

1 .Children chose partners.

2. The partners decided who would represent even, and who would represent odd.

3. Players stood facing each other with one hand behind their back.

4. One partner said, "One, two, three, shoot!"

5. On "shoot," each player shoots out 0, 1, or 2 fingers. 

6. Both players determine if the total fingers is even or odd, and that player gets a point for that round.

7. Play continues until time runs out, with players keeping track of how many points for "even" or "odd."

A more advanced version: use up to 5 fingers for each draw.

Another way: use dice, add them, odd or even gets a point. They can keep tallies on a whiteboard to keep score.  Playing cards would work, too!

All my games end with a handshake and the words, "good game!"

I had all my students playing with partners at the same time. Of course, I had to join in the fun since I have an odd number of students. We now play this game often as part of our Morning Meeting or as a Math warm up!