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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Math Workshop


I love, love, love Math Workshop! 
Last year I had a HUGE difference in math abilities with my students.  Huge might even be an understatement.  I had students working at every single ability level (like still getting down numbers to be able to do third grade math on their own).  I was struggling in September with how to make sure I could fully reach all of them and give them the time they needed with me to succeed while also making it fun.  After discussing with coworkers, googling, blog hopping, and ultimately creating bunch of it myselfI jumped in head first to a Math Workshop style.  It worked amazingly well! I must admit thoughI would not have been able to do it without volunteers!  It just isn’t the same without volunteers.

Here’s how I do Math Workshop
My station changer. The pocket
chart makes it quick and easy!
I ended up having 5 groups of levels that were very different in terms of abilities.  I would have rather had 4 groups instead of 5 for time, but it worked out.  I name each of the groups after a college I think it’s never too early to expose them to higher education.  They get SO excited when they hear about their college out of the classroomit’s adorable!

I put the color of the table they are at behind the college they are, so it reminds them, me, and my volunteers what station they should be on (and their group name).

I have attached an overview of what I did last year
Credit to Rebecca Drake for her help! She’s amazing!
Click on the picture to download!


Here is a copy of my rotation rules that I post
My students stay at the table (except when they meet with me).  They grab the bin for that station, pull out their book, or head to the computers- whatever it might be for that station for that day.  I write what each station is on the whiteboard.  I wish I had a picture to show you, but that stays up all year long and I just wipe and write at the end of the day for what the next day holds for them to do at each station.  I usually introduce the game on Monday and keep the same game for the entire week.


Click on the picture on the top to download the directions and the picture on the bottom to download the game.


I ended up having all of my students but three passed as Advanced (not just proficient, but advanced!) at the end of the yearmany of them were considered as proficient as an End of the Year Second Graders (I teach first graders!) and I had quite a few proficient as End of the Year 3rd Graders or 4th Graders.  My student who was heading to proficiency as a third grader at the beginning of the year was as Proficient as an End of the Year 5th GraderI knowamazing! 


4 comments:

Lisa R. said...

Wow!! That's amazing growth in your students! Thank you for sharing your tips on math workshop. This is something that I have been trying to figure out how to implement for a while. It's more of a time issue for me. I need all the help that I can get! :)
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your great ideas! I have nominated your bog for an award! Stop by my blog to pick it up!!

Brigid

Brigid's Daily Lesson Log

Angie said...

I love using colleges as the team names! I'm your newest follower :)

Angie
The First Grade Scoop

Miss Trayers said...

Thank you for sharing your ideas. Math is definitely an area I need to work on doing more effectively. I also love the college names for your groups-I've never seen anyone do that before.

NotJustChild'sPlay