{Math Rotations}

*** This product and post have been updated here! ***

Math is not my favorite subject.

oops

I don't think I am allowed to say that.

But there is it, and when you don't love to teach something, your students are not going to love learning it. So this is what prompted my need to make a change in the way I taught math. I went and searched the web for a cure to my math woes and yet again, I found inspiration in Beth Newingham.

We use the EverydayMath program, but I believe this way of teaching math can be applied to every curriculum out there.

So during my 75-minute math instruction, I have a mini-lesson time of 10-15 minutes followed by 3 rotations of 15-20 minutes, lastly I have a 10 minute checking time to check any work necessary as a class. Here is an explanation of my mini-lesson and 3 rotation times:

Mini-lesson – a quick overview of our lesson, usually consist of explanation and modeling

Teacher Time – re-teaching to my below level students and practicing the skill taught that day together with all groups

Seat Work – independent work that reviews previously learned skills and/or skills taught in that days lesson

Game Time – games that review previously learned skills

Fact Practice – games or computer programs that practice previously mastered facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), this station is visited only if students finish seat work early

I have a smartboard lesson in which I write the assignments for that day. It looks something like this:

We came up with the expectations together and then I typed them into the Smartboard file.

So as you can see I divide my class into 3 groups. These groups are based on skill level in this lesson or unit. I use a pre-test to determine who belongs in each group. I try to make my lowest group very small so they can have as much one-on-one time as possible. I have our rotation schedule and who is in each group posted in our room so my students can reference it as we are rotating. It looks something like this.

The names are printed on sticky notes so I can switch up groups quickly and easily as often as I would like. Here is the link to download the above printables: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Rotation-Guide-and-Board-869440

Please let me know if you have any questions about how you could implement this in your own classroom or if you already use this model and would like to share something new! I hope this can help differentiate in your classroom and make math meaningful and enjoyable for your kiddos!

Teach on!
Mrs. Horn

{Literacy Centers}

My literacy centers have been a total work in progress all year. My poor kids probably don't realize that in some classrooms centers look the same from week to week. But, I think I've found something that I like... for now. :) Since I had this struggle, I figured other teachers might too, so I wanted to share. This is my own adaptation of The Daily Five strategies.  

 

We use our buddies during mini-lessons and carpet time as well as during center time. The groups are their reading groups that I pull during center time. I have 8 centers that include:

*Independent Reading

*Buddy Reading

*Listening

*Comprehension

*Vocabulary

*Word Work

*Writing

*Technology

Each center has a Can Do paper, which gives my students the options for that center. I try and give them 4-5 options and rotate them every couple weeks or so. But honestly, changes in activites is pretty sporadic. I really just add things I love as I see them on a blog! :)

My reading groups are based on my students reading levels and the skills they need work on. Because of this, buddies are also on similar reading levels. I love that this allows the students to read the same books during buddy reading and work together without one child pulling the other along. I don't love this because I think it lacks the scaffolding that would push the student on a lower reading level if I had my buddies mixed. So... I just try mix groups in other activities throughout the day. My students work with their buddies only during centers. I meet with one group during every 10-12 minute center, at least I try. I usually get to 2 or 3.

Please let me know if there are any activities you are interested in for a specific center. I would love to share, but it would be crazy to try and post them all! Please let me know about your great center set-up!

For now... 

Keep Calm and Teach On!!