Before I
implemented math stations in my 5th grade classroom, I envisioned them as elaborate «centers» around the room where students would go to play games or complete activities.
Fortunately, I learned that
math stations don't have to be elaborate, complicated, OR picture perfect!
If you
think math stations have to include elaborate and cute display boards, stop right there!
Adding math stations to your instructional program can be an effective way of meeting diverse needs and finding the time to work with small groups of students on targeted skills.
Task cards are perfect to use
in math stations because they can easily turn any generic game into a skill - specific game.
If you aren't sure how to get started
with math stations, you'll find Math Stations for Middle Grades to be an excellent resource.
In a high school English class, students might screencast peer feedback, while in an
elementary math station, they could illustrate their thinking.
For more information
on math stations and math centers, visit the Math Center page.
In this workshop, Pat will share an overview of guided math and
math stations along with hands - on strategies that they can use in their classrooms to help students develop math conceptual understanding.
You'll find ideas and strategies on my learning center page and if you're looking for math centers in particular, be sure to check out my resources for
implementing math stations or math centers.
Use these activities
in math stations, as part of an interactive notebook or for those fast finishers.
Included in the pack are the following Year 2
monster math stations: Monstarrays (Arrays) Odd Monster Out (Odd and Even) Monster Dash (Board Game + and --RRB- Monstrous Appetite (Fractions) Measure Me (Measurement) Monsterriffic (Place Value) Friendly Monsters (Number bonds / partners to 20) Monster Sums (Triple Digit Vertical Addition and Subtraction with and without regrouping) Shape Boo!
This math station contains 30 total problems in a math station game for students to practice comparing fractions.
These math stations delve into equations with variables on both sides.
This math station contains 30 problems in a self checking game for rounding to the nearest tenth, hundredth, or whole number.
It also includes instructions on how to use as
a math station or center for independent practice.
Sure, you can make them elaborate and cute if you enjoy doing so and have the time, but
math stations can be simple and easy - to - implement, too.
In fact,
math stations are often nothing more than a packet of hands - on materials with a set of directions.
If you haven't successfully implemented
math stations or math centers, Math Stations for Middle Grades is packed with management strategies, math games, and activities to get you started.
These math stations can be used over and over again because students create different numbers every time they complete the activity.
What exactly is
a math station?
This article, from the NCTM journal Teaching Children Mathematics, describes how teachers can meet diverse student needs by using
a math stations approach.
The plan was to use the iPads in two ways: firstly each desk of four students would have an iPad for portfolio work, and then during literacy or
math stations the iPads would be used for a specific task.