I don’t know about you, but I get super frustrated when kids constantly ask the same question over and over again. I finally decided this year to stick with math anchor charts.
Math anchor charts an be so amazing for many students. The benefits of anchor charts are through the roof. However, there are some slight downsides with each.
Pros:
- Students can refer to it all year
- It’s beneficial during testing season (remember the room)
- Collaborative piece with students
- Ownership with students
Cons:
- Time consuming
- Remake every year
- Eye-Catching
I am sure there are so many more pros and cons when it comes to math anchor charts. When I first started teaching, my walls were littered with every skill possible. I was overwhelmed and honestly- couldn’t wait to tear them down when testing came around.
We weren’t supposed to take them down until state testing because they were supposed to become a permanent fixture in the classroom. During testing, students would be able to look directly at the blank spot and recall what was on the anchor chart.
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Present Day Math Anchor Charts
This summer, I decided to just start making anchor charts ahead of time. The outline and the template for the skills that I have taught are already pre-made. When the time for the lesson comes, I am able to pull the anchor chart out and work on it. I even started laminating it so I can use them every single year.
Having the math anchor chart is essential for the lesson! I make the skeleton of the lesson and then as a class- we create and build. The best part about this is that I am actually able to print a skeleton for my students as well and they can add their own notes. I can also print a copy for students with IEP’s that need to have the notes printed ahead of time.
All of my anchor charts are available for you in my TpT store! You can also check out how I use the Place Value anchor chart from above right here!
See you soon!
Ronnie
