Successful Math Center Habits
Locations
Small Group
For example when they come to small group with you where were they sit? Well they said at your kidney table? Will you meet at the carpet? Where will they go? My students and I actually will meet at the kidney table, and every day they know that the teacher will be at this table. When I first started teaching I was at the carpet, but I realized I didn’t have the materials I needed there so I ended up staying at the table. That might not fit what you need though. Figure out where you want your groups to meet with you.
Independent Time
What about independent time? So my students often work together for independent time. They will work with a group that just came to me during small group time. Once the students with me they can work with a partner on their task. Here’s what I usually have them do. I have them work next to the body at their desk, or they can find a spot in the room that will be quiet and help collaboratively work. I do not let another group within a few feet of them because I want them to work with their partner nor become distracted by the other group.
Math Kits
When I refer to math kits I usually refer to them as a math games. These games are always done on the carpet. The reason why I put them on the carpet is because the carpet is the furthest point away from my kidney table. When they are working on a game and they “somehow” become competitive… It won’t disturb my group at the kidney table. I won’t be able to hear the conversation immediately but I am able to still keep an eye them and listen to what’s going on. The carpet has always been my go to place for math games. However, once in a while, I will allow them to work at their desk with their partner or somewhere around the room.
Technology
Technology has always been some thing we’ve had to do in our school. This is because we use Iready, or success maker and it as to be in one of our rotations. During technology, I do not allow students to work near anyone. The reason is because it’s not buddy work. In fact it goes at their own pace, so they don’t need to be next to a buddy. This will allow the students to focus more on their technology activity more than talking with her friend. Usually these students sit at their desk or around the room independently.
Expected to Complete
It is incredibly important for you to explain to the students what is expected to be completed at each center. If they do not know what is expected, than they will not complete any of their task. Some ways that I’ll do this is by writing the task on the board, place in the center somewhere that’s accessible, or just hand it to them. With the younger grades I will usually write it on the board so they know exactly what is expected. In the beginning of the year for grades three through five I will write it on the board for the first two weeks. After that they should have it down and know what’s expected. Fifth grade students part of their morning work is to rip out their independent math page from their text book.
I will not lie to you… This is one of my favorite math center habits because I don’t have to waste time during my lesson for them to turn to the page.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
This sounds silly however it is incredibly important. Have the students practice going through the rotations. For example if you have student A start with you, then you need to practice them moving to you, then going to independent work, going to math games, then transitioning to computer time. Have them practice just as if they would go through the centers.
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Allowing the students to practice the skill will save you time in the end. This is because the students will know what to do once you actually start your core curriculum. This also gives them a little familiarity during the lessons and they will be able to move without thinking too much about it. When it comes to math center habits- this one is one you should do as soon as you start your math centers.
*BONUS* Know your flow
My first year teaching, I had no idea where the kids were going to go for each of the centers. I didn’t have a set flow… Or even a station where they needed to go. This unfortunately allowed for utter chaos. One thing you should know is how your students will flow once they leave your group. Once they leave independent time… Where will they go? At that point you will be able to see where students are coming and going and if there will be a crash within your classroom.
Math Center Ideas
Hopefully this math center habits blog post really helped you with in your classroom and help set your class up for success. I have a ton of different math centers that you can use immediately in your classroom.
