Sunday, June 12, 2011

Math Work Stations Chapter 3


Debbie Diller’s Math Work Stations Chapter 3

Managing Stations
Previously my math stations were not assigned. I would let students choose which station activity they wanted to do with their partner. While they were grouped with a similar ability student they did not always choose an appropriate activity for their level. For example two of my higher level students always wanted to work on a lower level math activity just because it had a sports theme and the two boys loved sports. The area I want to work on the most this next year is differentiating my stations which is why I have decided to change up my rotation board and assign specific stations.

My previous station board:
 My new design:

The Shapes that you see are my attempt at differentiating my stations. I have often used the code of circle = low, Triangle= med. low, Square/rectangle = med. high, and Pentagon = high.
The way I remember this code is the lowest number of sides a shape has the lower the ability level. The kids haven't figured out this code yet and they know which activity to go to. 

Math Talk Cards: It is so in my nature to create a cute little card that already has all of the vocabulary students will use but, I am refraining from doing so. I may need to go back and reread chapter 3 again and again each time I want to create them ahead of time!! I will let students be involved in the creation of Math Talk Cards!!!

Missing Pieces Box: I have never had one of these but have had the need for one. I am always sticking pieces of things kids hand me in weird spaces. I then look around frantically later wondering where that piece is. How simple to have a box nearby for students to place things they find and then recover things they previously lost.

I can charts:
I really like the idea of I can charts and will definitely implement this next year. I am thinking of having a folder slide into my center briefcases which will contain an I can chart on the front and any necessary papers/rubrics inside.


Students who are off task:
I like the idea of always keeping an extra chair available at my table for students who are off task. I have had students sit at my table for off task behavior before but, it hasn’t been a consistent thing. I am thinking that keeping this consistent and announcing the procedure from the beginning will be a great strategy.


7 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this! I really like your rotation. Would you mind sharing your cards?
    Martha-Carol
    mcarpenter@scsk12.org

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  2. .I like your designated "off-task" chair idea--I'm stealing it!!!

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  3. Thanks for joining the discussion. I like your chart too. What are your kids doing during independent work? Is this your adopted textbook? I am really enjoying "visiting" all the classrooms and making new discoveries. :)

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  4. Martha-Carol,
    Unfortunately I can't share the cards because I don't have the license to share them. I am looking in to purchasing it sometime this summer. If I do, I will e-mail them to you! -Thank You!

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  5. S. Parker,
    I too am enjoying all the sharing!! During independent work my students are working on something from our math textbook series (Harcourt). I also have Enrichment folders with problem solving and logic problems for students who finish early.

    -Amber

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  6. I love all of the pictures. I'm such a visual person, so they really help give me a clear idea of you setup. It looks great!

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  7. The rotation cards are fab! Do you have cards for Guided Reading/Workstations time also?

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