Picture directions (for games found online).Number puzzles / Dot maker activities, Playdough number mats.Here are more example items I’ve made that my students used: Keep this in mind – you don’t have to find all of the games today or tomorrow – build your stash as you find items throughout the year. making activity (building numbers, building with tens and ones).a little book activity (started whole-group and they finish independently).a marker based activity (usually a roll/graph, roll/add, stamping activity).That meant I had games and activities like: This way I don’t have to teach and model a new set of expectations, I can simply review how to use the materials and focus on content. ![]() Think about this: what if your students already know how to use the materials in this center… then that means they just have to learn how to use them to practice new content.įrom quarter to quarter I try to keep similar activities where the materials stay the same but the content changes. Let’s talk a little about what to put into this center. There are enough good games and activities are available online for free or inexpensively that you can have enough stuff to last you all year. If you place materials that they used in a small group setting with you they will know exactly how to use those materials. We need to give them ample opportunity to PRACTICE and this is a structured way for them to do it independently. Think of it this way – it’s just like the approach we use in reading. Use games from small groups so students already know what to do This is a smart way to reinforce the lessons you’ve taught. If you want students to be able to use this center all year long without lots of instruction, then you want to work smart.įirst, consider what activities and materials you’ve already taught in small groups that can go into the math games and activities center when you’re done with them? Just think long term – what can you put materials into and rotate materials out of that will be easy enough to change throughout the year – without hassle. Until then it stays contained and isn’t visual clutter. If I’ve already put away a set of materials, and the students can’t go into the closet to return it, they put it into our “lost math materials” basket. If someone finds a random game or math piece and the materials are still in a drawer, they put it away in the center. ![]() To keep things organized, you need an easy system to get things put away.īut what about those random math pieces that are found on the floor? I mark my drawer labels as an individual activity or partner work or multiple partners using the silhouette icons. Just remove the lid and snap together the number of drawers you want.īut if drawers aren’t your thing – you can use whatever you have or whatever system you’ve come to learn works well for your classroom.īe sure to label your organization system with both words and pictures so that your young readers and non-readers can find what they need. You can actually stack more than three tall if your storage space allows.Students can remove the drawers to take the activity anywhere in the classroom.I like using these (amazon affiliate) Sterilite 3-drawer units because they are deep enough to hold regular sized paper but wide enough and tall enough to hold manipulatives too. Make sure that where you put it won’t impede the classroom flow of students working at the same time and put it close enough that students can take games or activities to a nearby floor or table space to play. You will want to pick out a classroom space where you can set up access to 6-9 games or activities. Let students spread out and use available tables, shelves, and the floor. You don’t actually need a dedicated table or play space dedicated to just this center. I think with a couple of drawers and some Ziploc bags, you’re set to go. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get this center up and running. The choice of what to play is key to kids staying on task and engaged for the full length of your center time. You offer choice to students during this center – they get to pick and choose which things to work on. The math games and activities are put in one location, organized for easy clean-up, differentiated and changed throughout the year. ![]() In our classroom, we call it “the practice zone” simply because they are practicing math. This center is a space where you put standards-based math games and activities for your students to play either independently or with a partner.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |