Math Rotations and a Freebie!

As promised, here is my plan for my revised Math rotations. Last year, I didn't start this until after Christmas holidays and it was sketchy at best. In fact, we ended up aborting this mission after March Break because it wasn't working the way I had anticipated. This year is a totally different story for a few reasons: 1) I don't have the behaviour problems that I had last year with my students. This will allow for things to run a little more smoothly because my time won't be spent putting out fires {figuratively} every 3 minutes; 2)I have a bank of 4 computers in my room which opens up a whole new idea for a centre!

This all said, here is my new Math rotation plan. I plan to start "practicing" what these stations look like this week and then we will implement the system the following week. It gives me a chance to work with smaller groups - especially my grade 3's - in order to give them more individualized instruction in preparation for EQAO and to really get a handle on their level of understanding.

Station 1: Teacher
This station will be our guided math station. Depending on what we are doing, I may need to stay with a group for an additional rotation, giving them 2 opportunities to be with me. This is where I will teach the lessons, have students work with manipulatives and solve problems with guidance from me. I plan to meet with 2 groups a day so that each group gets ample help and really benefits from the guided math process. I love the concept of guided math. It only makes sense that if it works so well for reading and writing, then it should work wonderfully for math as well!

Station 2: Independent Practice
Students will move onto this station after completing their time with me. I will be able to be available for assistance during this rotation so that I can walk around, observe the students in action, and be there to answer questions and help them solve the problems independently.

Station 3: Daily Math
One new thing I am doing this year is Daily Math. I ordered the books from {Amazon} and have set up duotangs for each of the students. I will photocopy the week's math and put it in their duotangs. They will complete the math for that day and then move onto their journals {if there's time}. I loved loved LOVED the math journals last year and definitely plan to keep it up this year!

Station 4: Computers
With 4 computers in my classroom, I can have a group at the computers. Two of my 4 groups will have 5 students so I will set a timer and they will switch off half way through. If this becomes a problem, then I will figure out a way to run the timer so that all of the group members get equivalent time on the computers {maybe this is a great problem solving question for the students to work on!}.

I will be bringing in my math games that I made last year for the students as well, but those won't be a regular rotation. Some of the games will be too rudimentary for them, but they still may have fun and I will update those as time becomes available and to make them more relevant to what we are currently working on. For instance, our first unit of math is patterning and so I will provide only the games that have to do with patterning. If it becomes necessary for extra practice, I always have the option to turn this into a regular rotation.

So now... the FREEBIE! One thing that has been so important for me is parent communication. I made this sheet and am sending it home to parents on the first day. It allows them the opportunity to share with me their thoughts and knowledge on their children and gives me a sense of the student's home life. It's a great tool for getting to know your students!

{Information Sheet for Parents}