Math Work Stations - Revisited

So Math Work Stations... How is it going out there?

I'm linking up with Mrs. Parker for this review!
I have to admit after reading the book this summer I was very excited to get started and then became quickly overwhelmed but then once I got started I was thrilled with how well my kindergartners did at their stations.  So first off how do I organize it, see my blue pocket chart. I have 12 Math Work Stations or at my school we call them Zones and students work each day with one partner at their zone for about 20 minutes.

My Math Block: 60 Min~3x20 min groups
Last year we stopped with teaching a "whole group" lesson in math and moved to a 3 small group rotation each with a lesson catered to their ability level and their math needs. With little guys that have the attention span of a fly I've found this works so much better and I really know what each student can and can't do.  The green mini chart with pictures are my 3 groups and I use the larger green chart to show where my three groups move so they rotate from with me in a 15-20 min lesson with guided practice then they have independent practice and then they can go to zones.



So how did I get Math Work Stations set up and started? Well first I purchased matching bins with blue tops from Kmart.  Why blue tops well a) they're pretty and b) I can quickly identify them as my math bins and c) Well when they are all uniform they make my room look more organized! Then came the "I Can" charts on top. After much trial and error I found that when I put them on the in side of the box tops (as suggested in the book) my kids didn't look at them. I tried them in the actual bins (and until they get laminated that's how it works) but the I Can page often was left on the carpet and not put away. So I settled on velcroing them to the top. Voila!  Don't they look beautiful! :-D
So I followed Debbie Diller's tips on starting with exploration and having students write "I can" statements for each manipulative we were using. So for example with links, my kids came up with:

• I can...
• sort
• count
• make a pattern
• color a pattern
• Talk about my pattern with a friend

I hand wrote my kids "I can" posters and hung them up. They were so proud that they "came up with what to do!" Yes, I guided them but they really did it and I think that's why they have taken such ownership over their zones this year.

A Scholastic Seasonal Pattern and counting set.
Stamp a Number in a ten frame activity w/ mini stamps.

How often do I change Math Work Stations?
Not very often maybe once a month I start phasing in an activity to replace one or two that the kids have become bored with. Because they are limited to one station a day and I have 12 stations they get to each of the stations 2x in a month so they last! So long are the days of changing math activities every week!



So how have my Math Work Stations evolved?
My kids LOVE their daily stations and god forbid I forget to change the chart in the morning, they will let me know! My whole kindergarten team has embraced the new format for math and together we come up with more play based activities to keep the kids coming back for more! We're actually having a K, 1st, and 2nd work study group to support each other and come up or redevelop old ideas to fit this new philosophy!


So what's in a Math Work Station? Here are a few!

I Can...
1)Count and Match: Ghostly Counting is a mini book I made with pictures and numbers. The kids put ghost erasers on the page to match the number.
2)Clip It for Position Words: Top Middle and Bottom.
3)Sort: Halloween erasers from the $1 store.
4) Make Patterns: With erasers above
5) Read a math book
6) Use Math Talk

I Can...
1) Count and Match the leaves (Centers In a Bag)
2) Clip It Counting (Moffit Girls Blog)
3) Put the numbers in order (found online)
4) Read a math book
5) Use math talk

I can...
1) Count the Legos (Legos work mats I found online)
2) Sort the Legos
3) Count and color the dots
4) Put the numbers in order
5) Read a math book
6) Use Math Talk




So what's been working for you and what new ideas have you come up with for your work stations?

- Lindsey