Saturday, June 16, 2012

Math Workshop: Little Extras

Are y'all following the Guided Math book study? It's pretty spectacular! Dana at 3rd Grade Gridiron did an excellent job of hosting Chapter 2- equip with a powerpoint and voice recording! Can we say awesome?!? I wanted to link up with her, and share a few ways I use some of the ideas outlined in the book.

GROUP AREAS
Something mentioned in the book is having areas for whole group, small group, and workshop areas. Here is a visual of how my room is laid out:

The purple is where I do my whole group mini lessons and take my small groups. This part of my room is where we have the large carpet so it works out perfectly. Alongside the wall I have some plastic bins which house math manipulatives, whiteboards, extra pencils and erasers, and any graded work or other things needed for the day.

The yellow is where math station students go. They are next to all the supplies they need and can work either in the desks or on the floor or even the kidney table desk to the left.

The green is where students go who are working on the current event. It's right up next to the board where I might leave examples of what they are to do. Sometimes I will even project directions or reminders using the ELMO.

One of my favorite things about how my room is set up, is that the yellow and green parts are connected to the purple part! This means that students who might need help can sit alongside the carpet and I can quickly check in with them easily.

PROBLEM OF THE DAY/WEEK
This is something new I did this year and enjoyed! I broke mine up into a problem of the week. I did NOT come up with the super cute IPAWS acronym (althought I wish!). I got the idea from proteacher (another addiction of mine!). I believe the original author was Ms. Sanchez who has a super cute I PAWS worksheet too.
 Click HERE for the google doc version.

P - Monday
A - Tuesday
W - Wednesday
S - Thursday
On Fridays I would leave time for students to come up and present how they solved their IPAWS. You can do this by having poster paper up for them to write their responses on, or students could use the board and give a presentation. Lots of different ways! If you have a way you share problems, please do share! I'd love more!

What's the "A" box all about? The A box would contain something like 'draw a picture' 'work backwards' 'act it out'. I teach problem solving strategies, post them in the room, and then students can refer to those to help solve problems. In the A box, they would just write 'draw a picture' or whatever strategy they chose to use. Tuesday's we would discuss what we could use, and students can choose their own when they are able to start doing problem of the week's individually. At the beginning of the year we do these together.

VOCABULARY
I always have vocabulary posted on one of the boards in my room. I'm thinking this year I will retire words around the board or high up towards the ceiling, and make sure current words are actually ON the board for students to see.  That way they'll be up all year long. I always have students copy the vocabulary word I teach into their notebooks as well. We write the word, the definition, then draw a picture. Anyone else have some other suggestions on teaching math vocabulary?

This is an example of what students glue into their notebooks.

MATH JOURNALS
I have students write notes on one side, then flip it over and write math work on the other. In the notes side, we glue in foldables, vocabulary words, write examples. On the math work side students might solve a problem or do a quick write about a closing question I might ask. I think I may just combine it all this year, and have students really take care of what they are writing. I'd also like to put a table of contents in like I do for science. I have been pinning some great notebooks, so you can take a look at what I have found HERE.

I'd like to get better with making math anchor charts this year, and displaying them. I have found so many great ones on pinterest that have been quite inspiring. I've also been pinning lots of math literature as that is one of my FAVORITE ways to get students connected to skill being taught.

I hope you have found some useful ideas today! In my next post I'll go more in depth into what I do for each station (current event, math stations, team meeting) and how I set it all up! Again PLEASE leave any questions or suggestions! There is still so much more I'd like to improve!

Oh! ANNNND! I am going to participate in a new blog completely centered around awesome pinterest pins! There will even be themes at times such as 'back to school' or 'thanksgiving'. How cute does that sound? Come join in on the fun!!

18 comments:

Tania said...

Math Journals are one of my top favorite! I do not do Guided Math...so I am learning tons.

Your newest follower,
Tania
My Second Sense

Dana said...

So glad you linked up, Amanda! And I love the PAWS idea!!!

Dana

amy said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog. I added your blog to my list, I'm excited to read about your new ideas. My district uses Everyday math, but I still enjoy reading about other methods.
Amy K.
Where Seconds Count 2nd grade blog

Amanda said...

I love math journals too! If you have any good tips on them, I'd love to hear!! :)

Amanda said...

Me too! Thanks for doing such a wonderful job hosting chapter 2! :)

Storie said...

I'm doing the Guided Math book study, too. I'm curious to know more about the contents of your math notebooks. You mentioned vocabulary, math work, writing, and foldables. Are you deciding what goes in or are you using your curriculum to guide you?
Storie
Stories by Storie

Amanda said...

It all depends on the minilesson we are doing for the day. If we're learning about addition, we might put in a web to discuss all the things we know about addition. For learning polygons, we created a foldable for each shape with attributes listed inside. Sometimes we might be learning a new strategy to use when solving a word problem, so we would show math work and examples. We have a scope and sequence we follow for math. I use some resources from our math basal, but mostly I create my own things to put inside! Hope that helped!

Heather's Heart said...

Hi Amanda! You did such an awesome job explaining everything! I love the PAWS idea.

I use math journals too and love them!

I am a Texas teacher too. We had a bloggy meet-up last weekend. I wish I had known about your blog so you could have come.

I am happy to be your newest follower. I would love for you to come and visit me when you get the chance. =)


Heather
Heather's Heart

BAK Pack Photography said...

Hi! I just found you on Endless Pinabilities. So excited to follow you!
❀Beth Ann❀
Taming My Flock of Firsties
bakteach16@gmail.com

Amanda said...

Aw! Where did y'all meet up at? Bum I missed it! Happy to meet another Texas teacher!

~brookeb~ said...

I think sometimes we underestimate the importance of maths vocab, especially when it comes to problem solving. Great post! Im your newest follower.
Brooke
Teachable Moments

Elizabeth said...

I love the IPAWS idea! Thanks for sharing.

Elizabeth

Fun in Room 4B

YearntoLearn said...

Love the PAWS organizer!


Yearn to Learn Blog

Anonymous said...

I'm going to agree with everyone else and say that I love the PAWS organizer. Thanks so much for sharing--I'm your newest follower :)

~Steph

The Quirky Apple

S said...

Great ideas Amanda! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm your newest follower :)

Shanyn
Coffee, Kids and Compulsive Lists

Heather's Heart said...

At the Gristmill...we were all VERY hot! =)

I'll let you know if there will be another one this summer.

BTW- I am having a HUGE Pete the Cat giveaway. I would love for you to be part of it!


Heather
Heather's Heart

Unknown said...

We just found your blog! Love it! Our coworker moved to Austin two years ago and can't say enough great things about it! We ate your newest followers. We would love if you check us out sometime!
Katie & Lisen
wearesecondgradesmartypants.blogspot.com

Amanda said...

Austin is really fantastic! Always something to do! Now if I just wasn't so busy/obsessed with creating and organizing teaching stuff... maybe I could get out in my city more! Thanks for stopping by! :)