I believe that the best means for teaching math is through math workshop. Math workshop provides many opportunities to meet the needs of all of the learners in the classroom. Math workshop also keeps students engaged while moving from one activity to another practicing the skill of the day. Math workshop follows this particular framework in my third grade classroom:
Mental Math/Math Message
Whole group Math Lesson
Math centers/Rotations
Share out Reflection/Exit Slip
Find below the framework of math workshop in my classroom!
Mental Math/Math Message
Whole group Math Lesson
Math centers/Rotations
Share out Reflection/Exit Slip
Find below the framework of math workshop in my classroom!
Math by Myself: Students work independently in a good learning space in their curriculum workbooks to practice the lesson of the day. On some days, students are asked to solve number stories using different strategies, one being writing. Students are also required to explain how and why they solved the problem. Writing about math provides great material for deep, math discussions that require students to explain their math in words to peers. This particular rotation is crucial in meeting the Mathematical Common Core State Standards. Students also complete their math boxes during this rotation which is crucial to continue the spiral review of the third grade standards.
Math Boxes: Students complete their review math boxes independently using the app Educreations. Students watched a flipped video to complete and check their math boxes.
Math Games: Students play with a buddy a game that practices math facts or skills that have been taught such as Fraction Top It, race to 1000, Salute, Multiplication Top It, etc.
Guided Math Groups: Small groups are formed each day based on the learning target. Small groups are formed from student self assessment after mini lesson as well as from the pre test data. Guided math groups provide additional practice and scaffolds for students who need more support. These math groups also push higher achieving students past the learning target.
Exit Slip: At the end of math workshop, students are given an exit slip handwritten or on the Formative app to complete that reveals their level of understand for the lesson's I can statement. This exit slip is used to assess student mastery and form small groups for the next day's math workshop.