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in math

Guided Math Workshop Routines that Work

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Hi there teacher friends!

Our guided math workshop is certainly one of our most favorite times of the day. I aim to be very intentional with each routine  and step that I take with my students … I am really horrified at the idea that they will develop math anxiety, the same way I did when I was little.

guided math

Today I wanted to write about the 10 most important things that I do that make our guided math block a successful time/space for me and for my students.

Intentional Wall Use

Let me ask you one question before anything,  have you been as diligent in creating a numeracy environment as much as you have been with your literacy environment?  Maybe you have been, or maybe you haven’t.   One of the things that I have learned throughout my teaching years, is that I need my students to be immerse in a math rich environment. This is because I want to promote mathematical understanding not only during our guided math workshop, but during the whole day. This anchor chart of word problems is a good example. I add the word problem sample as I introduce each type of word problem. You can download by clicking on the pic.

You can get this bulletin board by clicking on the pic. You will be subscribed, and after that, it will be sent to your email!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO PURCHASE!

Follow the Data

Yes, I know, you might be thinking “gag.” But data is a very important piece of the puzzle if you want to be accurate when grouping your students for guided math small groups, and to identify students who need interventions. You need both your knowledge of your students and assessment data, in order to fill their many holes and to move your students forward with intention and precision.

 

Anchor Charts

OK so anchor charts are my jam. Anchor charts in our guided math workshop serve many purposes. They can help students with math routines, concepts, mathematical processes, learning  from math exemplars, and more!

This is an exemplar chart that I created for my students to see how I solve  two-step word problems.

https://www.wherethemagichappensteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/VIDEO.mp4

 

State Standards

We don’t teach standards. We teach students.

I want to make that clear. It is a wonderful thing,  when an awesome teacher can teach both. The standards, whether Common Core or your state standards, should be the center of your instruction. There should be whole group lessons for each standard, and differentiated small groups to scaffold. This is why your guided math block is so powerful!

CLICK TO PURCHASE THE MATH SORTS FOR 1ST AND 2ND GRADE!

BUILD Math Centers

My BUILD math centers allow me to effectively meet and teach  my guided math small groups. My students are completely engaged in a variety of tasks where they can explore and expand their mathematical thinking. So far, I have them available for  Kindergarten, first and second grade! You can also purchase the K-2 mega bundle and SAVE more than $100!!! 

BUILD Math Centers allow my students to reinforce and extend prior instruction, while learning from each other. They are packed with tons of engaging standards based math activities. 

CLICK THE IMAGE TO PURCHASE THE BUILD MATH CENTERS FOR 2ND GRADE

 

CLICK THE IMAGE TO PURCHASE THE BUILD MATH CENTERS FOR 1ST GRADE

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO PURCHASE THE BUILD MATH CENTERS FOR KINDERGARTEN!

 

If you are curious, you can download FREE math centers for FIRST GRADE and for SECOND GRADE. 

Gradual Release

There is not really a set structure for our guided math block. The structure is set by where we are in the gradual release  of responsibility model. In other words, our guided math workshop works because we are flexible. We respect each aspect of it and truly believe that everyone is a mathematician with the right support! 

A great example of gradual release is seen every time I teacher word problems by problem type. This is a great graphic that I created, it shows the gradual release of responsibility model:

CLICK TO PURCHASE THE K WORD PROBLEMS!

 

 

CLICK TO PURCHASE THE WORD PROBLEMS FOR KINDERGARTEN!

Literature

I organize our classroom library in such a way that there is room for books about math. Why? Because we should know better that students make the MOST meaningful connections through literature and math is not the exception. Through literature, our students observe mathematical patterns, develop understanding of fractions and large numbers, and they also explore the meaning of mathematical vocabulary.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO PURCHASE THE CLASSROOM LIBRARY BOOK BIN LABELS

 

Technology

Let the standards guide your technology choices.  I wrote this blog post about free apps to develop number sense.  Instructional technology serves many purposes in our classroom, in our guided math we use it as part of our BUILD math centers. My district also implements an assessment tool to be used with an iPad, so yes… Technology is everywhere. However:

Don’t forget that!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO PURCHASE THE MATH DIGITAL INB FOR 3RD GRADE

Problem of the Day

Problem of the day is a must in our classroom, and it should be in your classroom too! 

Why are they a very important section of our guided math workshop?

Well, once the word problems are posted and solved, your students will see that there are many solutions represented in multiple ways. This means that through problem of the day, not only will your students be learning that there is not ONE way to do math, but they will also develop relational thinking.

You can purchase the word problem packs for different grade levels, in English, Spanish, and for Google Classroom! All of my word problem packs are research based, hands-on, engaging, student approved, colleague acclaimed, and the follow the CPA approach.

CPA: Concrete – pictorial- abstract.

Word Problems for K-2

Click to purchase from my TPT!

Click to purchase from my TPT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click to purchase from my TPT!

Click to purchase from my TPT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the image to learn about my word problem packs!

 

Social Aspect of Learning

Every classroom should have some sort of intentional talk going on.  There is a difference between playground talk and intentional talk in our classroom and I like to make this very clear with the children from the start. I encourage students helping each other, monitoring each other, and providing feedback to each other. Meaningful interaction like this one are so valuable in our guided math workshop. I  am humbled when I see my students overcome fears, develop critical thinking skills while collaborating with each other. Math Task cards offer an exceptional opportunity for students to tackle important math conversations!

place value task cards

CLICK TO PURCHASE THE TASK CARDS FOR FIRST GRADE!

 

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8 Comments

« FREE BUILD Math Centers for First and Second Grade
Problem of the Day for Teachers in K-2 »

Comments

  1. Jessica Greene says

    April 9, 2020 at 10:56 am

    Do you have a link for the containers used for your BUILD centers? Also, how many copies or sets do you make of each activity?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      April 23, 2020 at 10:13 pm

      Hi Jessica,
      I buy my containers from the Dollar Tree. I also make 2 or 3 copies of each set to put out to students.

      Reply
  2. Laura Gabelsberg says

    June 8, 2021 at 10:43 am

    YOur anchor chart video is impressive. They are your jam indeed! I am a teacher who teaches students. Standards do make me puke, talk of data doe smake me gag, but I am learning to overcome it and hone my instruction. I know where my kids are and what they need to focus on the most. I struggle with the management of supplies and having appropriate stations for each thing. It is alot to keep up with change out on a regular basis, so what systems do you employ for the constant changing out of materials in stations? What is your routine/rhtym for that?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 10, 2021 at 10:15 am

      My stations, whether literacy or math, last two weeks. Students will finish their stations at different times… everyone is a different type of learner, right? For the fast finishers, I give them different choices, including Marcy Cook games, choice reading, or project based activities that I purchase directly from TPT.

      Reply
  3. Renee says

    June 9, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    In the first picture is a paper that has “story problem QR code” at the top. I love the format of this page. Is it part of one of your packs? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 10, 2021 at 10:17 am

      Hello Renee,
      The story problem QR code mats are part of my Kindergarten word problems pack. You can find it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Word-Problems-for-Kindergarten-848350

      Reply
  4. Christina says

    October 18, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    What do you use to group your students?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 22, 2021 at 5:49 pm

      Hi Christina,
      I use iReady benchmark data, state mandated assessments data, informal observations, and formative data to group my students FLEXIBLY.

      Reply

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