Easy-to-Manage Math Stations

This is a post I've been meaning to share for quite some time.  But having two little ones and a lot going on, it's been hard to find the time to write.  Last year I started playing around with math stations and eventually found some things that work really well for me.  Now that I'm in "year 2" of running my math stations, I finally feel like it's a well-oiled machine.  If you're interested in an easy way to run and manage math stations in your classroom, then keep reading!  :)

The basic format of running my math stations is this:

- Our math block is approximately 50 minutes long.

- There are 4 rotations: Meeting with me for a small-group lesson, iPads, Fact Practice, and Book & Math Bags

- I meet with each group for 10 minutes to do a quick lesson from My Math (our McGraw Hill program).

- I have approximately 1 minute transitions for them to switch stations.

- Everything is run by music.

- There are a maximum of 7 students in a group (it used to be 6, but then a month ago I gained #25...so that means one group had to have 7).  I ability group them so that I'm able to differentiate a little easier.

Here are some basics for management purposes:

I made a simple flipchart for my Promethean Board.  It has the 4 stations within each rotation.  It is projected on the board for easy student viewing.  I simply click the mouse to change it every 10 minutes.

Our whole 50ish minutes are set to music.  I put together a playlist on iTunes.  I have approximately 10 minutes of classical music followed by 1 minute of more upbeat songs that let the students know we are transitioning.  I use 2 Heidi Songs that total about 1 minute (I bought the ones I need off of iTunes).  This repeats itself 3 more times so that I have a total of 4 classical segments, which is "work time".  During the transitional music, the students know it's time to switch and have time to clean up real quick and start their next station.

All of their materials for the "Math Bags" and "Fact Practice" are stored in my rainbow drawer cart.  Each drawer is labeled so they can easily find the things they need.

The first station is working with the teacher.

I work with my low group first so that they have the basis to do their following stations independently.  I have my manual, manipulatives, and all other supplies right at my table so that I'm ready to teach.  I found this handy plastic tub and tiny little ones at The Container Store a little over a year ago.  Everything fits perfectly and I keep it right under my desk.

I go through the intro to the lesson and then we work through several examples and problems in their books together.  I also use this time to differentiate.  I'm able to slow it down for my low group and do some extension activities and problems with my high group.

The second station is "Book & Math Bags".

After they work with me, they move right into their independent practice page.  On one of the walls in my classroom, I have a ripped off cover from one of their math books and taped it to the wall and put a piece of chalkboard vinyl underneath.  I use chalk markers to write the page number that they are to work on in their book.  I have a helper erase it at the end of each day and I just write the new one up there every morning.  They just have to look at the wall, find the book cover, and see what page they need to do that day.  It eliminates questions of what page to turn to.

If they have time once they are finished (which they usually do), they go over to the rainbow drawers and grab a math activity.  I have several bags of Common Core centers in a drawer and they can pick one to work on.  They have the directions and parts and pieces in each bag.  Everything is there and they just have to grab it and get busy!  These centers are in my store.  I have sets for each month.

The third station is Fact Fluency.

I have many options for them to practice their math facts.  Once again, everything is stored in the rainbow drawers.  They can choose from Hot Dots, Wrap Ups, Board Games, Roll and Cover, or fact practice on the iPads (more on that in a minute).

The board games (Addition and Subtraction Races) come from Jana Guerra from We Heart 1st.  My students love them and they were super easy to prep!

You can find the Addition Roll and Cover games in my shop.  Just print, laminate, and add some dice and playing pieces!  Super easy to prep as well.  The students love playing it and it really has made a difference in their ability to quickly recall facts.

The fourth station is iPads.

We use a free app called FrontRow.  It's a differentiated, self-paced program that works on all math domains.  The students are given a pretest in each domain and then it starts them where they are and progresses as they're ready.  The data end of it for teachers is awesome.  This year they added a "Fact Practice" section where the students can play a game to practice their math facts.  The students can work on this during fact practice if they want as well.  If you don't have iPads, don't worry - it's available for desktop/laptop computers as well!

The way math rotations are done in my classroom are super-easy to manage and very low prep.  It took a little leg work up front (printing, laminating, and sometimes cutting) to get some of the math bags, Roll and Cover, and board games ready to go, but now it takes no time at all to prep for math.

Here is a view of my plans in PlanBook for how I do my lesson plans for my math block.  I saved the template and tweak it each week to reflect the different lessons.  You should be able to click on it to make it bigger. :)

I hope this post has given you some inspiration to start or help you organize your math stations!  We do this every day and my students and I all love it.  :)

Slim Down Saturday and Some Math Facts!

Can I admit something?  I'm insanely organized, but sometimes I don't know how to prioritize.  Does that even make sense?  I have lists upon lists, check sheets upon checksheets, and mental lists upon mental lists (those are the worst!).  But I tend to get so overwhelmed sometimes that I end up FORGETTING what I have to do, underestimating the time it takes me to do something, or focusing so hard on something that things get pushed to the backburner.  Sound familiar?

Y'all, my fitness and healthy habits get shoved to the backburner a lot.  Between waking up early to get myself ready, get the kids ready, get to work, get ready for the day, teach 1st graders all day long, work after school, pick up the kids, make dinner, work on TPT, plan lessons, play with the kids, and do household chores...when exactly am I supposed to have time to work out?  And when am I supposed to make healthy lunches to take with me?  I'm so exhausted by time I get home the LAST thing on earth I want to do is cook.

But alas, I've got to just re-prioritize.  I used to work out all. the. time.  That was pre marriage and pre kids.  Does anybody know what I'm talkin' about?  Maybe you do.  If you don't, I'm jealous of all your free time.

So I'm teaming up with Gina over at Third Grade Tidbits for Slim Down Saturdays!  I'm hoping it'll help keep me a little more accountable with taking care of myself (as I sit here with a Mt. Dew trying to get rid of a massive headache.  Flaw #1.).

I'm shocked I lost 4 pounds.  Seriously.  But at the same time, I know what helped.  I made healthy food to take to work, I wasn't snacking all day like I did when I was on break, and I drank water during school (but then bombed when I got home with the whole carbonated beverage thing).  I'm going to try easing out of drinking pop, though.  Whenever I just try to quit, it NEVER goes well.  Baby steps!

So here are some pics of things from around the house that I'm trying to use to help this whole process.

Ok, don't think I'm a whimp.  I normally use 5 lb. weights, but I have a shoulder injury that I'm trying to work through.  I made the mistake of using my 5 lb. weights a week ago and I hurt myself again.  So I bought a lighter set to try and help my muscles ease back into lifting weights.  I got these 3 lb. weights at Target.  And I LOVE pink, so I was happy.  :)

I bought Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred right before I got pregnant and then put it on the backburner until after I had the baby.  Well, I did it last week and it kicked my butt, but I did it!  And it was tough, but it felt SOOOO good!

Here's my stash of water!  I have it very accessible so that I can easily grab one while in the house or as I'm headed out the door.

More fruits and veggies!  We have clementines, grapes, apples, and bananas in our fruit bowl on the counter.

The last thing I've been doing is this 30-day Squat Challenge that I found on Pinterest.  I'm loving it!!!  And no, none of those people are me...

Here's hoping that I can do a little better next week.  It's possible, I just have to make it a priority!

Before I head to bed, I wanted to share that I ***FINALLY*** finished my math fact fluency pack!  I'm sooooo excited about it!  Remember how it was called, "Banana Split Math Fact Mastery?'  Well yeah, I changed it.  I wanted to come up with a reward system that wasn't food or sweets related.  So I give you...

It's 147 pages of fun!!!!  You must check it out!  CLICK HERE to see it in my TPT shop!  I really think you and your students will love it!

I'll be back in a couple days to share things from last week!  :)  Enjoy your Sunday!

Happy 2014!

Can you believe it's 2014?!?!  Holy cow!  What a year 2013 was and I can hardly wait to see all that 2014 brings.  I'm linking up with Oh Boy 4th Grade to bring you my January Currently!

When do you all head back to school?  The teachers and students head back on Monday.  That is, if we have school.  This is a picture of our forecast for next week:

A windchill of NEGATIVE 46!?!?!  I have NEVER experienced cold like that in my life.  With those windchills and the chance of snow, we may only end up going to school one or two days next week.  I can't say I wouldn't be just a little excited.  ;)

Last Saturday I had the chance to meet up with some sweet Ohio bloggers in Columbus for lunch and a little shopping!  Seriously, such an amazing group of women.  I feel so honored to know them!

Starting with the front row (LtoR): Jenny from Luckeyfrog's Lilypad, me, Christina from Sugar and Spice

Back row (LtoR): Julie from First Grade Critter Cafe, Emily from Curious Firsties, Jennie from JD's Rockin Readers, Lisa from Fourth and Ten, and Sarah from Primarily Au-Some

I just love getting together with other bloggers because the discussion is so rich!  It's amazing the friendships that develop through blogging and TPT!

If you don't follow me on Instagram, my IG name is sarahlynnkirby.  Today I posted a picture of some CUTE finds at Five Below!  For those who haven't been or don't know what it is, it's like a Dollar Store, except it's a little more expensive because everything is $5 and under! ;)

One last thing before I get back to work on my latest product.  Check it out!  I'm designing a math fact fluency program for first graders!  I have plans to make one for K and 2 as well in the future.  It features math fact sheets for timed tests with both 20 problems and 50 problems so you can choose which one to use.  It's Common Core aligned, so it deals with sums up to 10 and subtraction from up to 10.  It's designed as an incentive program so the kids are motivated to reach their goals.  With each level they pass, they earn the parts to a banana split!!!! :)  Keep your eyes peeled...I'm planning to have this up ASAP, no later than Sunday.  :)

Happy New Year!!!!

Word Work

Let me begin by saying I am EXHAUSTED.  We had a snow day on Friday and I am still. not. caught. up. *Sigh*  We had a round of parent-teacher conferences last Tuesday night.  They went well.  We have our final night coming up this Thursday.  Between that, being ready for the week without having been at school on Friday, trying to complete all my homework for my reading endorsement, doing laundry, cleaning the house, paying bills, working on new products, trying to get everything ready to file my taxes, and everything else...I'm just wiped out.  But, c'est la vie, right?  ;)

Needless to say, I needed a little "retail therapy."  Enter: GroupDealz.  Please tell me you've been there, right?  I have purchased countless accessories on this site!  It's AMAZING!  They have the best deals EVER!  This is what I just purchased for $9.99!  A lot of their deals aren't on there very long and they add new ones everyday.  This deal expires tonight at midnight.  If you want one, you'd better run!  If I remember correctly, you have to sign up with an e-mail address first before they let you view the deals. It's totally worth it, my friends!  And there's no obligation at all.  You can just browse forever and not buy anything.  But you might just get hooked like moi...

I wanted to let you all know that my March Math Centers - CC Aligned are finally up!  I have put them 10% off for the next 24 hours.  :)

Now on to some Word Work talk!  I do a modified version of The Daily 5, due to our crazy broken-up schedule.  One of the components of it is Word Work.  I have created Word Work packets for every spelling pattern known to man, haha.  I think there are something like 28 packs in my shop!  They range from short vowels to long vowels to digraphs and everything in between.  Let me show you how they work!

Each pack contains 10 different activities that have to do with the phonics pattern for the week.  I bought these fun drawers over the summer.  On the left side, each drawer contains one type of Work Work activity.  I printed off labels and stuck them on each drawer so that the activity stays the same each week.

The first activity is called "Shake Up."  I filled water bottles with colored rice (you pour white vinegar into a bowl of rice, add several drops of food coloring, and mix it up).  Then I copied, laminated, and cut little pieces of cardstock with the phonics pattern within each word.  They shake it up and search for all the words they can find and then write them on a sheet of paper.  The students LOVE this one!

There's also a simple board game using words with the phonics pattern.  Students practice reading words in order to progress on the board.

Next we have the ever popular "I Have, Who Has" game.  This game is best played with 3 or more people, but in all honesty, they have just as much fun doing it with a partner!

Then we have "Build a Word."  In the packet I have letter tiles for this activity, but I actually found a tub of foam cubes on Amazon that I use in my class.  They practice building words with the phonics pattern for the week.

Next is "Word Sort."  They practice recognizing words with the phonics pattern and words without the pattern.

Another activity they like is called, "Line 'Em Up!"  There are 12 words with the phonics pattern that they must put into ABC order.

There are 4 more that I don't have pictures of.   One is "Satisfy the Sentence," which is simply a fill-in-the-blank with words with our phonics pattern.  Looking at them in context helps them learn it!  Then there's "Mystery Word," in which the identify scrambled up words that contain the phonics pattern.  Next is "Locate the Hunks," which are poems where they highlight words with the phonics pattern.  The final one is "Rainbow Words" where they write a particular word with the pattern 3 times, each time using a different colored crayon.

You can find all the Word Work packs HERE!  I hope you enjoy them and get as much use out of them as I do!  My students truly look forward to Word Work each and every week.

Have a blessed week with as little stress as possible!  :)

Super Bowl Sunday Sale and some new products!

It's officially 2:17 a.m. and I'm EXHAUSTED.  I'm planning a giveaway at the end of the week, so check back for sure!

Until then...

I finished my February Math Centers and they are up in my shop!

I ALSO made a quick little pack for kids who get done with their work and say, "What do I do now?"  One of my biggest pet peeves!  Not that they finish early, but because I tell them every time their options.  And it's February.  Sheesh.

So I whipped up this little packet of choices that can be printed and stapled into a little student flipbook!  They keep it in their desk and pull it out when they need something to do quietly at their seats.

Everything in my shop is 20% on Sunday!  Enter the code "SUPER" at checkout for another 8% off!  Happy shopping!  My cart is full!