Guided math instruction (small group teaching + math centers) is a very powerful means of instruction. But, your students need to be grouped effectively to really maximize the benefits. This post shares several tips and guidelines to consider when forming your guided math groups. How many students will you have in each group? An ideal number is 4-6 students per … [Read more...] about Forming Guided Math Groups (Upper Elementary)
Archives for July 2017
FREE Math Pre-Assessments (Grades 3-5)
At the beginning of the year, it is sometimes difficult to get a clear picture of how our students are performing in math. I know I have been fooled a time or two by test scores or class performance at the beginning of the year. I put together these one-page quick pre-assessments for math to serve two purposes: 1.) allow me to group my students effectively for math … [Read more...] about FREE Math Pre-Assessments (Grades 3-5)
Organizing Math Centers
Organizing math centers (or any kind of organization, really) is not my strength. I really have to work at it and find a system that works for me, trying lots of systems in the process. Through trying out these different systems (and I tried out a lot), I was finally able to come up with systems that really worked for me. On this post, I will share some ideas for … [Read more...] about Organizing Math Centers
Launching Guided Math Centers with FREE Starter Packs
One of the biggest reasons guided math centers fail is because students don't have a strong foundation with the procedures and expectations. Well, a few years ago, I was making one big mistake that actually enabled this. When I launched math centers, I used math centers that contained skills my students were still "soft" with: skills they had not mastered and still … [Read more...] about Launching Guided Math Centers with FREE Starter Packs
How to Launch Guided Math Centers in Upper Elementary
Do you want your guided math centers running smoothly from the start of the year to the end of the year? *raises hand*. Then, you need a strong launch. On this post, we will take a look at some guidelines to follow when you launch guided math centers in your classroom AND I will be linking to FREE starter packs for grades 3-5 so you will have all the math center resources … [Read more...] about How to Launch Guided Math Centers in Upper Elementary
Math Bulletin Boards for Upper Elementary
Pinterest is full of well-designed and authentic bulletin boards for literacy, but very few for math. In fact, when I am planning my classroom, my mind goes straight to literacy instead of math. Once I realized I was doing that, I actively worked to change and add in more relevant and meaningful math bulletin boards in my classroom. This post shares SIX low prep, but … [Read more...] about Math Bulletin Boards for Upper Elementary
Activities for Early Finishers (Upper Elementary)
What if I told you that you could have plans in place for your early finishers without a ton of prep on your part? What if those "activities" were super meaningful, engaging, and directly aligned with what you were teaching? Well, that is exactly what I am going to describe in this post. Let's take a look at my favorite early finisher activities that will save your … [Read more...] about Activities for Early Finishers (Upper Elementary)
Multiplication and Division Practice | Free Math Facts Take Home Kits
One of the struggles with teaching upper elementary math is that many of our students have not mastered their multiplication and division facts. This makes everything even more of a struggle for those students, especially when they get to 5th grade. Through a combination of fact drills, games, and teaching actual strategies versus just memorization, I am usually able … [Read more...] about Multiplication and Division Practice | Free Math Facts Take Home Kits
Guided Reading Management | Tips for Managing Guided Reading Groups
Guided reading is my favorite part of the day, but it wasn't always. During my first two years of teaching I struggled with wrangling my students once they came to me and keeping them on task and focused on reading. Because my guided reading time is super precious to me, I had to quickly come up with some strategies to better manage my groups. In this post I am sharing … [Read more...] about Guided Reading Management | Tips for Managing Guided Reading Groups