Chapter 1: Truly clarify to myself what a math workstation is. I think I have a handle on this. I like a quote from the book that says, "Math stations are for reinforcement and extention of concepts already taught." Though this quote is not in chapter one I thought it summed things up nicely.
Chapter 2: Organize, organize and organize! I need to go thru all of my manipulatives, games etc.., consolidate and purge! Hard but necessary.
Chapter 3: Time to get started! This chapter is where I really started to take notes! I think I wrote the words "model, model, model" at least 10 times! This chapter really helped me see the 'station progression'. I really like the math talk card idea. I look forward to making these. I guess with K I will be drawing a lot of pictures in the beginning! Better brush up on my art skills! The 'I Can' labels are awesome. I can't wait to take the pics for these and use them in each station. I assume I can take the pics while I have kids demonstrate how to use these appropriately during our station mini lesson time.
On page 58 a question was asked: " Should kids write something at every station? Where should they put their work?" This immediately got me thinking about how to best allow the kiddos to represent their thinking. What if I gave each child a three pronged, 2 pocket folder. In the prongs I will put 3-5 sheets for me to record my observations. This will allow me to keep track of notes I keep on each child and I don't have to find the last note I took - it is right there in front of me. ( I do this in their Writer's Workshop folder and it works great.) The pockets will be for their work station sheet(s) where they record their learning. I will keep these sheets available in each station if needed and in a separate basket for them to grab as needed. The students will take their folder with them to each station. This will allow me to jot notes as I observe them or when they visit with me. Having the folder also gives the kids a place to put their finished record sheet, as well as function as a makeshift "clipboard" for those times they are surveying one another etc... Whadda ya think? Will it work? Here are the record sheets if interested!
Math work station student record sheet
Math work station teacher record/observation sheet
9 comments:
Hello! Your Google Docs won't open. Thought you'd like to know.
Thanks for joining the discussion. I am curious about having students write especially early in the year.
Thanks April. I will try to figure out how to fix them!
Ok. Does anyone know how to attach my docs? I want to share but don't know how!
S. Parker, Do you mean writing during math stations or actual writer's workshop? E-mail me and we can chat. tschep@live.com
Your google docs might be set on private...that was my trouble in the beginning! Thanks for sharing, you'll be amazed at how the ideas just start flowing...
Barb
kinderzoo
I can't get the docs to open either. Thanks in advance for sharing!
Okay, I know that I'm late to the discussion, but I don't think writing at every station is necessary. It's very important for students to put their math thoughts and understandings into words, but sometimes(I feel), they need to just explore and play with concepts. Let me know what you think:)
Hi Sandra,
I completely agree that they do not have to write every time. A big part of the math workstations is simply exploring. My objective with the math folder is to have a place for me to record my observations and for the kiddos to have a place to record their work or store their work if needed. They won't be writing every time. I hope this eases your mind!
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