This year I tried something a little bit new.
First of all, I have my math center rotations on a SMART notebook so I can easily put it up on my SMARTboard. No more finding a spot in the room for a rotation chart that we use once a day.
Each day I just move the circles to the next center and then save the changes to the notebook before I close it after center time.
Secondly, I bought these drawers last year and decided they would be perfect for my math centers. I have them numbered. They also easily come out. I have my students take the whole drawer to their table.
Lastly, in order to make things easier for myself. I have kept the centers somewhat similar in each drawer. Here is what my math centers look like:
Center 1 - pattern blocks
Center 2 - matching game and/or CRASH
Center 3 - changes each week
Center 4 - iPads
Center 5 - roll & color games
Center 6 - spinner games
As you can see, my students know instantly what they are doing at each center each week. I don't keep the exact same activity in the drawer every week, but they are somewhat similar. In my pattern block drawer, I use Elizabeth Hall's pattern block activities from her B.U.I.L.D. math centers. (You can grab them here)
The centers change with each theme I am teaching, but the way to play the games/centers is usually the same except for center three. I like to have one that I can change up. I always teach that center whole group before I ever expect my students to do it on their own.
During the time my students are doing math centers, I am pulling small groups. I pull a group who needs some reteaching and I pull another group for enrichment. I love having the opportunity to pull these students.
Do you do math centers? If so, I would love to hear how you manage them. Sound off in the comments below!
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