How To: Organize and Differentiate Math Centers Differentiation means creating opportunities for all students to learn in the classroom. Each student has different math needs and with these simple tips it is easy to differentiate during math centers! I strongly believe that math centers are important because it allows students to practice different math skills and it helps you differentiate their learning. I set up my math centers similar to the daily five reading centers. However, typically I only do math centers twice or so a week after they have learned a specific skill or two. However, throughout the entire week I still differentiate and meet daily with my students who struggle with math. The Centers: 1. Meet with the teacher [Differentiated] 2. Task cards with small group [Differentiated] 3. Math game or another small group activity 4. Independent work [Differentiated] 5. iPad [Differentiated] I use this se
Another way I differentiate my classroom is through centers. I love centers because I can really teach to each students needs. I also am a huge fan of the daily five. For my reading centers I incorporate the daily five into the centers. But read-to-self time, partner reading, and writing are pulled out of centers because I want everyone doing that at the same time. Back to the centers! Here is how my reading centers are set up 1) A center to work with me 2) A center to work on something individually for an assessment 3) Task card center 4) Word Work 5) Listen to a story/Technology Within each of these five stations I am able to differentiate activities and instruction and I do it by color-coding EVERYTHING. Literally…everything ha! It helps me stay organized, which again helps me keep my sanity. Here is how I organize and have each station set up. Rotation #1 When students come to meet with me each day looks different. However, I