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 set up because it allows students to work with
many different people and work on their own too, which I use for the
assessment.
Center #1 Meet with the teacher
At this center we practice multiple skills throughout the
year and it is all based on what they need to be successful. For example, some
students are working on addition and subtraction with regrouping, while others
are working on multi-step story problems, and another group might work on
open-ended math questions to really get them thinking! At this center I do not
use worksheets. Instead I use dry erase boards and will sometimes print out
story problems/questions. This way we can learn and discuss specific skills
they need to be successful. The most
important thing that occurs when students’ work with me is the discussion part;
this allows students to learn from one another and they sometimes learn a new
way of thinking about math. Letting them learn from peers makes things click.
Sometimes working with me is a time for me to reteach and
practice skills that they struggled with on the previous assessment. I rather
build them up on necessary skills rather than move on until I believe they have
an understanding of the material.
Center #2: Task cards with a small group [Differentiated]
I love love love task cards! I make several for my students
and differentiate them by color-coding the cards. If everyone is working on the
same new skill/concept I just use one set of task cards that are
differentiated. However, when my students are practicing different skills I
pull task cards that are still their color but from different sets I have
created for different skills. I keep track of these with a checklist so I know
what each student has completed.
Each task card set
for each group is color-coded. My students know what color they are and
complete those task cards. Each student
has 12 task cards at their own level and they practice the specific skill I
worked with them on that day. My groups often go from working with me to this
center. However, my highest students will start here because they are able to
complete this on their own.
By allowing my students to complete task cards on the skills
they need after my mini lesson with their small group they are continuing to
learn the skill by working with a team and solving problems together. This
allows them to learn from each other and they continue to grow in the specific
skill they need help with.
If you would like to check out any pre-made differentiated
task cards please click the links below! I have created several different task
cards with specific skills and use these all the time!
Center #3 Math game or another small group activity
When I set up my math centers I tell my students who is
working with me and who is at the task card station. Other than that they can
pick to go to the math game if there is a spot available, iPad, or work
independently.
My math games vary each week. I have bought a ton of math
games or I set up math card games to play! I will be sharing math games that I
use in a future post. The math games focus on the specific math skill that we
are working on in class. Students will play these games with a variety of
students from other math levels and can learn from others.
Center #4 Independent Work
(Picture above includes my differentiated morning work pages and my differentiated fraction pages)
My independent work center is very important. This is a
differentiated center and is typically a worksheet designed for each students
needs. For example, whatever skill I worked with them on in small groups is on
the front and the back is the skill we are working on as a class in our math
unit. This works great for an assessment to see how well the small group
session went and how well they understand the math concept we are working on in
class.
Again, the best way for me to differentiate is by color!
When students go to this center they find there colored folder (which also has
their name on it) grab one paper and complete it individually. I allow this
group to spread out so they are not working with others, I really want to see
what they have learned and by giving them some space it allows them to complete
it individually without the temptation to cheat.
Center #5 Technology Center
My last center is a technology center, which depending on
the apps I use that particular day is also a differentiated center. To
differentiate this center students have a login to their own accounts to
practice skills that are at their level. For example, sometimes students play
Mouse facts, which is great practice for students to memorize all of the math
facts from addition to division. Other times students login to their Scootpad
account and practice skills/concepts that are assigned to them by me. Or
sometimes they work as a team and practice grade level standards in pairs. When
working as pairs this allows students to work with each other, learn from each
other, and stretches them to work together with a classmate (which can be very
difficult at times). The pair partners always change based on who picked the
iPad center at that time.
I love using this set up for math centers because I can
differentiate the centers 80% - 100% of the time. This means all students are
learning what they need in order to be successful in their math career.
The best thing about color-coding and this set up is how
easy it is for students to change groups! When a student who was struggling is
now on grade level they just get a new color, and if a student who was on grade
level begins to struggle they just switch to a different color too.
Color-coding makes it easy to rearrange groups!
Please follow my TpT store, blog, or find me at instagram @Senden's Sources. I am constantly adding my products to my store and will continue to add differentiated products to meet the needs of all the learners in your classroom! Click here to follow my store!
Thank you so much!
Next blog post is how to differentiate during writing!
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