Math Materials--Organized

Last year during the Math Workstations Blog Book Study I organized my math materials.  I only kept enough materials for one class.  I stored them in my math cabinet.  You can find my labels here.  Throughout last year I made a few changes.  Here is what it looks like now.

Inside the containers I placed smaller containers filled with enough materials for one or two children.  This made it easier to place materials in the math workstations.  We were also able to pass out and put away materials quickly.

For money and two sided counters,  I used the small Glad plastic containers that you can find just about anywhere.  There is no specific number of coins or coutners.  The children just have to make sure all coins and counters are in a container.

For Base Ten Blocks I used sandwich containers.  Each container has  2 hundreds, about 23 tens 25 ones.

If you will remember I store my number cards like this:

This year I have taken paper punches and punched designs in the cards so we can keep them together.  Each number card set has the same punch,  that way if one card is missing I can tell which conatiner it belongs to.

I store the number cards in these boxes like the ones that lunch meat come in.  I "modgepodged" the numbers on the containers.  Hopefully, students can keep the number cards organized.

Flash Cards:

I have students practice math facts fluency before they do any work in the math workstations.  I give them a small number of flash cards and they have to work with their partner to answer the facts.  I keep my my facts in travel soap containers.

Once again, I "modgepodged" numbers on them hoping to keep them organized throughout the year.

Math Labels

It has taken me a while put I finally got my math labels made. I went to school this afternoon and added the labels. I know there are numerous math labels out there, however, I need some labels specific to my classroom. I made the large labels using Avery Shipping Labels # 8163, then, I converted them to a PDF file. I hope you can use them. If you do please let me know.

Large Math Labels

Large Math Labels 2

I have some smaller containers so I needed to use smaller labels. I used mailing labels.

Small Math Label

Check out my math closet with the labels:

Math Work Stations Blog Party Week 1

I am thrilled to be able to participate in the Math Work Stations Blog Book Study. This week the focus is on Chapters 1 and 2 from the book Math Work Stations by Debbie Diller. This weeks host is Deedee Wills from Mrs. Wills Kindergarten.


I am looking forward to continuing to read this book and hopefully adding additional strategies and resources to my 2nd grade math curriculum. After reading the first two chapters this weekend I am a little embarrassed at what my current math practice is. However, I am hopefully going to have a better and much improved math program.

Chapter 1: What is a Math Work Station?

• Materials used by the teacher first, then placed in the station: NO
• Materials do not change weekly, but rather changed to reflect the students learning objectives: Not really, we don't seem to have the time
• All Students go to stations daily: NO
• Materials are differentiated: NO
• The teacher observes work or meets with differentiated math groups: Only when time allows
  

This allows room for much improvement. I know I have a lot of work to do, but, I am up for the challenge. Check out all the other wonderful blogs for ideas, suggestions and support. That is what I plan to do!

Chapter 2: Organizing and Managing Math Materials

This is something I have been needing to do and now is the perfect time with changing grade levels and rooms. I was able to get into my classroom this week and started organizing my materials like the book suggested.

I started by taking all materials out of contains and organizing them on top of the students desks. Below is a picture of my measurement materials. The items took up so much space. I then placed them in one larger plastic box and a bag.

Before:

After:

It took me three days to gather, move and organize all my math materials. I now have a beautiful math cabinet. I still need to add the labels. I will add those when I return to school next week.