In thinking about my classroom and how it would work best, I am still looking at the idea of introducing Math Work Stations.  What I would like to do it wait until 2nd semester (January) and then start them, so that I can get the “bugs” worked out before then.  I would like to use a 30ish minute block of time (maybe more/less  because our Science themes are getting incorporated elsewhere and are not taking up 20 minutes of time usually) I’m still sketching out plans/details but this is what I have so far:

Math Listening Work Station (math related books on tape)

Math Computer Work Station (math sites bookmarked on the computers according to topic)

Math Work with the Teacher Station (working with me on concepts)

Math Exploration Station (using manipulatives to explore concepts)

Math ____________ Station (using the Lakeshore math boxes to explore a concept)

Math Puzzles and Games (using puzzles and games to reinforce a concept)

Math Number Writing Station (using the MTW number writing tasks to reinforce/teach number writing)

Math Seasonal Station (a station using seasonal games-“roll a snowman”, stamping patterns with Halloween stamps, making valentine’s day patterns with foam hearts, etc.)

I’m trying to make it easy for the kids, easy for me; meaning using materials I already have and can easily get to and avoid worksheets! 🙂

I would like to use Monday to introduce a concept–not every Monday, but maybe the first one of the month, introduce the concept (patterning for example) and then spend the next 2-3 weeks working on it through various stations.  I want to try this because I know the children all learn in different ways and sometimes me going over the same thing over and over is boring and they could understand it a different way.  Having said that, I want them to learn the concepts and apply them in several ways so that when they are in first grade they will be ready for any presentation of the same material.

Any thoughts? Does anyone do anything similar?  Any pictures to share?

Kristen 🙂