During Math Rotations, my students move through a Problem Solving station.  While I have them working on their Two Ways of Problem Solving , I also wanted them to think about how math works just a bit. So, while searching on Pinterest (of course!), I came across this pin and I just *knew* that I wanted to incorporate something like this in my room.  Here is my interpretation of what I saw. On Monday, I place an answer onto the pocket chart.  I have been starting simple so far and have done "5 hats" and "9 dogs".  Well....let me rephrase that....I started with what I *thought* was simple ;) To set up the board, I put the answer I am looking for at the top.  Each student has an index card with their classroom number written on it.  When they have finished writing the four different ways to come about that answer (using the four different operations), the students choose their "best" question, write it on the index card and turn it backwards on the p......

So now that Math Workshop is organized and ready to go (read my first post on organization here ), you are probably wondering just what the kids are doing at each station.  I know that for me, figuring out exactly what I wanted each student to do each day, and keeping it worthwhile and relevant, was a big hurdle to overcome.  When I sat down and thought about my goals with this workshop model, I knew immediately that I wanted my students to 1) have time to work on calendar each day, 2) get a directed lesson on the standards to be covered, and 3) have some sort of problem solving activity where the focus was on problem solving strategies. After much thought, and playing around with schedules, I came up with a three rotation mix that is working well for me now.  Here is what is happening in each station during my workshop time: Calendar/Skill/Choice -- This station is basically the "independent work time" station.  The students begin the 20 minute block with the......

I have been doing a form of Math Workshop (we call them rotations in my room) for a few years now.  It has worked just fine, but I felt that I wasn't really holding my students as accountable as I could.  I also wanted to work in a bit more small group time for myself and my aide, so I changed my "two rotation" system to a "three rotation" one.  Math instruction takes place in my room from 10:35 to 11:40am (with an added 20 minutes after lunch.)  I have a full hour and a half.  I know I am very lucky to have this time, so I use it.  :)  Here is what my Math time looks like: 10:40 - 11:00am    Rotation 1 11:00 - 11:20am    Rotation 2 11:20 - 11:40am    Rotation 3 Lunch 12:20 - 12:40am    Calendar Review/HW Review There are three stations that the students are rotating through each day: Mrs. Moorman (that is the teacher station) Problem Solving Calendar/Skill/Choice I have broken......

This week back was filled with so many new happenings, that I thought I would tell you a little bit about each of them, instead of lots of little blog posts about each of them.  Most of the week was spent getting back into the swing of things, relearning routines, and beginning some new ones.  So, what were we up to this week? Each January I like to start things off fresh and my room environment is no exception.  So I spent one afternoon and rearranged the furniture so that we have a better flow in the room.  Also, I was just tired of standing up at the ELMO in the front of the room.  I need to sit down some of the time!  :)  So now I have a little space to work, can still move around the room, and it all feels "new".  Do you ever just up and move your room around? I started organizing my students for Math Workshop.  I have added in a rotation, am working in my fabulous aide just a bit more, and allowing for more problem solving time......

January is always a time of renewal for me.  I begin the year with high hopes, lots of great ideas, and a smile on my face.  Come December, though, all of those hopes and ideas usually take a back seat to reality.  So over winter break, now knowing my students and what the dynamics of the class are, I always tend to make changes and tweak what I do in my room.  This winter break, Math Workshop was my "fixer". I have done a form of Workshop in my room for a few years now.  {you can read about what I have done in the past here .}  It has worked just fine....but that is it.  It is just "fine."  I want something great that will not only benefit the kids but make use of my aide (that I now have during math time!)   I also want to hold the kids a bit more accountable to their work.  So here is what I have done.  Keep in mind, I haven't actually implemented this yet.  (I don't go back until Jan 13)  This is my PLAN.......