Math Center Activities

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am continually trying to improve my math centers. One area that I'm always monitoring and improving is the materials and activities that students use during math center time. I strive to add activities that reflect kindergarten math standards, have been previously taught and practiced, and are engaging and fun! This can be quite a difficult task. While our district provides us with some materials to use, I'm still left having to find many things on my own. Here are some ideas that I have found along the way that I thought I'd share!

Target Dollar Spot

While this may sound unconventional, the Target dollar spot can have some fun math activities that connect with kindergarten math standards. They are also very affordable which is a bonus for teachers! This year I found two activities that work on counting and sequencing to 10. This is perfect for my classroom. We work on numbers to 10 throughout the beginning months of kindergarten. Our goal is to have kindergarten students count to 100 by the end of the year.

I usually have a math center filled with math activities similar to this. When students are finished with one, they can get another one to work on. The kids enjoy them and they work on key math skills. They are also very easy on a teacher's budget so it is a win-win!

Clear Sleeves

 While this tip doesn't necessairly improve student achievement, it may save teacher sanity. Clear sleeves are a must for math centers! Teachers can print off a math activity, slip them in a clear slevee, and put them in a math center. Students can easily use dry erase markers and a sock to fill them out and wipe off when they are finished. It also comes in handy when students are in a math center where they will complete the activity multiple times. 

Here's an example of a math activity that students complete during
center time.

In the example above, students pick a domino. They write the parts and determine the total. When they are finished with the domino, they erase their paper and repeat the process. 

Using Props

Another thing I like to do for math centers is to add props whenever possible. Using props is highly engaging for my kindergarten students! I look to Teachers Pay Teachers to find activities that correspond with kindergarten standards. After I have found activities that will fit into math centers, I try to determine if there are any props I can include. 

Center idea found on Teachers Pay Teachers. Seller: Miss Kindergarten Love

The above is an example of a center idea I found that fit with a topic we were covering in math. Students would pick a "bowl" and look at the number. They would use the number to find the matching meatball bowl on the worksheet. I wanted to create a more hands-on approach so I also added real bowls, a scoop scissors, and poof balls as the "meatballs". Students would select a number, count and scoop the meatballs into their bowl, and then had to find the matching bowl on their worksheet. The props I added made the activity more engaging and hands-on for my students. 

Now it's your turn! I can't wait to hear from you!

Questions:

*What materials do you use for math centers?
*What tips can you share?

Math Center Assignments

Ahhh, math centers. Math centers are one area that I'm continually trying to improve. Trying to improve the activities during center time. Trying to improve the transitions during math center time. Trying to improve the balance between whole group instruction and independent time. Overall, I'm trying to make center time better!

Our math block is divided into three sections. The first section is our whole group time. During this time, students learn about the topic of the day. Students may work in small groups or with partners during this time. Students complete the activities that go with our math curriculum. The second section of math is for our journal page. This allows me to check and see if students are understanding the topic. The third section is for math support time OR independent math centers. If students have shown they understand the topic, they go to their center for the day. If students need help, they will come to my table for some extra instruction. 

Currently, I have a schedule for students that tells them where to go for math centers. At the end of the day, I rotate their names to the next activity. 

This is displayed on our SmartBoard during center time.

While I like that I do not need to spend time telling students where to go, I have some concerns. The first concern is that students will not have enough time at their center spot. Some students finish their journal page late and then only have five minutes to work at a center. This does not give them enough time to finish their work. They are on to a new center the next day so they do not revisit their unfinished work. The second concern I have is that students may miss a center completely. If students need to work with me, they miss their activity for the day. The names switch at the end of the day and they are on to a new activity. 

After some researching, I came across a blog post from The Brown Bag Teacher that discusses setting up math centers.

Guided Math in 1st Grade

She suggests having students choose their math centers. Students can choose which center to visit but they must visit each center by the end of the week. This may be a great way to ensure that students do not always miss certain centers. While it requires a bit more management, I may give this a try next fall. I would also add that when kids finish up visiting each center, they need to go back to the ones they did not finish. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts about math centers!

Questions:

*Do you have a set time for math centers?
*If so, how do you decide where students should go? Do you tell them or do they decide? Have you found any strategies that work best?