Friday 30 September 2011

Math Stations - Set 1

Another busy week... I can't believe September is done! October is going to be just as busy! I have three and a half inservice days, picture day, Thankgiving (Canadian style), and Halloween. Where am I suppose to teach in there??

Well, this week we started our math stations and the kids are LOVING them! They ask about them every day. I wish we had time every day! They are very hands on and lots of fun! Most of the activities come from other great bloggers, so I'll share links to them!

Here is what the tubs look like. I bought 10 Sterilite snap-lid containers to store all of the materials in.


For my work board I just display them on my whiteboard with magnetic tape. Love that stuff! Each day we do math stations, I just move the number cards around. I keep the groups to 2-3 students. We are starting with one station a day, but I made a second set of numbers in case we ever have time for two stations a day.


Now onto my first set of stations. I am focusing on number and counting right now. All of the stations have a recording sheet to go with the hands on activity, but I am saving those for the second time around with the same stations. I want the students to really get a chance to explore the activities before completing the recording sheets. For most stations, I make three versions of each activity so each group member has their own set. I put each set into a large ziplock bag and tape the label/directions to the front of the bag.

Station #1: All Boxed Up! from Cara Carroll's (The First Grade Parade) Ready, Set, Learn! {Back To School Math & Literacy Activities} Unit ---> click here to purchase


I love Cara's unit. Such fun activities for back to school! My kids love the crayon activity. They have to match up number words, numbers, tally marks, and ten frames. The numbers range from 5-20, but I just included the numbers 5-10 for right now. I can add the harder ones in later. She also has a recording sheet to go with it. All I did was make a label for the bag. Download here.

Station #2: Spill the Beans




Students shake a cup of 10 double-sided bean counters. They colour in how many landed red and write a number sentence to go with it.

I also have versions for 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Download the game and label for each of them below. {The first set of pages use the Canadian spelling of "colour".}


{As per a request, the next set of game pages use the American spelling of "color".}

Spill the Beans 5
Spill the Beans  6
Spill the Beans 7
Spill the Beans  8
Spill the Beans 9
Spill the Beans 10

Station #3: Counting Cups (inspired by Sarah Cooley over at First Grader...at Last!)


I put a different number of objects (shells, beads, rocks, pom poms, buttons, etc.) in each cup. Students count the objects and write the number on the recording sheet. Click here for recording sheet and label. 

Station #4: Ordering Numbers by Mrs. Magee (First Grade Brain) ---> download numbers 0-15 free here


Such a cute station idea from Mrs. Magee. I love the clipart! In her freebie of numbers 0-15, you get the work mats and card as well as two different worksheets. You can also purchase her unit with numbers up to 110.

Station #5: Race to Trace from Shari Sloane ---> downlad this and other great math games here



I laminate the game boards and include dry-erase crayons and dice. Students take turns rolling a dice and tracing that number. The first student to complete their page wins the race! You can use the game board as the recording sheet--just have students use crayons or makers on the paper. Download the label here.

Station #6: Playdoh Numbers



What a great sensory approach to practicing numbers. I think this is one of my students' favourite stations. Download number cards, recording sheet, and label here.

Station #7: Buggy Friends Count by Tens by Ms. Arnold ---> download this freebie here

 

Big thanks for this freebie! Students put these cute tens bugs in order then complete the recording sheet with the missing numbers. Check out Ms. Arnold's other great items over at her TpT store. She has a super sweet Back to School Math Fun unit that I will be using for future stations.

Station #8: Unifix Cube Patterns


I used these awesome unifix cube pattern cards from Jennifer Meacham's site (download here). Students love building patterns with these blocks. You can download my recording sheet and label here.

{As per a request, here is the version using the American spelling of "color"--download here.}

Station #9: Ten Frame War


Students play war with Power of Ten cards. There is a single person recording sheet (students have to colour the ten frames and circle the one with the most) and label you can download here.

{As per a request, here is the version using the American spelling of "color"--download here.}

Station #10: Clothespin Math inspired by Cara Carroll's (The First Grade Parade) ---> download her freebie here



I loved Cara's idea and her cute polka dot letters, but I needed some simple numbers for my kids. You can download my number cards and label here. Cara also included a good recording sheet with her clothespin cards.

Well, I think that is enough rambling for now! I hope you can use some of these ideas. Also, many thanks to all the fabulous bloggers out there who have shared such FANTASTIC ideas with the teaching world. I can't express how much I have learned from everyone out there! Keep sharing and happy weekend everyone! :)

52 comments:

  1. LOVE this post! I really liked the 10 Frame War as we just finished learning about this...where did you get your 10 frame cards...is it something you created...or purchased? I would really like to make this math tub for my kiddos to practice this skill...your help is greatly appreciated!

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  2. Thank you so much Gladys! The math stations have been a big hit in the classroom so far. The ten frame cards are purchased from a workshop I attended called "Power of Ten". You can purchase materials off their website here --> Power of Ten

    If you want some to make yourself, check out this posting at Oceans of First Grade Fun. She has some red dot ten frame cards you can print out yourself!

    Amanda

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  3. Just came across your blog---Very neat station ideas---we have some of the same thoughts :) Great minds think alike.

    DeAnne
    First Grade and Fabulous

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  4. WOW! I love all of these ideas, and I am impressed with your organization! I'm now following your blog; thanks for the inspiration! :)

    http://bwolfe-wolfepack.blogspot.com/

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  5. Hi Amanda,

    I’ve nominated your blog for an award. Visit the link below to copy/paste the Versatile Blogger button. Share seven things about yourself and pass the award along to the most versatile blogs you follow.

    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful

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  6. Oh my gosh, this was an amazing list! I am printing a ton of these ideas off as we speak! Will you keep these centers year round, or do you change them up as the year goes on?

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  7. Thanks for the love everyone! I'm so glad you find some of my stuff useful :)

    goseemakeanddo,

    I will probably keep my stations for about a month and a half, so the kids get a chance to visit each station twice (maybe three times). Then I'll probably change them up. Add in some new outcomes, like addition/subtraction, ordinal numbers, etc. Whatever we have been working on at the time.

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  8. I think I've fallen in love with you. Thank you so much for all the clear instructions. I am teaching my first year in first grade (at 42 years old!) and needed some independent work so I could either catch kids up, reteach a lesson, or do guided reading. This is perfect.

    Kimberly
    1st in Maine

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  9. I just found your blog and LOVE IT!! Thank you for all these great ideas! Love all of your organization too! So glad I found you. :)

    Ms. Preppy's Adventures in Primary and Polka Dots

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  10. On my never ending to-do list this weekend was to come up with a plan for new math stations (I've been doing exploratory type stations the last couple of weeks) and your blog post has made me feel a whole lot less stressed!! We even think alike, I already have Cara's clothespin math planned as one station. I'm crossing my fingers that you will continue to post your future station set-ups (it has been soooo helpful!) Thank you!!

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  11. I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU!!! I have really felt like my Math program has been weak and I just found some of the links to make that part of my day MUCH stronger. HUGE thank you!!!

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  12. Thanks for including my Ordering Numbers station and sharing it with others! :)
    www.firstgradebrain.com

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  13. wow, wow, wow - I just found your blog and I am so glad I did. I love all of the math workstation ideas!! I downloaded all of them - thank you so so much!

    Diane

    kindergartenafunplacetobe.blogspot.com

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  14. Just stumbled upon your blog from pinterest. Your blog has great ideas, thanks for sharing! I'm your newest follower :)

    Jessica
    The Littlest Scholars

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  15. Awesome post! Thank you for all the great ideas and links back!!!

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  16. You're the best!! My goal this summer was to make Math Stations. I wasn't sure where to start or how to store the materials and you solved it for me. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and the recording sheets! It is very much appreciated.

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  17. Great post! I am wondering where you got the "Power of 10" cards for the war game. I would love a set if you have it for free somewhere.

    Thanks!
    meganwheeler44@yahoo.com

    Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
    Mrs. Wheeler TpT

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    Replies
    1. The ten frame cards that I have are purchased from a workshop I attended called "Power of Ten". Materials can be purchased from the website here --> Power of Ten

      I did find some online from another fabulous blog... Check out this posting at Oceans of First Grade Fun. She has some red dot ten frame cards you can print out yourself!

      These are great for practicing subitizing as well!

      Amanda

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  18. Amanda, I just found this post. Love it! Where did you get your Sterlite tubs? I like these because it looks like they are a great size and will stay shut. Thanks again for the many ideas!
    Camille
    An Open Door

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    Replies
    1. Hi Camille,

      I bought those containers last summer from Walmart. They've held up really good this year. I'm not sure if I've seen them at Walmart lately. I'm sure any clear, flat container would work fine!

      Thanks for stopping by!
      Amanda

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  19. Just found your blog. I love all your math ideas. Thank you so much for all the wonderful math ideas.
    Stop by my blog sometime.
    :)
    Tamera
    http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
    Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com

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  20. Amanda,
    I just found this post and I love your ideas! I teach kindergarten actucally, but many of the things you have in this post my kids can do at the middle to end of the year.
    I teach in Utah and I was wondering if I there was a way I could kind of adapt it to fit my kids levels...and reading levels?!
    Thanks, I love your ideas!

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  21. Thank you so much for sharing all of these! I can't wait to get printing and laminating!

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  22. Love your ideas! How often do you change what is in the boxes/stations?

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  23. I love this! I just found this on Pinterest and now I'm your newest follower. Great job!
    Shibahn
    www.landoflearning.wordpress.com

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  24. Love all your ideas! What size are the plastic containers from Walmart? It looks like you have two sizes and they both stack. Its hard to tell if they are like 10 quart or 16 quart? Thanks for sharing!

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  25. love your centers!!!! these are great! mahalo for sharing :)

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  26. Wow, I am astounded at the amount of information you gave in this one post! Thank you. And I appreciate the Australian spelling of colour ;)My Year 1 class will love these activities.

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  27. I am so excited to have found this post. I just went out to Walmart and purchased these containers and I am in the process of fixing my math tubs and I am loving it. I love the idea of numbering them so I can change out the activities as many times as I want. I have also just started my own blog and TPT store. So the inspiration I have had from reading your blog has been a wonderful meaning to me. Thanks for much for the inspiration from you and other out there.

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  28. Hello Amanda,

    Awesome post and I liked it so much. and your idea to teach is too good and very interesting. I very much liked your all post that is related to child education.

    Thanks for Post.

    Regards
    Abacus Franchise


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  29. Hello,
    I'm a french teacher.
    I want to thank you for this beautiful work. I love your ideas. Thanks a lot.

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  30. Do you have the labels for your math tubs that are blue and black? would you be willing to share them?

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    Replies
    1. Sure! They are just black & white and I printed them on blue cardstock. Send me an email and I can send the file to you.

      Amanda
      atervoort@gmail.com

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  31. This is a great post about how you set up your math games! I am hoping to share how I do mine. Love all the links and freebies with this. Thank you!

    Gwen
    Learning With Mrs. Brinn

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  32. Love your container math stations! what size are those containers?

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    Replies
    1. These are the containers I bought from Walmart (in Canada):

      Small Containers
      Large Containers

      The small containers are 5.9L (or about 6.2 qts) and the large containers are 12L (or about 12.7 qts). Hope that helps!

      Delete
  33. Here is an other great resource that you could use for math centers. It is called The Math Board Games Book. http://bf5e87ukqh6l1w69jll4tkbpdh.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=MATH BOARD GAMES (Follow the link to see further information)
    Many of the games are great for getting the students practice their math skills.

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  34. Hi! Just found this great old post through Pinterest and I really like the way you've set up centers. My goal this summer is to prepare math centers for the first quarter so thank you for giving me a head start! I just bought the containers at Walmart (yes, they still carry them but the handles are green now!) and I was wondering if you would mind emailing me the math stations header and numbers you used? Or are they available to purchase somewhere? Don't wanna reinvent the wheel and all that. :)

    Goldilox3Weres AT hotmail DOT com

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  35. I love your math station ideas--where do I get the cards for 10 frame war? I'm sure my kiddos will love this game!

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  36. Simply amazing! You just saved me so much time! Thank you

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  38. This is fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  39. Wow!!! Thank you soooooo much for all of these amazing ideas!! I am starting math rotations in my year 1 class and I am stoked that I found your blog! I look forward to making these stations and I'm sure my kiddies will love them!!

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  40. The link for the unifix cubes pattern cards isn't working )-: Any help?

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  45. Thank you! I am teaching first grade for the first time and was looking for ideas. Yours was the first I found and I think have enough ideas to get started. :)

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