B.U.I.L.D
A Math Center Management System
Build? Build what?
U- Using Manipulatives
I- Independent Practice
L- Learning Numbers
D- Do Math
Students are given the opportunity to practice new skills and standards as they are introduced, while not being allowed to forget previous standards taught.
B- Buddy Games
- File folder games
- Add one more
- Card games
- Memory
- Anything that will encourage cooperative learning!
I- Independent Practice
- Review activities
- Paper/pencil practice
- Math journals
- Anything they can do INDEPENDENTLY!
L- Learning Numbers
- Number order games
- Counting objects/ writing numbers
- Count objects and match to numbers
- Counters, number cards and 10's frames
- Links and number cards
D- Do Math
- Play-dough mats
- Dice games
- Domino math
- Sometimes these center activities need a little supervision to make sure they are completing them accurately.
How does it work?
It works for you!!!!
Option 1:
Mini Lesson: We begin with a whole group mini lesson on what ever our focus standard is for the week. For example, we might watch the EnVision animated video lesson during this time and work out some problems together as a group with lots of teacher modeling.
Choosing Centers: On Monday the kids get to choose what center they want to be in. I monitor and only allow 3-4 students per group. Sometimes encouraging certain students to be (or not to be) in a particular group. Tuesdays-Thursdays are easy: I move them down the chart. This makes sure that all kids go to all centers throughout the week. It makes me happy because I have an easy way of keeping track of who has done what and the kids are happy because they got to choose who they are working with! :)
During Centers: Once the kids are hard at work, I gather myself and begin calling groups myself. Sometimes I call them by their center groups, other times I call them based on skill groups. It all depends on what we are working on. During this time we usually do some guided practice with manipulatives or drawings. If using the EnVision series, this is the time we complete our workbook pages. When they are done with me, they just go back to their center work and I call another group. The time I have allotted allows me to see all of my students everyday for small group and/or individual instruction.
Option 2:
Mini Lesson: Same as above
Choosing Centers: I choose! When I find gap areas that need to be addressed, this option allows me to provide individualized work in certain centers, especially Independent Practice and Do Math. It also makes it easier for my assistant to work with these students on their gap area without having to run circles around the classroom!
During Centers: Same as above