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Daily 5: 2nd Edition-Daily 3 Math – My Differentiated Kinder Spin on it!

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I need to start out this chapter first and foremost by saying that most of the time I was reading it, I felt like I was nodding in agreement, because it is basically very similar to how I structure my own math stations with a few adjustments.

 

 
In a similar fashion that Daily 5 teaches our students to be independently engaged in literacy activities so they can practice important skills, Daily 3 Math does the same for math.  The focus of Daily 3 Math is not to teach specific math content, but rather to give our students ample time to practice and explore math concepts through engaging (and I would add –differentiated) activities. 
The sisters break these activities into three categories
 

 

 
When I think about my own Math Stations, they clearly fall into one of these three areas easily.
 
Much like Daily 5, you lay the foundation for  independence through the ’10 Steps to Independence’ including the creation of I-charts.  Without these, your stations can not run independently.  And like Daily 5, a short focus lesson is given before the first rotation and each subsequent rotation begins with another short lesson that gives guided practice to students.

 


So now your thinking to yourself, ‘Well ok, that’s all great and everything Marsha, but how are you going to organize it and how will it look?” 
 
 
 
Math Stations
Much like the ‘sisters,’ my math stations are a result of my desire to give my students ample time to practice and perfect basic math skills with engaging and DIFFERENTIATED activities. 
 

 

 
When and How Often
This schedule allows enough time for students to really get into their activities before having to rush off to another rotation.
 


Who and What


 Now I know that the ‘sisters’ believe that students should have the choice to go to whatever station they want, but that kind of choice just doesn’t work for my students in kindergarten.  So instead of them having the choice to go to a specific station, they get other choices within math stations such as who they play with or where they work and what materials they use.

 

 
The Stations





Math by Myself can include a variety of activities such as Count, Color and Write Games, Self-Correcting Tens Frame Fun, Number Linking Activities and, my class favorite, Write the Room for Numbers.

 



For Math Writing, I usually have some kind of find motor or writing activity where students are practicing the mechanics of writing their numbers along with another skill that might complement the activity such as counting or counting on. 




Math with Someone means lots of interactive activities.  Sensory table sorting and games, number identification games like ‘Lost My Lunch,’ and number Yatta (This one is a freebie so make sure you click on the word YATTA to get the link to it) are just a few examples.

Differentiating It
 
Ok, so here is where it really gets interesting.  You know about the rotations and where the activities are stored and what types of activities are available, right?  Well now let me show you how they are organized within each drawer so that they are differentiated, and yet, students independently can determine which materials apply to them.


So one more time take a look at my rotation board.  Do you notice how each student has their name on a card that is either orange, green or blue?  Well those cards determine the level of difficulty for that student.  Please note that these cards are laminated and, quite often, just because a student is orange one time they may not be orange the next depending on the skills and concepts we are working with at the time. 

 

 
When you open a drawer to a station, you may find either poly envelops or zipper envelopes with materials inside.  Students who have their name written on a blue card would use the materials from the blue or blue labeled containers, orange from orange labeled and green from green labeled materials.


 I wanted to give you an idea of the activities that would typically be found my math stations because, lets face it, if you’re like me, you need to see what it looks like.  So below you will find my actual visual plans from last fall.  These were my back to school math stations.  These were the stations that laid the foundation for so many of the games and activities that the students would be using for the rest of the year.


To see how I started my year out with these math stations, check out my blog post from last fall by clicking on the picture above or HERE.  It has a ton of details on getting your stations up and running.

 . . . and the teacher . . .
Well, once they have built stamina and independence with math stations, I have the flexibility and freedom to work with small groups assessing and having small group instruction. 
 
Math stations are seriously my favorite time of the day when they are up and running.  Even as the year progresses and the themes and seasons change, the activities are familiar and still engaging for the students so they continue to be independent.  By making sure I differentiate them, students are neither bored because they are too easy nor frustrated because they are too difficult.  They are engaged in meaningful activities that appeal to their learning profiles, interests and readiness levels.


If you’d like to know more about the math stations you saw in the pictures above, you can click HERE to see them.  In all, I have over 13 different ‘Math Stations Galore‘ packets.  There are plenty from which to choose.

Now make sure you check out these other great bloggers and their take on Chapter 8.  

 

 

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Marsha Moffit McGuire

With more than 20 years of teaching experience, it is my pleasure to bring you my most favorite ideas and activities to keep young learners engaged and loving learning.

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24 responses to “Daily 5: 2nd Edition-Daily 3 Math – My Differentiated Kinder Spin on it!”

  1. Emma Goliff Avatar
    Emma Goliff

    This is an excellent post! Thank you for sharing your thought process. I really appreciate it!
    emma

    Reply
  2. Jessica Fredrickson Avatar
    Jessica Fredrickson

    What a great post Marsha! My kinders and I loved your math stations last year. Thanks for breaking everything down so clearly, it’s a big help. Happy 4th!

    ~Jessica
    Fun in PreK-1 & Kinder

    Reply
  3. Sneaker Teacher Avatar
    Sneaker Teacher

    Wow! This is awesome! So much to take in, but something I will definitely explore more! Thanks for posting about this!

    Reply
  4. Jennifer White Avatar
    Jennifer White

    Awesome!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

    Reply
  5. Amanda D! Avatar
    Amanda D!

    This is just what I needed! My yearly goal for next year is to use math stations in a predictable routine, and you’ve given me a lot of ideas of how to organize them and get them running (the 2 hardest parts!). Thanks for your post and for linking with other bloggers on the same topic. Very helpful!

    -Amanda
    Kindergarten Teacher at the Wheel

    Reply
  6. Donna Boucher Avatar
    Donna Boucher

    This is phenomenal! I’m sharing this post on my new #TrendingInMath feature tomorrow! 🙂

    Donna
    Math Coach’s Corner

    Reply
    1. Marsha McGuire Avatar
      Marsha McGuire

      Thanks for your kind words Donna!
      Marsha

      Reply
  7. Amy Derby Avatar
    Amy Derby

    This is wonderfully written and thorough. Thank you. I have this page bookmarked so I can reference it as I begin this new Daily Math adventure. 🙂 I already have the Back to School Math Stations Galore in my TPT cart… (Along with the Word Work one.) Love your creations! Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Marie Pendergast Avatar
    Marie Pendergast

    Thank you for sharing your ideas and photos! It is truly helpful. Looking forward to fine tuning my math workstations!

    Reply
  9. A Differentiated Kindergarten’s Daily Schedule

    […] I set them up and keep them going. Math Stations TipsIntroducing stations to insure independenceDaily 3 Math StationsDifferentiated Math Stations, Templates and AnswersThe Key to Making Math Stations Differentiatedand […]

    Reply
  10. nancy john Avatar
    nancy john

    Kindergarten is such a fun year for writing and reading progress. I wish I would have saved more samples from my years of teaching over the years as each kid has such a unique style!

    Kindergarten game

    Reply
  11. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Did you create the book the kids are writing in when you discuss Math Writing? It has community helpers on it and numbers – did you create this? Is it on your TPT store? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Yes, it is my product. It is part of my Community Helpers Math Stations Packet. You can find it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Community-Helpers-Math-Stations-Galore-13-Differentiated-and-Aligned-Activities-827314
      Let me know if you have an other questions.
      Marsha

      Reply
  12. Jamey DiFonzo Avatar
    Jamey DiFonzo

    I am thankful for this post. I really want to incorporate math stations into my classroom this coming school year!

    Reply
    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in anyway.
      Marsha

      Reply
  13. 17 Ways To Build Fine Motor Activities Into Your Curriculum – Differentiated Kindergarten

    […]  Here students show the number and indicate how it is represented in a tens frame on these Play-doh Math Mats.  You can never go wrong with using Play-doh to build finger muscles.  (K.CC.A.3, […]

    Reply
  14. Kelsi Avatar
    Kelsi

    Thanks for sharing!! I am new to teaching kindergarten and can’t wait to try this!! What do you typically have kids who finish their station early do?

    Reply
    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      It doesn’t happen. If they complete a recording sheet, it’s usually laminated so they do it again or if they can always join another station who is missing a fourth person.
      Marsha

      Reply
  15. Suzanne Awtrey Avatar
    Suzanne Awtrey

    Thank you, Marsha! I learned so much from your blog last year when I found myself back in kinder again…loving it! This year it is my goal to implement Math Daily 3 and your post is so clear and helpful…you rock, girl!!

    Reply
    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      My math stations aren’t exactly Math Daily 3, but it’s the same components for sure. I love the ability to give my students tons and tons of practice using math concepts and this works great.
      Marsha

      Reply
  16. Fiona Fry Avatar
    Fiona Fry

    Thank you for your wonderful ideas. I too am going to implement Daily 3 as well as Daily 5 into Prep. Just wondering if you have the Daily 3 posters: Math by Myself; Math Writing and Math with Someone?

    Reply
  17. 17 WAYS TO BUILD FINE MOTOR ACTIVITIES INTO YOUR CURRICULUM | For Your Kids

    […]  Here students show the number and indicate how it is represented in a tens frame on these Play-doh Math Mats.  You can never go wrong with using Play-doh to build finger muscles.  (K.CC.A.3, […]

    Reply
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    BestEzra

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  19. Maddy Avatar
    Maddy

    Wow! This is exactly what I was looking for!

    This is my first year teaching K ( and I found out that I wouldn’t be teaching it until 2 days before the start of school!) and I was hoping to differentiate my math instruction.

    At what point in the year do you introduce the stations/routines of a Daily 3 style set up? We’re 3 weeks in and still working on how to walk in the hall! haha

    Reply