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Differentiated Kindergarten

Differentiated instruction in the classroom

Math Stations Tips (and a Freebie) Linky Party

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Math Stations! 
So fun and, yet somehow, so hard to wrap your head around. . .  When I first started contemplating math stations, it was shortly after reading Debbie Diller’sfabulous Math Work Stations.  (You should really check it out HERE if you haven’t read it.)


There was so much great information in there, but I knew that, ultimately, it had to work with the room-size I had inherited and the number of kids-versus-adults that I would have using them.  Basically, there was a 1:26 ratio that first year, but after thinking on it and tweaking it and shaping it, it has become a well oiled engine of learning and SO MUCH FUN.

 
Organize Them!

So even though some of you have heard it all before from me, I am constantly tweaking my stations a bit here and there. This is the set-up I have used for the last several years, and it works great for me.  (By the way, this year I’d like to tweak my set-up with a couple of those cutesy light blue pocket charts I’m seeing from Target.  So if you’re there, leave a couple for me will ya.  We don’t have a Target in my home town, so I can’t just run out and pick them up.)

I use a base of nine different stations that a student will rotate through twice before I change them. We go to two stations each day that we have math stations, and the stations last about 15-20 minutes.  Now, depending on the schedule I’m dealt at the beginning of the year, students get to use stations a minimum of three times a week but ideally four to five.  

Materials are, of course, housed in the nine drawers which are labeled 1-9.  Above are the pocket charts that hold student names and the corresponding numbers that will move down as students move through the stations.  This drawer system is neat and tidy, and I like that they aren’t stacked (no digging under or above) and that students are able to return them to their correct ‘spot’ when stations are completed.  It also allows my stations to be very mobile which is an absolute must in my little room.  Here’s another thing that helps with keeping your drawers neat.  I designate a ‘materials handler’ from each group.  That is the person responsible for taking out and putting away materials.  When you have four sets of hands in a drawer, things tend to get spewed around.

The pocket charts hold name tags (When I have students there are names on them.  I promise.) that are laminated so I can change them quickly if needed.  The color of a student’s name tag represents the materials that they will use with in each drawer. You do not necessarily always have the same colored tags within the same group.  I’ll show you why in a second.

So for instance:

Students with a green name tag would use the materials labeled with a green dot, or bit of green washi tape.  Here’s the important thing to note, within a given drawer students all are completing the same activity, let’s say write the room, but the task is tiered so that it is geared to their readiness level.  One group might be writing the room for addition 1-5, another for addition 1-10 and another 1-15.  Their tier (1, 11 or III) is really unknown to them.  They just know what color they are for those set of math stations.  I’m constantly changing their colors so it’s pretty difficult for them to realize what tier they are.

Differentiating Them!!!
Is your head spinning yet? NO?  Good.  Well, then let’s move onto the next obvious question, HOW do I get to the differentiating part.  Ok, so first of all, you can differentiate by addressing your students interests, learning profiles or readiness. Tiering is what addresses their readiness, and this is how I tier my activities:

Take a look at this flowchart . . .

It goes through the different steps I take when tiering an activity to response to my students’ readiness levels.  And here’s an example of how an actual lesson would look if I wrote each of these flowcharts out.



Of course I don’t do that.  That would be impractical, but I do have a lesson plan template that lets me indicate to my principal what each station activity is, what standard it addresses and how it is tiered, if it is tiered.

And now you’re thinking, ‘but Marsha, when they walk through the door in September (or August) they can’t possibly do this.’  So you want to know how to get them from here (fresh off the boat) to there (a fine tuned learning machine).  Well quite honesty, it takes a couple of basic things:

  • Establish predictable routines
  • Have high expectations
  • Don’t be afraid to stop and practice the procedures
  • Model Model Model
Getting Them Going!!!
Here is what you need to know about starting math stations will little friends.  They just got dropped off from Pre-K folks.  They still want to play and explore…and wouldn’t you?  So while you’re establishing those first math stations, your goals should be to let them become familiar with the routines and expectations of what goes on in math stations and to start to explore the different kinds of materials that you will be using.  And that goes for anytime throughout the year when you introduce new items.  Don’t expect to just throw some tens and ones manipulatives out there and NOT have them building or making letters or seeing how tall they can stack them.  If you give them that time to explore a bit, they’ll be more likely to work after.
So what kinds  of activities should they be doing? Anything that will get them familiar with other activities you will expand on throughout the year, activities that allow you to do some quick assessing those first weeks and activities that allow them to review a bit of what they may have learned but forgot over the summer.
Here’s a few to give you an example of what I’m talking about.  My two little ones were gracious enough to test them out for me.  I should note that while these should not be differentiated based on readiness as you don’t really know these little guys, I would provide some extra materials to challenge them the second time through if you thought they needed it.  These activities have a few options to help with that.
 
 
 I am seldom without an I-spy activity, so I have a simple one that will get students used to working with magnifying glasses and finding hidden numbers or letters.
 
 
Students take turns hiding the ‘lunch box’ behind numbers while their friends’ eyes are covered.  They then take turns trying to find it.
 
It’s good to get those finger muscles strengthened.  I like for them to be familiar with links so this activity has them linking numbers in order. You can use more or less numbers based on how ready they seem.
Another staple in my room is a Write The Room activity.  I want anything that gets them up and moving.  This is one that will get them familiar with the process while counting objects and recording their answer.  There are a couple of different recording sheets from which you can choose to keep it interesting.
 
This is a partner or group game that I might include if I have a volunteer available.  It’s number recognition with some fun ‘special’ cards thrown in for good measure.
 
I have strong feelings for sensory tables being included in a kindergarten classroom.  If at all possible you should have one.  You can use a low-sided Rubbermaid container or even a box, but get one.  For this activity you hide different colored objects in the sensory table and sort them by color or trait.  It gets them use to the expectations and procedures for being at the sensory, and they can show you their sorting skills to boot.

They can also practice patterns.  If at all possible, I always use real items as manipulatives because it just holds their interest better.  However, if you don’t have enough of something, there are some printable options available as well.
 
 
And of course, you have to have play-doh.  Even  if only because so many kiddos never get to use it at home. Please included it in your classroom.  (It never ceases to amaze me!) They are little, they need all the fine motor exercise they can get.   So if you have one of those janitors that hate it when you use play-doh, go buy them an extra mocha and a hug and break out the play-doh.
Remember, the goal is to teach them the routines and procedures.  Once you get them that, then you can get down to the nitty gritty business of really differentiating kindergarten math. So all of those activities and a few more are available right in one packet.
 
 
There are actually 12 possible activities in all, but I ran out of time to show you all of them.  You can check it out by clicking on the picture below.

 

Oh and the other thing…some of you have been asking me about number and color posters to match the ones I did for reading, so I whipped a few of those as well.


Just click on the link below to find out more:



Ok well, that’s enough of jabbering about math stations.   But before I stop, I don’t know if you might want these or not,  but I did make up some of those cutesy number labels and editable tags for your math station board if you need them.  They’re my gift to you.  Just click on the picture below to get them.

If you have a great post about math stations and want to link up, please go ahead.  If not, make sure you visit everyone else’s blogs to soak up all their good ideas too.

 
 
 
 

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Comments

    • Marsha McGuire says

      Kerri, use something that is easy to clean up at the beginning of the year. I prefer colored pasta. It’s super easy to dye and the big pieces are easy to clean up after. Use the neon dye when you do it. The colors are so much brighter.
      Thanks,
      Marsha

      Reply

  3. Grace says

    OMG Thank u so much! This is just what I needed for my tiny room. The center thing was driving me crazy but this is going to make my life much, much, much easier. Ur Brilliant, thank u for explaining it so well. Looking forward to teaching Kinder again :-), thxs to u! P.S. it is in my wish list (hehe)I was hoping to move with my kiddies ;-(
    Grace

    Reply

  4. Raevers says

    You are truly amazing! It’s all covered here, and what a great way to organize. Math centers have always been a bit of a challenge for me, so I say THANKS mils!!!

    Reply

  5. Michelle Johns says

    Hi! Love your ideas. I have a question about the grouping of your students. I noticed in the picture that every nametag/child has the same color within that group. Do you keep the same colors together so that they can play games together or are there times when kids in a group have different colors??

    Reply

    • Marsha McGuire says

      Nope. You don’t have to have all the same color in a group. I do like to have at least two the same however, in case there is a game so there are at least partners for everyone to play. Otherwise, because the names are colored and the folders or containers are colored, students in the same group can be working out of different poly envelopes but doing the same activity.
      Great Question.
      Marsha

      Reply

  7. Sarah says

    Thank you for sharing! I’m going to a new school next year that wants to focus heavily on math stations. I’m adding your unit to my wishlist! Absolutely love it 🙂

    Sarah
    teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com

    Reply

  10. Chelsea O'Neal says

    I am so excited I finally found DD book at B&N today. But SUPER sad I am not going to get to use your FABULOUS actives as I just got moved up to 2nd. 🙁 I am drooling over your BTS set!

    Reply

  14. Christina Swan says

    OMG! You are truly amazing and thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas. I’m going to be starting my second year of teaching and have been trying to determine how to do math stations and have the students be independent with out a helper to guide the stations. You have just made it so easy and clear how I can do this. I’m so grateful! Thank you again! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Sarah says

    I’m confused because you said you go to two stations each day you do math stations but there is only one number beside each group of kids. Also, how do you switch math stations? Is there a set time and you tell students to clean up and switch stations or do they just go to the next station when they finish the first one?

    Reply

  16. macgal says

    Thank you for all your ideas and activities. I started doing math stations near the end of the year and want to start as soon as possible this year. Thanks for the number signs and name cards. Can you tell me what font you used for the big numbers?

    Reply

  20. Kim Ricketts says

    Oh this is my favorite math post ever!!! I think I have read it at least 3 times just this morning and forwarded to our curriculum coach! LOVE the center ideas. Now trying to figure out how to make stations in my room! Do you teach Daily 5 and CAFE as well?

    Kim
    love_shorthairs@yahoo.com

    Reply

  22. Francesca Chapman says

    Once again, awesome post! I have one question, though. How do the kids know where to go once they get the bin? Are there tables with matching numbers? Does each number go to the same spot each time?

    Reply

  23. If You Give a Teacher a Blog... says

    I do Math Workstations in my classroom and I am in love with your beginning of the year math stations. I am so glad I found you! You have such wonderful ideas and are so organized. Your differentiation is so easy yet thoughtful. I am your newest follower. 🙂

    Reply

  25. tb72 says

    Marsha,
    You mentioned students rotate through the nine stations twice. If they are on the same level the first time completing each station, do they complete the same tier the second time through? If so, do the students mind doing the same thing twice?
    Tracy

    Reply

  26. Allyson says

    Marsha, A little off topic, but how do you organize and store the stations when they are not in use. I have been struggling over the best way to stay organized “behind the scenes”.
    Thanks!
    Allyson

    Reply

  27. Jane says

    Your blog is one of the most helpful that I have stumbled across 🙂 I especially appreciate your differentiation guidance. Differentiation has become a key phrase / goal in our school division & it is nice to have some very practical ideas on how to implement it in a real classroom. Thanks for sharing you experience with us. I have a few of your Math & Literacy Workshop packages from TPT on my wishlist. Looking forward to getting them ready for the beginning of the year.

    Reply

  29. Where Can I Get A Sno-Ball? says

    Hi! Thanks so much for a great explanation of your math centers! I’m a first year kinder teacher and really want to introduce math and literacy centers. I’m just having trouble figuring out how! I think this will really help. 🙂

    Reply

  30. Where Can I Get A Sno-Ball? says

    Hi! Thanks so much for a great explanation of your math centers! I’m a first year kinder teacher and really want to introduce math and literacy centers. I’m just having trouble figuring out how! I think this will really help. 🙂

    Reply

  31. Diane says

    Hi, I love all ready reading things and now I am trying this Math pack I just bought! 🙂 However, Is there anyway you could make a number “10” for the Math Station Cards? I am using this is my classroom next week. For it to work for me I really need 10 stations and I am using your cards and Back To Math Stations Galore.

    Reply

  32. ErinLynn3829 says

    This looks fantastic!! I just have one question. How do the students know where to go when they switch stations each day? Do they just go to the next one? If so, do you switch the numbers on the board accordingly? Also, how do they know where to go with the materials? Is there a bigger number on the corresponding tables? Thanks for all your hard work, I really appreciate it! 🙂

    Reply

  35. janine says

    This post has been the most amazing introduction to Math Stations! I’m a first year teacher who was just moved into the kindergarten classroom last week, in the middle of the year. Now I’m inspired and eager to delve into math with this station system! Thank you so much for blogging your fantastic systems and ideas! Big fan here! ~Janine

    Reply

  36. Emma Wickens says

    Thank you so much for this post and resource.
    After teaching high school for many years I now currently teach Kindergarten, your blog inspires me to try new things and I must say my class now loves Math stations!
    I am going to try Literacy centers next.
    Thanks,
    Emma

    Reply

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    Reply

  39. Brittany Baril says

    Amazing Organization! Do you ever do whole group instruction before centers to address a certain standard, or do you just meet with students individually to start gauging what tier they should be in? Do you have a teacher-led group during this time too?

    Reply

  45. Liz Neill says

    Hi Marsha,
    I love your centers as well as how you organized them! I was wondering though for the beginning of the year, how do you start setting up your routines with the little ones? I love that you said give them time to explore and model, model, model, which I agree is super important, but for each activity do you practice each one as a whole class before it goes into your center, or just put it in the center after modeling and hope they explore independently? I just finished my first year of teaching in May, and taught in a Kindergarten classroom with 25 kiddos, and struggled a bit at the beginning of the year to establish and set up those routines. I am looking for some tips on how to do that successfully. If you have any I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

    Reply

  46. steve7876 says

    That is just what I meant for my tiny room. The center factor was driving me crazy but this will make my life much, much, much simpler. Ur Brilliant, appreciate u for detailing it so nicely. Looking forward in order to teaching Kinder again: -), thxs in order to u! P. Ersus. it is in my wish list (hehe)I was hoping to relocate with my kiddies; -(. What Is Apple Pay?

    Reply

  55. Kenya says

    I really like the way you explained how you run and rotate your math centers. I like the idea that you include sensory and fine motor skills in your math centers.

    Reply

  56. Sara says

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I am a new second grade teacher and I was having the hardest time trying to figure out how I can implement math stations that are differentiated. I LOVE your method!

    Reply

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