Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
    • Writing
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Guided Math – Chapter 4

June 24, 2012

Guided Math – Chapter 4
Using Guided Math with the Whole Class
is being hosted by
Sweet Seconds and Once Upon a Teaching Blog

“Whole-class instruction provides teachers with a quick method of presenting information to all students.  Everyone receives the same information…at the same time.” (Laney Sammons)

At the beginning of a unit, I post our learning targets in the classroom.  I open up a discussion with the students about what they already know and what questions/concerns they have about the learning targets (I feel this is kind of like doing a KWL without writing down all of the student responses on the chart).  As we progress through the unit, we revisit the learning targets frequently and students have opportunities to self-assess their progress towards those learning targets.  I feel that this can be taken one step further next year.  I can conference with students who feel they are not making progress towards specific targets (or the opposite – students who aren’t making progress, but think they are).

I also feel that there are plenty of opportunities for practice and review already embedded into the way I teach math.  The book offered a new game idea that I haven’t tried – Fly Swatter.  The class is divided into teams.  One player from each team comes to the front of the room.  Several answers are written on the board.  The teacher asks a question and the first team to correctly swat the answer wins a point.  One of the reasons I was drawn to this game is I can see the differentiation opportunities. 

This chapter spends time discussing the importance of math literature…again.  I guess it’s time to get serious about this one.  Does anyone have a list of math books they recommend?  I teach second grade.  Since school is out for summer it is a bit difficult to talk to the librarian.

Since I already use mini-lessons for reading and writing, I feel comfortable with the format of them.  My biggest weakness is when I get really passionate about a mini-lesson, it becomes a mega-monster lesson and the next thing you know, 20-25 min. has gone by…whoops!!

When I think of a workshop approach, I think of starting whole group with the mini-lesson.  Students break off into different small group or independent activities.  At the end, we come back together as a whole group.  In reading and writing, this last portion of time has been used for students to share their attempts (both successful and unsuccessful) at using the mini-lesson strategy.  I often ask specific students to share things that I noticed that day.  When I read about the author’s “Math Huddle”, I see this ending time of the math block being a great way to incorporate more math conversations.  It may be short, but by doing so it keeps the students focused on how their peers attempted the mini-lesson strategies. 

I have been (not-so) patiently waiting for the next chapter: Using Guided Math with Small Groups.  I’m hoping some of my questions will be addressed there 🙂

signature

Related posts:

No related posts.

«
»

Filed Under: math 7 Comments

Comments

  1. Julie Sawyer says

    June 24, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    I am anxious to get to the small group chapter too! Really hoping for some fresh ideas; I certainly got a lot from chapter 4.

    Julie
    Math is Elementary

    Reply
  2. kilgosclass says

    June 24, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  3. kilgosclass says

    June 24, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Small math groups have not been my forte, as all I've ever taught is Saxon math. Thank goodness we've got a new series for next year. I'm hoping to learn a lot about teaching guided math groups in the next chapter as well. As far as the minilesson turning into a megalesson, I think we've all been there! I know I have…:)

    Farrah
    ThinkShareTeach

    Reply
  4. Sue says

    June 24, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    I am looking forward to the next chapter as well. I would love to put together a list of favorite math books. I have several favorites in mind that I use already, however I am always open to new books.

    Sue
    The Very Busy Kindergarten

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    June 24, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    Thanks for linking up and sharing your thoughts. I liked the Fly Swatter game too!

    Once Upon A Teaching Blog

    Reply
  6. Amanda says

    June 25, 2012 at 4:11 am

    Oh math literature! It is by far one of my FAVORITE ways to teach math! I also teach second grade, we should definitely chat about math more! 🙂 I love The Greedy Triangle to introduce 2d geometry. We always make a foldable with the shape drawn on the outside, and then the attributes inside. I also use Measuring Penny to introduce measurement. The Penny Pot is great for money. One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab is great for multiplication, or patterns. I could go on and on 🙂 Those are a few of my favorites. The great thing is, once you've read them, they can go right into a math station and the kids can read and do activities with them! 🙂

    Amanda
    Reaching for the TOP!

    Reply
  7. Patti Wilson says

    June 26, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    I have a math reading and writing center. Books are placed there along with questions/worksheet to complete afterwards. I received a listening center at the end of last year so I will be recording the books onto a CD.
    Check into Stuart Murphy's books. I adore his math series.

    Patti
    On The Road To Success

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

Groundhog Day is almost here. Will he his shadow? Groundhog Day is almost here. Will he his shadow? Only time will tell! One book I love to read this time of year is Groundhog Weather School. Not only does this book provide a bit of the history behind the holiday, but it also includes information about weather and the seasons. If you’re sharing this book, be sure to grab these free activities to help guide your students through the text. They are available in my TPT store.

Which one are you hoping for?
❄️ more winter
🌸 early spring
Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand out?

At school, Monique wore a uniform every single day. But looking just like everyone else was not for her. One day, she found a huge, red hat in a trunk in the attic and decided she’d wear it to school. Everyone noticed her and had something to say, which made Monique smile…until a teacher told her she had to take off the hat. 

The next day, everyone at school was wearing a hat - everyone except Monique, who was already planning something new to wear the following day. With each new idea and accessory that makes Monique unique comes a series of kids who copy and mimic her style. Can she find a way to be different?

This book is often hard to find, but has a great message about individuality and celebrating that it’s okay to be different! Have you read this one yet?

@kanemillerbooks
The holiday books have been put away. That means o The holiday books have been put away. That means our shelf is ready for a fresh stack of books to share for bedtime stories. Here’s what came home with me on my latest trip to the local library. 

👀 See any titles that catch your eye?
I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the gram, but sometimes YOU are the ones who introduce books to me. This is one of those stories.

Sarah lives alone in her little house now that her children are all grown up. Every time she looks out her window, she sees the neighborhood children waiting for the bus. One winter morning she notices a boy who doesn’t have mittens. This worries her, so she gathers some supplies and sets out to knit him a new pair. Once finished, she hangs them on the tree next to the bus stop. 

When the boy finds the mittens the next day, he quickly tries them on and beams at their perfect fit. Sarah’s heart is filled with joy and it isn’t long before she makes even more mittens to hang on the tree. The kids look forward to finding these new treasures each morning at the bus stop. Sarah is sure that no one knows it is her adding to the mitten tree until one day she returns home and finds a surprise waiting for her - a basket filled with beautiful balls of yarn.

This heartwarming story has a great message about kindness, community, and the joy that comes from helping others. It would make a great addition to your winter book collection!

Have you read The Mitten Tree?

#themittentree
I might share a lot of picture books, but I do lov I might share a lot of picture books, but I do love chapter books, too. One of my favorites for January is Mr. Popper’s Penguins. While this story has been around for decades, it still manages to entertain readers of all ages. ⁣
⁣
If you aren’t familiar, Mr. Popper is a housepainter who daydreams about polar expeditions. One day he receives a real penguin and his world turns upside down. Soon after the penguin grows lonely and the Poppers add a second penguin to their home. It isn’t long before they have 10 penguin chicks, making that 12 penguins in all! With so many mouths to feed, Mr. Popper realizes he will have to do something to bring in more money. That’s when Popper’s Performing Penguins gets started. The show goes on tour and plenty of hilarious antics begin!⁣
⁣
I used this book with some of my reading groups in both 2nd and 3rd grade with the help of a few resources to guide students through the text (comprehension questions for each chapter, vocabulary activities, graphic organizers, and more). There’s also a penguin craft, which was a big hit! This resource is available in my TPT store. Drop a 🐧 in the comments or send me a DM if you’d like the link. ⁣
⁣
When it comes to Mr. Popper’s Penguins, which do you prefer?⁣
📖  Book⁣
🎥  Movie⁣
Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Or maybe you’ve let the opinions of others creep into your mind  and start to doubt yourself? If so, I think you should read Lone Wolf.⁣
⁣
In this story, Maple is a member of the Parker family. She loves playing tug-of-war with Jax, reading with Avery, getting treats, and going for looooooooong walks. But wherever she goes, people comment that she looks more like a wolf than a dog. The Parkers explain the difference between a husky and a wolf, but Maple starts to have her doubts. ⁣
⁣
One day, Maple sees the fence open and takes her chance to explore the wild as a lone wolf. Will Maple love this new lifestyle, or will she realize that home with the Parkers is where she truly belongs? ⁣
⁣
This charming story explores family, self-doubt, and finding the place where you belong. It would be a great story to share in the classroom or at home.⁣
⁣
Have you read Lone Wolf yet?
Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this week or next week, please don’t forget to make time to review your classroom rules and procedures. You can make this process a bit more enjoyable by sharing books. Sometimes these stories have a way of getting through when your words can’t. I put together a list of my favorites on my website. Tap the link in my bio or drop a comment below if you’d like me to send you the link. 

When do students head back to school in your area?

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs