Math Workshop, Part 4

Obviously, this section is pretty small. I have a copy of the blank 100 grid as well as directions (with pictures). I keep the directions just in case I am having a volunteer help put them together.  I first heard about number scrolls through the Everyday Math program.  If you aren’t familiar, it is a way for students to practice writing large numbers.  They begin with the first set (1-100) and continue on at their individual pace by adding sheets, as needed. 

Here are some pictures in case you are interested:

(materials)

 (name goes on the inside of the tube)

 (start by attaching a small strip of paper to the tube)

 (attach all additional sheets end-to-end as they are completed)

 (roll your scroll)

 (keep your scrolls closed using rubber bands or paper clips)

I enjoy the independence and ability to self-check that Versatiles present.  There are individual math strand workbooks.  Students need the workbook page and the tile set.  There are 12 problems and 12 answers.  Students work through the problems, placing the tiles into the appropriate answer spaces in the case.  When students have placed all of the tiles, they flip the case over, open, and check the pattern with the provided answer. 

If you really had some extra time on your hand, you can create your own worksheets.  The book tells you what your answer key should look like to create the pattern you desire.

Click here to learn more about Versatiles.

My district purchased Origo math materials a few years ago.  One of the items we received was a Think Tank for computation and number sense.  The box is definitely “eye-catching”.

Inside the box, the cards are sorted into categories.  Each category has about 20 cards and an answer key.  Once you teach the procedures for how to use the cards in the box, the Think Tank can be used for independent or partner work. 

The box has a section called Teacher’s Notes.  The assessment card gives a suggested activity from each section to use as an assessment piece.  The final card is a Student Progress Chart. 

So, if all of this is contained in the Think Tank Box, why do I have a section in my math workshop binder?  I have created my own individual student progress charts and I keep a master copy in this section.  Students keep track of the cards completed in their math folders.  The folder is also where students record their work for the Think Tank.  I will also keep a copy of the suggested assessment activities in my binder.

Click here to learn more about the Think Tank.

Behind this divider I keep a master list (which needs to be updated) of all of the task card sets I have been collecting. The masters for these sets are kept in a file cabinet because there just isn’t enough room in one binder for them.  There are task card sets floating all over the internet.  You can find them for just about any skill you want.   

If a set has 20 cards in it, you can break it down into 4-5 cards a day, depending on how many days your students do rotations.  You could have a self-checking card with each set, collect and grade, or correct together as a class. 

There will be one more post about my math workshop binder.  It will include info. on Math Boxes, Pattern Block activities, and Tangrams.  If you missed my previous posts, click on the links below: