Each day in class we have Math Workshop time.  Here is an explanation of our Math Workshop components. 

 

Components of the Math Workshop

Mini-lesson

Guided Practice

Math Workstations

Guided Math Groups

 

Why use Math Workshop?

The Math Workshop is a way to teach math using a balanced approach. It provides various ways to teach math to students by using differentiated learning and providing activities that support various learning styles. In our class, math workshop lasts about one hour each day. During math workshop students participate in a mini-lesson, guided practice, math workstations, and small guided math groups.

 

What is the Math mini-lesson?

Each day our math time begins with a math mini-lesson. The mini-lesson is  whole group instruction, lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which serves as the springboard (or foundation) for the small group instruction and independent practice that follows. It is a brief, hands-on activity that teaches children the overriding concept of a particular lesson.

 

What is Guided Practice?

After the mini-lesson a "guided practice" opportunity occurs.  This may be a game or other hands-on activity; often it is a brief workbook exercise that takes children from a concrete to a more abstract model of a particular concept. 

 

What are Math Workstations?

Math Workstations are center activities that reinforce the math standards.  These centers provide practice opportunities not only with the current content being taught, but also with previous content.  Tiered activities are used so that regardless of ability level, all students can use the same centers. A "must do" center that all students in our class complete during our guided math block is our Problem Solving center.  Students keep a Problem Solving notebook, in which they respond to the posted problems.  Another center we incorporate consistently is a game center.  Game play enables students to practice content and process skills, and also reinforces listening and speaking skills. We often use Partner Games from our Everyday Counts series at the game center. Other math workstations may include: Computer, Measurement station, Graphing station, Math Literature station, Math Vocabulary station, Mountain Math, Geometry Station, Number Sense station, and Basic Fact Review.

 

What are Guided Math groups?

As the name suggests, guided math is a strategy paralleling guided reading, which differentiates instruction to better meet the needs of all learners.  During our guided math block, we have shifted the focus away from whole group instruction. We now spend the majority of time on small group instruction and practice opportunities - both essential for success.  Groups formed during guided math are usually based on a chlid's content knowledge in a particular unit of study, as determined by unit pre-tests.