Math needs

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Home : 2004 : November : 20

Math needs
By AmberM

I have found the same thing to be true with the ability ranges in my students math skills. I only have 60 minutes for math each day so on Monday/Wednesday/Friday I teach whole group. On Tuesday and Thursday we break up into
small groups and rotate desk work, center time, and teacher table for ability groups. I have three groups so we spend 20 minutes per rotation. It really helps those who struggle get the individual attention they need on the skill we are working on whole class and the group who already has mastered the whole group skill gets enrichment. I have my top group whoknow their facts to 18 and

can already regroup three digit numbers with addition. Pretty good for first graders before Christmas! Unfortunately the bottom group still needs manipulatives to add facts to ten. I truly believe just those 20 minutes twice a week are extremely beneficial. I know I will have to probably split to at least four groups or more with less time per group when we get to counting money. I don't want to even think about that! As far as activities and resourses I use alot of manipulatives in my centers both bought and teacher made. There are several good computer games that my kids play at the computer center. Their favorite is Aladan Math Quest put out by Disney. I use activity pages from the text supplement kit, books from the teacher store and things I find on the internet. There is alot out there when you start to look. Although I LOVE teaching first grade I do miss having a second grade class. Enjoy them and good luck!