Launching the math workshop How to successfully structure a workshop in your regular education Math classroom for optimal student success!

Goals and current practices Today’s Goals: -Introduce/detail the procedures for an effective Math Workshop -Introduce teachers to different resources -Give teachers real, practical suggestions and materials to begin implementing in classrooms ASAP Current Practices: -What are some things that currently work very well with your Math instruction? -How do you define “innovative” Math teaching? -What road blocks have you encountered when teaching Math?

Why math workshop? Teaches students independence Students gain pride/ownership over work Helps students with active listening/learning Improves student problem solving Teachers are able to facilitate small groups/intervene more often No student is left out- all students given the chance to excel Allows for differentiation Students love it! Minimal teacher prep/Minimal teacher (& student) frustration Last bullet- Research has proven that students make much more progress with small group differentiated instruction vs. whole class instruction.

What is math workshop? A way to differentiate instruction daily and meet the needs of all learners. Something that can look different in every classroom implementing it. Includes (but is not limited to): Small group instruction Student Exploration Teacher as facilitator Students as active learners

What Does math workshop look like? Teachers facilitate small group instruction in ability-based groups.

What does math workshop look like? Students work with manipulatives to complete various leveled activities.

what does math workshop look likE? Students work together on problem solving activities and independently practice the skills taught. Students are quiet and on task.

What Does math workshop look like? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyhY-SLf-38: Teacher-created video explaining how Math Workshop might look/how and why she used in her classroom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSsfCH8mTC4: Dr. Nicki explains Math Workshop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6GvWfICSnc: Students explaining “Guided Math” in their Math Workshop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRTbkwnoz1M: One approach to managing a Math Workshop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA6rOgf8hR8: Follow up- Math Workshop materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcWXyv3BJc4: Kindergarten Math Workshop- minilesson: Part 1 of 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5nMpW_i874: Part 2 of 2

What tools do I need? Pre-assessment/prior knowledge of students for grouping Gathering place with access to board/easel: mini-lesson Easel with chart paper: Recording anchor charts/notes from mini-lessons. An organized area of your classroom to label and store manipulatives A timer A table/area for small group meetings Organizational tool to keep track of student progress (binder, clipboard, computer, etc) Center names/group names: Poster/Bulletin board Looks different in every classroom- whatever works for YOU!

How is math workshop structured? Warm-Up: 5 minutes Mini-lesson: 20 minutes Station Work: 50 minutes 4-5 stations, 10-15 minutes each Closing: 5 minutes *All times are flexible!

How is math workshop structured? Warm-Up: 5 minutes Mini-lesson: 20 minutes Meet in common area Students can sit with ability-based partners for discussion Students should bring note-taking supplies Topic lessons Teacher driven, modeling/explanation Anchor charts (where applicable) All students participate, regardless of pre-assessment scores Introduce problem solving if appropriate/timely Students complete sample problem(s) to your discretion Exit ticket

How is math workshop structured? Stations/Centers: 50 minutes Some stations can vary Recommended stations: 1. Teacher Station Intervention with students Can review independent work or problem solving if appropriate Can complete different review Strategies for struggling learners

How is Math workshop structured? stations ctd. 2. Problem Solving Station From DCC, PARCC, other resources Differentiate based on groups: CAN differentiate problems (not always necessary) 3. Fluency Xtramath, flash cards, dice/card games, etc. Not just facts! 4. Independent Practice Other Options: Math games (EnVisions or Teacher Created) Daily Common Core Review Homework/Review Station Project Station (long term/ECG) Math Journal

How is math workshop structured? Closing: 5 minutes Whole group- Discuss daily Math/stations Wrap up lesson Student reflections (“class journal” idea) Any important points from small group (themes) Give answer to Problem Solving Assign/explain homework

GETTING STARTED Mini-lessons: Just about routine! Teach the stations Discuss procedures and expectations of center: “mini lesson” Students practice the center all together, teacher monitors Discuss results, create station rules together Practice moving through stations: one station per day Model what each station should look like Accountability procedures: group leaders, self evaluation, group leader reflection sheet

how does it look in other classrooms? http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2010/05/math-workshop -Excellent, practical article with explanations of each station, including photographs and resources. Written by a teacher, very easy to follow. http://wildaboutfifthgrade.blogspot.com/2013/09/launching-math-workshop-step-by-step.html Fifth grade teacher’s explanation of Math Workshop in her classroom. Includes ideas, pictures, and organizational tools. http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/2012/02/math-workshop.html Another teacher’s take on Math Workshop and how she’s able to fit it all into a 60 minute block of time. https://investigations.terc.edu/library/curriculum_clrm/UsingMW.pdf Comprehensive article, gives a good idea on where to start. http://www.3rdgradethoughts.com/2013/02/why-i-now-love-teaching-math-setting-up.html Third grade teacher explains her love of Math Rotations, similar to the workshop format. http://gradeonereadingcorner.blogspot.com/2014/06/math-daily-5-structure-and-schedule.html First grade teacher talks about how she sets up her Math Daily 5- again, not exactly the same as Math Workshop but similar with good ideas.

Organizational ideas

Rules/Ideas Create as a class Student ownership Minimize Interruptions during Workshop Bathroom/Drink/Nurse: Hand Signals “Ask 3” Clear directions at each station Math Notebook Copy anchor charts Glue important information Keep exit tickets (envelope in front or back)

options Time Options Station Options General Options Checking Homework Daily Common Core Review Quick Checks Calendar Math Station Options All in one day vs. 2-3 stations per day Rotating Stations General Options Students have choice over centers Centers timed vs untimed Number of times per week Math Workshop is done

Evaluation Self-evaluation Math Journal/Workshop Journal Forms/Scale ratings Group evaluation Completed by group as a whole or Leader Station evaluation Teacher or self-check Discuss at closing

Breakout time: Exploration by grade level Use this time to: -Sit and talk with your grade level peers about what Math Workshop would look like in your grade/school/classroom -View at least one video detailing an aspect of Math Workshop -Develop a Math Workshop lesson/plan that will work for YOUR classroom -Find or create materials to use for evaluation -Browse various web resources to get started gathering materials for your Math Workshop stations -Find different (unlisted) resources that might be helpful to you/your grade specifically -Ask any questions you might have -Be prepared to share: 15/20 minutes prior to end of CEU