L EARNING C ENTERS IN THE M IDDLE S CHOOL M ATH C LASSROOM Kelly Meshell and Pam Johnson Austin ISD Mathematics Specialists Associate Superintendent’s Office of Middle Schools

O VERVIEW OF S ESSION Anchors of Support Box Cranium Vocabulary Game Differentiation of Centers Playing of Centers PB Wiki for Materials

A NCHORS OF S UPPORT Provided so that students have tools to problem solve about math – alleviates students waiting on teacher for help Students are able to choose their own supports Used so that multiple supplies can be stored for multiple activities in a central location

A NCHORS OF S UPPORT For the next activity we are going to use the following items from the Anchors of support box: 2 Cans of Play-Doh Green paper Cranium playing Cards (the yellow and white cards)

C RANIUM S ET -U P Shuffle the Cranium cards and place them face down into two different piles. Place the green paper and Play-Doh in the middle of the table You will also need something to write with Divide your table into two teams

C RANIUM V OCABULARY On each turn: Turn over an “Action Card” (the white cards) for all to see and the person performing the “Action” should draw a vocabulary card (the yellow cards). DO NOT let anybody see the vocabulary card. A member of the opposite team should time the person performing the action – each action is allotted for 30 seconds The team has 30 seconds to guess the vocabulary word the performer is sketching, acting out, giving clues for, or sculpting If the team guesses the correct word the team earns the vocabulary card If the team is unable to guess the correct vocabulary word the other team has a chance to steal – the team confers and one answer is provided – if the answer given is correct the team stills the vocabulary card The first team to earn 5 vocabulary cards wins the game!

C RANIUM V OCABULARY Sculptorades – Use the Play-Doh to sculpt the vocabulary word – NO TALKING OR GESTURES ALLOWED! Password – One word clues are given to describe the vocabulary word – a team member must guess a vocabulary word before the giver can give another clue Sensosketch – The drawer must close their eyes and draw the vocabulary word without looking – NO WORDS or SYMBOLS and NO PEEKING! Charades – The performer acts out the vocabulary word – NO TALKING ALLOWED!

D IFFERENTIATION OF C ENTERS Can be scaffold to meet the needs of students Used to extend students problem solving skills Used as skill builders and practice

T HE C ENTER B AG 9 different games The games should be played with 2-3 people per game For extra materials that are required use the Anchor of Support Box As you play discuss with your table mates how each game can be differentiated to support the diverse needs of learners

L ET ’ S P LAY

PB W IKI FOR C ENTER M ATERIALS All materials from today are available through the PB wiki site. To access PB Wiki: Go to: Materials will be available until September 1 either Kelly or Pam if you have questions: Kelly: Pam: