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

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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

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

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

7. 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.

8. What Does math workshop look like?
Teacher-created video explaining how Math Workshop might look/how and why she used in her classroom.
Dr. Nicki explains Math Workshop
Students explaining “Guided Math” in their Math Workshop.
One approach to managing a Math Workshop
Follow up- Math Workshop materials
Kindergarten Math Workshop- minilesson: Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2

9. 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!

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. how does it look in other classrooms?
-Excellent, practical article with explanations of each station, including photographs and resources. Written by a teacher, very easy to follow.
Fifth grade teacher’s explanation of Math Workshop in her classroom. Includes ideas, pictures, and organizational tools.
Another teacher’s take on Math Workshop and how she’s able to fit it all into a 60 minute block of time.
Comprehensive article, gives a good idea on where to start.
Third grade teacher explains her love of Math Rotations, similar to the workshop format.
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.

17. Organizational ideas

18. 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)

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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