Math Work Stations

Here is a brief description of how I use Math workstations in my classroom:

Here is my station chart. The cute cards were a freebie from www.differentiatedkindergarten.com. I also modeled my station tubs from Marcia McGuire's class from Differentiated kindergarten. I use same chart (other than the cards) used for literacy stations except I attach the "math" station cards over my literacy stations when it is math time. I just added some command hooks, punched holes on side of chart, then I can just easily remove station card chart for literacy or math. The actual cards are velcroed on. 

Here is my math routine with stations:

During math, we will briefly go over calendar, do a few warm up activities such as counting around the room, attendance stick, and counting number of days in school on ten frames. We will then have a

 brief number talk using dot cards, ten frames, reknreks, etc. From there, I will dismiss the students to

 their tables to complete a math journal activity. I love the journal prompts by DeeDee Wills. When they finish their journals, they can go to their assigned station. Each colored star on the chart signifies my table colors that the students sit at. So, if Billy sits at yellow table, and he is the first to finish his journal, he'll go to the first station below the yellow star. While the kids are working in stations, I pull small groups of students for math groups.

This is where I store our station materials. This is just two sterilite rolling storage bins that I didn't attach the wheels to..on purpose. I could see the kids wheeling my cart all over the room. Lol! The numbers on the drawers correspond with the numbers on my math station chart. Once a student  figures out which station he is at, he'll either go to the station 

(such as iPads, computers, write the room) and begin working, or take the assigned station drawer out 

of its slot and take it to a designated area on the floor. I have colored stars stuck to my classroom floor to show students where to take their tubs to work. I came up with this system a long time ago to keep the kids from piling up in one spot of the classroom. I'm a big fan of Debbie Diller and her work station ideas, and one of her rules is no more than two per station. "Two is a party, and three's a crowd."I like small pairs of kids. Helps coral discipline problems. Not to say I never have discipline issues. They are 5 and 6, and they still need reminders to stay in their assigned stations from time to time.

Here are the stars that are attached to the floor. They are just di-cut stars that I've stuck to the floor with clear contact paper. 

Here are a few of the math station activities that my students are currently using or have been using for the last few weeks. Before Christmas, our focus is more on counting and number recognition. After Christmas, we start really working on addition and subtraction.

"Roll & Record" up to 12 using 2 dice-students roll dice (in the handy dandy containers from Dollar Tree so they won't roll away), and they add numbers and write numeral using dry erase marker 

above the matching number. This version is included in my "Math Games Galore" pack on TPT.

The "PoP for addition/subtraction" game came free from Highlights. Students pull out gumball with addition or subtraction sentence, solve it, and keep it. If they pull out a token with "POP," then all of their gumball tokens have to be returned from the box. I also have a "counting-POP" game that we use at the beginning of the year.

Missing Number Game: (In the yellow box) I have number cards 1-10. Once student hides a number, mixes up cards, and the other student must put the cards in order to find out what is missing.

"Let's Go Shopping" is the 2 baskets, toys, and "shop for" cards 1-20. This is a Lakeshore game that could be easily recreated with Dollar Store finds. Students must draw a number card and then "go shopping" for an amount of toys that is equal to the number drawn.

Math Sequencing Puzzles: this is a set of 3 Lakeshore puzzles that sequences #1-10 and creates a picture when it is correctly sequenced. I have just order the 1-20 sequencing puzzle and will switch 

those out when they arrive.

Pattern block #'s: I have pattern block number cards for 1-10 that were free from www.makinglearningfun.com The students will grab the bucket of pattern blocks and create their numbers

Snapcube #'s: These were free from http://www.onebeautifulhomeblog.com/snap-cubes-number-pattern-cards/

Dinosaur numbers: The dinosaurs cards are used for kids to build cube towers on to match the numbers. I used our di cut machine for the shapes and glued to construction paper

Spider Web Counting: This game came from Lakeshore and has number cards 1-10 and plastic spiders to count out and match to each corresponding card.

Dog Bone Addition: Lakeshore game where students have to roll dice, write and add the numbers/dog bones together.

Playdough number cards: This is from my "Math Games Galore" pack on TPT

Compare: the red box has number cards 1-10 and students must draw a card and compare it with their partner. Whoever has the higher number gets to keep both cards.

Bowling for subtraction from 10: My kids LOVE this game. Take a set of 10 toy pins or solo cups and a ball. Set it up like bowling pins, and let the kids bowl to see how many pins they know down. Once they bowl, they have to write a subtraction sentence using dry erase marker to match how many pins were knocked down. I hope to create a recording sheet, but for now....my kids write the sentences on the board...which they LOVE!

Shark teeth addition: Another PINTEREST find. The kids use 2 dice and one die will be how many teeth (pattern block triangles) are on top, and the other die is for the bottom row of teeth. Once they fill up their shark's mouth, the kiddos will write an addition sentence to match how they rolled. This free printable came from Heidi Songs at http://blog.heidisongs.com/2011/01/math-on-my-mind-week-20.html#stwm

Smash It-subtraction playdough game: This is a great game that helps reinforce subtraction...and who doesn't love SMASHING some playdough balls! This was a FREEBIE from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Smash-It-Subtraction-1178708

Loose Tooth Subtraction: This is another great activity that my kids LOVE from Heidi Songs...and it is also FREE! The kids roll a die, and black out the number of teeth on their die using a dry erase marker. Then, they write out a subtraction sentence that shows the "loose tooth story." Here is a link for this great freebie http://blog.heidisongs.com/2012/04/loose-tooth-subtraction.html#loosetooth

Here are clip matching activities with numbers and dots. These are available on my "numbers, games, galore" pack.

Write the room: This station changes monthly. The set has cards that I put all over the room (including the ceiling), and they walk around the room and write the info on their recording sheet. Sometimes it is counting, adding, subtracting, drawing shapes, etc. I bought each monthly set on Teachers Pay Teachers. Here is a TPT link to the author who created these great write the room math activity https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Write-the-Room-Math-January-991041

The anchor charts above are tools I use to introduce subtraction, adding, equals, and tally marks. 

The image above shows a number talk from second semester. I'll post an addition or subtraction sentence, and the kids tell me (and show me) all the different ways they can solve the problem. 

Here are some math station activities and math resources from my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Some are FREEBIES & all paid items are $3 or less. Click on each image below to grab a copy for your classroom!