[PEPteach]

I'm thinking about implementing ability groups in Math for next year, similar to Guided Reading, but with Math. Does anyone do this, particulary in the intermediate grades? If so, what have you found successful? Do you have other students working on Math centers while you're with students?

[sjbohio]

I do guided math three days a week. I have three groups I work with over a 90 minute period. I always do a small mini-lesson with the whole group before going into small groups. One group works with me, one group is playing with math games, and the third group is working on skill pages.

I pretest my students before starting new concepts so I have an idea of how to individualize my instruction. The games I use are ones I've made that relate to the skills we're currently working on or ones that we've just covered. The worksheets come from our math series and other sources I have pulled together.

At the end of the math period we review what's been taught that day. I usually hit math vocabulary pretty hard with the whole group because that's what trips them up on the state math test.

I have several really good links to math tubs and center activities if you're interested. I can post them if you want.

My groups are pretty flexible. I have moved students in and out of groups depending on whether or not they need more help or can work more without my assistance.

I love my math groups. I really feel like I know exactly what my kids are struggling with.

Sheila/3/OH

[Hokie Fan]

I am just beginning math groups and would love any advice offered.

[jabnphillips]

After Christmas break, we were departmentalized and I now teach Math/Science to two groups. We are just piloting it this year, but looks like it's a "go" for next year. I have been seriously thinking about doing small group math a couple of days each week next year. After testing is over this year, I would like to see how it goes this year and if I like it try it from the beginning of next year.
I would appreciate any helpful hints you could give us. Thanks for your time and willingness to share!

[roo]

If you could post your links to math tubs, centers, etc. that would be wonderful! We are thinking about abiliity grouping for math next year, and I am always scrambling to meet needs across such a wide spectrum.

[sjbohio]

I really like Ms. Powell's website. Follow the math link and she had three different sections on math tubs and directions.

www.mspowell.com/mathtubs.html

The second one has some nice blacklines for math card games. I've used several of these before.

www.brokenhilld.det.nsw.edu.au/card_games.htm

The third site explains how math groups can be organized. It gave me a starting place before I actually began.

http://www.prairiepride.org/teachert...D=897&offset=0

The next site has some good ideas for enrichment activities. I've used some of the activities for both centers and seatwork practice.

www.mathwire.com/archives/enrichment.html

This last site has activities from John Van de Walle's books. I have two of his books (Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics) at the K-3 level and the 3-5 level.

www.kathimitchell.com/mathfolder/mathpage.htm

Hope these help out.

Sheila

[sjbohio]

I forgot about the North Carolina site. It has resources by grade level. I've linked to the 3-5 grade materials. There are many games integrated in these resources. It's a large document to download, but it's well worth it.

http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/mat...35_resou_1.php

The next link will take you to the archives on that site. There's a document for K-2 that's great.

http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/mat...nal_resources/

Here's another site for math tubs. This has number family activities.

http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/m...ain/index.html

Have fun printing. I can spend hours just searching these sites.

Sheila

[jabnphillips]

Wow! Great resources. Thanks so much for sharing!

[roo]

Yes, thanks so much for sharing your sources. I can't wait to go exploring!

We have utilized a program called Tabor Rotation. It works amazingly well. I understand that it is also used in intermediate and middle school classrooms. It accomplishes several goals at once by differentiating the instruction and engaging the students with critical thinking activities. The students seem to enjoy it because groups rotate through different stations while the activities and interaction keep them focused. Once you get it set up properly, a single teacher can engage a single small group (organized up by abilities) while the other groups move through stations with manipulatives and other games and activities. The originator of the program is Glenna Tabor and she is an incredible educational specialist and consultant to schools around the country.