Math Block Series: Around the Room

A new math station that I started using this year is called "around the room." I was looking for a few new stations to add, and this one checked all my boxes. Here's how I set it up.

Math Around the Room

Set up

Online, you can find task card that go with just about any standard, including those for math. This is super easy and highly engaging for the students. I simply looked for free task cards for the topic I want to have my students practice. Then I print off the task cards and a recording sheet...you could even use regular notebook paper that students number and write their answers by. Then, to differentiate the levels in my classroom, I placed a red dot, yellow dot, or green dot in the corner of each task card. The red dot ones are the lowest level, and the green is the highest level. I do this by grade level because I teach 3 grade levels, but if I have a higher or lower level student of the same grade level, I could have them practice with a lower set of cards or even have my high students get extra enrichment by doing the green-dotted cards.

Highly Engaging

I found the task cards t be highly engaging. Students were able to get up and move too, which was an added bonus for them. I did train them about the expectations of being up and moving around the classroom. And, I will continue to remind them of the expectations as often as needed. Students can and should work quietly if you are working with a small group. 

Organization

One great way to organize these cards is by paper clipping them together and placing them in a case with small boxes. Each box can hold one math strand such as place value, addition, or even fractions. If you take time to set this up in an organized way, it will make your life even easier. 

 This is the organizer that I have. You can purchase these on Amazon. Sometimes they go on sale for 40% off at Michaels. That is when I purchased them. There are 16 boxes to store different math standards in.

Using Math Task Cards for Around the Room

If you are interested in snatching some place value task cards, you can go here, just click the picture. 

To use this set of task cards, cover the bottom with a sticky note. It can also be used as a whole group game with clues to the number. 

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Math Block Series: Setting up Rotations

I am still trying to figure out why place value is such a challenge for students. It just is. Learning the vocabulary and the ins and outs of our number system can be difficult. That's why I try to find ways to make it more engaging and help build student understanding through a series of activities.

I have been working to put together math activities and rotations that my students will be doing to help them learn and solidify their understanding of place value. Let's dive in and I will show you what I have planned for math rotations.

Why Math Rotations

Math rotations allow me to have time to pull small groups. In my classroom, I have three grade levels, and I have a ninety minute math block. That means that I can pull each group for 30 minutes, but I need to keep the others busy with not just busy work, but meaningful activities that will push their learning forward and help them master the math standards. My students will be with me for a half-hour and then will rotate through 4 stations for 15 minutes each. 

How I am Setting up my Math Rotations this Year

I watched several videos on YouTube that gave me some ideas. Last year I had just two rotations for 30 minutes each and I found that students began to get bored and cause problems, so I knew this year I needed some more activities. Here's a look at the seven rotations I will be using when I am working with one of the math groups. 

1. Online Math

I am required to have students work on an online math program, provided for us, called Dream Box. Students are supposed to complete one lesson per day, or five total for the week, so this is perfect to use in one of the rotations.

2. Independent Math Work

Another rotation I use involves independent work. This includes a spiral review. I think it is important to constantly bring students back to work on previously learned skills so they do not lose traction on them. 

Along with the spiral review, I am including other math activities that students can do independently such as color-by-number sheets that go along with skills we have been working on or have just completed (for reinforcement). I will also include other things such as math mysteries. I find that the spiral review may or may not take the entire 15 minute time period, so I will keep some other activities attatched to use if time allows.

3. Grow Your Math Skills

I am fortunate to have an aide during this time. I am going to have her be one of my rotations. It will be perfect because I can quickly see (at my teacher rotation) which students need reinforcement and which are ready for enrichment. I will split my students into those two groups and have each go to my aid for 15 minutes to work on growing their skills. Our math curriculum comes with reteach and enrichment sheets for each lesson. 

4. Math Games

These games will target current or recently learned skills to help students practice and master their skills in that standard. For instance, just after we have learned about place value, I can put out my place value games. I do not want to put them out too early, unless it is already a review skill from a previous year. 

5. Math Facts

Students need to practice math facts to solidify them. This rotation will include not only flash cards and similar activities to reinforce facts, but I like to use regular board games such as Connect Four, Chutes and Ladders, Tic Tac Toe, Candyland, and a few others. When students play these familiar games, they must first draw and solve a math fact card before continuing to move like in the regular game. Another way to play is with dice instead of cards. They can roll the two dice and, depending on the math facts that you are focusing on, add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

6. Math Around the Room

Students will take a clipboard and a recording sheet and go around the room to solve task card that are hanging up. Since I have three levels in my class, I color code the task cards with a dot so students know which of the task cards are for them. For example, my 2nd grade will solve cards with a red dot. The third grade will use cards with a yellow dot, while the 4th graders will go to the cards with green dots. 

7. Read About Math

For this rotation, I scoured my own classroom library and personal books to see what math themed books I already had. I also requested some books from the public library. I decided to work on building a math library that I could use for years to come. I found several books on Amazon, it was helpful to look at the used books there, and it also saved some money. We are also very fortunate to have a Goodwill bookstore in our town, so I spent some time there on a Sunday (when children's books are also 25% off). I was able to find many math themed picture books to add to my collection. 

 

How we Rotate in our Math Rotations

Because each student will be required to do certain rotations everyday and some are not everyday, here's how I am handling my rotations. Students will go to most rotations with just one other person (two if there's an odd number). 

Every day, students will rotate to these stations:

1. Independent Math

2. Online Math

3. Grow Your Math Skills

This will leave students with one additional math rotation for the day and they will alternate between these rotations, one per day. 

1. Math Games (1x per week)

2. Math Facts (1x per week)

3. Math Around the Room (1x per week)

4. Read About Math (1x per week)

On Friday, we have a shortened math block, so students will not have time to go to these last four rotations during that day. 

That's a quick look at how I am setting up my math stations this year. 

If you are interested in more ideas and freebies, be sure to sign up for my email list by clicking the link below. 

If you are looking for the cards or games mentioned in this post, you can find them by clicking on the words below.

Math Games for Place Value

Scoot Cards for Place Value

Stay tuned for part two of my Math Block Series

Getting the Classroom Ready: Day 1

Today was my first day back to school for the year. It was a teacher work day and although my principal told us we could hold off until Monday, I knew that for my own sanity I needed to still go in. We usually report back August 1 and our students return August 11 this year. 

My first order of business was to tackle the bulletin boards. I wanted to hang some new paper on them. Meanwhile, we are getting new flooring in other parts of the school but not in my room. Lots of things interrupted my plans, including the entire fire alarm system being set off by the flooring crew who were stripping off the carpet glue. The fire department ended up coming out and the alarm kept ringing and nothing seemed to be getting done, so I did what any good teacher, who was unexpectedly given one extra day of summer would do, I called it a day. All that can wait for another day.

Fortunately for me, I am not changing my decor, so I just have to put items away, replace a few pieces of decor that has fallen, and get the lesson plans situated. 

Hopefully Monday will be a more productive day. 

Summer Series: Classroom Transformation Freebie

Are you ready to take your year to the next level by getting started with classroom transformations? Then you are in the right place. I have a special freebie just for you to help you get started. Get my 11 page Classroom Transformation Guide that will give you all the tips for getting this rolling in your own class this year. I will give you 50 ideas to inspire you and get those creative juices going, AND you will receive a sample activity that could be used in a classroom transformation. 

Summer Series Classroom Transformations Bonus: 5 Books to Inspire

Just popping onto the blog today to share some of my favorite books for classroom transformations. If you are looking for more inspiration, check these out. 

The Wild Card by Hope and Wade King

So much inspiration. I will always think back fondly to seeing Hope King at work in her classroom in the middle of a Toy Story classroom transformation. LOVED it then. LOVE it now. This book gives lots of ideas for bringing that magic to your own classroom. 

Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess

In his book, Dave shares a lot of innovative ideas for engaging your class. 

    Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire by Rafe Esquith

Another book filled with innovative ideas for the classroom. 

The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark

Ron Clark is one of my biggest heroes in teaching when it comes to classroom engagement. He has so many ideas that can be immediately put into practice. He sparked something with his magical school, The Ron Clark Academy.

Crash Course by Kim Bearden

Kim Bearden, the cofounder of the Ron Clark Academy, is another gem among teachers. Her innovative ideas and transformations bring engagement to every classroom. I have tried, and LOVE her ideas. Some have become a staple in my classroom. 

Summer Series Classroom Transformations: Part 5 Transformation Day - Escape the Circus

It's hard to pick a favorite classroom transformation, but my Escape to the Circus one HAS to be up there. Today we are going to walk through what a day in the life looks like when doing a classroom transformation. This classroom transformation focused on multiplication skills and was an engaging way for my students to practice their times tables skills at the end of the unit before the multiplication final test. 

There was quite a bit of prep work done ahead of time because I created this transformation and all of the activities from scratch. I did not have ready-made materials. I had most of the decor already, because years ago I created a year-long circus theme for my classroom. I sewed the circus bunting and the circus tent for that year-long theme, but I have used them again and again for different room transformations. I did purchase a background to top it all off and clipped it over my whiteboards. 

My class is a multi-grade classroom with 3 grades. I created this transformation to be fully differentiated with three different levels of play, so students worked on the standards for their grade levels, but all did the same activities...only the level of play was more or less challenging. 

 A Day in the Life of a Classroom Transformation

It was the day of our classroom transformation, a multiplication circus escape room, and I was so excited for my students to come through the door. I put some circus music on to set the tone. The classroom was decorated in red and white stripes, and the big top was all ready. 

The students were immediately excited when the door opened and they realized today we were going to the circus. Once everyone found their seats and we were ready to begin, I set up the transformation by starting like a real circus with "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls..." and continuing to set up their imaginary trip through multiplication challenges to  escape to the circus. 

I passed out their circus brochures. These would hold the answers to each multiplication challenge. I explained to them that they would be completing puzzles or challenges, solving for a mystery word, and showing me before they could go on to the next challenge. There would be four challenges and students would work with a partner to complete each one. When all four challenges were complete, they would escape to the circus.

I gave each pair of students an envelope with challenge one inside. It was a puzzle that students would need to complete to find out the first secret word or phrase. Students needed to match the equations to the products to build their puzzle.

This was the most challenging of the activities. It definitely took the longest, but every single pair of students finished it. After students completed challenge one and got it checked by me, the ringmaster, I gave each student a ticket. They were collecting one ticket for each challenge they solved and a bonus ticket if they were the first team to complete all four challenges. The tickets would be used later to play carnival-style games. 

After a pair of students completed challenge one, they received the second challenge. In this challenge, students had to examine multiplication equations that were already solved to determine if the answers were true or false. Then they looked at a set of ducks that had numbers and letters on them. The numbers matched the equation problem numbers. Once they decided which of the equations were true, they took those numbered ducks and lined them up to reveal the next code. Writing it down, they came to me (the ringmaster) to check it and receive a ticket and their next challenge. 

Then it was time for challenge three. For challenge three, students received their envelope with directions. In this challenge, students had circus train cars that had equations on them. Once they solved the multiplication equation, they put the train cars in order from least to greatest products, and that revealed the code. Once again, students checked their secret word/phrase and received a ticket and challenge four when they were correct. 

 

  Last, students opened their envelopes for challenge 4, students were suppose to play a game of memory match with their partner. Once all the cards were matched, they needed to put the cards in order (by the number on each card) and place the match below. The cards below would spelled out the final clue word or phrase. Students checked this final challenge and received their last game ticket. The first pair of students received a bonus ticket. 

As a side note to this challenge, we started running low on time, and when that happened, I had my students work on this challenge without playing memory match. Instead they simply solved and matched the cards to reveal the code.

 

As students began to finish their challenges, they could use their tickets to play carnival-style games that were set up around the classroom. Students were so excited. I had five different games that students could choose from:

Ring Toss: I had a ring toss game that was marked with different points. Students had to throw the rings, add their score and they won if they reached a certain number of points. 

Basketball: I borrowed a small classroom basketball hoop set that could hook onto my whiteboard. Students threw shots and if they made a certain number of baskets, they won.

Bowling: Students could go bowling and had to knock down a certain number of pins to win.

Nerf Gun Shooting: Students had to use a Nerf gun to shoot a target. If they hit the target, they won. 

Ping Pong Ball Toss: Students had ping pong balls that they tossed into cups. If they landed a certain amount, they won the game. 

I had a table set up with snacks and prizes. As students played the games, they could visit the table for a prize if they won. 

Ring Toss

Bowling

Prizes - purchased at Dollar Tree

When we completed all the challenges and games, our transformation ended. It was a huge success with lots of smiles, hard work, and celebrations. Each student received a circus peanut to try (most had never tried them). I will definitely be repeating this one again in the upcoming year.

Here are some other views of the decor. 

If you are interested in trying this transformation out in your own classroom, I will link it here. Remember, you can do simple, medium, or challenging decor...the choice is up to you, there is no wrong or right way to decorate, but students will enjoy learning under the big top, however you choose to do it. Click on the picture below for more details.

Summer Series Classroom Transformations: Part 1: What are They

Summer Series Classroom Transformations: Part 2: Inspiration
Summer Series Classroom Transformations: Part 3: Linking the Standards

Summer Series Classroom Transformations: Part 4: Set Up

Summer Series Classroom Transformations Part 4: Set Up

Set up for classroom transformations can be as simple or elaborate as you want. A few little changes can pack a punch as far as engagement goes. You can get help from others, or set up on your own. I usually do set up for transformations on my own, but at times my own kids will help me, or even my husband. My dad sometimes helps me behind the scenes with taking my idea and constructing it. Here's a look at some simple, medium and higher level set-ups.

Easy Level Transformations

For a simple set up, this would involve minimal decoration and set up time could be done easily within just a few minutes the morning before or right after school the previous night. Here are a couple of examples of simple set ups and what it took to pull these off. 

Classroom Transformation Set up for Fraction Bakery

For my fraction bakery, the set up is simple. First I set up tables and laid out plastic table cloths. You can get these at Walmart for around one dollar. Next, I set out some disposable pans with activities inside. I put chef hats and aprons on each chair...these are something that I purchased a few years ago and keep to use from year-to-year. I put a little sign out that says Fraction Bakery to build excitement with my students. 

As far as decorating the space, that was it. I did also bring actual baking supplies and ingredients for this from home, but they are not laid out on the tables. During the day of this transformation, students are involved in fraction activities to create recipes using equivalent fractions and then they will make the recipes. Usually we do pizza.

Classroom Transformation Set up for Story Camp

For the Story Camp transformation (inspired by Kim Bearden of The Ron Clark Academy), I turn the classroom into a campsite. I have a lot of camping gear from our family trips and from an old classroom theme, so really the only think I purchase is a treat to share. I will explain that in a minute. 

I set a tent up in the background. Then I have these little log cushions that I place in a circle for student seating. I add a lantern, camp sign that says Welcome to our Campfire where everyone is welcome. I have one actual tree stump stool or camp chair that I sit in front of the tent. This is where whomever is sharing will sit. I place a felt campfire, that I made, in the middle of the circle and add some stuffed animals. This set up usually takes about 15-30 minutes. During story camp, students take turns sharing their original stories around the campfire. For a fun twist, I usually have s'mores pops at the end as a celebration. I make these with lollipop sticks stuck into giant marshmallows that are dipped 1/2 way in chocolate and rolled in graham cracker crumbs. 

  

 Another example of a glamping option...also, all things I already have.

Medium Level Classroom Transformation

A medium level takes a little more prep time, especially behind the scene to get ready for set-up day, but are still not that extreme.

Classroom Transformation set up for Mining

For this transformation we were learning about rocks, and I wanted the students to feel that they were underground in a mine. I created rocks from kraft paper and placed them around the door and in the windows. I made some dynamite sticks from pool noodles and electrical tape. I created a train track that was leading into my classroom. 

I purchased some geodes and brought in rock samples for the students to view. I scattered rocks and other rock memorabilia around the classroom. We covered the windows to create a dark (underground) feel. I set out hard hats with headlamps for each student. 

We had lots of different stations that we set up inside the "cave" and I had another teacher working with me to teach the stations and help students rotate. We joined her class with mine for this transformation. We examined the smallest rocks (dirt), made sedimentary rock, looked at rocks under a microscope, tested rocks for their properties, and looked at famous rocks like Mount Rushmore and Stonehenge.  

It was fun putting this together with another teacher and joining forces for the day. 

Challenging Level Classroom Transformation:

Classroom Transformation for Wild Kratts

The simple and medium classroom transformations, while still just as powerful, take much less time. It's easy to use things you have or even borrow supplies for the day from a friend or student families. 

Now, let's look at a bigger and more complex transformation. This one took several hours. I had my family helping me, so that made set up a bit faster. I needed to craft some of the items before set up day.

Crafted Items: 

A tree: I made and painted a large tree from cardboard. 

Grass: I used butcher paper to cut out grass shapes. I glued two layers together with wire in between so I could bend the grass to make it more realistic.

Fireflies: I created fireflies with empty water bottles. I drew and colored fireflies large enough to cover the bottles. On the day of the transformation, I stuck glowsticks inside to give it that bioluminescence piece. 

Letters: I printed and cut out letters to create the Wild kratts Logo and then printed a banner that said Creature Powers

Power Discs: I made little discs for the animals we were going to study.

Paw Prints: I made paw prints in different colors for each group.

Shirts: I created Wild Kratt shirts like Chris and Martin Kratt wear. I took black t-shirts, cut off the sleeves to create a vest and shortened the bottom. I added felt embellishments to make them look more like the vests on the TV show.

 

On the actual day of set up, we hung background paper to create a sky and added mountains to give a nice nature feel. I used tree stumps and the grass and laid out a spider that I purchased and added a real turtle shell that I had collected.

I wanted to make a cave since we would be studying bats. I took a tent and we wrinkled up some kraft paper (I purchased at Dollar Tree) and we covered the tent to make it into a cave. I hung some bats up inside. 

I used clear fishing line to hang the fireflies. Right before we started our class, I inserted yellow glowsticks inside each one. We hung the tree with fishing lines as well and added an owl and opossum to it.

On the board, I hung the letters to spell Wild Kratts and the banner that said Creature Powers.

For each table, we covered them with a different color of table cloth (to match the paw prints on the shirts) and taped a large paw print to the supply bin. 

I hung any activities we needed up on the walls as well and we were all ready to begin. 

The next day (Monday) was the transformation. Students were involved in activities to learn about different creatures in North America. We learned about echolocation with bats and about bioluminescence with invisible ink and fireflies. We did lots of other animal activities as well. We had an amazing time.

While this transformation was definitely a lot more work, it is something I enjoy doing. Teaching, for me, is not just a job, it is also my hobby. 

Classroom transformations are definitely not a one-size-fits-all activity. You have wiggle room to tailor them to your comfort and time availability. I would say, if you have never done one of these, start small and work your way up as you gain more ideas and confidence. 

Be sure to check out the rest of my summer series posts by clicking on these links and learning more about Classroom Transformations. 

Summer Series: Classroom Transformations: What are They

Summer Series: Classroom Transformations Part 2: Inspiration

Summer Series: Classroom Transformations: Part 3: Linking the Standards