Topic:
Early finishers in Math Workshop
Standards:
This lesson does not cover a specific standard, but it is very important for development of the math workshop routine.
Essential Question:
What do we do when we finish our work?
Duration:
about 1 hour
Materials:
Anchor chart, markers, math games
Overview or notes pertaining to lesson:
Students will learn what they should do when they finish early during math workshop.
Mini Lesson:
Make an anchor chart for “Early Finishers”. Discuss that students will sometimes be working in small groups or independently while I am meeting with a small group at the table. Therefore, they will need to be responsible for their own learning and do their best to learn and complete the tasks. Sometimes students finish early. Make a t-chart of independent and small group. If students in my room are working independently and finish early, I usually have them do fact practice after. They can go get the flashcards and complete those quietly. They may also write a journal entry about their work that day, get a workbook page to work on, or make up more problems to solve like the ones they are working on that day. Groups that finish early may do any of the activities that independent students can do, or they may play their math game again, or choose a different math game. Post this chart as a reminder. Next introduce students to a new game called Making Patterns from SuperSource. We practiced yesterday making patterns with letters and shapes. Today we will use base ten blocks to make their own patterns, draw the patterns, and use letters to identify the patterns. Model how to make a pattern with base ten blocks and model labeling the pattern.
Guided Practice:
Allow a few students to practice, guiding them in how to do this activity.
Independent Practice:
Split class into 4 groups today, for short practice working in small groups. Group 1: play salute, Group 2: work with teacher (do a pattern problem of your choice, easy enough that the group could work together to solve, while you keep an eye on the other groups and correct behaviors immediately if there are problems), Group 3: make patterns with pattern blocks-draw and label pattern, Group 4: Making Patterns with base ten blocks-draw and label. After about 10 minutes, clap to get attention, tell groups to clean up, practice rotating to the next activity. Group 1: teacher, Group 2: pattern blocks, Group 3: base ten blocks, Group 4: salute. Continue rotating groups and practicing clean up after about 10 minutes at each station. Correct any unacceptable behaviors immediately. If you feel necessary, call students to floor to address behaviors.
Closing:
Get math expectations anchor chart and discuss what the students did well during groups, and what we can work on for next time. Journal these ideas.
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