Topic: Using math tools in math workshop
Standards:
There is not a specific standard that goes with this lesson. The math tools will be used to cover many different standards throughout the year.
Essential Question: How and why do mathematicians use tools?
Duration:
about 1 hour
Materials/ Manipulatives:
connecting cubes, pattern blocks, base ten blocks, math games, etc.
Overview:
Students will learn about tools mathematicians use and how to take care of the tools.
Mini Lesson:
Math tools can help us solve problems. We will be using a variety of math tools this year during math workshop. Make an anchor chart of different math tools, how they help us and where they are stored. Ex: base ten blocks—help us count, show numbers, stored on math shelf in bin; pattern blocks—show patterns, learn shapes, fractions, stored on shelf in bin; math games—help us learn many math concepts, cooperation, stored on math shelf in bags; etc. Demonstrate getting the appropriate math tool, how it might be used, and returning it the right way.
Guided Practice:
Allow a few students to model getting/returning math tools by practicing the math games introduced yesterday. Discuss what they did well and what might need to be improved upon.
Independent Practice:
Allow students to spend some time exploring the math tools. Then allow them to practice cleaning and returning them. You could allow for a few rotations. I would probably have students work in table groups and do about 3 rotations so groups will have practice working with 3 different math tools today.
Closing:
Talk about what we did well when using our math tools today, and anything we might need to fix next time.
image credit: here
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