Using Math Tools

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.

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