Keeping students engaged in math small groups can be challenging. A lot of math small group time is used for reteaching or interventions. All students have different struggles and needs and it's important that teachers have engaging tools to use with them. My favorite thing is when I can reuse activities and tools at my teacher table throughout the entire year, in different ways, and for years to come. Here are some of the math tools I use frequently!
These 3rd grade math mini flip charts are a dream! They cover all the standards that we teach and provide great visual support for students to use in small group. I use them both to reteach as well as a reference tool for students as they work on different skills. Here my students use the fractions tab to remind them of different fractions while they represent them on their whiteboards. These flip charts are available in lots of grade level choices too!
Place value is a skill that we refer to all year long. My students often struggle with the different places of each digit, or writing a number after hearing it orally. These place value paddles are perfect for use at the teacher table. We practice listening to a number and then writing it on the paddles in standard form.
They can then easily check with me individually by showing me their paddle. If I check them off, they can go on to writing the other forms of the number. These are dry erase too which makes them easily reusable all year!
Today's number dry erase cards provide so much math support in small groups! My favorite part of these tools is how easily they provide differentiation! Depending on my students skill level I give them each a different number.
They then go on to filling out the card using their number. While they work I am able to instruct them at different times on the areas they may need extra support. For some it may be the expanded part of the number. For others, it could be even or odd. When we are finished they simply erase and I have them ready for the next group!
Metric conversion charts provide fantastic support for students that need reminders on time and length. They are perfect for sending with a student who is working independently too.
The possibilities are endless at the teacher table with these mini math dice. I love that these include number dice, regular dice, and math symbol dice. I like to either have my students roll 2 of the number cubes and practice their multiplication facts on a white board or roll the numbers with a symbol dice to practice all operations. I work with them on strategies one or two at a time while the others are doing fact practice. Since the dice are foam they won't distract the rest of the class!
Fractions can be tricky and number lines can be challenging too. Fraction number line dry erase cards provide engaging practice at the teacher table for all students. The back is blank which is perfect for enrichment purposes!
Students can draw their own number lines based on a fraction or amount of equal pieces you give them. Then they can label them and check in with you. The blank number line can even be used for many other math small group needs! These tools make my math small group run so much smoother and keep my students engaged. They are all reusable and provide fantastic support for differentiation.
