Math Centers for Intervention

Why centers are a good use of intervention time:

Allows time for direct/implicit instruction by teacher to small groups (3-5 students)
Allows for enrichment
Allows for skill reinforcement and extension
Allows for a task – applying skills, building stamina, solving a problem (not getting answers by following the current structure or set of rules)
Mental math – 1 of the top three areas of focus in Singapore math
Allows for conversation to talk math with peers
Differentiation –

Centers need to be purposeful and intentional – and that takes planning. It takes time to create centers, locate possible resource materials, and an accountability piece.

One center a day – students move through the centers within a week or so (all students might not see the same centers – based on individual needs). One center a day provides time for teacher center and allows adequate time to attempt a task, game, activity, etc… You want your centers to support any concept you have covered and enhance thinking.

What intervention time isn’t –it isn’t a continuation of your math classroom. Not worksheets with more answers to record.

Students should have many opportunities to manipulate numbers and think logically through the use of puzzles and tasks.

Let’s talk – how should you arrange the groups that move through your centers?

Resources

http://nrich.maths.org

https://sites.google.com/a/bryantschools.org/math-common-core-resource-site/home-1/5th-grade/5-oa-2

http://www.illustrativemathematics.org/standards/k8

http://gregtangmath.com/

http://www.marcycookmath.com/index.php?
http://www.mathmania4kids.com/ -- Marcy Cook items - "grade level challenges"
option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1 (Smoky Hill has some available for check-out)

http://www.achievethecore.org/dashboard/300/search/1/2/0/1/2/3/4/5

http://mathforum.org/mathtools/cell/m3,ALL,activity,ALL/

http://mrnussbaum.com/