Adding Independence with Math Centers and Materials
My students need math materials like Build-A-Number Houses or Ten-Frames Teaching Cards to enhance their self learning through centers-based activities.
I am a Kindergarten teacher to 17 wonderful students who are very interested in learning and exploring in their Kindergarten experience. They all come from different backgrounds, cultures, and environments. Some have not had exposure to school before, such as preschool or daycare. Their love of school shows more and more everyday with more exposure to various activities and learning opportunities!
My students are a mix of regular education and special education students; each and every one of them have strengths and skills that they bring to the classroom on a daily basis.
Their talents are unique, their stories capture your attention, and their smiles light up the day. Their joy of learning and determination not only continues to push themselves throughout the day, but also myself. Due to the commitment that these students bring forth everyday coming to school, no matter what goes on at home, I want to ensure that they get the most well-rounded, engaging, and rigorous education they can get.
My Project
I utilize small group instruction in my Kindergarten classroom. Working with my students during math instruction with a small ratio of students to teacher increases their engagement to the task. Currently my students are rotate small group centers for math between me, a paraprofessional, and either a computer program or independent centers that I have printed and laminated for them. The students LOVE working independently, and with a partner, enhancing the skills that they have been taught.
Having more math centers and materials such as Build a Number House, Dragonflies Spin and Count to 20 Activity Center, or Count & Slide Learning Apples, that are already created would be beneficial to my students in more ways than just one.
I could easily create grab and go centers, or develop "I am done" buckets for the students with already prepared materials.
The students would also have more options during their self-choice independent stations, giving them more varieties of engaging activities on a skill to work on.
Even as early on as a Kindergartener, it is important to develop independence. They will gather this skill through materials and centers like the Self-Checking Magnetic Board and Numbers & Counting Self Checking Magnetic Cards. They will become accountable for their work. Math has grown in my classroom as a fun and exciting time because it is hands on! I can only imagine the joy and excitement that my students would have if they had more independent math center options, and math materials to work with!
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