Math Workshop: Building Routines That Last a Year
Hello friends! I’m so excited to be joining some of my favorite upper elementary blog buddies for a huge link up to share some great Back to School Survival Tips. Hop on through each of our blogs and check out the collection of tips that should get your new year started right!
Have you considered starting a Math Workshop model in your classroom, but just don’t know where to start? I’m going to share some tips to help you start the year off using the workshop model and give you ideas and suggestions about how you can build those routines that will last all year long.
Years ago when I first implemented the workshop model, I was anxious about how to make it work. Often, teachers feel comfortable implementing Reading Workshop and even Writing Workshop, but just don’t know how to make this method work for math. I took the opposite approach. I tackled Math Workshop head-on FIRST before attempting Reading or Writing Workshop and I never looked back!
Tip #1: How is it organized?
For me, this meant having my student rotate through a series of 4 stations. Those 4 stations used the acronym M.A.T.H. to make it simple for students to rotate through each of the letters every day.
Tip #2: How do you start?
You have to establish expectations about how to use math materials properly. I’ve used a lesson that I called “Math Tools vs. Math Toys”. For this lesson, I began by placing tubs of math tools (electronic flashcards (like Math Sharks), flashcards, dice, center packets, task cards, etc.) on the group tables. Before opening the boxes of math tools, we discussed the difference between a math tool and a toy. I would ask a series of questions including:- What do you do with math tools?
- How is that different than a toy?
- Can I “play” with math tools if I wanted to? (Yes)
- Should I “play” with my math tools? (No)
I had students write what they see as the difference between the two on a sticky note and bring it to a chart labeled “Math Tools vs. Math Toys”. We discussed the students answers. Then, we began working with math tools “correctly” and then I modeled in an over-the-top silly way using the tools inappropriately. I usually picked a student who can really “ham it up” with me. We tossed the dice at each other pretending to have a war. We took the flash cards and dealt them out like we are playing a game of cards and threw them in the air a bit. You get the idea. By taking the time to complete this activity, your students will have a reference whenever you have to revisit the expectations.
Tip #3: How do you organize groups?
This is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of any classroom workshop model. I tried many different methods for grouping my students. However, what I found to be the most effective way to group my students was based on their mathematical needs. If I had established routines and procedures, then I didn’t have to worry about grouping students primarily based on student behavior. I found that the best way to determine what skills needed to be addressed during small group instruction was by using my Daily Spiral Math Review. 
Since the skills included in this pack are spiraled, and each domain is covered every single week, I was able to narrow down which skills my students needed to review. By using the weekly assessment included, I could track areas of concern for each of my students and then I would group “like” students together based on the skills that they needed to review.
You can try out the first week for free by downloading the product preview for each resource. You can check them both out by heading {here} or by clicking on the images above.
I hope that you found some tips that can help you get started with Math Workshop in your classroom! The tips can also easily be adapted to any workshop model.
For more tips to add to your survival guide for Back to School, head on over to my friends’ blogs to read more!
Thanks for the helpful hints for math workshop. I began using it last year and looking to expand it this year.
I've used the workshop model for reading and I think this year I'm going to take the plunge and try it for math as well. It seems a little overwhelming but I think it would really benefit the students!
I've tried the workshop model for reading and math, but I'd like to revamp it as I have been a strategist for the last three years. Going back to the classroom makes me want to do things better!
Over the past few years I have done some version of reading, writing, and math workshop. Last year I had reading workshop down pat and did math workshop three times a week. I had every intention of doing writing workshop everyday but my schedule last year led to writing getting cut out. This year I'm doing workshop model across the day. 10-15 whole group lessons in reading, writing, math, and science/social studies – this will be an hour of my day. The rest of the day will be workshop (centers will be transdisciplinary) while I pull small groups. I may pull a math group, I may pull a writing conference, I may pull a reading group, we may do an inquiry lab session. I'm so excited about it!
I do workshop with EDM4 (I teach 2nd grade). It works well! I have a 15 min. whole group mini-lesson at the beginning where I do Part 1 and review expectations for what math related work they need to work on. During the rotations they work on their math journals/math boxes for independent work, they do STmath or xtramath for technology, a math game/center/flash cards for hands on, and then they either review the edm concept or do interactive math notebooks with me.
I used math workshop when I taught first grade (I'm now a Title 1 intervention teacher). So powerful!
I used math workshop with rotations for a couple years, and now we've gone to Eureka Math, and I haven't yet figured out a way to meld the two together…I'm really hoping to find a way though…
I want to try Math Workshop this year…..This is a GREAT post to help me accomplish my goal! Thanks!
Yes, for reading and math!
I do workshop in language and math. Math is my favourite!
I will definitely be giving math workshop a try this year! Great tips to get started!
One of my goals is to do math workshop this year. I'm excited about it!
I plan on trying some sort of science workshop this year!
I still feel like a newbie. My main focus this year is to really improve my Writer's Workshop. I have a great mentor who is meeting with me this summer, before school starts, to help me set out a plan.
I am going to try math and writer's workshops this year!!
We do workshop model in reading, writing, and math!
I am implementing a math workshop model this year! Thanks for the post!
Thank you so much for all your ideas! I have struggled in the past with implementing math workshop but I am inspired for this upcoming year after reading your post!
I have tried the workshop model in Reading and Math – I'm a little frustrated at the moment with my schedule this next year and worrying about how I am going to get enough “workshop” time in, especially in math. How long is your math block and how much of it do you spend on whole group teaching a new lesson or skill vs. math workshop (small groups)?
I haven't tried a workshop model exactly, but I would love to!
How long do your rotations last?
WE use the workshop model for reading, writing and math!
I started a modified math workshop model last year. I am excited to make some tweaks and build on from what I started. Have a great school year!
I've tried to do a workshop model in the past but wasn't very consistent with it. I am really liking how you have set yours up. I'm excited to tweak my workshop model
I have not used the workshop model before. This is the first time in three years that I will be teaching all subjects and have the same class all day. I am interested in engaging lessons and routines for math. You have peaked my interest in math workshops.
I have used the workshop method in Reading, but would like to do it in math also.
I have used both the workshop model in reading and math! I love it for math!
I teach 5th grade Science and History in one 90 minute block. I use the workshop model for Science Stations. I have been playing with the idea of incorporating a few History stations into the rotation.
I have used the workshop model in the lower grades but I have changed to the upper grades and I would like to incorporate it into my schedule.
I haven't ever tried the math workshop model before. I'm encouraged to try it this year. Thanks for your help!
I will try the workshop model again this year. Last year I had problems with noise and following directions.
I love this! I'm a math person so I would definitely start this before implementing reading workshops! Thank you so much! As a new teacher I'm always looking for suggestions on how to organize things that have been working for others!
I really need this MATH rotation! Felt this was my weaker area last year! I teach 3rd grade and have been looking for a system that would guide! Thanks so much!
Hi! I SLOW-L-Y began math workshop model about three years ago. I began this with “workshop day” usually at the end of a unit where I can extend skills for my high-flyers or remediate for my strugglers. The kids cheered every time I posted the words: “Workshop” on our math wall. Anyway, I am now up to 3-4 times per week. I direct teach the new skills-teaching 4th grade, some of the concepts can be very tricky. The kids continue to enjoy workshop day and are even disappointed when it's not a workshop day. Our district dictates our scope and sequence, and we follow Everyday Math. What lacks in our math program is problem solving and written response, so I try to incorporate that in one of the rotations. Also, before a big unit test, I give them a practice pack for “At Your Seat” and I review/extend during the “Teacher Choice” rotation. One rotation is usually technology- our school is lucky enough to have access to some great sites that reinforce math facts so that is usually a “Math Facts” station (along with good old flash cards). Anyway, I will NEVER ever go back. My biggest challenge is implementing math workshop everyday. I still feel the need to direct teach the whole class, especially with newer concepts. I love this link-up and THANKS for all of the great time everyone.
I do 15-20 min rotations. That way it fits into my 60 minute math block.
Great tips! I'm changing grades this year and changing math materials. It's a lot to manage but I'd really like to do Math Workshop as part of that. This should help!
I have done workshop with math and love it!
This will be my 2nd official year of teaching, and my first in 2nd grade. Last year I taught PreK so we didn't quite use a workshop model, but I am so excited to start using one with my 2nd graders this year! Thank you for sharing these great tips. 🙂
I am new to the workshop model, but have used it for reading only at this point. I like it, just am trying to find ways to streamline it so it seems simpler! 🙂
I have used Math Workshop in my room for years, but I LOVE your MATH acronym! It's a great way to help the students remember the various stations!
I've used the workshop model for reading and writing. If and when I teach math again, I'd like to try it there too!
I have not tried it yet, but I am looking forward to adding it to my toolbox.
I have not tried it yet but this year I am going to take on the workshop model for reading and math. I think is going to be great for my kiddos. 🙂
I am moving to third grade after bring in kinder for 6 years. I am looking forward to incorporating math workshop in my class but am a bit nervous with doing it with 30 kids all day. But I love what you shared and it has helped a great deal
no i have not tried it yet!
I have not tried Math workshop yet. I started looking into it last year and would like to try it this year. I think it would be beneficial to my students and myself.
I have used the workshop model for reading and writing. I am thinking of using it for math next year to help me differentiate more, and your tips will really help. Thanks!
I love math workshop! I also used your math moves last year. Would you be willing to make a set for 3rd grade?
My school will be doing a variation of Daily 3 or Daily 5 Math. I used it last year and loved it!
I teach high school English, and we do writing workshops. My daughter's class did math workshops this past year for 10th grade geometry.