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!
I won't be teaching math this year, but I will be using the workshop model for reading and writing. I'm excited to get started with it!
Thanks for the information. I have wanted to start a Math Workshop for a couple of years, but I have been a little uncertain as to how to start. Do you do this everyday? How long do the students stay in each rotation? Thanks! This gives me hope!
I'm fully committed to workshop teaching for reading, writing and math. I find that I can provide much more target differentiation in the workshop model as I confer or meet in small groups with a student or group. Thanks!
I haven't tried the workshop model, but I like the idea! 🙂
I have not tried the workshop model before. I am just going in to my third year, and I'm still trying to figure out what I like and works best for my kids.
I have not tried it but I teach high school and I think it would translate well.
I did math workshop two days a week. It was definitely worth it!
I did a math workshop last year and really liked it. I struggled with keeping my whole group lesson short enough to get the centers in though! I need to either work on that or find more time for math in my day! I love your rotation board!
Yes, for math a few years ago! We've since been piloting and learning a new series, but I'm hoping to go back to something similar soon!:) KaitlynSmiles and Sunshine
No, as I'm not sure it would work with my special ed students.
I've tried the workshop model for both reading and math.
I'm looking forward to trying this for the first time this year with a new grade and having been stressing out about how it will all work. Thanks for the great tips!
Thanks for the tips! As an first year teacher I certainly can use all the help I can get being organized.
I've done a variation of Math workshop for years. I've also done Reader's Workshop (when I could get away with it) and I've done Writer's Workshop for years as well. Fun stuff!Sally from Elementary Matters
Hoping to teach Math again this year and up my center game…definitely bookmarking this post!
I use a workshop format for writing. I also use Math Workstations (Debbie Diller). Your suggestions will be helpful for management. Thanks!
I have tried math…….it's a work in progress.
I haven't tried the math workshop… yet! Thanks for the detailed guide!
I've done Math, but there's definitely room for improvement! Thanks for your tips!
I have used the model for math!
I really like the idea of talking to the students about the difference between math tools vs. math toys. I will be incorporating this into my beginning year lesson plans.
I don't currently teach math, though if I did, I know the workshop model would be the way I would want to go. I currently teach ELA– reading and writing– through workshops. They seem to me to be the most authentic way to do reading and writing! Thanks for your ideas.
Love the anchor chart on Math Tools vs. Math Toys. Will definitely use that at the start of the year to establish routines. Thanks for the tip!
I have used math workshops. I also use reading workshops! Math is the most challenging for differentiating students and having students do constructive, relevant, and learning work..
I have been using it as an RTI time. Thinking of doing Daily Math 3. Rebecca Sweeneyrebeccasweeney81@yahoo.com
I love these ideas! I will be starting math workshop in the fall, thank for the tips!
Wonderful approaches I haven't tried before. Excellent ideas–tools vs toys. Insightful!
I have never tried out the workshop method. I would love to try it out, such great ideas!
The workshops sound great!Teaching Autism
I have tried the same four station math workshop model with my first year of students and it worked really well. However, last year, my group couldn't handle four stations so we went down to three: teacher, math project, and skill practice. It was a lifesaver for me! I love doing stations! Thinking about trying it in science… I love your resources on TPT!
I have tried the same four station math workshop model with my first year of students and it worked really well. However, last year, my group couldn't handle four stations so we went down to three: teacher, math project, and skill practice. It was a lifesaver for me! I love doing stations! Thinking about trying it in science… I love your resources on TPT!
I did Math Workshop for the first time last year. I loved it!! I was nervous trying something so different when I was also having a student teacher for the first time. She loved it too. She's going to be on the third grade team with me at my school this year and told me she's definitely doing it too. I can't wait to start year 2 with it.
I have not tried the workshop model, but it does sound like something that I should try! Emily
I started this type of math workshop last year, I just called it Math stations/centers. I love to see how others are using this type of rotation. You have great points and ideas on implementing math workshops. This was a great review for me to start of this year!
I used the Math Workstation model with my 5th graders when I was in the classroom. What helped me was starting small. I would introduce 4 workstations at the beginning of the year and every 6 weeks, I would introduce a new one.
I have started math workshop by doing math RTI time. I will add games/activites. Thank you for the ideas! Rebecca Sweeneyrebeccasweeney81@yahoo.com
I am moving to First grade from sixth grade and will use Math and Reading workshop in my classroom this year. We'll see how it goes!
I have not tried the workshop model yet. I plan to incorporate this year.
I really want to begin math workshop. I teach Kindergarten and my school is departmentalized so I teach all the math to the 3 classes. I am trying to work it out with my fellow teachers so our schedules will work. Thanks for the ideas!
I try workshops every year, but can never seem to get a smooth management style and incorporate fresh ideas.
I have but can't seem to make it work like it should so I abandon and do something different…
I have used it primarily with writing.
Not formally, but I do math centers in my fifth grade classes once a week.
I haven't used any, but I would love to start!
I feel the same way. I had a hard time getting my math workshop moving last time. I may try it again with this model!
I feel the same way. I had a hard time getting my math workshop moving last time. I may try it again with this model!
I have a question regarding your math goups… the little cards etc that you have in the picture above that you use to group your students and divide them into the math stations, are those available anywhere so that I don't have to remake them? Also, I am wodnering what you use for your main math program? Thank you for your help.
I was wondering/hoping the same thing!
Last year was my first year in 3rd grade and I had 27 students. I did try math workshop, but wish I had been more organized with it. Can't wait to try it again this year!
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