Adventures in Guided Math: lesson planning

Chapter 6 was a short one, but with lots of information. This is a great chapter for anyone just beginning guided math or needing a little tune up.

Dr. Nicki outlines a framework for guided math lessons:

Presenting the Mini-Lesson

Hook students--make a connection to past, present, or future learning.
The focus of the lesson is clearly stated (concept, strategy, skill).
The teacher models/demonstrates and checks for understanding while doing so.
May include practicing what is modeled/demonstrated with the group.

**Student Practice

Students practice the concept, strategy, or skill on their own and explain their thinking to the group.
Scaffolding discussions take place.
The teacher asks specific questions to facilitate mathematical thinking.
Students work independently and the teacher provides interventions to individual students.
The teacher may take anecdotal records.

**Games and manipulatives can be used to model/practice the concept, strategy, or skill.

I play games in my guided math groups as much as possible. I have found that my students seem much more engaged when they are playing a game. Even the mention of the word "game" seems to make them perk up a little more in their seats. I have done groups with worksheets and pages from our math program during this time, but feel that the students do not get a lot of opportunities to really express their mathematical thinking because they are so worried about being wrong on the paper.

I love to play games that involve dice and playing cards mostly because these are materials that are inexpensive and many students have them at home (if they don't, I buy some at the Dollar Tree and send them home).

Here are just some of the great resources I have purchased on TPT that I use in my own classroom...

Dealing with Math Homework: 2nd Grade Math Card Games Unit from The Teacher's Clubhouse
Math With a Deck of Cards from Teacher By the Beach
Math Games with Dice from Erin Morrison

There are so many more games out there, too! Many times I will just "google" cards games for (insert CCSS standard/skill/unit), and I get lots of hits:)

I am also fortunate that several years ago I wrote a grant and purchased some board games specially for math concepts. While many have seen better days, the kids are using their math thinking skills to play.

Playing games allows me to really observe the students. Usually I will introduce the game on day 1, review it and play with them on day 2, and by day 3 they are playing with one another and I can make my observations.

Share Time

Students are brought back together to debrief the lesson.
The teacher asks probing questions.
Students are asked to summarize.
The teacher reviews teaching points and checks for misunderstandings.
The teacher previews math center or homework that will follow.

A guided math lesson, with all of the components described above, is shared (p 72-75). Each component of a guided math lesson is clearly labeled for the reader.

Dr. Nicki also stresses the importance of evaluating each lesson through reflection. See page 76 for specific questions to ask yourself about student engagement.

Question 1: Do you use guided math lesson templates? If so, what do they look like? How detailed?

This is something I have struggled with for years!! I like a nice, simple formatted planning template, but I HATE writing lessons for my overall week, my guided reading plans, and my guided math plans...it's too much!!

I saw this idea on Pinterest and it came from First Grade Nest.

I liked how simple it was and all I had to do was use sticky notes! I only have four groups that I see daily, so mine is modified. If you want a copy of my template, you can get it here.

Dr. Nicki has some other great templates in this chapter that I may be experimenting with too. :)

Question 2: How do you teach specific concepts at a concrete, pictorial, and then abstract level?

When first introducing a concept I do what most teachers do...use manipulatives! I love base ten blocks, linking cubes, coins (real or fake), pattern blocks, geometric shapes, clocks, and the list goes on and on! I feel it is important at this young age for students to have that hands-on experience so that they can have a deeper understanding of how numbers and equations can be put together and taken apart. There are also several computer programs, websites, and apps that are available for students to use these tools digitally.

I then love to show my students how they can draw the manipulatives. I think this important because students don't have access to the tools we use in school at home, but they can use drawings to help them problem solve. This skill can also carry over not only at home, but anywhere students need to solve a math situation...even with those lovely standardized tests. I see my students use their scratch paper and pencils, when test taking, to help them problem solve....it makes my heart so happy!

Some students have to have more exposure to the math tools in order to fully understand the mathematical skill, and then there are some students that can think abstractly a little sooner. This is another great thing about guided math groups. The group that needs that extra practice is able to spend time with the teacher manipulating math tools, and those at other mathematical levels can take that thinking and move on to more real life problem solving situations.

Now it's time to enter a fabulous giveaway! It's a Dr. Nicki Newton, Problem Solving with Models, giveaway! Click here to check out these awesome resources! The lucky winner will get to pick the grade level resource that best fits him/her. We will be randomly drawing the winner next Sunday, August 3... Good luck!