Guided Math: Part 2

How do I Group & What's My Schedule?

How do I Group?

Figuring out how to group your students is one of the more difficult tasks of guided math.  It took me a long time {practically all year} to find what worked for me.  What works for me may not work for you.  We are all different, our teaching styles are different, and our students are different.  I wanted a way to group my students so they could change groups.  I wanted them to be able to 'move up' once they mastered a particular skill, and I didn't want them with the same kiddos every time.  How could I do this and how will it work?

Every Friday I give a short {no more than 10 questions} weekly assessment.  This assessment has some things we have already introduced in class and some things we will introduce the following week.    

What it is:

o different every week

o quick

o used for the following week's instruction

o standards-based questions

o easy to grade

o used to drive instruction

What it isn't:

o an assessment that should take longer than 10 minutes

o the same standard asked 10 different ways

o end of the unit test/quiz

o something that will never be looked at

o summative

So every Friday my students complete this assessment.  I then {quickly} highlight the questions the students got incorrect.  I then take that information to help me form my groups for the following week.  The great thing about my schedule {which we'll talk about later in this post} is that I have Friday & Monday to grade these assessments and put the kiddos in groups.  Depending on how a students does depends on the group he/she will be in the following week.  My groups do not stay the same every week.  I try to already have the groups posted on Monday so the kiddos will know what group they will be in for Tuesday {our 1st day of guided math}.  Again, I will post pictures when I get back in my classroom.  The picture below is a photo {and link for printing} of my groups poster.  This is where I write the students' names for which group they will be in.  Since I have two math classes I have two of these posters {one for each class} posted in my room.  *Please note that sometimes I have 3 groups and sometimes I have 4 groups.  Last year I had 3 groups in one math class and 4 in my other math class.  I'm not sure what my classes will be like this upcoming school year.  If you would like me to make a poster for a different number of groups let me know :)

During our guided math, we review some problems from the assessment {the ones they missed} and do more examples.  Also, I do not do a lot of talking during this time.  I let students lead discussion and guided the group.  It's amazing what these kiddos can do with just a little guidance.  When school starts back, I'm so looking forward to actually recording one of these sessions for you to watch.

What's My Schedule?

Okay, so guided math will definitely put you on a tight schedule!  I'm constantly looking at my watch to make sure I get started on time.  If you don't have a timer... get one!  There's a timer on the SMARTboard that the kiddos love because it plays different tones.  However, I have yet to learn how to make it start over automatically after each rotation.  If someone knows how to do this I would LOVE to know.  Usually, I just use a hand timer that counts down and beeps.  The kiddos are pretty good at hearing the beep and automatically doing what needs to be done!

FYI- I have 100 minutes of math time {per class} each day.  We have a core & more.  I teach my curriculum and guided math during our core time.  During more time is when we complete enrichment activities.  So, here's the schedule I follow every week for my core time.  I am going to explain each day for you :)

o Monday- we do not conduct guided math on Mondays.  We always complete or grade an Exemplar, have a whole group lesson, and review the previous week's Math Calendar.

o Tuesday - Thursday: {we follow the same schedule each day}

First 5 minutes of class: review homework from previous night.  On Mondays, when we have no homework to review, I have students spend this time writing their HW in their agenda for the week.

15 Minutes: mini-lesson {which is determined by pacing guided}

15 Minutes: rotation 1

15 Minutes: rotation 2

15 Minutes: rotation 3

10 Minutes: seat reflection in journal

o Friday- this is the day I have my students complete the weekly assessment to drive instruction for the following week and we have a unit assessment OR whole group lesson.  YES- some Fridays we have two assessments.  But, please remember that the guided math assessment is only 10 questions!

Don't Miss Guided Math: Part 3

What I Use As My Stations

*Questions? Comments?  Something you want me talk more about?  Leave them below :)