Guided Math: Chapter 1

Okay... I'll admit that I am behind the times with the Guided Math book study.  It seems like every time I turn around it's a new chapter.  Well, I'm determined to post on each chapter since I use this model in my math classroom every day.  I also have tons of information on my blog under my Guided Math Tab.  I will also be linking these posts up there as well.  Okay... on to the book study!

Chapter 1
This chapter really lays the foundation of why guided math is so important in mathematics instruction.  Guided reading seems to be such a natural method of teaching reading instruction.  However, guided math is a new concept to many.  It truly takes all the components of effective math instruction and brings it all together into an instructional model that provides conceptual understanding and rigor to math concepts.

The last part of chapter 1 discusses the daily components of guided math.  You can find more information about my daily/weekly schedule here.  I did want to briefly share a visual representation similar to the one on pg. 30.  This is my weekly schedule at a glance. {PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR THE PDF FILE}

I only use all the components of guided math on Tuesdays - Thursdays.  On these days, my instruction usually consists of HW reviewing, mini-lesson with activating strategy, math workshop, summarizing strategy, and math journaling.  Mondays and Fridays are the days set aside for whole class instruction, calendar review, distributing HW for the week, Exemplars, and assessments.  This seems to work well for me, and I love how I have two days set aside a week to complete whole group activities and instruction.  I will be posting chapter 2 soon so stay tuned!  I have to play catch up... we are on chapter 5 right now.  Maybe one a day?  If I'm lucky... lol