Sunday, September 8, 2013

Math Tubs

Hi everyone!  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  I am excited to be starting Math tubs this week! This post contains lots of freebies and links so be sure to click everything so you don't miss out!

I spent Friday afternoon prepping my students' first tub activities!  This year, I have 4 tubs {technically 5, but the I.S. para is coming in to do a tub with my IEP students}.  This is only my fourth year doing Math tubs but I have found that they are simple to manage with the way I have them set up.  The main time-taker with tubs is material prep.  I like to stay ahead on my copying/creating and last spring, I organized all of my seasonal goodies, so I am pretty set for the year {so I say until I download/purchase 9 million more activities that I see and like!!!}.  

Prior to starting tubs, I place my students in groups.  This is random for now but I will do differentiated groups as the year progresses.  I make my cards and labels, laminate them, and put them in a Target $1.00 pocket chart.  I have found that pritning on card stock works best.  I put the coordinating graphic on the front of each tub.  I bought these tubs from Target two years ago.  I use a circus theme in my classroom but I made a more basic editable set to share with you!  To download them, click the picture below.



The Friday before starting, we go over expectations and how the tubs are going to work.  My students and I make a simple anchor chart.  They know that not every first grade class in my building does Math tubs and that they are a privilege.  Once the expectations are set, I put them in their groups and give out manipulatives for them to explore.  This gives me a feel for how they will work in their actual Math tub groups.  I put out pattern blocks, Base-10 blocks, Geo-boards, and dominoes.  Every 10 minutes or so, I ring the cleanup bell and we practice cleaning all materials up before rotating to the next station.

Through my trials over the years, I have found that going to multiple centers a day does not work for me.  I know lots of people do and I praise you for it if you are one of them!  I just can't.  It's too chaotic and the cleanup time takes too long for me.  My students visit one tub per day and then after school, I rotate the name cards down on the pocket chart.  I run my tubs Monday-Thursday with Friday afternoon being review and then an art project or Fun Friday.




My first few weeks of Math tubs will be pretty simple so students can work somewhat independently while I float around and monitor behavior.  I like to use lots of Sheri Sloane's games!  Here's what's up this week:

Toss and Tally
Doh Numbers and Number Words
Count and Color
One More

*I am OCD about keeping the supplies in the tubs organized.  I love the little crayon holders I got at Office Depot for 1 penny a few weeks ago!  Anyone else get them!?!  I may have gotten a million...just in case...



Did you find this post helpful?  I am considering doing a weekly Sunday Math Tub post where I share links to the materials that I'm using.  Please leave feedback below if this is something that you would like to see!

Megan
xo


26 comments:

Shatawn said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Thanks so much for sharing your ideas! I'm starting my Math Tubs this week. Thanks for more inspiration. I would love to come back each week & see what you are up to. :)

Marilee said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I would love to come back & see what is planned! Thanks for sharing!

Marilee said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates
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Mrs. Leeby said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

YES! I think this post just changed my life! :)
You should definitely do one every Sunday. You rock, girl!
xo
Learning With Mrs. Leeby

asugrad96 said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love these ideas... please keep them coming! =)

Cheryl said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love it! I'm teaching 2nd, so I may need other tub ideas. Any suggestions?

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Yes, Please keep posting about Math Tubs. I'm starting them for the first time this year. I don't actually know any teachers that use them in my district so I am counting on all of my bloggy buddies for help!! Thanks.
Meghan
First Grade Hugs and High Fives

Meggan said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I LOVE the idea of sharing Math Tub ideas on Sunday! The district that I work for only encourages the use of our district-adopted Math program and it is DRY. When teachers share it helps me feel connected to my profession and colleagues! Thanks!

1stgradefireworks said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

MEMEMEME! This is a constant problem area for me! Thanks for helping! wendy 1stgradefireworks

Sharon B said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Yes, keep posting! Thanks for the great ideas!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love math tubs and could really use some ideas! Thanks for the help!

Sue said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Would love to see your post weekly on math tubs!! Thanks!

Mrs. Yazzie's Classroom News said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates
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Mrs. Yazzie's Classroom News said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I'm intrigued. I, too, am unable to do multiple stations within a day (5 days per week). Not only time wise but also prepping everything. So generally my kids will do 2 stations per day and they'll complete the rotation cycle over the coarse of 2 or 3 days. So I have a question for you: if they are doing 1 station per day, how long are they at that station? Is it 30 minutes? An hour?

And yes, I'd love if you did a Sunday tub post with links. I love to see how other people set up their station work. Thanks for the pictures.

Pam said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Yes I would love to see your weekly post. I am always looking for great hands-on math activities.

Cindy Calenti said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love your math tubs and the freebies! A MILLION thanks. Please do continue sharing your math tubs on Sunday evenings.

Cindy
Granny Goes to School

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Yes, please! I'd love to see what you have planned for the upcoming week... Your ideas I've see so far are super! ;-)

Glindathgd said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Thanks for sharing this information! Your math tubs look great! I would be very interested ini a weekly report on what you're planning.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I would love to see what your ideas and plans are for m ath tubs. I don't currently do them, but have always wanted to know how other teachers use them in their classroom. Thanks for sharing!

Karen

An Apple a Day in First Grade

Loving First Grade said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Like you having the students do more than one station a day just doesn't work for me. I love your ideas- please keep them coming. It jogs ideas for me or introduces new ideas. Thanks!

Jude Eastman M.Ed. and IAC/MCC said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

How long do centers run? more than 10 min once they are up and running? Yes, I'd love to see the Sunday post of supplies!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I would love to read weekly posts about your math tubs. I have wanted to do something like this in my classroom this year. I have a question for you. Where do you store all these tubs? Or do you disassemble the materials each week and put materials for another activity in the tub for next week?

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I would love to read weekly posts about your math tubs. I have wanted to do something like this in my classroom this year. I have a question for you. Where do you store all these tubs? Or do you disassemble the materials each week and put materials for another activity in the tub for next week?

Rae said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

love love LOVE this post! I am trying to get some math centers started in my room this year, so this is very helpful! I would love to see more!

Thanks,

Rae
Mindful Rambles

Pennie said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love the idea of Math Tubs! You might just inspire me to get started making them. Please keep posting your ideas.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Loved this post!! Over the past term ( I teach in Australia ) I have been trying out using maths tubs. We are coming up to our final term for the school year so really enjoyed reading your ideas.

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