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Tools to Easily Differentiate Math Centers

Math, Small Groups & Math Centers

Written by: Katie Palmer

Teachers know that a one-size-fits-all approach to math centers doesn’t work. Our classrooms are filled with diverse learners, which is why taking the steps to differentiate math centers can ensure students get the on-level practice they need. This week I am teaching addition concepts. Here’s a peek into a week in my life and how I prepare my differentiated centers.

The Week Before

On each Thursday and Friday, I spend a little time pulling out the centers for the upcoming week. (I prepped these centers one time, and reuse year after year!) This prep includes:

  • Using exit tickets to determine the skills needed for each group.
  • Make copies of the recording sheets.
  • Putting all tools & manipulatives needed in the center baggies. (Decide if your students will play with their entire group or in pairs. This will dictate how many copies of each center are needed.)
Addition with 10 Objects Apple Harvest math center for Kindergarten
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  • Setting all centers in color coded bins. I use a different colored bin for each student group. This makes it so easy for students to grab the right center materials.
  • Putting together the “At Your Desk” (independent work) packets for my groups. I have four student groups working at three different levels. I pick the four practice sheets for each group and make the packets before the week begins. The students will keep these packets in their math folders for the week, turning them in on Fridays before their “Friday Fun” can begin. Because this work is differentiated, students usually do not have trouble getting this turned in on time.
Organized bins with math centers resources

Math Center Setup

While I am working with small groups, the rest of the class is rotating through differentiated centers. I use the M.A.T.H. centers method:

  • M: Meet with the Teacher-curriculum, reteaching, extending or games
  • A: At your seat (independent work)-from curriculum or supplemental
  • T: Technology: an online math game, quiz or sometimes a digital worksheet
  • H: Hands-on: A partner game or activity that uses manipulatives

In this post, we are going to solely focus on the H-Hands-on Station. At this station I use our differentiated Math Centers. Quick note: Be sure to model, model, model these stations before releasing your students to complete them without your guidance.

A springtime themed adding 3 numbers center
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Learn more about launching & managing centers here.

Quick Tips:

  • Easily differentiate my math centers for my three levels of learners.
  • Typically, students complete their centers with either a partner from their small group, or their entire small group.
  • Model the centers for the week during Fun Friday, so these students have seen this activity before.
  • Having them complete the center with a partner or group eliminates most, “How do I play this?” questions, as they can remind each other.
  • Allow two days per station. If they are able to finish their two centers before Friday, they will use their Hands-on time to complete any unfinished independent work or grab an early finishers fun sheet.
  • Teach the centers for the upcoming week during Fun Friday! Pull each group back for a few minutes to model the game and play a couple practice turns.

A Note for the At Your Seat Station

On Mondays, I pass out the differentiated independent work packets I made the week before. Students know they will need to complete the packet before they can have Fun Friday. These packets are differentiated for each group's best fit level. I figured I would just show the whole packet for each learning level before we move into our centers.

Below, On and above level group math worksheets

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Math Centers for the Week

Here are the stations I am using each day this week! Students will use each center two times during the week. (With my centers being about 10 minutes, this system works perfectly.)

Monday & Tuesday

Below Level Group

Adding Corn Cubes: I love how this center includes hands-on number building and ten frames as tools for solving addition.

Ten frame addition to 10 corn themed math center for Kindergarten
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On Level Groups

Fishin' for Addition: Students place fish in the fish bowl to solve addition equations.

A fish themed addition center
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Above Level Group

Addition Story Problems: This center pushes my higher level learners to combine their math & reading skills…something they are very ready for!

An October addition story problem math center
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Wednesday & Thursday

Below Level Group

Happy Harvest Count: Another hands-on gem of a center! Students can use the visual task cards and objects to add to 10.

A harvest themed addition with objects Kindergarten math center
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On Level Groups

Roll & Add: Students roll two dice, putting their game piece on the sum. This continues until all numbers are covered. This center reinforces mental math.

A mental math roll and add math center
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Above Level Group

Adding Three Numbers: Let's push their brains a bit farther by having them add three numbers.

A spring themed math centers focusing on adding three numbers
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Any more ideas?

Thank you for joining me for a week of math center fun! Having centers prepped ALL year for Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade allows me to differentiate at the drop of a hat!

How do you perp, organize and manage the centers in your classroom? Let's work together to make learning as smooth as possible.

Happy teaching!

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