Place Value: I like the idea of getting to know numbers first. This will be the basis for year. I always start counting by 10's, 5's and 2's before the Saxon series does. This is a great thing to practice in those minutes when the kids are lined up and ready to go on time:) I also try to use that idea of counting eyes, ears, etc. that Debbie Diller mentioned. I also open up both hands as we count by 10's -get it? The hands are closed and then we open them to show 10 fingers. I also alternate that as we count by 5's. I remember my dad doing this with me when I was little. It still makes me smile when the kids count their fingers to get to 5! I love the idea of the paper clips in groups of tens with the calendar. I am trying to think if it would work on the smart board - or should there be something there for them to physically see and touch?? Glad to hear that the 100th day is helpful! Like we would have stopped celebrating! lol Geometry: I like using the Math dv...

Story Problems and Story Mats! That is what we are all about in kindergarten! The students love making up stories to practice some, some more and some, some went away! This will be easy to incorporate into the stations. We do these types of  lessons often. The biggest part - as always - will be to model, model, model appropriate behavior for doing this activity in stations.I love watching the kids while they work with these mats - you can really see them click when they get the concept of what they are doing and not just moving bears on and off. :) I think that my motto for this year is to relax and NOT worry about taking the extra time to work on stations and behaviors and activities. Somehow there is always that little voice in the back of my head reminding me about the extensive curriculum that needs to be covered. I need to just remember that it will all get done and better to be done well than done in a hurry!

OK - things are somewhat quiet today :) I have really enjoyed this book. It is making me rethink my entire math time. I loved Kindergarten Crayons blog  - tons of great things! I know that I really need to work on developing beginning number concepts. I am hoping to incorporate more numeracy centers into my classroom. This will need to include vocabulary to go along with it. I already had plans in my head to make more book baskets in the reading library that have a math theme. This will help with the math vocabulary and a math station. I am really thrilled with the technology of sharing documents from these different blogs and saving them in google docs. Technology is fascinating! Thanks for all those who share! I am hoping to be able to share somethings one day....

WOW! I thought I would check out Kindergarten Crayons first! I am way overwhelmed and jealous of her things!!! I think I work hard to be the best I can be for my kiddo's, but she is incredible! So are the other bloggers hosting this book party. I finished reading ch 4 but I need to digest some things before I post my thoughts. I am taking a make and take workshop next week - now I know I will be concentrating on math:) Thanks for sharing all the great ideas and resources!! I wish there was a book party for Debbie's literacy stations also...

What should your math work stations, look like, sound like and feel like?   I have not done math stations this year. That is the plan for next year:) I hope they look like the ones in this book!! lol I do want to make sure that I MODEL all the materials before I put them out in the stations. I want them to be a great place for the students to work and learn and have fun. What does your management board look like? I will be making a pocket chart- I think. I will be using their pictures for the board. I want to see some more ideas from all the other great bloggers. How do you support math vocabulary (math talk cards) in your stations?   WOW - do I need to work on this. I have thought about making a word wall of sorts with math vocab. I want to add more of this and make sure that it is included in the stations. I also want to connect it with some Whole Brain Teaching concepts that use gestures for the words.  This is a great chapter! I need to sit and look at t...

1.  How do you (or will you) differentiate your math stations? {I added this from the bookmark...sorry} This is something I will need to make sure is happening when I start math stations in the fall. I liked the idea of color coding - so the kids would know what items they would need. 2.  How and where do you keep your math stations? I think after I reorganize all my math materials, I will be able to use a rolling cart with 2 shelves for this. It holds some of my math materials now. I know I have enough bins or containers to make the stations. :) 3.  How do you keep your math materials organized.? Well, I have a very small cabinet with some materials. I have a rolling cart with containers of materials. I have some other containers on top of another cabinet. These were mostly for math stations. I often thought "wow, these are great but there is some wasted space in the containers." I know that we will be looking at some of the materials this week in school. I will be getti...