I teach a multiage as well (3-4) but developmental span probably 2nd-6th.
I have a book by Marilyn Burns that is out of print but available used on Amazon
called "The good time math event book" Each page is an "event" which can be
copied and given to a kid. There is also a worksheet to go with it. The activities
are things like filling a jar with beans and estimating how many are in there, or
measuring furniture, etc. They are great for stations.
Many of the "events" are better for middle school, but my kids can do most of
them just fine. I don't know about first graders, because they all include
reading the directions... which are written in speech bubbles by comic
characters. In our probability unit, I had four groups working with these events.
1- lay out 13 card and count how many are face cards, shuffle and do this 25
times... record the data
2- lay out 4 cards and count the diamonds, shuffle and do this 25 times, record
the data
3- read 3 sentences from a book and record each letter used. (I had them keep
going reading 3 sentences at a time and checking in, b/c this group finished so
quickly)
4- read a page of a book and record how long each word is (1 letter, 2, 3, 4 etc.)
They will present what they found and as a class we will determine the
probability for each event. These are just some of the examples. If you think
your kids could do those things, then the book will work.
I might set the younger kids up with pattern blocks to make symmetrical
patterns, or attribute bears or blocks to make patterns, that kind of thing.
On 3/26/08, Courtney wrote:
> I teach multi-age 1st-3rd in a small independent school. My
> span of grades and developmental levels has made me *very*
> flexible this year!
>
> Right now I'm looking for a "quick and easy" resource -- if
> one exists -- to help me with my math planning, which is
> bogging me down. I use small group instruction for my math
> workshop so I can accommodate all of my levels. I am trying
> to use more "math task" types of activities for my students,
> so they are not only doing workbooks or playing math games
> when they're not in a group.
>
> The problem is, I don't have time to come up with that many
> math tasks all of the time! But I can't seem to find a book
> or website out there that can help. I guess what I'm really
> looking for are extension activities that students can
> complete independently or with a partner...one day or
> multiple days...not just solving a word problem but
> something a little more involved.
>
> Does anyone know of such a resource that exists? Oh -- I
> use Singapore Math, and actually only need the problems for
> my 2nd/3rd graders, because most of my first graders are all
> set with games.
>
> Thanks for any help that might be out there!
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