Moving into Math Stations

In this instructional film for teachers, Debbie Diller, author of Math Work Stations: Independent Learning You Can Count On, K–2, works with first- and second-grade teachers Sage Carnahan and Asma Ahmed, who use math stations—which feature portable activities, including materials and instructions, so that students can work in pairs—in their Title I school. Diller, Carnahan, and Ahmed show how the set-up is organized, using storage containers and display boards with clear instructions and labels, in both a fixed and a temporary classroom. They talk about several issues in using the approach, such as making class time available for this instructional method, employing a pocket-chart “management board” to assign partners and stations, pairing students who will work well together, and efficiently moving kids into place. Diller demonstrates how she guides youngsters to use “math talk” and verbally express academic concepts. A chapter on using math manipulatives covers whole-group and stations practice, as well as cleaning up (and storing all those little pieces). Diller's recommendations for classroom management and organization are especially useful and would apply even in other non-math contexts. Also included here is a CD-ROM containing a PDF guide that features instructions, discussion questions, and activities for using the program in an in-service workshop. Highly recommended. Aud: C. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)