BUILD Math Rotations

I am so excited about this new idea for organizing math rotations!

BUILD is an idea I found on pinterest that gives you a structure for your math rotations. 

B- Buddy Games (These are games that you have introduced to the whole class.  They can match the current unit of study or they can be a good opportunity for review)

U- Using Manipulatives (Activities that give students an opportunity to explore manipulatives- like pattern blocks, unifix cubes, base ten blocks, etc.)

I- Independent Reading/Independent Work (This is a good place to put your math books—there are some really great leveled math readers that you can buy.  I will change the books based on the current unit of study- but there may be some overlap between units.  (I am also going to put in books that they can create- Scholastic’s “Cut-and-Paste Mini Math Books” are pretty great).

L-Learning About Numbers (This is a great place to put any games or activities where students build their number sense.  As the year goes on, we will have many different opportunities to use Base Ten Blocks.

D- Doing Math (This is where they will have worksheets and more paper-pencil activities to practice their math skills.

I created these BUILD math cards to keep everything organized. On the wall is a larger card and on the basket is a smaller, matching card. I used nametag pockets (I just cutoff the top where the loop would normally link to make it a nametag) and stuck them to the wall with sticky tack. Then I will write their group names on index cards and rotate them to their rotation for the day. At the end of each day, I will just rotate the cards down one, and be all set for the next day.

For now, my plan is to have each group do one a day- so they will do each BUILD rotation once a week. I am planning on having a main activity and then a second, fast-finisher-type activity in each basket. If that doesn't work, I will have them do two BUILD activities a day. Obviously, I will adapt as necessary.

Eventually I would like for them to choose their BUILD activity. I have a recording sheet in mind for how they will track which they do each day, and to help them make sure they get all 5 done each week. But that will depend on the personality of my class for sure.

 

The matching baskets will have the materials needed for each task.

(You can see the blank index card in the pocket on the wall.)

The small colored rectangles are the nametag pockets.  They will have the list of students in that group.  My groups are extremely fluid, so an index card is a really easy way to keep them changing without having to do a lot of prep work.

 

For original post from Pinterest that gave me this idea, click here.