So, way back in September when I started this blog, I focused on small math groups and how I would operate them. Now is time for some reflection:
- They are only as good as you are prepared. If you don't have a GREAT, SHORT lesson, it isn't valuable.
- Only one hour for small math groups is not enough time to do it right. My math is one hour - we start at 9:15 and go to special at 10:15. Due to my inclusion students who leave after special, I cannot get back to math. I have a block the last half hour, but it is really hard to get back into the math rotations groove, so I choose to do math remediation at that time.
- To be effective, you SHOULD do a minilesson before you break into small groups. I try, but am not successful, and I think it would have a big impact on my lessons.
- Change up your groups every now and then. I changed at semester and it has been helpful.
- Something I need to be better at is varying the rotations that aren't with me.
What I would like to do in the future:
- Utilize my smartboard more for games/activites for students to do in their group.
- Allow more choice in the centers. (I have two independent - fact fluency and skill review)
- Have SuccessMaker be 12 minutes instead of 15 minutes. (This is a computer program purchased by out corporation. You can change the time, but our corp. is mandates 15 minutes.)
- Have time built in to go over previous night's homework.
