Math Centers: Better with Two

Grade 7s engaged in self-directed learning in geometry while a small group works with a teacher on a specific task.

If you've never attempted centers in Intermediate before, it can be challenging to visualize what that might look like.  The other day, my instructional coach spent the afternoon in the classroom with me, so I had the opportunity to take a few photos while one of my Grade 7 classes was engaged in their work.

(click to enlarge...)

Based on feedback students had provided us with via a mid-point check-in/self assessment sheet, my colleague and I determined which of the success criteria each student needed the most support with.  We used this information to form small groups with which we met to do some precision teaching and provide descriptive feedback as they worked through various tasks.

Other students, meanwhile, worked at whatever center they had left off at last time.  With two adults in the room, each of us working with 3-4 students, that only left about 16 students "at large", so there was far less concern about classroom management, as at any given time, one or both of us had at least one of the class's "key players" with us (or if we didn't, there were fewer "audience" members).  This resulted in considerably more focused  work going on around the room than when I am alone and need to constantly "manage" others while teaching/assessing small groups at my table.

Centers... definitely better with two teachers than one! :D

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