3 Practical Ways to Supercharge Your Math Stations in Upper Elementary

When you think of math stations or centers what is the first thing you think of? Do you think primary grades? Me too! When it was first suggested to me I use math centers in my 4th-grade classroom I scoffed and didn't think twice about it. Then, a couple weeks later, I was observing in a co-worker's room and was in absolute awe at the power of how her student's used math stations with independence and confidence. 

I had always thought math centers were more of a game and a waste of precious classroom time, but seeing her students using their math vocabulary and strategies with partners really sealed the deal for me. I knew I had to give them a try with my students. 

I left her room ready to go, but I wanted to go in with a game plan. After school, we chatted and she gave me her three secrets to supercharge math stations and make them much more than a game. 

Build a Routine

The first secret to making math stations powerful is to make them part of the classroom routine. 

There is something to be said for novelty, but if you want math centers to be a big part of your math block they have to be permanent. You have to commit to using them on a regular basis, if not daily. 

The power of math stations comes from the repetition and practice. This is the time students move from merely understanding a math topic to mastery. It is important we place value on this time because it is when students develop connections between their learning. 

When you protect the time for math stations and don't sacrifice it your students will see the value you place on it and respect the time as well.

Build in Accountability

In my mind, the difference between a math game and a math station is accountability. 

Math games are fun and are used from time to time in the classroom, but usually only broken out for special occasions or indoor recess when we are trying to sneak in a little bit of math. 

Math centers, on the other hand, are standards-based and targeted at students needs. They are differentiated to meet students where they are and can be used to practice the skill students are currently learning or keep a skill from the past fresh on their minds. 

By keeping students accountable for the completion and accuracy of their work you ensure they are putting their best foot forward. 

Accountability can be achieved in many different ways. 

The easiest way to keep students accountable is through recording sheets. I prefer to have students complete a recording sheet for most math stations to show their work and reflect on their thinking. These recording sheets can be collected or saved for a running record of student work on a skill. 

Another way to keep students accountable during math centers is to have students complete a self-reflection afterward. These reflections work as a mini-audit of students' work in which they can write down questions, share their learning, and reflect on how hard they worked. 

If students are working with a partner or small group they can also complete a reflection on how they worked together. 

Set Clear Expectations

As stated before when talking about building math stations into your routine, if you show your students math center time is valued they will value it as well. 

The BEST way to show students you value this time is by setting clear expectations, and the BEST way to set clear expectations with students is to clearly think through the process before bringing it to your students. 

Before you even think about introducing math stations to your class make sure you have a plan for:

• How you will prep the stations?
• How will you store stations?
• How will you organize stations?
• Do I have all the materials for 
• How will students be partnered or will they work independently?
• Where will students work on stations?
• What will students do if they have a question during stations?
• How students will clean up their station?
• What will students do when they complete a station?
• How long will students work on each station?
• How will you hold students accountable for their station work?

Once you have an answer for all these questions you are ready to share your expectations with your students. Just remember practice makes perfect, and beginning stations is no exception. 

Once your routine and expectations are set for the year all you do is change the content! 

Where Do I Find Quality Stations?

When looking for math centers for your students focus on quality and content.

A quality math station will have all the things you need and be easy to prep. Due to the pieces making up math centers there will always be a little bit of prep but it can be minimal. Quality math stations also include teacher and student directions as well as recording sheets and answer keys when applicable.

As far as content goes, I prefer to use stations focused on the standard we are learning about currently in class. This allows students to see a skill or standard in multiple ways throughout the unit and lends itself towards mastery.

With these things in mind, I created these math stations. Each set of stations has ten complete stations based on one standard complete with student and teacher directions, recording sheets and answer keys when applicable, and content vocabulary. In addition, all of the stations are created entirely in black and white to make printing and prep easy. Just print on colored paper and go!

Check out these stations here:
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade