LEARNING CENTERS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH CLASSROOM

Kelly Meshell and Pam JohnsonAustin ISD Mathematics SpecialistsAssociate Superintendent’s Office of Middle Schools

OVERVIEW OF SESSION

Anchors of Support BoxCranium Vocabulary GameDifferentiation of CentersPlaying of CentersPB Wiki for Materials

ANCHORS OF SUPPORT

Provided so that students have tools to problem solve about math – alleviates students waiting on teacher for help

Students are able to choose their own supports

Used so that multiple supplies can be stored for multiple activities in a central location

ANCHORS OF SUPPORT

For the next activity we are going to use the following items from the Anchors of support box:2 Cans of Play-DohGreen paperCranium playing Cards (the yellow and white cards)

CRANIUM SET-UPShuffle the Cranium cards and place them face

down into two different piles.

Place the green paper and Play-Doh in the middle of the table

You will also need something to write withDivide your table into two teams

CRANIUM VOCABULARY

On each turn: Turn over an “Action Card” (the white cards) for all to see

and the person performing the “Action” should draw a vocabulary card (the yellow cards). DO NOT let anybody see the vocabulary card.

A member of the opposite team should time the person performing the action – each action is allotted for 30 seconds

The team has 30 seconds to guess the vocabulary word the performer is sketching, acting out, giving clues for, or sculpting

If the team guesses the correct word the team earns the vocabulary card

If the team is unable to guess the correct vocabulary word the other team has a chance to steal – the team confers and one answer is provided – if the answer given is correct the team stills the vocabulary card

The first team to earn 5 vocabulary cards wins the game!

CRANIUM VOCABULARY

Sculptorades – Use the Play-Doh to sculpt the vocabulary word – NO TALKING OR GESTURES ALLOWED!

Password – One word clues are given to describe the vocabulary word – a team member must guess a vocabulary word before the giver can give another clue

Sensosketch – The drawer must close their eyes and draw the vocabulary word without looking – NO WORDS or SYMBOLS and NO PEEKING!

Charades – The performer acts out the vocabulary word – NO TALKING ALLOWED!

DIFFERENTIATION OF CENTERSCan be scaffold to meet the

needs of studentsUsed to extend students problem

solving skillsUsed as skill builders and practice

THE CENTER BAG9 different gamesThe games should be played with

2-3 people per gameFor extra materials that are

required use the Anchor of Support Box

As you play discuss with your table mates how each game can be differentiated to support the diverse needs of learners

LET’S PLAY

PB WIKI FOR CENTER MATERIALS All materials from today are available

through the PB wiki site. To access PB Wiki:

Go to: http://mscenters.pbworks.com Materials will be available until September 1 Email either Kelly or Pam if you have

questions: Kelly: kmeshell@austinisd.org Pam: pjohnso2@austinisd.org