Must-Have Guided Math Supplies

Are you using guided math yet? If not check out this post to discover the reasons I’ll never go back to teaching whole group math again. Since starting guided math, I’ve been able to meet the needs of all my students. There are just a few supplies that make my guided math rotations go more smoothly. Check out these must-have guided math supplies.

 

Must-Have Guided Math Supplies

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Meet with the Teacher Center

When my students come to meet with me, I like to have them do their work on whiteboards to save paper. Here are some supplies that I keep at that center.

• Whiteboards – I have about 10 whiteboards at this center. My guided math groups usually have about 7 or 8 students in them, so 10 is plenty. In addition to saving paper, writing on the whiteboards is a novelty for my students. They stay more focused when they get to write on them. However, if they start drawing on the whiteboards when they’re supposed to be solving math problems, they lose the whiteboards for a day and have to write on looseleaf paper. Next year, I might try to get 10 Double-Sided Dry Erase Clipboards with my budget money. Every once in a while, we do a paper during group, and these clipboard would be great for holding those.
• Dry Erase Markers – I keep a full class set of dry erase markers at this center. I label them with tape and write my students’ names on them. That way, they are responsible for that one marker. Before I started doing this, I was going through markers way too quickly. They would get pushed down, and no one would want those markers. . .and of course it was no one’s fault. Now, if the tip gets pushed down, they only have themselves to blame.
• Whiteboard Erasers – I keep about 10 whiteboard erasers at this center, too. That way, each student has his or her own.
• Whiteboard Supply Organizer – I have the Really Good Revolving Dry Erase Rack from Really Good Stuff. I really like how well it stores the whiteboards, markers, and erasers. The only problem is that you can’t lift it far off the ground because the base falls off. Now, they have a different one called the Dry Erase Board and Supplies Storage. It looks like it might be more sturdy while still storing as many supplies.

Problem Solving Center

At my problem solving center, I have differentiated materials for each of my math groups. There are also lots of math manipulatives my students can use to solve the problem solving tasks.

• Different Colored Folders – My guided math groups are labeled by color. I have a blue, red, and green group. The color of the folder matches the group’s color so they know what task to do.
• Extra Time Activities – If my students finish the main task for the day before the rotation is done, they move on to the extra time activities. I keep them in the Store More Hang-Up Totes and Sturdy Rack. Each bag has a colored sticker on it, so the group knows which extra time activity they should do. I put the extra time game and all the supplies needed for it in the totes. This has really helped to keep all the pieces together.

• Manipulatives – My problem-solving center is stocked with all different types of manipulatives. There are rulers, place value blocks, clocks, fraction strips, and flashcards.

Technology Center

My school district is 1:1 with Chromebooks. At technology center, my students use math websites to do fact practice and to practice the current concept.

• Earbud Organizer – I absolutely love this earbud organizer from Really Good Stuff! Before I bought it, my students kept their earbuds in their desks. At least once a day, I was untangling earbuds. This organizer completely solves that problem. It also provides the perfect spot to keep my students’ password cards.

Guided Math Lessons

If your school district has a math program, you can use that to create your guided math lessons. My school district uses the enVision math program, so I follow those lesson topics. I just find ways to add problem solving to every lesson and websites for my technology center.

If you don’t want to create your own activities, check out the guided math lessons in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Place Value and Rounding Guided Math Lessons

Money Guided Math Lessons

Ready for Guided Math

Now that you know some of my must-have guided math supplies, check out my guided math videos on YouTube. They will help you get guided math up and running in your classroom.

Guided Math Part 1: Why You Should Use It and How to Get Organized

Check out these other amazing resources for your classroom!

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What Do You Think?

What are your must-have math supplies?

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