How to Make Math Stations

Math stations are a great way for educators to create a learning environment where students are interacting somewhat independently with math. During math station time, students rotate between pre-planned math activities. These activities are game-like in nature, while at the same time promoting practice of key math concepts that are being taught or need reinforcement. In the elementary classroom, math stations are usually set up as centers around the classroom. In the middle school classroom, these can be worksheets with unique instructions that are different than the everyday class work. Regardless of the structure, math stations represent a welcome change from the day to day routine of math education.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Counters
• Math story books
• Math games
• Flashcards
• Cash register
• Toy food and other store items
• Measurement devices (tape measure, ruler, etc.)
• Fraction manipulatives
• Play money
• Math game worksheets

How to Make Math Stations

1. Create an addition station for elementary students. Place addition story books, flashcards, and addition games in the station. Decorate it with number stickers. Include counters for students who are just learning how to add.

2. Repeat the process for subtraction, division, and multiplication. Have each station use its own unique counter type.

3. Make a money math station. Put play money, a calculator, money math games, and possibly a cash register and store items in the station. Allow the students to practice making change and adding money as they play store.

4. Make a measurement station. Have various classroom items in the station that students can measure. Supply various measurement devices, like scales, rulers, and tape measures for students to use.

5. Organize a fraction station. Put in fraction manipulatives along with books and games that relate to fractions.

6. Make stations using worksheets for middle school students. For instance, give your middle school student a worksheet with a math riddle to solve. Instruct the students to work in groups to solve the problems on the worksheet, and allow them to progress through a series of these challenges.

Tips & Warnings

• Elementary students and middle school students need very different types of stations. Make the elementary stations bright and colorful. A worksheet used in the middle grades can be colorful, but should be something the students can complete with few tools and manipulatives.
• Plan time each week for students to visit the math stations.
• If you are crunched for space, put your math station materials into bins or baskets that the students can "check out" when they are ready to do a station.
• Never leave children alone when working on math stations. Walk around and make sure they are doing what they should be with the materials. Some students will turn station time into recess without proper supervision.

Resources

• Math Stations in Our Classroom
• Second Grade Math Stations

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