Math Center

This shelf houses both the math and literacy center materials. The rolled beige mats on the top right of the shelf are used for working with materials on the floor.

What's in the Math Center

These are just a few of the materials we have in the Math Center. I change the materials during the year, depending on what we are learning.

Dotted Counting Cards

Dotted cards are made with index cards and colored dot stickers. I made a card for each number 1-10, with the numeral written beside the dots. Children count aloud verbally as they place each math counter on each dot. They use these when they are beginning to learn counting to help them place the correct amount of math counters on the card.

Grid Games

Children roll a game die, identify the number (or amount of dots) on the die, and count out that amount of game pieces to place on the grid game. They continue playing until the grid is full. The grid games can be designed to accomodate different skill levels by making more or fewer grids or spaces on the game and by using teacher-made dice. If I have a child who can count up to 3, I give that child a die with numerals 0-4 on it, so that they can be more successful than they would with a 1-6 die, yet also can practice counting higher than 3.

Sand Box Numeral Writing

Children practice writing numerals in the sand with their finger. The sand box is just a wooden box (originally a game came in it) with about a 3-inch rim around it, with enough colored art sand to cover the bottom.

Pattern Block Geometric Designs

Children love to make their own designs with the pattern blocks. The rules are that the blocks must lay flat and must touch on at least one side.

Button Sorting

These plastic buttons are found in most educational supply catalogs, usually in the art section with collage materials. They come in a variety of colors and shapes: triangle, rectangle, square, circle, oval, diamond, heart, star, octagon. I use them for math because they are great for sorting by shape. The children sort each shape into clear plastic punch cups.

Pattern Trains

At small group, we begin each new pattern by working with a partner to make a train. To make an AB pattern, two children work together, and each choose a color of Unifix cubes they want to use. The children take turns adding a color to make a pattern train with the cubes. We do the same when we start AABB patterns. In the math center, I place a tray of Unifix cubes (each color sorted into a different cup), with pattern cards. Children duplicate the patterns on the pattern cards, or make their own patterns. The Unifix pattern cards can be printed at the Math Their Way website.

Stencil Patterns

I bought plastic stencils at craft stores that have the same picture in a row (like the pink one in the photo). For example, a row of hearts or a row of stars. I also made some of my own stencils with strips of construction paper by punching out shapes with the paper craft punchers (like the black one in the photo). They work just as well and last awhile. Children clip the stencils onto a strip of paper with clothespins and color a pattern with the stencil. The kids enjoy doing this at small group and the math center.

Sorting Pom Poms by Size

Children sort craft pom poms by size into the three different sized jars.

Cookie Cutter Sizes

Children arrange the cookie cutters in order by size. They can place them in a row, or place them one inside the other.

Ice Cube Tray Graph

We use an ice cube tray for a hands-on graph. I place several kinds of counters into a sorting tray. You can use counters of different types or all one type but different colors. Children roll a game die, determine the amount, and count out that amount of counters to place in the graph. I teach them to start at the bottom of the graph and go up the column when they place the counters. They roll the die a second time, determine the amount and place a different type of counters in the second column of the graph. Children look at the graph to determine which has the most, least, or same amount.