Sunday, June 19, 2011

Math Work Stations!

I finally sat down & started looking at Debbie Diller's book, but I am only on Chapter 2.  I'm still in the very beginning stages of this new venture, but I'm excited!  I am certain that, even though I teach third grade, I will be able to adapt ideas to fit my students' needs and  will help me tackle a Math Workshop much more successfully once the stations are in place!

I found really cute plastic trays at wonderful Dollar Tree yesterday, and I bought enough for a class set!  I think they'll make really functional math mats.  I thought about placemats, because there were they originally caught my eye {with the same bright polka dot patterns}, but I'm pretty sure that these will outlast any placemat!  I'm in LOVE...and they match my classroom!  :)


As I said, I am just beginning to read the book, so I haven't had the opportunity to really create anything spectacular, but I've made two itty bitty documents that I'd love to share with all of you!




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35 comments:

  1. Mrs. SaoudJune 19, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Great post. Its a party over at Primary. Link up with us. Any chapter welcomed!!

    Cheryl :)
    Primary Graffiti

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  2. Clutter-Free ClassroomJune 19, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    OMG...I bought those same trays for the same purpose. They make me happy to look at them. I can't wait to see what you come up with for 3rd grade as that's what I teach too. :) Jodi from The Clutter-Free Classroom
    www.CFClassroom.com

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  3. KristenJune 19, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Those are adorable--they look like the perfect size too.
    Kristen :)

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  4. KristenJune 19, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Oh, I forgot to add, I LOVE that 100s chart!! Thank you so much for the freebie. It's too funny, I just downloaded that font that has the gumball machine today. I just love those little picture fonts!!

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  5. Kreative in KinderJune 19, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    THANKS for these cute freebies! I am knee deep in my grad school assignments that I haven't been able to make anything yet but I love reading the posts. I am curious what you will do with these fabu trays. I can't wait to read more!
    ~Crystal
    www.kreativeinkinder@blogspot.com

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  6. Learning with Mrs. ParkerJune 19, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Please link up your Chapter 2 learnings over at my blog.

    www.learningwithmrsparker@blogspot.com

    It is not too late!

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  7. Mrs. McHaffieJune 19, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    I love it!! I JUST bought those EXACT trays for the same purpose. I started reading the book on Friday and stopped by the beloved Dollar Tree today!!! :) Love it!

    Kelly
    Beg, Borrow, Steal
    www.mchaffiek.blogspot.com

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  8. Ashley NicholsJune 19, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Love Love Love the trays! I saw those the other day too but couldn't justify cause I didn't have a purpose for them...but this is the perfect purpose!! They totally belong in the Polka Dot Patch!! :) Thanks!

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  9. Miss KindergartenJune 19, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I saw the trays at the Dollar Tree too! The polka dots are too cute to pass up! Thanks for the freebies :)

    Hadar
    Miss Kindergarten

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  10. Mrs. CJune 19, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I am running and I mean running to Dollar Tree!

    littlemisskindergarten.blogspot.com

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  11. RachelleJune 19, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    I love those trays! I'm going to go get some! LOOOOVE the idea, thanks!
    -Rachelle
    whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

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  12. ElisabethJune 19, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Love the tray idea!!!!! I love the colors and polka dots too! So fun! I hope that next time I'm around a Dollar Tree they still have them! :) Thanks for the freebies and your neat ideas!!


    Elisabeth
    www.missdelk.blogspot.com

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  13. vgwJune 19, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Thanks for the freebies. I am looking forward to using these with my kiddos.

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  14. Lessons LearnedJune 19, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    aww man, just when I think I am going to save some money you go bust out a class set of polka dot trays AND in my colors!!! Guess I'm going to the $ Tree tomorrow. Thanks again for your awesome freebies. ;)
    Lessons Learned

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  15. Pat's Paper PassionJune 19, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    There isn't a Dollar Tree in my area, but will look at our Dollar General...keep my fingers crossed. LUV the dots and bright colors. Thanks for the idea.
    Pat
    http://atimetoshareandcreate.blogspot.com/

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  16. MeganJune 20, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    I'm looking forward to see how you use these in your class. I've taught 4th and 5th grade so I'm looking for opportunities to adapt your ideas!

    Megan
    http://blackboardandbeyond.blogspot.com/

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  17. TessaJune 20, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    I have a polka dot theme in my room and I was drawn to these! I didn't get them because I couldn't think of a good enough use! Now I have one!
    Thanks!

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  18. UnknownJune 20, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    *love* the trays!! Thanks for the math freebie, too!
    Jennifer
    http://firstgradeblueskies.blogspot.com/

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  19. Precious Perks (Leigh)June 20, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    I saw these recently as well and didn't know how I could use them. Great idea!!
    Leigh
    http://perciousperks.blogspot.com/

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  20. Precious Perks (Leigh)June 20, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Love the trays!! Thanks so much!!!

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  21. TinaJune 20, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    I will be going to the Dollar Tree soon!

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  22. Mel DJune 20, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Is the $ tree open @ 11 pm??? JK I am so there tomorrow. Thanks for posting the freebies as well.

    Mel D

    Oh the Places We’ll Go

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  23. TaraJune 21, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Thanks for posting the cute trays!! Got some, soooo excited:) I love your blog!! I found some adorable mini dominoes at Dollar Tree as well. Posted some pics and ideas on my blog
    4th Grade Frolics. Check me out:)

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  24. KelliJune 21, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Where do you get your super cute fonts and borders?

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  25. Mrs. DugginsJune 21, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    These are fabulous trays! I am a Dollar-Tree-A-Holic! Thanks for sharing the files as well. Just recently found your blog and I love it. I am new at the blogging thing, but I'm trying to figure it out!
    http://dugginsdoodlebugs.blogspot.com/

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  26. Karen DayJune 22, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    I LOVE me some Dollar Tree!! I will have to swing by, I haven't been there this week. I know several 3 and 4th grade teachers who use literacy work stations just fine. I think that math work stations will work well, since the basic ideas and goals are the same.

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  27. Mrs. CJune 22, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Does a regular sized piece of paper lay inside these trays?
    littlemisskindergarten.blogspot.com

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  28. MelissaJune 23, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    I totally bought one of those trays too... I'm totally on board with the polka dots and bright classroom colors!

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  29. Miss Nguyen's ClassJune 23, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    I went to my local Dollar Tree and they didn't have any! I am also reading Debbie Diller's Math Work Stations book and I am addicted. I seriously can't put it down. Right now, I am debating between using tubs or trays for my math work stations. Such a difficult decision to make! I have seen both trays and tubs being used but heard tubs was the way to go!

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  30. AmandaJune 24, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Thanks everyone! I'm glad you like the idea. I was hooked by the bright colors! Mrs. Coe, a regular sized piece of paper does fit inside of the tray... but it's not much bigger than that aside from the lips. I'll be storing everything in tubs. I just wanted something to help manage materials better during work stations. Even my third graders have a tendency to lose pieces. :)

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  31. Pocketful of LittlesJune 24, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    I love those trays! My dollar store only had the very large bowls left.I am going to check again because I love polka dots and thanks for the freebie!


    www.pocketfullofkinders.blogspot.com

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  32. DianeJune 25, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Thanks for sharing these trays. I just love them! I love things with bright colors and also polka-dots. I went to two Dollar Tree stores and couldn't find them. I just found some matching towels. There are many more stores in the area, so I'll keep checking.

    Thanks, also, for the freebies!

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  33. AnonymousJune 26, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    Love your trays! Couldn't find any at our Dollar Store. Will keep checking. Thanks for all you inspiration. You have encouraged me to create my own blog. You are AMAZING!!

    Dana
    http://inspiredtoteach.blogspot.com

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  34. DianeJuly 12, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    I checked 3 stores and couldn't find them. I gave up until I told my good friend, who also is a teacher and loves Dollar Tree Store. She found some, so I went to that store and I found them at one more store. I found them under some solid colored trays. I am so excited and thank you for the idea on how to use them. I already use polka-dots in my classroom. These will fit in perfectly!

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  35. Victoria August 1, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    I thought about these awesome trays when I was at the Dollar Tree today. I didn't look for them, but I thought about how you had such a great idea. As always, you are a creative teacherista! You rock! :)

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