M is for Math Mats!

Throughout the year, we will be using our Math Mats during our hands-on activities.  The Math Mats not only give us a specific space to work within, but it allows us to take a gallery walk around our classroom to see whose thinking was similar to yours and whose was different.  Taking a gallery walk enables us to see that there is more than just one way to solve a problem!

Our first Math unit is on sorting.  During one of our hands-on activities, students were given different manipulatives to sort by color.

 

After completing the activity, the students were given time to explore the manipulatives.  During this free exploration period, several students began creating and sharing their patterns with others, who also began creating and sharing patterns.  Even without a gallery walk, the sharing of ideas occurred spontaneously!