Working with Peers - Math

     We are continuously trying to set up opportunities for children to work with each other.  I took a little look at how I am encouraging peer sharing in math lately.  Here's what I found:

This time of year, we are working on adding iconic or symbolic symbols to math thinking.  Each day, I ask children to share how they thought about a problem and to show their thinking.  In my classroom, this is usually done at the white board or easel with classmates sitting at carpet or at the document camera where all children have a white board or their journal to share.  With practice, we are getting better at listening to other's share and at sharing our thoughts.  I like to add a little more to think about to their work.  

We also try to work on problems together at our tables.  After writing or drawing, I sometimes ask them to take a moment to share their thoughts with someone sitting next to them.

After playing a game during math instruction time, I often leave the play materials for them to play more or develop new ways to play with each other.  Here children are trying out subtraction bowling and writing number sentences on their own!

These activities and more are available in our Understanding Addition and Subtraction Book.  Click on the caption for more information.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Year-Full-of-Kindergarten-Lessons-for-Understanding-Addition-and-Subtraction-1617989

Enjoy!   Molly