Elementary Math Block Structure Ideas

If you are a first, second, third, fourth, or fifth grade classroom teacher and are looking for ideas related to how to structure your math block so you can fit in everything you need to, then you found the right place!  I receive lots of questions from teachers all around the world about this topic. One of the most popular questions I receive is, “What does your math block look like?”  In this blog post, I’ll address this question and talk about all the things related to designing a math block that produces high levels of student engagement, understanding, and academic performance.

This blog post will…

• explain what a balanced math block schedule looks like
• share the solution to the problem of not being able to fit everything into your math instructional and learning block
• offer math workshop with guided math sample block and rotation schedules for 60 minute, 75 minute, and 90 minute math blocks

What does a balanced math block look like?

A balanced math block must have the following 10 components daily:

1. whole group lesson where you deliver standards-based grade level content in short and engaging ways (read alouds, interactive presentations, videos, etc.)
2. differentiated small group instruction that meets the individual needs of your students
3. hands on learning opportunities that fully engages students in their learning and empowers them to look at the concepts and skills in different ways
4. spiral review practice that revisits previously-taught concepts and skills, giving students the opportunity to reinforce learning
5. math fact practice that is developmentally-appropriate and engaging
6. independent practice that gives students the opportunity to practice a growth mindset, persevere, and practice previously-taught skills
7. formative assessment that you use to collect data and inform instruction
8. writing and math integration that promotes higher order thinking and reflection
9. math talk and vocabulary practice with teacher, peers, and class
10. use of math manipulatives to develop a strong conceptual understanding of the math concepts and skills

How do I fit everything into my math block schedule?

It doesn’t matter if you teach 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, there is one way to fit in everything you need into your math block: Math workshop with guided math.  This blog post will share some information about how I use math workshop with guided math, but I do a deep dive into how to launch math workshop with guided math in this resource. Check it out if you are interested in learning more!

How to Fit Math Workshop with Guided Math into Your 60 Minute Math Block

If you have 60 minutes to teach math, then check out these math block models:

OPTION A: 

:00-:10 – Mini Lesson

:10-:11 – Transition (from the whole group area to the first rotation)

:11-:21 – Math Workshop Rotation 1

:21-:22 – Transition (from the first rotation to the second rotation)

:22-:32 – Math Workshop Rotation 2

:32-:33 – Transition (from the second rotation to the third rotation)

:33-:43 – Math Workshop Rotation 3

:43-:44 – Transition (from the third rotation to the fourth rotation)

:44-:54 – Math Workshop Rotation 4

:54-:55 – Transition (from the fourth rotation to the whole group area)

:55-:60 – Closing

OPTION B: 

Days 1 & 3

:00-:12 – Mini Lesson

:12-:13 – Transition (from the whole group area to the first rotation)

:13-:33 – Math Workshop Rotation 1

:33-:34 – Transition (from the first rotation to the second rotation)

:34-:54 – Math Workshop Rotation 2

:54-:55 – Transition (from the second rotation to the whole group area)

:55-:60 – Closing

Days 2 & 4

:00-:12 – Mini Lesson

:12-:13 – Transition (from the whole group area to the third rotation)

:13-:33 – Math Workshop Rotation 3

:33-:34 – Transition (from the third rotation to the fourth rotation)

:34-:54 – Math Workshop Rotation 4

:54-:55 – Transition (from the fourth rotation to the whole group area)

:55-:60 – Closing

How to Fit Math Workshop with Guided Math into Your 75 Minute Math Block

If you have 75 minutes to teach math, consider one of these math workshop schedules:

OPTION A: 

:00-:15 – Mini Lesson

:15-:16 – Transition (from the whole group area to the first rotation)

:16-:28 – Math Workshop Rotations 1

:28-:29 – Transition (from the first rotation to the second rotation)

:29-:41 – Math Workshop Rotations 2

:41-:42 – Transition (from the second rotation to the third rotation)

:42-:54 – Math Workshop Rotations 3

:54-:55 – Transition (from the third rotation to the fourth rotation)

:55-:67 – Math Workshop Rotations 4

:67-:68 – Transition (from the fourth rotation to the whole group area)

:68-:75 – Closing

OPTION B: 

Days 1 & 3

:00-:15 – Mini Lesson

:15-:16 – Transition (from the whole group area to the first rotation)

:16-:41 – Math Workshop Rotation 1

:41-:42 – Transition (from the first rotation to the second rotation)

:42-:67 – Math Workshop Rotation 2

:67-:68 – Transition (from the second rotation to the whole group area)

:68-:75 – Closing

Days 2 & 4

:00-:15 – Mini Lesson

:15-:16 – Transition (from the whole group area to the third rotation)

:16-:41 – Math Workshop Rotation 3

:41-:42 – Transition (from the third rotation to the fourth rotation)

:42-:67 – Math Workshop Rotation 4

:67-:68 – Transition (from the fourth rotation to the whole group area)

:68-:75 – Closing

How to Fit Math Workshop with Guided Math into Your 90 Minute Math Block

If you have 90 minutes to teach math, consider one of these elementary math block schedules:

OPTION A: 

:00-:15 – Mini Lesson

:15-:16 – Transition (from the whole group area to the first rotation)

:16-:31 Math Workshop Rotations 1

:31-:32 – Transition (from the first rotation to the second rotation)

:32-:47 – Math Workshop Rotations 2

:47-:48 – Transition (from the second rotation to the third rotation)

:48-:63 – Math Workshop Rotations 3

:63-:64 – Transition (from the third rotation to the fourth rotation)

:64-:79 – Math Workshop Rotations 4

:79-:80 – Transition (from the fourth rotation to the whole group area)

:80-:90 – Closing

OPTION B: 

Days 1 & 3

:00-:15 – Mini Lesson

:15-:16 – Transition (from the whole group area to the first rotation)

:16-:46 – Math Workshop Rotation 1

:46-:47 – Transition (from the first rotation to the second rotation)

:47-:77 – Math Workshop Rotation 2

:77-:78 – Transition (from the second rotation to the whole group area)

:78-:90 – Closing

Days 2 & 4

:00-:15 – Mini Lesson

:15-:16 – Transition (from the whole group area to the third rotation)

:16-:46 – Math Workshop Rotation 3

:46-:47 – Transition (from the third rotation to the fourth rotation)

:47-:77 – Math Workshop Rotation 4

:77-:78 – Transition (from the fourth rotation to the whole group area)

:78-:90 – Closing