Most of us work very hard at creating a literature rich environment for our children. Not many of us work as hard at creating an environment that fosters a love of math. Setting up a math-lab is an easy way to make math fun and accessible.
I had a math lab for my older kids, but by the time my third was old enough to appreciate it the area had somehow morphed into a “preschool table”. After some recent discussions on TWTM boards I decided to turn it back into a math-lab. This is the space I have to work with. The table is small, but large enough to spread manipulatives and papers out. The shelves are right beside the table which allows the student to reach over for materials while working at the math-lab. There is space on the wall for cards, sheets, or games. There is also a ledge up top for things that I want out but not within too close of a reach.
These are most of the materials I have to work with. Most of my Right Start math materials are still in their RS drawer because, well, because I don’t want anyone touching them. As much as I love the idea of the kids using manipulatives to their heart’s desire I also love being able to sit down and do math with Aidan without spending half an hour hunting down all of the materials we’ll need first.
Manipulatives:
Wooden pattern blocks, peg board and pegs, geoboards and elastics, cuisennaire rods, abacus, beads and string, coloured tiles, shape puzzle, and linking cubes.
Stories:
I arranged the manipulatives and books on the shelves beside the table – within easy reach of any student working at the math-lab.
Next I got out most of our games, game books, pattern cards, and activity books. Some of these, like the games books, will just be shelved next to the table. The activity books will have to be photocopied and placed in folders for easy access. Most of the activities are self-directed. Aidan and Jacob (ages 5 and 7) can pull out an activity sheet, get the manipulatives and get to work on their own. There are games they can play together, games they can play on their own and games they can play with me. I’m missing my Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks games – no clue where those are right now. I’m also missing my Right Start Math Games book. The Miquon Math materials are really nice for independent math-lab work.
Then I found a cute set of math readers, Math Madness, that can be read independently at about a grade 2 level. I decided to house those in the math-lab as well.
Ta-da! Here we are – a completed math lab. The games, books, and activity guides as well as a folder of photo-copied activity sheets are all in the bottom shelf. The middle shelf houses manipulatives, geobards, abacus and peg board. The top shelf has more manipulatives and shape puzzles on it. On top of the shelving unit is a magnetic stand-up board with storage – I have magnetic shapes in there for matching and patterning. The sentence wall can be used for different games – like making tens with dot or number cards. The magnetic hundred board is propped up on the table and is sadly missing a few pieces – must find them. The drawers on the table are supplied with scissors, erasers, pencils and crayons. I have the scale and the balance beam on the top ledge as well as a money jar with coins in it. There is a paper hundred board taped to the surface of the table for quick reference. Now it’s all ready for the kids : )
I have the Math Madness books too, (and the science ones)- I need to collect our materials b/c I’m sure minus the geoboard, we’ve got a math lab of our own. Now to set it up to be used in a designated spot…
Thank you Sarah for posting this,
Jessica 🙂
Thank you for posting this. I frequent TWTM boards and I am also surfing on the math wave. I also have created a literature-rich environment for my dc. Your husband’s words are but an echo of my dh. I appreciate the tips you have shared and the new light that has been shone on the darkenss of my personal “like” for math.
Oooh, looks good! I have a math drawer and lots of math-y books, but none of it easily accessible. Out of sight, out of mind. I want a math-rich environment, too.
Lee
Thanks for this great description of how to set up a math lab. I’m brimming with inspiration ^^