What makes a powerful, rigorous, and relevant math station activity?
1. Identify the content standard.
One of the activities that uses building blocks to concretely explore a concept is the Math Common Core State Standard from fourth grade, MCC4.OA.1a: Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.…
I have the distinct honor of working with some of the most dedicated educators on the planet. Some of these incredible educators have been trained in Project-Based Learning before learning more about the Tabor Rotation Framework. Those who believe in the power of PBL and small-group, differentiated instruction may have ask themselves this question,
“Can a classroom use Project-Based Learning and Tabor Rotation?…
âIf I had thought about it, I wouldnât have done the experiment. The literature was full of examples that said you canât do this.â    -Spencer Silver (inventor of Post-it adhesive)
People typically don’t read long blogs. But, this one is well worth the read! A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to visit a school who took a team of teachers who have used the Tabor Rotation Framework for a semester, a couple of available classrooms, an enthusiastic math specialist, a supportive administrative team, a little bit of time, a little bit of sweat, andâŚcreated a Math Lab!…
Questions, questions, questionsâŚI LOVE them! Why? I love questions from administrators and teachers, because if no one asks a question, then itâs highly unlikely that they will use the information. Tony Robbins says,
âSuccessful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.â…
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”    -Dorothy Parker
One of the most powerful tools a teacher has available is objective observation. In a differentiated math classroom, especially one that makes use of math stations, observation is essential. I was reminded of this in a conversation with an administrator who had hired me to assist her school in the sophisticating the ways in which they instruct mathematics.…
Maria Montessori says, âWe cannot create observers by saying âobserve,â but by giving them the power and the means for this observation.â I cannot agree more and that is why Clipboard Cruising is one of the 14 Essential Elements of the Tabor Rotation Framework. Clipboard Cruising, or constant and consistent teacher observation is complimented by two other Essential Elements of Tabor Rotation, Exit Questions and Math Journal Writing.…
âEvery success is built on the ability to do better than good enough.â
I’m beginning to understand Tabor Rotation, but what are readiness groups and why are they important?
The Tabor Rotation Framework asks teachers to flexibly group students in a variety of ways. Each week includes partner work, whole-group instruction, teachable moments with individual students, small group work with students of mixed abilities, and working with small groups of students who are grouped together according to their level of understanding of the concepts that are being explored that week.…
âThe doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.â -Flora Whittemore
âMy basic principle is that you donât make decisions because they are easy; you donât make them because they are cheap; you donât make them because theyâre popular; you make them because theyâre right.â…
“The only person who behaves sensibly is my tailor. He takes my measure every time he sees me. All the rest go on with their old measurements.”
-George Bernard Shaw
I was reminded of the importance of on-going assessment while watching my children swim at the neighborhood pool.…
âWhy go into something to test the waters ? Go into it to make waves.â
Pre-Assessment and On-Going Assessment are some of the Essential Elements of the Tabor Rotation Framework. They’re also foundational components in a differentiated classroom. Whether you’re sophisticating your methods for assessing your students or just beginning to use on-going assessments, they’re a great place to begin a journey differentiating instruction in a classroom.…
