âThe journey for an education starts with a childhood question.â    – David L. Finn
As I played âConversion Concentrationâ with a small group of students at the Games Station, one student asked the inevitable question about conversions,
âWhy do we have to learn this stuff?â…
I donât remember Algebra being fun in school. I donât remember any hands-on experiences for anything in Algebra–including expressions. So, when I began teaching Algebra I was determined to make it concrete-to-pictorial-to-abstract and, above all else, it was going to be FUN!
One of the ways I do this is by incorporating roaches, flies, and ladybugs into my Algebra guided math lessons and into my Tabor Rotation math stations.…
The last two Tabor Rotation training sessions for the 2015-16 school year were full of excitement, enthusiasm, and receptivity. The days were amazingly positive, but what happened after the training was even more impressive. With just a few weeks left in the school year, participants went back to their classrooms and immediately began to use the strategies they learned.…
âTeaching is a calling, too. And, Iâve always thought that teachers, in their way, are holy- angels leading their flocks out of the darkness.â    -Jeannette Walls, Half Broken Horses
In September of 2013, I began to work with a team of teachers who were looking for a way to provide better math instruction to their students.…
What is expanded form and how do we make the practice of expanded form hands on and engaging?
Letâs start with the first question.
Expanded Form is…
âŚthe writing of a number to show the value of each digit.
âŚthe sum of each digit multiplied by its place value.…
The most popular math station during a week of Tabor Rotation? In every survey, formal or informal, the answer is always Teacher Time. This is the guided math station, of the Tabor Rotation Framework, where teachers plan to teach a small group of the most difficult concepts for the week.…
Does Tabor Rotation work withâŚ
âŚCCSS-Common Core State Standards?
âŚTEKS-Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills?
âŚCCGPS-Common Core Georgia Performance Standards?
âŚmy districtâs mandated curriculum?
…the new program my district just adopted?
The list could go on and on, but the answer to every one of the questions above is YES!…
âTalent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”    -Michael Jordan
Thatâs why teams working together at math stations are a vital component of the Tabor Rotation Framework. Effectively equipping teams for their work is imperativeâespecially in a math classroom at a math station!
When teachers begin to sophisticate their use of students working in math stations in a classroom, many questions arise.…
How do I make math stations more effective?
Whatâs the most important resource for Leaders and Co-Leaders?
How do I make sure that students arenât just receiving guided math instruction from me but are also guiding each other and themselves?
One answer is,
âMake sure you create a Leader Folder for every station and every activity during the Rotation to the 4 Stations [One of the 14 Essential Elements of the Tabor Rotation Framework and a vital component of a week of Tabor Rotation].â…