Ever wonder why students love classroom transformations so much? Because, for a short period of time, they are transformed to another place- somewhere they haven't been before! If you're anything like me, our school days are very routine. Students know exactly what is going on from the start of their day to the end. With a classroom transformation, they are somewhere new; somewhere they have no idea what to expect. Changing up your routine once in a while makes for excitement while learning. In this post, I am going to explain all about one of my favorite classroom transformations, March Math-ness.
Benefits of a Transformation:
Before I dive into the specifics of March Math-ness, I wanted to highlight WHY you should join in on my love for transformations.
Enhanced Engagement: By transforming students to a place they have never been, they are becoming active participants in their learning.
Improved Teamwork: Through these engaging stations and the emphasis on teamwork, students work on their collaboration and communication skills.
Real-World Application: These centers were created with a real world approach for students to problem solve while in a new place. For example, they have to solve decimal problems to find out their total price at the concession stand.
Setting the Court:
Imagine you are on a basketball court. You see basketballs, team signs, basketball hoops, concessions, tickets, and so much more! Whenever I do a transformation, I try to immerse my students in the new environment and include surroundings they would see if they really traveled there. For March Math-ness, I use the colors black and orange to set the scene.
Here are some specific details for how I decorate. We ball on a budget in my classroom!
Tables: We use FIVE tables for the centers and ONE table for the concessions. Each table is covered with either table cloths from the dollar store or with butcher paper from the school supply closet. I cover each table using the same color. .
Team Lists: On one main wall, I always list out the team/group names for the day. I use heterogeneous groups for my transformations because I feel it makes them run more smoothly with everyone helps in their groups with everyone working together.
Timer: I always use timers in my classroom because I struggle to watch the clock. For this transformation, I used this basketball March Madness 20 minute timer for each center rotation.
Concessions: For the concession stand center, I allow students to get a snack. Usually, I provide a bag of chips per student and they eat their snack while working in that center. However, this year, parents sent in all the extras - large sized candy, sprite, and waters.
Basketball Streamers: I love adding "extras" so I hang basketball streamers in the room. My team and I bought just one pack and split it between our classrooms.
Balloons: This year, a room parent brought in balloons (also from the dollar store) and I love how they added excitement to the classroom. I placed one bundle of three by the concession stands and one outside our classroom door with our welcome sign for the day.
Basketball Hoop: As an addition, I added a basketball hoop. Previously, I used a white trash can with orange around the rim. While we still used that one, I decided to grab an over the door hoop from Amazon the week of the transformation. I hung this on my board and when I saw groups working hard, I would have them take a break to shoot a hoop or two.
Goodie Bags: This is the first time I have given goodie bags for this transformation. As you can imagine, my students loved them! A parent sent all the Amazon goodies in for us. I gave out the goodie bags at the end of the day, so they were not a distraction. Each student received a basketball pen, a basketball stress ball, and a basketball bracelet.
Tip Off:
You have your room set up and mapped out in your mind. Now, what are they going to do to relate basketball to math? Easy! They are going to work with fractions and decimals in real life application, as if they are at a basketball game. There are five basketball centers included, plus an early finishers activity of multiplication and division code breakers. They will spend 20 minutes (or your time of choice) at each center before the timer goes off. Then, they will move to the next center. They are working together the entire time, as I am walking around assisting in math and teamwork issues.
Home Side: Adding and Subtracting Fractions (with like denominators)
Halftime Show: Simplifying Fractions
Ticket Booth: Convert Fractions & Decimals (tenths and hundredths)
Concession Stand: Comparing Fractions & Decimals
Visitor Side: Multiplying whole numbers by Fractions - My standards don't require this anymore, so I took it out and used the Time Out code breakers as my 5th center.
Time Out: This is the multiplication and division code breakers for students to complete if they need a break or finish their center before the timer goes off.
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