Daily 3 Math - Math by Myself - for the Kindergarten Classroom

Time to digger a little deeper in to:

What is it?
Math by Myself pretty much is as it states - math that children can complete by themselves.  It is worksheets, games, activities, puzzles, etc. that students can complete because they already have the content knowledge from the awesome lessons that you have taught as a teacher.

How is it set up?
I have a shelf in my classroom that holds my Math by Myself baskets.  Each center (there are 9 for each unit) gets a basket.  I sometimes have 2-3 centers to pick from at Math by Myself and other times I have all 9 out.  As the year goes on, it is easier to have multiple centers at the Math by Myself station.* 

*Stations are the 3 main branches (Math by Myself, Writing, Math with a Partner)
 Centers are the options at each of the Stations (puzzles, race to 100, all about xx, sorts, ID pages, play-doh mats, flashcards, etc.)

How does it work?
After I teach a mini-lesson, students are able to pick a station.  They pick math writing, math by myself, math with a partner, or they may be pulled to my table for a small group.  At that station, they can work on any of the centers that are open.  They stay at their station for the entire Daily 3 Math block (it can range from 10 - 25 minutes depending on the math lesson that day) but they are free to pick between any of the centers that are open at that station.

How do they know what to do?
I slllllooooowwwwwllllllyyyyyyyyy introduce the stations and centers at the beginning of the year, starting with my first Unit: #0 - 10.  We practice each center together following the very common model:

 I use this model because I really want the students to understand what they are doing and how it should be done.  This is so important to me because if they can grasp it during the first unit at the beginning of the year, they are set and ready to roll for the rest of the year.  The units that I have created are modeled after one another so it makes it easy for the kids to use.  We spend a long time learning these stations during the first unit - it makes the rest of the year that much easier.  The choice at each station starts as just one simple center.  As we learn to do more centers together, they are added to the stations.  By the end of the unit (or sooner), they are choosing between 5 - 9 centers at each station.

How is this different than the old "math centers?"
My biggest complaint with the old "math centers" is that the kids forget what to do the next day.  I would explain math centers at the beginning of the week and the students would rotate through them (one center a day for the entire week).  Well, I was constantly getting questions.  How do I do this again?  What are we supposed to do here?  This model allows students to be independent, understand what they are supposed to do, and use their time more wisely.  My kids weren't getting to all the stations due to assemblies, field trips, snow, holidays, teacher work days, and weeks that weren't 5 days long.  This allows them to work at their own pace, have choice, and do what they want to do.  No need to make sure they do x worksheet and y worksheet.  The copies with old "math centers" were horrible.  So much to copy, so much to grade, so much to send home, such a waste.  I laminate everything!  I check in with students as they work.  We erase and re-use.  There is no center work going home.  Parents are able to see what they are doing in class through assessments, worksheets from mini-lessons, and twitter - they don't need center worksheets as well.

So, what do these centers at Math by Myself look like?
There are a wide range of centers at Math by Myself, but I will share a few freebies that will hopefully get you hooked today!

This is from Math by Myself Unit 1: #0 - 10 .... Students represent the number in multiple ways! This All About Center is carried out through every unit - the layout, questions, and representations just slightly change.  Again, just laminate & you are good to go!

 This is from my Math by Myself Unit 2: Teen Numbers - This is similar format to Unit 1 where students are working on identifying and representing numbers greater than the number given.  Again, just laminate & you are good to go!

 Who doesn't love a good puzzle!! This is from my Math by Myself Unit 3: Shapes - you print on cardstock & cut the triangle out.  Cut along the black lines.  Students work to put the puzzle together.  Each Math by Myself packet contains puzzles!

 Another All About, just in a different form!  This is from my Math by Myself Unit 4: Addition and Subtraction with 5.  Students represent and solve the equation in a variety of ways.  I laminate all the equations, stick them in a basket, and the kids work on various equations during Daily 3 Math time! 

This final freebie is from my Daily 3 Math by Myself Unit 5: Addition and Subtraction within 10.  This is the Equation ID.  The ID sheets are carried out through every Daily 3 Math by Myself packet!  For this unit & worksheet, students color in the equations that equal 7.  Again, I just laminate & let students use dry erase markers.  I walk around and check & then we reuse them the next day!

Be sure to check out all of my Daily 3 Math Products!
Math by Myself - Unit 1: # 0 - 10
Math by Myself - Unit 2: Teen Numbers
Math by Myself - Unit 3: Shapes
Math by Myself - Unit 4: Addition and Subtraction within 5
Math by Myself - Unit 5: Addition and Subtraction within 10
Or check out the Math by Myself BUNDLE which includes all 5 of these Math by Myself Units!

If you are feeling super adventurous, here is the MEGA Bundle, with All Daily 3 Math Stations for All 5 Units!  It is over 100 Centers for your Classroom!