This January has had such wild weather.  We were all tucked in for a fabulous winter storm that left our yard looking more like a skating rink than a winter wonderland. Now it is 70 degrees, but we could have flurries next week?  I dunno, but Mother Nature must be in a tizzy lately!

Let’s talk about how to keep teachers out of the winter ups and downs! February is right around the corner.  NOW is the time to get prepared. Let’s talk centers.

Center Organization 



Once you spend all that time printing, laminating, and cutting out centers you want to be able to use them year after year.  However, they are so hard to keep organized!  SO.MUCH.STUFF! LOL!

I found the best way for me to keep up with my centers was by using large clasp envelopes. I would print out the cover sheet and directions. Then, I glued them onto the envelope.  If I was realllllly sweet to the laminator and it was in a good mood, I would run the envelope through. Before running the envelope through, break OFF the metal clasps.  These can sometimes jam the laminator.  After cutting out the envelope, I would run my scissors along the opening and slit the lamination.  Boom!  Custom, durable center envelope! All the cards, recording sheets, and materials could be stored in the envelope.

I stored all my centers in large plastic totes.  I LOVED these. They are the letter size “Show Offs” by Sterilite.  I bought mine a while ago at Wal-Mart (hence the solid blue top). You can also buy them on Amazon here.
You can pack TONS of centers in these! Some of mine are even in baggies (when I was lazy), but I prefer the clasp envelop method above.
I kept all my center totes (I had several) in a storage closet in school.  This made them easy to access, but out of the way.  They are also perfect for storing on top of cabinets and shelves since they are contained and the lids will keep the dust out!
I grouped the centers by concept.  The box pictured was my addition box.  It contained all my centers for addition.  However, you could also divide yours by month. If you are looking for EASY, monthly centers, I have just the thing!
February Math Centers
I have differentiated math centers all for the month of February.   Six of the eight centers are tiered so all students can work on the same skill, at a different level of difficulty. Counting all the differentiated activities, this pack actually contains 19 different activities. The following concepts are covered:
  • Addition
  • Subtraction
  • Place Value
  • Time
  • Fractions
  • Money

 

Adding-
Adding three numbers using a hundreds chart.
This is a differentiated activity with two levels: adding using a hundreds chart with hints and adding with a hundreds chart without hints. Please note all the problems are the same, only the presentation is different.
Subtraction- Subtracting problems and then sorting the
difference into one of two different categories
 

This is a differentiated activity with six levels: two-digit subtraction with no regrouping and sorting differences into even and odd, two-digit subtraction with regrouping and sorting into regrouping or no regrouping, two-digit subtraction across zeroes and sorting differences into evens and odds, three-digit subtraction with no regrouping and sorting differences into evens and odds, three-digit subtraction with regrouping and sorting into regrouping or no regrouping, three-digit subtraction across zeroes and sorting differences into evens and odds.

Place
Value-
Comparing numbers with <, >, or =
This is a differentiated activity with three levels: comparing expanded and word form, comparing with mixed up expanded form and word form, comparing with mixed place value review. Please note all the problems are the same, only the presentation is different.

 

Time- There are two different centers for telling time.
The first center is telling time. This is a differentiated activity with three levels: telling time to the nearest hour, to the nearest half-hour, and the nearest five minutes. The second center is a puzzle activity matching time to the nearest five minutes in digital, analog, and words.
 
Fractions- Identifying halves, thirds, fourths, and wholes.
Please note, this
is the only center without differentiation.
 
Money- Two different centers are included for money.
In the first center students match the collection of coins to the amount.
In the second center, students solve money word problems. This is a differentiated activity with two levels.  The problems are identical but one set of cards provides coin pictures as cues. In addition to the centers, there are three different extra practice worksheets to remediate for each academic skill/ center.  These would be great as assessments, independent work, or an early finisher activity. There are a total of 18 extra worksheets.  Answer keys are included when possible.
I have a sweet treat for you!  These centers are 20% off until February 1st!
Click here for this great pack of FREE math centers, plus get tips and updates from me!
If you would like more ideas from me, be sure to follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers, Pinterest, and Facebook to catch all the freebies and ideas and more!

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