Guided Math Resource Compilation

This post is a one-stop compilation of math teacher resources for Guided Math in the elementary grades K-5. For ease of finding just what you need for your grade level, use the headings to jump to different components of the guided math block, then click your grade level. Our hope is this Guided Math Resource Compilation will give you the most up-to-date resources to make your best math block.

MATH WARM-UP

A math warm-up is a number talk set to all different learning standards throughout the school year. The problems and numbers used in these math mini-lessons are designed to elicit certain strategies. As students explain and defend solutions, they will have an opportunity to collectively reason about solutions and to make connections between key mathematical structures. These number chats are a key component for students to develop flexibility with numbers. The main thing to remember during a math warm-up is to emphasize and focus on the process and strategies for solving rather than the answer.

Digital or Printable Math Warm-Ups

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

WHOLE GROUP MATH INSTRUCTION

Guided Math includes both whole-group and small-group teaching. Whole-group instruction in the guided math structure is shorter than a traditional math lesson. We no longer teach to the middle-to-high range of the standard for our full math block. We now know that our students come with a wide range of skills and abilities which require more individualized instruction.

For this reason, we teach our whole-group math lessons in a mini-lesson format and immediately follow that up with seeing students in small groups. This is how all of the guided math lessons are structured in my Guided Math curriculum. Each whole-group mini-lesson also contains the teacher-led small-group instruction and materials. While teachers may not need both every single day, they can use the information to do what is best for the students in the room.

Guided Math Curriculum Standards-Based Instruction

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Example of a Kinder Guided Math lesson plan. Each grade level follows a similar format.

SMALL GROUP MATH INSTRUCTION

Over the last decade, we have made many important instructional shifts, such as seeing students more in the small-group setting. Not only for reading instruction, but for math instruction as well. As stated above, the guided math format includes a whole group mini-lesson followed by small-group instruction to ensure every student’s needs are being met.

Imagine the impact of immediate help after instruction for every student. It’s actually not impossible to structure your math block this way. Rather than spending an hour explaining a concept to students who may or may not get it the first time, we can sit in a small group and actually facilitate students as they solve and work through those same problems. It’s a highly effective practice. This post goes more in-depth on this procedure.

Teacher-Led Small Group Math Instruction

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

GUIDED MATH WORKSTATIONS

Below, I will share math teacher resources for five different workstations that I use to teach Guided Math. These Math Stations do not all need to be done. You can choose what works well for your own students. For each math workstation, I have also linked the resources for grade levels K-5. Together, the five workstations make up my Math STACK which is the acronym I use to run workstation time. More information is shared about STACK further down in this post.

HANDS-ON MATH WORKSTATIONS

Workstations are one of the most known markers of a guided math classroom. In fact, many teachers still believe that just having station time equals guided math. While stations are an integral part of guided math, they are just one of many important components of the guided math block. A fan favorite for good reason, math workstations are an engaging way for students to develop mathematical skills while also actively participate in daily learning.

Math Stations by Standard

Kindergarten Stations by Standard

First Grade Stations by Standard

Second Grade Stations by Standard

Third Grade Stations by Standard

Fourth Grade Stations by Standard

Fifth Grade Stations by Standard

MATH JOURNAL WORKSTATION

Math journals allow students to put knowledge and processes directly to paper. Journaling creates an interactive lesson that combines motor skills development with math lessons. The created journal adds an accessible resource that math teachers can use to gain rapid insight into student applications and progress.

Journaling itself can be a fun activity as students build their own books, cutting, gluing, and otherwise crafting their way into valuable math lessons. Students often value the journal more after making it, helping it to survive as a reliable record of learning throughout the year.

Math Journal Workstation

Kindergarten CCSS TEKS Numbers Notebook

First Grade CCSS TEKS Numbers Notebook

Second Grade CCSS TEKS Numbers Notebook

Third Grade Math Journal

Fourth Grade Math Journal

Fifth Grade Math Journal

DIGITAL GUIDED MATH FOR TECHNOLOGY

For our technology rotation and as a way to push out standards-based activities taught in the Guided Math Curriculum for extra work at home or otherwise, we now have Digital Guided Math. These are device-based interactive lessons for every standard for the year.

Kindergarten Digital Guided Math

First Grade Digital Guided Math

Second Grade Digital Guided Math

Third Grade Digital Guided Math

APPLICATION AND INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

Whether you choose to do independent practice as part of your workstations or as homework, skill pages are always helpful to allow students the application of skills. Being the most abstract and independent version of math practice, skill pages are used after the concepts are taught and practiced.

Kindergarten Standard Practice Pages

First Grade Standard Practice Pages

Second Grade Standard Practice Pages

Third Grade Standard Practice Pages

Fourth Grade Skill Pages Bundle

Fifth Grade Skill Pages Bundle

GUIDED MATH STACK MEGA BUNDLE

STACK is an acronym management system for running the guided math workshop class model. Using STACK, students can practice and apply math concepts in many modalities and formats using the foundation of mathematical practice standards.

Most importantly, STACK gives structure to the Guided Math classroom, providing students and teachers with an effective system for building a well-rounded math experience. Each letter in the word STACK is a component of the Guided Math workshop. STACK includes all the items below.

• S stands for Small Group
• T stands for Technology
• A stands for Apply Math
• C stands for Create Math
• K stands for Kinesthetic Math

I have many blog posts devoted to every part of Math STACK. If you’d enjoy having 3 rotations rather than 5, you can create your own math workstation schedule that fits your needs! Here’s how I edit and manage Math STACK. If you want a year of teacher resources for just one of the five areas of Math STACK, you can find them within the bundles below.

The MEGA Bundle of Materials for Math STACK

Kindergarten Math STACK

First Grade Math STACK

Second Grade Math STACK

Third Grade Math STACK

Fourth Grade Math STACK

Fifth Grade Math STACK

MATH INTERVENTION

While small-group instruction goes hand in hand with intervention, sometimes we need to address more significant areas of concern in our students. For this, we have an all-in-one progress monitoring RTI tool for math intervention. This resource gives teachers everything needed to address the math intervention needs for K-2.

Math Intervention Bundle K-2

GUIDED MATH HOME CONNECTION

Keeping families informed of our guided math studies is easy with the home connection! Simply send home the information sheet each time you start a new Guided Math skill or unit. Parents will be equipped with math vocabulary and an overarching understanding of concepts being taught.

Home Connection

Kinder

First

Second

Third

Fourth

FREE GUIDED MATH STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

Let’s get aligned! For every grade level, I have a free standards alignment guide. Each lesson is aligned to both Texas TEKS and CCSS.

Here is an excerpt of the alignment guide from unit 5 of first grade.

Free Standards Alignment

Kindergarten

First Grade 

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

BOOK A GUIDED MATH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We would love to come facilitate a Guided Math professional development workshop for your school or district! For information on what we offer, visit THIS POST.

GET THE BOOK AND FREE BOOK STUDY

Take it at your own pace with Guided Math AMPED. For a deeper dive into creating your best math block, you can read my book. Paired with the resources in this Guided Math Resource Compilation post, you will be set to love your math block while creating empowered mathematicians. Contact us if you have any questions.