Using Fun File Folders in Centers for Math
Finding centers for math can be a challenge. Especially when you are working in a special education classroom. Many times teachers are having difficulty coming up with the resources and materials that their students need. Students can be at so many different levels in math. The regular education curriculum is not appropriate. And taking the time to adapt it is not within the hours of a teacher contract day. So, what can we do?
Well, often teachers in self-contained classrooms make materials themselves or purchase them from other places to use in centers for math. And when it comes to resources for my classroom I always like it when it’s something I know I can use in my classroom for the entire year, and have it planned and ready to go. So, here are some materials that I use in my classroom all year round. They can be used as centers for math with different options. My hope is that they will also do the same for you!
File Folders Used as Centers for Math
These file folders have been a hit with students in the classroom and teachers too! The best part is that there is a set for each month of the year, so while they work on the same skills, the themes change!
Every month there are 15 different file folders that focus on skills like:
This means you can teach students to complete them once, and they are ready to do it ALL YEAR LONG! The instructional routine does not change, just the fun images that make kids enjoy the work!
Ways to Make Centers for Math with File Folders
Independent Work
Some of the best ways I like using these is as an independent workstation in centers for math. I will make sure to assign the file folders that target the math skills I know my students can already do. This means that students can rotate around the classroom to this station that has all the file folders set up. Then they complete the file folders I assign independently at that station while I work with small groups or individual students.
Para-professional Run Station
Another way is setting up a paraprofessional-led center for math. This is where the adult will work with the student on new skills but with fun materials. These file folders are great for use in instruction to support students learning basic math concepts. They also can be used for collecting data on IEP goals with a simple data sheet keeping track of how many answers the students get correct. And no need to come up with something different for your paraprofessional to do with students each month because these are ready for the entire year!
Morning Work Center for Math
Use these folders at a center where students work at first thing in the morning while others are getting ready for the day. I used to love having something I knew my students could do in the morning so I could take care of things like attendance, lunch counts, and quick chats with families. I also would have paraprofessionals monitor students while they worked to ensure they stayed on task. And with the fun monthly themes, the students would get so excited to see what was inside them each month!
So, make your life easier by grabbing these file folders either in the individual sets that work for each month or the bundle (pictured below) that is meant for the year! By purchasing the year-long resource you are saving $$ and also saving yourself time. No need to have to set up something new when these folders are prepped for the year you have something students can do and you know it works!
