B.U.I.L.D. Math Centers

I have adapted the "BUILD" math centers into our second grade classroom this year. I have never used it before so I'm definitely not an expert, but it seems to be a great management system and an easy way to keep revisiting topics while adding new ones to the mix.  I have read the BUILD acronym as a few different things, but the way we use it is:
B-Buddy Games
U-Using manipulatives
I-Independent math
L-Learning about numbers
D-Doing math

I feel like "I, L, and D" are fairly similar, but I have tried to do different things at those centers. I have a designated spot for each center and a shelf with manipulatives that students are welcome to use!  I love that students are using the word "manipulative" thanks to the centers!

Here is a quick breakdown of my basic center ideas:

B- Our school uses Envision math, so for the buddy games I use the math game at the beginning of the unit, then gradually add to it. Students are allowed to play games from any unit that we have introduced so far.  I also add fun games in there that go along with our topic. For example, during Fire Prevention Week I found a fun two player addition game. Our current unit is called "Addition Strategies" so it was perfect! They loved it.

U- I have three bins at this center labeled "help!" "right on" and "challenge." Students choose an appropriate bin and then see what activities are inside. Usually I confer with students about what bin they should be pulling from for whichever unit, but if they want to work together at the centers that is TOTALLY fine. Students are in mixed ability groups so that they can learn from each other and they don't necessarily need my help.

Ex: Help- matching cubes to numbers to develop number sense, using one ten frame and counters to make number sentences- find the tens frames here for FREE on teacherspayteachers
Ex: Right on- Using two tens frames and counters to make number sentences(find them here), doubles activities, doubles plus 1
Ex: Challenge- Place value activities using base ten blocks- I use this as a challenge activity because we have not yet talked about place value this year. If students can remember it from the end of first grade then they can gladly do those activities! If students aren't quite sure how to do it, I will pull them in a small group and review, and they usually catch on quick.

I just introduced this part-part-whole diagram to the manipulatives center today. I put some in each bin because students can adapt it to any level. I had one student ask questions like, "Can you tell me the parts?" "Can you tell me the whole?" "Can you give me an addition sentence about the diagram?" "Can you give me a subtraction sentence about the diagram?" It really made them think!

I- I copied number of the day activities from a book my mom gave me once. They are basic story problems, addition problems, and subtraction problems. I laminated these and students use dry erase markers to complete. I try to check over them before they use their pom-pom erasers to clear it off. This is done at their seats.

L-I have been putting math facts or matching numbers in different forms at this center. For example, students can quiz one another on math facts flash cards (dollar bin at Target again!) or they can complete matching puzzles that I found on Pinterest- and love! Check out Cassandra's post to get the puzzles!

One of my students brought in the Old Maid card game. I decided the students could play this at the L center since you have to match the number word to the number. However, I try to monitor it because there are more challenging activities they can do and I don't want them to always be playing Old Maid.

D-I tried to make this different from the I center by putting a little twist on it-- students CAN'T use manipulatives here. I want to see if they can do certain math activities without relying on manipulatives, and for the students that still need to- it pushes them to try without them! Activities that I have at this center are independent games like rolling two die, adding them up and creating a number sentence, or doing the same thing but making it subtraction. I also found some mini dry erase boards at target (go figure) that have addition and subtraction problems on them and they can write the sum or difference and wipe them down when they're done! They LOVE these little mini pages! I can't seem to find the link to the dice game, I will update when I find it!

Here is a picture of the mini dry erase boards!

Please feel free to comment with questions. I hope this helps you get started with math centers!

Have a wonderful week!
Taylor