Accelerated Math

     I really love AM...it keeps the kids' juices flowing in math, and the kids (And I) see immediate results!  We do AM every Tuesday, and Thursday and spend anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes doing it.
     The whole collaborative pair, and the teacher as more of a guide thing works well here.  I also only do exercises, and tests.  I can't get into the practice, after practice then test ordeal.  The AM exercises/tests I print out are, for the most part, geared towards what we are covering in class (Regarding math).  In the beginning of the year, though, the exercises/tests are basic skills stuff.  I get all of the operations work out of the way.  This is also another way that lets me see who knows their stuff, and who doesn't.
     At the beginning I establish Math Helpers.  These are kids who excel in math.  As the year progresses, I appoint more math helpers.  I sit at my computer, the AM Assignment Book is up on the screen.  My primary job is pumping out work.  If any of my students need help, they raise their hands and a Math Helper goes to them.  When a kid is ready to scan, he/she raises their hand and I send them over to do it.  They staple their TOPS to their work, and place it in the intake bin.  If they scan and get a score lower than an 80% (Test or exercise)...they are to show me right away.  If there score is lower than an 80%, they are to fix what went wrong.  I send them back to their seat with a Math Helper.  When the work is corrected, I check it, and re-score the AM by hand in the computer.
     At any given time during our AM sessions, I have everyone working, and four to five Math Helpers moving around doing their job.  The kids help each other!  I usually give the Math Helpers the opportunity to do their AM on an off day (Mondays, or Wednesdays) during silent reading so they can keep up with their goals (Objectives).  This has been very successful.  By the end of the marking period the kids have made theirgoals, and they are each above 90%!
     Most of the time, if a kid is to reach concept attainment, they can do it faster and more efficiently when a peer helps them, or teaches them.
     We also keep a running chart.  For every objective met and mastered...a circle goes up on the chart next to the kid's name.  It usually becomes an in class math competition...who can make their goal the fastest.
     As I stated, if a kid scores lower than an 80% on an exercise or test they are to show me right away, then fix the mistakes, and I will rescore.  BUT, any of my students have the option of correcting their mistakes...especially considering that MOST of the mistakes are the result of carelessness, or not bubbling in correctly.  I hold on to the TOPS report while the kid fixes, I evaluate, then rescore in the computer!  Love AM!