Graphic Organizers/Dry Erase Templates in the Math Classroom

(Disclaimer – This post may include affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you.)

A year ago when I made the switch to 5th/6th grade math, I remember reading that the average student needs between 30-60 exposures of a specific skill to be able to replicate that skill on their own. That is for the average student too! This stat really resonated with me. It means that your typical 10-15 problems of independent practice at the end of a class period is NOT enough. Students need repeated exposure again and again. Even with this repeated exposure students may forget what they learned a couple of days or a week later.

Scaffolded Learning

I am a big fan of the gradual release method aka “I do,” “we do,” “you do.” However, there are always students in any classroom, that once you turn over the problem solving to them, they can’t seem to recall the steps, struggle to navigate their notes to find the steps, or just purely lack the organization required to implement the steps.

For these students, I turn to dry erase mats/math graphic organizers. I will make a dry erase template with the steps the students need to solve each problem. I will include any math symbols and organize it to where students simply have to plug in their problems and solve. By reading the steps, students are learning the math vocabulary and following the steps again and again.

I also love using these dry erase mats when I am having students complete IXL or my Boom Cards. To read more about my Boom Cards click on my blog post here.

How to use dry erase mats in the classroom

To use dry erase mats, I first start by making one copy for each student in class. You can then make them dry erasable with these Dry Erase Pocket Folders. You can also laminate them if you’re feeling fancy. I have the Scotch Laminator and I love it! You can use them for station or center teaching or even for intervention if a student is struggling with a topic.

Dry Erase Graphic Organizers in the Math Classroom: How I use them in my 5th/6th grade classes.

Do students become dependent on the mats?

Short answer, no. I only use these mats the first time they are exposed to a skill, or if they are struggling with a concept after the first exposure (i.e. in an intervention setting). I think it is important to know your students and decide when and how to use them. For instance, if students are grasping the concept without the mat, you may not need it. Also, once students can solve a problem proficiently with the mat, you can try replacing the graphic organizer with just a plain whiteboard. Sometimes, just having a handful available for struggling students may be enough.