WHAT'S A MATH TUB?
Math Tubs are a technique I picked up from a workshop.  Essentially, they are two-player games that reinforce math skills, especially basic fact practice and logical thinking. 

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO HAVE TIME FOR THIS?
There are many ways to incorporate Math Tubs into your schedule.  I have personally found that the best way is to do them each Friday afternoon for about forty-five minutes.   They are seperate from center time because centers are independent activities (in my classroom) and Math Tubs encourage discussion.

WHAT SHOULD THEY LOOK LIKE?
If you have a real bathtub or can turn a container into a tub-looking thing, it would look a whole lot better than mine does!  The creator of the idea uses tubs (like I use to hold my centers), so the name fits a little better.  This is my first year using them, so I've still got a milk crate full of plastic baggies.   Inside each baggie is a 5x8 laminated index card with typed directions on it, and a few simple materials for playing the game.

HOW DO THEY WORK?
Pairs of students rotate through a tub of math activities.   They may only do one per session (for me, that's one per week), or they can do two per session.  Students need lots of time to master the rules of the game so they can focus on the math skills, determine patterns and strategies, and engage in higher-level thinking discussions.  This is a much less rushed time than centers.

HOW ARE KIDS PAIRED UP? 
Math Tub partners are selected by the teacher and are kept the same throughout the year (or quarter, or semester).  Students are generally paired by ability (more advanced with less advanced as a balance, or the highest kids paired together for additional enrichment and challenge) and, in my classroom, according to personality.  I don't like to pair kids who know each other too well because they'll play around, but if they don't like each other or are both very shy or competitive, there can be problems as well.  

WHAT'S THE POINT?  I ALREADY DO CENTERS!
When your kids are in centers, you're teaching a reading group.  You have no idea whether they're actually learning anything or have mastered the art of looking busy.  During Math Tubs, you are not responsible for instruction, so you are free to facilitate their work and engage students in meaningful conversations about what they're learning.  It's a great time to take anecdotal notes; work on-on-one with students who are struggling (academically or socially, because you'll have the time to help solve disputes and model problem solving skills); challenge high-achievers who are easily bored; model logistical thinking and encourage discussion (connecting words and math is difficult for many students); and assess children individually in a meaningful scenarios. 

Even if you don't use Math Tubs, you can still use the activities below as centers!!

Click on any picture for how to play/ directions!!

Facto: Basic Math Fact Practice

Pass Out (Multiplication Practice)