Manage Mats

[kendallj]

I had a question about the manage mats. Do they only come in a square shape? Only for groups of 4? A kindergarten teacher is asking me to have them for the use of octogon shaped tables seating more than 4 in a square shape. Do they make them in any other shape or kind?

[rachel.treaster]

I am so excited to share that Kagan has a brand new Primary book rolling out very soon! The author, Melissa Wincel, addresses ways to number your students off and gives examples of primary mats that may be utilized when you have uniquely shaped tables in this extraordinary book!

[parkeratkagan]

Thanks for your interest! The Manage Mats are you inquired about though are only available in a square shape.

They are 2-sided, with the "Manage Mat" on one side to help students easily identify their Face partner, Shoulder Partner, Partner A/B, etc. The other side offers the "Fan-N-Pick" mat which leads students through Fan-N-Pick Structure and ensures that everyone is involved.

While the only shape offered is square, we also offer a variation of these mats specifically for team-based thinking and review sessions.

These products are called the TeamMat and sell for $14 for a set of 10, 2-sided mats. You can learn more about them by clicking here: http://www.kaganonline.com/catalog/coop ... _4.php#MTM

Thanks again and enjoy!

[parkeratkagan]

I should have mentioned that that the ManageMats are designed for teams of 4 because teams of four are the ideal team size for Kagan Structures.

Here's a good article you can read online why Dr. Kagan says teams of four are magic:

http://www.kaganonline.com/free_article ... -Are-Magic!

[jane1013]

When you use the management mat.... does it matter which achivement level is partner A or B? Or which Achievement Level is #1,2,3,4. I know (High and Middle-Low) and (Middle-High and Low) are shoulder partners. I also know that (Middle Low and Low) and (High Middle and High) are face partners. I just wasn't sure if there was any benefit to assigning them particular partner letters or table numbers.

[angelapink]

Great question! Sounds like you've got a pretty good understanding of heterogenous teams! You're correct, shoulder partners should be H + LM, and HM + L. Then face partners are similar levels with H + HM, and L+ LM. As for the numbers corresponding with levels, that is up to you. Some teachers really like to put all H as 1, then 2 LM, 3 L, 4 HM. This makes it easy to differentiate by using your numbers to form homogeneous teams. However, many teachers express their concern with students figuring out the levels. The numbers do not have to correspond to a specific level. A 1 could be a H at one team, while a 3 could be a high in another. As long as your shoulder partners are H + LM, and HM + L, then you got it! I hope this helps!