Archive for November 2015
Sites to Support Math
After reading one of those brightly colored teacher mugs that said, “3 out of every 2 people have trouble with math,” we quickly recanted – It doesn’t have to be that way! Getting our students excited about math and creating genuine understanding is something we can achieve. Here are a few resources that might help…
Read MoreDrawing Pictures/Counting Fingers
The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple. -S. Gudder What a true statement! While we need to learn math facts and rules, they are not an end unto themselves. Math is about discovering new ways to think about numbers. Counting fingers and drawing pictures are…
Read MoreUsing Conferences to Differentiate
Look inside almost any classroom today and you’ll see a mirror of our country. You’ll find students from multiple cultures, some of whom are trying to bridge the languages and behaviors of two worlds. Students with very advanced learning skills sit next to students who struggle mightily with one or more school subjects. Children with…
Read MoreMath Conferences are Noteworthy
Math conferences are instructional tools that allow us to connect with our students, follow their reasoning, and determine their mathematical understanding. These one-on-one interactions allow us to find out comprehensive information about what a student truly knows and what areas need to be addressed. Conferences can be brief and informal, but are time well spent…
Read MoreQuick Ways to Assess in Math
Assessment is a vital part of teaching. Without feedback teachers don’t have the information they need to see if a child “gets it” or not. However, most educators think of assessment in terms of tests such as those from the state, district, or school. In math daily quick assessments can be easily done without much…
Read MoreFlexible Math Groups – Flex Math Muscles
Successful math students are the ones who have developed a deep understanding of concepts, are fluent at computation, and are able to use what they know to solve real problems. Flexible math groups allow students the chance to flex the math muscles that build these skills in meaningful ways. Teachers can effectively differentiate instruction using…
Read MoreMyth Busters: Is there a math gene?
How many of these have you heard before? “I am just not a math person.” “I wasn’t good at fractions so he isn’t either.” “I can’t do math so neither can my kids.” These are typical comments we hear when people start discussing their math history as it relates to their child. There is an…
Read MoreMath At Home
Reading opportunities exist almost everywhere we turn. The same is true for math. Some may seem obvious while others are more subtle. Once you begin to see these teachable moments, you can easily take advantage of them. Here are some of our favorite and fun math activities. Board and Card Games– Many games give children…
Read MoreCalendar Math – Launch into Learning
“The only way to learn math is to do math.” ~ Paul Halmos A great way to start the day is with calendar math activities. These quick interactive sparks of learning incorporate a number of math concepts in a small amount of quality time. In a few minutes a teacher can introduce a new concept,…
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