Math
Drawing 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 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,…
Read More2 Quick Tips for Math Differentiation – Defeat the Dilemma
A strategically planned math lesson can come to a halt when one student finishes (because the task was too easy) while another struggles to know where to begin. Teachers are faced with the challenge of meeting the various developmental needs of students daily. Differentiation is a philosophy grounded in knowing the students’ needs and responding…
Read MoreDifferentiating in Math
For years mathematics focused on finding the correct answer. How students arrived at that answer was not addressed. This has begun to change. Teachers are starting to confer with students one-on-one to see their thinking, and more emphasis is being placed on a student’s individual problem solving methods. Conferring with students in any academic area…
Read MoreRegister Now! K-5 Math Institute JULY 25-28, 2016
K-5 Math Institute Using the Guided Math Framework to Promote Deep Mathematical Understanding with Laney Sammons and Donna Boucher July 25-28, 2016 Click HERE for the REGISTRATION FORM Event Details Pricing: The cost of this workshop is $600.00 per person and includes the following: • Breakfast each morning • Lunch each day • Workshop materials…
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