Test prep
Math Workstations: Component 4 (Academically Rigorous)
Math workstations should be academically rigorous. One way, (a very important way I might add) is to use the DOK Framework. If you are teaching the CCSSM, both assessment agencies (PARCC and Smarter Balance) are framing activities around this framework. As the NYC website notes:
Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) provides a vocabulary and a frame of reference when thinking about our students and how they engage with the content. DOK offers a common language to understand “rigor,” or cognitive demand, in assessments, as well as curricular units, lessons, and tasks. Webb developed four DOK levels that grow in cognitive complexity and provide educators a lens on creating more cognitively engaging and challenging tasks.
Here are a few DOK resources:
https://robertkaplinsky.com/how-i-integrate-depth-of-knowledge-into-mathematics/
https://robertkaplinsky.com/tool-to-distinguish-between-depth-of-knowledge-levels/https://robertkaplinsky.com/tool-to-distinguish-between-depth-of-knowledge-levels/
https://www.evelynlearning.com/depth-of-knowledge-mathematics-science/
I plan to do a whole series of posts on DOK soon. In the meantime, just know that DOK is the framework used for rigor in the CCSS. It is very important to consider this framework as you look at units of study, individual lessons, workstations, guided math lessons and performance tasks.
Happy mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Creating Study Guides for Math Tests in Grades 3-9
I recently read a really good post by a math middle school teacher. She prepares math testing guides for her students before each test. Read about it here. This is a great idea. I think we should do it for at least all the testing grades. It teaches students how to study. She makes sure they review concepts, do a reflection on their understanding, do some sort of foldable as a review, do a vocabulary check and they have done the homework for the unit. Adapt it to your own needs and let me know how it goes!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Math Millionaire Games! Great Fun and Learning
See this link for some great upper elementary and middle school math games!
The algebraic expression millionaire game is great! So is the division one!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Engaging Test Prep Activities: Great for Guided Math
Christine King is doing some great work around developing thinking and reasoning and test prep! She has an excellent blog (www.testsavvymath.blogspot.com) and some cool stuff up on her website at www.ckingeducation.com under Math Resources. I would like to highlight a few of Christine’s Test Savvy Strategies! The first one is Find and Fix My Error. In this strategy students are looking for errors and then fixing them. It’s a brilliant strategy and a way to get students critically thinking about the math! See the podcast and lesson overview below.
Podcast: Find and Fix My Error (podcast)
Lesson Overview: Find and Fix My Error
Dr. Nicki's Guided Math Blog 