Archive for October, 2012
Great Elementary Algebra Packet: Use activities in Guided Math Groups and Math Centers
I just found a great resource for thinking about teaching algebraic thinking in elementary grades! I would do some of these in guided math groups and set some up as centers.
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 )Mathematical Reasoning: Develop it in Guided Math Groups and Math Centers
Here are some great games that help your students to engage in algebraic reasoning! Do these type of games weekly to develop the required thinking for CCSS Mathematical Practice 2. Often times, I play the games with the students in guided math groups. I also play them with the whole class and we talk out the possibilities. Students will say what they think it is and why. These kinds of activities are great for developing mathematical talk as well. I also encourage teachers to set them up as math centers and students can play them with partners.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Quick Geometry Images: Guided Math and Whole Class Routines to Build Geometric Thinking
Geometry is the only Domain that goes from k-8. It it crucial that we develop geometric thinking throughout the k-8 curriculum so that students have a strong foundation for high school. One activity that I find quite intriguing, but that I don’t see done much is the idea of quick geometry image routines. In these routines, you show students quick images (pictures of 2d and 3d shapes) and then you have them quickly sketch out those images. Sometimes, you just say a shape and the students quickly draw it. It is important to have students to picture the image in their mind and then picture it on paper in order to develop their geometric reasoning.
Here are some sources for quick images:
Resource 3 (scroll down…also be sure to look at the quick images planning templates)
Resource 4 (look on left side under geometry resources)
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
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Great Problem Solving Resources: Use in Guided Math Groups and Math Workstations
Here is a great website! There are tons of problem solving resources using the CGI framework, which is the designated CCSS math problem solving framework. There are tons of other great math resources on this site as well.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Math Connections: Math to Self; Math to World; Math to Math
Arthur Hyde (2006) in a book called Comprehending Math, made an excellent point about how we need to have students make connections with math like we have them make connections in reading.
He noted that using coding such as Math to Self (M-S), Math to World (M-W )and Math to Math (M-M) gets students to think about math more critically.
Math to Self involves students making connections about math to their real lives and their prior knowledge bases. Questions might look like:
1) Where do I use this in real life?
2) What do I already know about this?
3) Is there a tricky part?
Math to World involves students making connections between the wider world (events, media, environment) and the math they are studying. Questions might look like:
1) Where do they talk about this type of math?
2) How do people use this type of math in real life?
3) Have I seen this before in movies or on t.v.?
Math to Math involves students making connections about math to math. Questions might look like:
1) Did we do something like this last year?
2) Did we do something like this this year?
3) What is the Big Idea here?
4) What are some math ideas that are related to this idea?
It is a good idea to have students ponder these questions throughout your units of study. It helps them to reflect on how math is a very essential part of our everyday lives!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Great Place Value Packet Including Fractions and Decimals
This is a great packet to use for guided math lessons and math workstation activities!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )More Great Math Anchor Charts!
I am so excited! I just can’t hide it…. Come on come on come on look at these posters! These are great anchor charts to hang up to teach math content. Math Anchor charts are a great visual scaffold and can be a reference for students as they are working in guided math groups and math centers!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Math Videos: Use them for mini-lessons during Math Workshop and more
Math videos are an excellent resource for teaching mathematical knowledge. Here is a good space to get started for grades 3-6!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Ten Frame Spinners! Great Guided Math Activities and Math Workstation Ideas
Get your ten frame spinners here! (ok, the link is here now!)
You could play any of these games in guided math groups or in math workstations:
1)How many?
2) How many to make ten?
3)Spin 2 spinners and add them together.
4) Subtract Spinner Number from 10 or 20
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
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