Archive for November, 2013
Happy Holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukka! May your lives be filled with many things to be thankful for this school year. May you have tons of magical math moments with your students!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )How can I charts…
I saw this “How can I chart” on Pinterest. I like the structure. I think it would be great to make a series of math anchor charts about “How can I…” such as “How can I add two digit numbers?” “How can I multiply a fraction by a whole number?” “How can I add single digit numbers quickly?”
Then, the chart lists several different ways to do it…going through the cycle of engagement: concrete ways, pictorial ways and abstract ways.
Then, you should definitely take pictures of these charts and have the students put the copies in their thinking notebooks or store the charts somewhere where they are accessible…or put them in a photo album that is labeled so students can use it as a reference when needed….or have the students copy the charts into their thinking notebooks…
The big point here is that charts should be a tool that is used throughout the year, not just for a moment!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Making Math Fun!
Today I was in a PD meeting with some great teachers. In discussing the takeaways, one teacher wrote:
Make Math Fun!
That is a brilliant takeaway. Don’t ever forget that.
When I first started teaching the buzz words were “developmentally appropriate practice.” Somewhere along this standards journey many folks have lost sight of the fact that we teach children. Math should be fun for them! Math should be developmentally appropriate! Fun is very compatible with academically rigorous, standards based learning experiences, IF you know how to do it right!
For example, I just found this great site that has tons of printable masks. What better way to explore, learn, master story problems than that! (AND THE COMMON CORE MATHEMATICAL PRACTICE 3 SAYS STUDENTS SHOULD ACT OUT SITUATIONS.” So the next time you are trying to get your students to understand the various cgi problem types, and folks are struggling with a both addends unknown or a compare bigger part unknown...ACT IT OUT. CGI is what the core has adapted as the word problem framework) see the here page. 7, 9, 18 and 23).
Printable Masks! More Masks! Even More Masks!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Problem Solving in Action
Here is a great video that shows how to scaffold problem solving! Notice the use of graphic organizers, math talk and public speaking.
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )More Word Problem Resources
Here are some 3rd, 4th and 5th grade word problem resources!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Great Multiplication Spelling Game
Here is a great multiplication spelling game. Use this format to play different math word games. Remember that math is a language and students must know the words to speak it!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Treasure Trove of Math Resources
I just found a treasure trove of resources!
Happy Mathing,
Dr. Nicki
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Dr. Nicki's Guided Math Blog 