How to Learn Math (Jo Boaler, Stanford University)

There's an incredible free ($125 this time around, still worth it!) online Math course from Stanford presented by my good friend, Jo Boaler.  Well, maybe she just feels like my friend because I've seen many hours of her work.  I took the class over the summer and I just signed up again for a refresher on all the valuable concepts, research, and ideas in teaching and learning math. Here's the link if you're interested.  It's great for teachers at any grade level and parents of students who may be struggling in math.

http://scpd.stanford.edu/instanford/how-to-learn-math.jsp

Stanford Online, FREE Classes

Sometimes there ARE things in life that are free!  Stanford Online offers valuable classes for educators for FREE!  Yes, I'll say it one more time... free.  I just signed up for two classes starting in March:
1)  Mastering Language for the Common Core (Elementary Mathematics)
2)  Designing for Deeper Learning:  How to Develop Performance Tasks for the Common Core
If you sign up, let me know so we can compare notes.  There's always so much to learn!

Domino Addition, 1st Grade

Here I go, blurring the lines between work and play.  Facebook, my source of connecting with family and life-long friends is also providing some great resources for Math.  I "liked" Illustrative Mathematics and wouldn't you know it, I get math tasks that pop up where I least expect them.  They're nestled between statuses on the most recent episode of The Bachelor and updates on potty training progress of little ones.  This is the latest for 1st grade, Domino Addition.

Magnets for 10-frame Activities

I came across these colored magnets at my local Daiso store.  It's like they were made for 10-frames and they were only $1.50/pack.

Math Tasks and Teasers

Looking for Common Core aligned math tasks and brain teasers for your grade level.  The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has a newsletter, Illuminations, available for you.  You can also subscribe to the newsletter on the right side of the webpage to continue to receive these resources.

Play Time

It's time to play with technology and Math, two of my favorite things!  I can't wait to be inspired by educators who have a passion for edtech and share some of my ideas with others.  I will be leading a session for the first time at the Orange County CUE conference.  The "Let Their Inner Math Geek Out" presentation can be found here.

Got Fractions?

Many of us had the same experience in school when learning fractions.  We just had to memorize the procedures to add, subtract, multiply and divide them, without any understanding of why or how the steps made sense.  Most of the time, I couldn't even figure out when I would need to use the calculations... besides in my math class.

As teachers we have to learn the concepts that were missed in our own education to be better prepared to teach our students.  Thank goodness for resources like this from Illustrative Mathematics.  It's a seven part video on the progressions of skills needed to teach/learn the Common Core State Standards in fractions.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Illustrative Mathematics!

Math Night

Learning Math should be fun.  For so many kids it has always been about being fast and getting the right answer.  I recently read an article about a Math Night, where skills and concepts are practiced in a fun, game-like environment.  What a great way to create a sense of community by bringing families together.  Add to that the increase in math fluency and creating a positive disposition toward math and it really is a homerun.  I would be up for trying this with any schools in our district that are interested.  Let me know if you want to try it out.  : )

How Many Ways?

Even in kindergarten we see evidence of the Standards for Mathematical practice at work.  In a recent site visit, I was excited to see students explaining and modeling their thinking about numbers in a variety of ways.  

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Common-Core-Number-Strategy-Posters-Math-Word-Wall-732378

Informal Assessment

Valuable data doesn't always come from tests.  The information you gather as you observe student work and discussions is just as important, if not more.  What we see and hear in in the classroom helps us determine who understands, who doesn't, where the gaps are, and how to change our instructional practices to help all students progress in learning.  We tend to keep that all in our minds on a daily basis, but then discount it when it comes to grading.  If we can keep written accounts of what we see, it will likely help in planning and grading (and, it won't add to our overtaxed memories!).  Watch this short clip from the Teaching Channel that shows one teacher's method of informal assessment.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/informal-assessment-strategies

Seating Arrangements

In the classroom, I wanted to make sure that students had easy access to the tools they need.  So much time is wasted passing things out and collecting materials.  If you have them keep everything in their desks, we know what their desks end up looking like!  I love The Teaching Channel for all kinds of resources.  I found this short video on desk arrangements and organization that has some helpful tips. 
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/seating-arrangements?fd=1