The Progression of Multiplication
There's a lot happening in elementary mathematics and it's really tough for teachers to keep up with it all...let alone parents and administrators. I keep reminding myself that the turtle won the race. It's my hope that in creating and sharing this video, we can all...
Beginning a Unit with a 3-Act Task
I've recently spent a lot of time visiting 3rd grade classrooms as they begin to dive into division. Here's what I encountered on one of my first visits which was a crippler for everyone involved. https://twitter.com/gfletchy/status/672223342984871936 As bad as...
GCTM Ignite Talks
Back in April I submitted a proposal to Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Special thanks to Suzanne Alejandre from the Math Forum the proposal write up. I have always been inspired after leaving or listening to the Ignite Talks hosted by our wonderful...
More Bang for your Buck: The Power of the Estimation Station
Time IS NOT on our side! In a 1st grade planning session I was asked,"How do we fit it all in?" I loved this question because it asked for a solution to problem we know exists. We collectively tackled this question and the fruits of our labor are as follows... We...
Get Your Model On: Modeling in the Elementary Grades
Dan Meyer's work on mathematical modeling has been instrumental in shaping my own understanding. I'm super thankful for Dan's commitment to SMP #4 over the years. So when he recently posted that he was shifting gears, I was bummed. It was like the pizza was snatched...
Not Your Mom’s Flashcards: Conceptual Understanding of Multiplication
What's the purpose of flashcards? There's 2 answers I frequently hear and only one I agree with. Answer 1: help kids know/memorize their facts Answer 2: help students build fluency through the automatization of strategy I know how Tracy and many others answer this...
When Student Thinking Hits the Wall: VNPS
First week back to school and I was chomping at the bit to begin working on my #1TMCthing. My quick backstory about Vertical-Non-Permanent-Surfaces (aka VNPS) I first found out about VNPS on Nathan Kraft's blog which referred me to Alex Overwijk's Blog who shared...
#TMC15 Freehand Circle Drawing Championship
I only took one video last week while I attended Twitter Math Camp (#TMC15). Before you read on...draw your best circle and continue. In case you didn't know, Alex Overwijk is the freehand circle drawing champion of the world. I attended Alex's session on Vertical...
Welcome Back 2001: An Open Response to Superintendent Woods’ “Funny Math Methods”
I use this space to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately with all the great things happening in Georgia (mathematically speaking), we've taken a massive step backwards. A recent column by our State Superintendent pretty much sums up the direction...
The Sounds of Imaging Numbers
One of the most difficult standards for 1st grade students to own is the idea of adding or subtracting multiples of tens OR a group of ones. Without it...all other numbers fall apart. Karen is a phenomenal 1st grade teacher. Being new to the district, I'm...