Elementary-aged children love to feel they are making a difference. There are so many Earth Day activities and experiences that can make them feel they are an important part of their planet's future! Virtual Field Trips So many of our students have a very limited view of the world. Let's face it--they've only been on the planet for a few years! That being said, with the increased ... Read the Post
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Geometry Lessons for 4th Grade: What Makes Geometry Challenging?
What makes geometry lessons challenging for so many students in elementary school? Many of us have our own preconceptions about geometry, possibly stemming from our own struggles in high school with geometry. In fact, many of us did really well with the "numbers" math like algebra but felt the walls crash down during geometry. The same is sometimes true for students experiencing geometry ... Read the Post
Seasonal Word Problems: Classroom Uses
We all know that word problems and problem solving are key components of ANY quality math program. Today I want to share how using seasonal word problems can be a quick and easy way to keep things fresh and engaging in your classroom! Because every math series or curriculum is different and paced differently, there is no room for "seasonal" real-world problems. I wanted to have a collection ... Read the Post
Writing Historical Fiction Diaries
Why historical fiction? One of my favorite units is historical fiction--and it quickly becomes a favorite of my students--as we read historical fiction and write historical fiction diaries. As students move through elementary school, we give them a TON of opportunities to read realistic fiction. As they get older, adding historical fiction to their repertoire is a perfect way to kick things ... Read the Post
Test Prep and Growth Mindset
Test Taking It's that time of year when many of us are charged with helping our students navigate the world of standardized test taking. We all acknowledge that testing is a double-edged sword--but if we as the "grown ups" can keep things in perspective, we can lessen stress for the students and US as well! We have the power to make a HUGE difference in how our students (and their parents) ... Read the Post
How Students Acquire Multiplication Facts
If you are unfamiliar with the CRA model for learning math, read on! Today's post is all about helping our students acquire multiplication facts in a research-based way that will cement true understanding. So often we push memorization--and that IS our EVENTUAL goal! In order for us to get there, we need to slow down and build understanding from the ground up. Concrete Modeling In order ... Read the Post
Why Teach Line Plots?
If you teach upper elementary school math, you are probably familiar with line plots. If you have been alive even HALF as long as I have, you probably didn't study these little buggers when you were in elementary school. So why DO we teach line plots now? Simple and Visual As students advance through the grades, they will be asked to explore more and more sophisticated graphs and ... Read the Post
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