Why Teach Patterns? "Patterning" is something that has typically been a focus of primary classrooms. Pass by any kindergarten or first grade room early in the school year and you can expect to see SOME sort of patterning work happening. The simple truth is that we sometimes forget WHY we get our youngest students thinking in terms of patterns. We NEED students to be able to recognize and ... Read the Post
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Word Problem Mistake: Making All Your Word Problems Match Your Content
Over the years I have noticed that students tend to look for routine in math class. If it’s a division unit, they will divide any two numbers they find! If it’s a subtraction unit, they try to regroup everything! So what does this mean for word problems? It means we need to put students in a position where THEY need to think and decide what operation and strategies to choose. If we constantly ... Read the Post

Addition and Subtraction Computation with a TWIST!
Teaching Computation Addition and subtraction with regrouping are two critical math skills that all elementary students must learn. One thing that we often forget is that students need to experience math instruction—even computation in different ways. So often we ask them to “fill in the blank” instead of really thinking and tapping into that number sense we know they need. Most math series do ... Read the Post

Distance Learning or Virtual Teaching or Whatever This New Mess Is
Distance Learning? Huh? So a few weeks ago, if you would have told me I would be teaching my students from my home office, kitchen, couch, and basement I would have thought you were crazy. Yet here we are. Times are scary, folks. I am working on my growth mindset as I plunge myself into figuring this all out. Today I thought I'd share some of my musings with you as I get past my first week ... Read the Post

Using Math Sorts to Encourage Productive Struggle
Ah, the things teachers say when deep in the moment of teaching angles. These words came out of my mouth this week. During a formal observation. While I was teaching math. #lifeinthetrenches I know you know how it goes--your administrator pops in for those required observations, and you just hope all goes well, that the students rise to the occasion, and that NO ONE STICKS TISSUES IN THEIR ... Read the Post

Sharing Our Blessings Giveaway Celebration!
I am thankful for so many things. No matter how difficult life can get, this is the perfect time of year to reflect on all that we have that we are grateful for. For one thing, I am so blessed to have TWO jobs I love. I get to teach by day, and create resources, and blog by night! Also, I have a wonderful family and great friends. I have a more-than-ample roof over my head and go to bed with a ... Read the Post

Construct Viable Arguments and Critique the Reasoning of Others…A Math Sorts Lesson
The Standards for Mathematical Practice should form the foundation of every math "content" lesson, but so often textbooks don't do a good job helping teachers know how to make this happen. Check out this lesson idea that immerses students in the standard of "Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others". See what you think--and imagine how much practice the students got in a ... Read the Post
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