As we all finish up our winter breaks, it's time to face the harsh reality that not only do we need to head back to class after the new year, but we need January activities for our classroom that will engage our students. We weren't the only ones "on vacation", but we can help our students ease back into the routines of school life. Students need to "relearn" how to focus on academic ... Read the Post
Organizing Math Games: 5 Tips for Math Workshop
One of my goals for this summer was to figure out some systems for organizing my math games and math workshop materials. I didn't get everything accomplished that I wanted to, but I made some headway. Let me tell you my thought process and what I did! First of all, I really wanted to focus on getting my intervention resources in a usable state--I have SO many games but I was always having to ... Read the Post
The Benefits of Spiral Math Review
One thing that always bothered me with many math textbooks and curriculum maps was the idea that math instruction is best done in "blocks"--3 weeks of geometry. 2 weeks of addition. 4 weeks of fractions. You know as well as I do that students need far more repetitions of math concepts than this arrangement allows. That being said--I have no problem with intense units on different math ... Read the Post
The Equal Sign and Algebraic Thinking
How many of you introduce the equal sign in the very first days of school? How often do you explore and study its role in math equations? Algebraic Thinking in Elementary School? YES! One thing that I have discovered over the years is that students can be very trained to "fill in the box". The more focus we put on our math series and workbooks, the more true this is. In my mind, it is our ... Read the Post
Playing math games…they aren’t just for fun (even though they ARE!)
Why do we play games in math class? Tons of reasons! If you have followed me for any length of time, you know that games are an important part of my math class--not every day, but often. As I watched my students last week, I noticed a few things that weren't going as well as I wanted them to--and I realized that I haven't spent enough time talking to them about WHY we play games and what their ... Read the Post
Monday Made It–Brownies, Posters, and Math Games!
Disclaimer: I had this entire post written, photos loaded, links made--and EVERYTHING WENT BLANK. This is my SECOND attempt! Wallowing in self-pity... Well the first week of school is underway and I already feel stressed. You too? The good news is that the first Monday Made It of the year is up and ready! Make sure to stop and check out all the cool ... Read the Post