Comparison Problems: Using Tape Diagrams to Represent Math Thinking Word problems are a key part of rigorous standards everywhere, but teachers and students alike often dread tackling them. Even textbooks sometimes save them for the bottom few problems on a page or a separate lesson toward the end of a chapter. The thing is--word problems (at least good ones!) are the "real world" part of ... Read the Post
Fraction Unit Update
It's getting to be "fraction season" for many of us, and having quality fraction lessons and activities is SO important as we try to teach this challenging topic! Teaching fractions is a passion of mine and led me to create an entire fraction unit that I've shared on my blog over the years. Over time, people were SO excited to try the lessons and wanted more and more detail about how to teach ... Read the Post
End of Year Word Problems and Problem Solving Tips
We all know that students are hard to "engage" at this time of year--so asking them to solve end of year word problems seems unrealistic, right? WRONG! When we create math problems related to topics students care about--they are FAR more likely to engage. I love doing problem solving at the end of the year because it's the perfect time to apply all those Standards for Mathematical Practice. ... 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
Mind Boggling Math: Infusing the Standards for Mathematical Practice
Where did Mind Boggling Math Come From? Back five or six years ago, I was searching for an activity that I could have available in my classroom for students to do at a variety of times: If they finished work early. Or if I needed a math station. If I wanted students to work on a challenge so I could pull small groups The problem I ran into was that my students just weren't ... Read the Post