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
Math Is Real Life Linky!
"When are we EVER going to use THIS?!" This statement... this one little statement has caused fear and panic to run through MANY a math teacher's veins! It's not like you won't use math in the real world... but sometimes as soon as that question is uttered we have a mind-melting-moment and cannot come up with just the right words to say. So to help give you some real world, possibly ... Read the Post
Math Tubs and More
Today I have decided to tackle two things--my kitchen counter and my math "tubs" (and I am not happy with that term, so I am looking for any suggestions for alternatives!). I wrote the other day about my new project . . . . . . and how I plan on using these numbered tubs to help me differentiate my math instruction. I want to keep some of the tubs more ... Read the Post
Wait! THAT isn’t right!
Hello! Just thought I'd share a quick warm up I did with my fourth graders yesterday--nothing earth shattering, but one of those ideas that you might see and think, "Oh yeah--I haven't done THAT in a while!" I fairly often will do a problem and ask the students if I got the correct answer so they can cross check it with their own work. Today I asked the students to warm up by solving 3 ... Read the Post
Constructing MORE Meaning! Division Day 1!
Hello and Happy Sunday! Thanks to ALL of you so much for your support of my fraction unit! I was so happy to see so many of you were able to get it yesterday. . . and the kind comments you left just made my day. Thanks so much . . . hopefully lots of students will be having fun learning fractions in a really meaningful way! I didn't really blog much about my little mini unit on ... Read the Post
Fraction Concepts Day 3: Holy “Critiquing Reasoning”, Batman!
Wow...not really sure how to start this blog entry! Seriously . . . I wish I had today's lesson on video tape! It would be so much easier (and cooler!) than trying to explain it with words. If this lesson intrigues you, it is one of the lesson in my fraction unit. If you were with me yesterday, you know I left off with a challenge to my students--they needed to commit to either a "yes" or "no" ... Read the Post
Five on Friday! 5 great things to say to kids!
It's been a busy week...birthday excitement, finishing reading assessments, meetings. In honor of Friday, I am simply going to reflect on 5 great things to say to kids! I'd love to hear some of your favorite things...what makes a difference to your students? 1. "WOW! I am so amazed by your thinking! I never would have thought to do it that way..." 2. "I can see how ... Read the Post