6th grade learns to combine like terms
12 Ways to Get 11
As I have said countless times in previous posts, my 6th graders have been math buddies with a kindergarten class. The other kinder teacher and I spend numerous hours trying to create and plan different activities for both classes to do. One of the books I came across on Twitter was 12 Ways to Get 11 by Eve Merriam. …
Tallest Teacher
In the fall, my kindergarten collaborator and I did a heights unit with her students and with my 6th graders. She covered the standard that directly compares 2 objects with a measureable attribute (K.MD.2) while I covered my standard on inequalities. Both Mrs. Z and I thought it went extremely well. It really contextualized the math standards. …
New Heights
One of the reasons I decided to make the move to elementary was due to my strong partnership with a kindergarten teacher. When my coaching position was dissolved, I had the choice of heading back to middle school. However, she convinced me to teach 6th grade at her school (and literally across the hall from her). I really …
Create your own clothesline
For the past few months, I’ve been completely sidelined with another project that required my full attention and writing skills. Luckily, the project is finished and now it’s the waiting game. SO my apologies for my disappearance. However, I have a few blog posts that I’m going to catch up on in the next few weeks. As most of you …
Making sense of conversions
My son, Jared, is in 6th grade. He has told me he thinks it’s “cool” that I’m teaching 6th grade too. According to him, we have stuff to talk about. I can finally help him with his homework. (Really? Like I’ve never been able to help you with any of your other homework?!? What the what?!?!?). Of course I left …
Sassy Cents – a 3 act lesson
Since being back in the classroom, I’ve made it a point to include either a performance task, a 3 act lesson, or sometimes both with every unit of math. I have to admit that it’s been fun to put what I’ve learned as a coach to work. Not only am I a better teacher for it, but my team trusts …
The next term is…
Usually on Thursday nights, I try to squeeze in an hour of professional development by participating in a #elemmathchat on Twitter. It’s a terrific hour of discourse between coaches, teachers, and all kinds of math peeps. Recently, Mark Chubb (@MarkChubb3) hosted a #elemmathchat and posted this. My students know that I love throwing them a “challenge” question every now …
Mills, Bills, and Trill
The first week of school lesson plans usually consist of getting-to-know-you type activities. In planning, I figured it would be a great time for exploring in math. I hemmed and hawed about it. At first I thought I’d do a 3 act lesson. They are always exciting and engaging, but I couldn’t think or find one that these kids hadn’t …
Welcome to Acosta Academy
Welcome back to a whole new school year! I’ve spent the whole summer steadily preparing for my new assignment and it’s one that I’m embracing. Here is it…the night before my first day at a new school, new routines, new students, new colleagues—actually, they aren’t that new to me. I’m supposed to be trying to rest up and review …
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2