Back in January (yes, I’m back logged a few months) I did a professional development for 4 – 6th grade teachers. I was asked about presenting something that could help with the ever-looming testing in the spring. My purpose was to introduce them to the strategy of Notice & Wonder while showing them what a numberless word problem was. …
What’s a Shape?
Back in February, I came across a blog post from Telanna about shapes. She saw a Twitter post from Sarah Caban asking a simplistic question. How would you define the word “shape”? Not wanting to miss out on the bandwagon, I decided to jump in. Considering that I have access to such a grade span, I patiently waited for the right time …
Clotheslines for Math concepts
Using clotheslines as an interactive number line has been a hot routine this year. Last year, I slowly and carefully rolled it out into a few classrooms for use of fractions. This school year, I’ve expanded into more classrooms, but am proud of how my teachers have especially made it work in K-2 classrooms. It’s been extraordinary to see using …
Change happens! Hello 16-17!
It’s a new school year! And that means a whole new year as math coach! I say BRING IT ON! My district has been in school for the past 3 weeks. So much change from last year to this year. There is something to be said about change. Change is good. Change pushes our practice. It forces us to question. It forces …
Clothesline Fractions
Fractions is one of the “F” words in math. (The other is functions, but I’m not working with that grade level). Whenever these two words are said, teachers usually groan with frustration (that other F word). Understood because both can be hard to understand for students. Part of my job is to turn that frustration into FUN! Third grade has …
Number Talk Images
Can I just say that I can’t get enough of visual math routines? Or do you call it a number talk image? Some call it a visual number talk. It’s a picture that’s shown with a known quantity. Students may start by making observations and ask questions that are lingering in their heads (AKA Notice/Wonder–thanks Annie Fetter!) Once their questions …