Teaching Fractions

Even though this video presents information regarding the instruction of fractions at a 3rd grade level, it is important for understanding a conceptual piece that is often missing in the student's understanding of fractions. That piece is seeing fractions as actual numbers on a number line.



So if students are missing this conceptual piece, perhaps we need to find ways (and the time) to provide that instruction in the classroom.

To read the article this was attached to (Approach to Fractions Seen as Key Shift n Common Standards), click here.

Instructional Videos for Common Core Instruction

Some great videos on Common Core instruction. Not just math! Click here to go to the site.

Thanks to Denise Harvey for sharing!

Math Resources - Share My Lesson

Order of Operations - Good reviews and comments. Everything from Special Ed to 8th grade teachers.

Quadratic Equations - 8th Grade might want to save for end of the year.

Common Core index

Ancient Egyptian Multiplication

I created this video for the Thinking Math class that I facilitate. To develop an complete understanding of multiplication, one must understand that multiplication is about groups of a specific number. Being able to decompose or recompose numbers is a higher level skill that shows number sense. The Egyptians had this down. This video is helpful for building the idea that multiplication is about equal groups.

Aha Moments #3

From RRCNA #14
"Literacy Coaching K-12 for Cohesion
Enrique Puig
Nancy Chartier
Chad Harnish
Betty Jahnke

"Going back to definitions is an important operation of the mind. We should know that the power of a word does not reside in its sound, but in the ideas of which the word reminds us and, ultimately, in the facts on which the ideas are based."  --G. Polya (1945)

The power of a word does not reside in its sound, but in its meaning. Without meaning, words cannot convey thought. Building and maintaining vocabulary is crucial. It is why our classrooms should be rich in vocabulary. Both spoken and in print. Especially in Math, as we are seeking to build a deep understanding of concept along with procedure, a strong vocabulary will make for a stronger learner.

Aha Moments #2

From RRCNA #14
"Literacy Coaching K-12 for Cohesion"
Enrique Puig
Nancy Charier
Chad Harnish
Betty Jahnke

There is much conversation regarding the adoption of Common Core State Standards. We are told what they are, how to break them down, etc. But in one of the ideas address in this session was "What the Common Core State Standards are not..."

"The most important intentional design limitations are as follows:

1. They do not tell how teachers should teach
2. They do not describe all that can or should be taught
3. They do not define the nature of advanced work for students who meet the standards prior to the end of high school
4. They do not define the intervention methods or materials necessary to support students who are well below or well above grade level expectations
5. They do not define the full range of support appropriate for English learners and for students with special needs
6. They do ont define the whole of career and college readiness."

While there is a lot to learn about the implications of addressing the CCSS, perhaps understanding their limitations needs to be a part of the discussion. In the process of implementation of the CCSS, we cannot neglect other important elements of instruction that are essential to our students' success.

Division using an area model - Excellent alternative for stuggling students.

So you have a student who is struggling with division. They don't get the "standard" algorithm. What do you do?

A.  I keep showing them the standard algorithm until they get it.
B.  I give up!
C.  I listen to their thinking and try to find an alternative that might help.

For those who choose "C," here is an alternative that might help. It leads into the Partial Quotients method favored by Everyday Math.

I Can Statements (6th Grade)

Here is a site that has 6th grade "I Can..." statements. "I Can..." statements put the language of Common Core (which is sometimes challenging to understand) into a more student and teacher friendly language. It is helpful for understanding what the learning goal of the standard is and a great tool to post in the room. You can google "I Can Statements" to find other versions.

6th Grade "I Can..." statements.

Problem Solving - UPS Style

Our 6th grade success time is working on Problem Solving. We are using a 4 point plan, teaching students to

1. Understand the Problem (restate in own words) 
2. Choose a Plan (What strategy will we use?)
3. Carry out the Plan
4. Look back at your answer (Does it make sense?)

In this video, they use also use a 4-step process, called the UPS process.

1. Understand
2. Plan
3. Solve
4. Check 

Sound familiar, or at least similar? Got 6 minutes? Check out the video.

"I believe that if you can think, you can work any problem!" --TeRaze Mickle

Creating Mathematicians

Standards of Mathematical Practice (SMPs)

If you are not already familiar with the Common Core Standards of Mathematical Practice, you should be! They are 8 principals for that should be used to provide math instruction. They are as follows:

1.       Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

2.       Reason abstractly and quantitatively

3.       Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

4.       Model with mathematics

5.       Use appropriate tools strategically

6.       Attend to precision

7.       Look for and make use of structure

8.       Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

In other words, we don’t just want our students to be able to do math, we want them to be mathematicians! We don’t spend 6 years teaching students words and definitions, and then start teaching them to read. Neither should we just teach math skills independently and then suddenly expect students to problem solve. Context is just as important in math as it is in reading. That is why one of the ten principles of Thinking Math is “Base instruction on situational story problems” (#3).

Look at the verbs in the SMPs, Make sense, reason, construct, model, use, attend, make use of, express. These are the actions of a mathematician. These are the challenges that face our students.

 So what might this look like in a classroom? Glad you asked. Below is a video taken from a 3rd Grade classroom, but this type of teaching strategy can be applied in every grade.

Site of the Week - Your Turn!

I usually get my ideas for a site of week from someone I have had a conversation with, or from another blog, etc. I know that there are many good sites out there.

So here is your turn to contribute. If you have a good site that you know of or frequent, please post a comment below giving the site and any pertinent information about that site. Then when I or others check in, we can see some of what else is out there.

In the mean time, let me start things off this week.

 

getinthefold.blogspot.com Even though the last time this blog was posted in was in 2012, it has some great ideas for teaching reading with foldables. And remember, foldables are not just for elementary students!

And don't forget to share one or more of the sites you use in the comment section below.

Site of the Week - Share My Lesson (AFT)

This site covers all subject matter and all grades. You should have gotten information about this in your mailbox. This site is provided by the AFT. Great resources for lessons and Common Core information! Click here or on image below for link.

Friday Funny - I Choose C

As an added bonus, here is the link to the advertisement mentioned in Wednesday's 6th grade meeting. Yes, this is a real product, not a SNL skit.

Site of the Week - Learn Zillion

You can find a lesson (or more) on any given standard, Math and Language Arts.. Once you sign up (and signing up is free) you can search by grade, domain, and standard. Or you can just type in a topic in the search bar. For instance, if you type in Absolute Value, you might find this video.

Once you have gotten to the page with the video, you can also view the slides the video was created from, comments from the video's creator, see some guided practice questions, and more.

These videos could be part of a Success Time lesson, viewed in the computer lab, set up for a sub.

Agile Mind Alignment with NEW 8-Step Calendar

Click here for a PDF of the Alignment

Click here for a PDF of the updated 8-Step Calendar for Math

Updated alignment to go with the updated calendar.

How to do a Close Read

Here are some resources on How to do a Close Read.

• Here is a PDF of information found here. 

• Here is a 2 minute and 47 second video about Close Reading. Part 1 (found on the same site.) 

• Here is the 3 minute Part 2 video - Describes what a Close Read looks like in a classroom.

• Here is a video (4 minutes and 22 seconds) that has an example of a Close Read. 

• Another example (10 minute and 46 second) of a 6th Grade Social Studies Close Read.

Thinking Through Multiplication and Division

Here is a video from a 3rd grade class regarding the teaching of Multiplication and Division. One of the reasons I would include this on a site for Middle School is that many of our students are weak in in this area. While facts practice is important, so is an understanding of what multiplication and division is. Looking for patterns, developing strategies (such as decomposing), and building their mathematical sense and confidence are elements that are helpful to include when teaching math to any grade.

Standards of Mathematical Practice - Posters

Thanks to Laura Swain for sharing.

Not only is this something that could be posted in the classroom, but little mini-lessons could be built around these principals as well. Both teachers and students need to be aware of these practices and put them into use as we move more and more to Common Core standards.

Click on the example below to link to a PDF of the entire set of posters.

 

 



 

Success Plans

Some of the teachers and paras who do not regularly teach math were asking for some more direction regarding instruction for Success Time. I have taken my lesson plans for the first week of Success Time and have added some additional instructional information to make them easier to follow.

Update 9/12/13: I have adjusted the PDF file to correct a couple of typos in the worksheet and also to lower the numbers used in the problems. In giving instruction, I felt that using the larger numbers interfered with the students ability to understand desired learning goal.

Standard 6.1.6: "Use Models to Represent Ratios"

Link to PDF of lesson plans for 1st week of Success Time. These could easily be used for week 2 plans for someone who has not covered the material in this manner.

Hope you find this helpful!

Website of the Week - Khan Academy

3 Reasons to find out more about Khan Academy...

• Tons of instructional videos. Use them in the classroom, watch them yourself, get your students signed up and they can watch them at home.

• Practice pages for students to work on their skills. Also gives helps and hints when they are struggling with something.

•  It's free, and free is good!

Here is a review from PC Mag.com (Click on pic to see full review)