So your precious Kindergarten student has successfully graduated and moving on to First Grade. They can count to 100, fluently add and subtract within 10, and even identify many geometric shapes. However, now they are in First Grade. That Kindergarten year sure did go by quickly! Here is what your now 1st grade student can […]
Mathematics
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Parents
A Parent’s Guide to the Kindergarten Math Common Core
You may have already heard about Common Core. In fact, your student may already be involved with the Common Core Standards. So, as a kindergarten parent, what do you need to know? What will your student be taught? And, what can you do to prepare your student prior to kindergarten? Just to clarify, the Common […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Uncategorized
Common Core – An Initiative Gone Wrong?
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] For the past 10 years, I have taught Pre-Algebra and Algebra at the eighth grade level. For the last two years, I have also been teaching a section of Advanced Algebra […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Mathematics Adventures for All with MTSS A.K.A.RTI
Education is known for their acronyms. Today our adventure will use two interchangeably and demonstrate how to focus skills in mathematics to reach all learners. Teacher are superheroes and this method enables you to meet all students needs through the power of many. Welcome to an exciting adventure in education…MTSS also known as RTI. RTI (Response […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Uncategorized
Why Do You Need Algebra?
When are we ever going to use this? A common statement by students in my Algebra class. My response to them is this… No, you are probably not going to write out a multi-step equation on a napkin and solve it to determine the cost of your dinner. No, you will not break out your […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
First in Math and Reflex Math: A Program Comparison
There are many mathematical software programs available to schools and students. I have been lucky enough this year to initiate some action research in my classrooms of two different software programs: First in Math and Reflex Math. First in Math (www.firstinmath.com) was developed by Robert Sun, an entrepreneur born in Shanghai and […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Middle School, School Improvement
Procedures versus Concepts: A Mathematical Dilemma
There have been a lot of articles lately debating procedural teaching and concepts-based teaching in the classroom. As an elementary school teacher, this topic is of particular interest as mathematical reform models are sweeping through our curriculum. Whether you are a Common Core Standards state or, as in Virginia, simply “aligned” with Common Core, mathematical […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Uncategorized
The Mathematical Workshop Model: How Data, Differentiation, and Classroom Management Combine in an Elementary Classroom
We have all heard of various writing workshop models. Students working diligently on various stages of the writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, proofreading and publishing. But how can we incorporate similar structures in the math classroom? To some, this may not be new. Various levels of the math workshop model do exist and so I am […]