Posted inCurrent Events in Education

Can Public Schools Survive the Era of School Choice?

Last week Betsy DeVos was tapped as the Secretary of Education by the incoming Trump administration. Now many educators in traditional public schools are cringing and bracing for the worst because DeVos is known in Michigan for her support of school vouchers and charter schools, often called “school choice.” The charter school topic can be a very […]

Posted inInstruction & Curriculum

Mathematics and the Fallacies of Political Propaganda

During any election year, Americans can expect to be inundated with political propaganda on the television, radio, and social media . One characteristic of any campaign is the use of statistics about almost everything that is used as a political strategy to win votes. [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” […]

Posted inFeatured, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Mathematics

What is Complex Math Instruction?

I teach 5th grade Math at an elementary school, and I have noticed that many elementary teachers and instructional support personnel  have not yet made the shift to more complex  math instruction. The school in which I work is still trying to  push small group instruction, where the teacher teaches a small group and the other […]

Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Mathematics

Decomposing Fractions: An Alternative for Converting Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers

I, like many elementary teachers across the nation, have found myself teaching math concepts to 4th and 5th-grade students that were once taught to middle school students. Truth be told, when I first began teaching these skills I must admit I was very skeptical about teaching multiplying fractions and whole numbers to 4th and 5th […]

Posted inElementary School, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Mathematics

Dear Elementary Math Teacher: I Need You to Know…..

Dear Elementary Math Teacher, Teaching math can be a rewarding experience because elementary teachers mold students’attitudes towards math that will last well beyond the elementary school years. Trust me when I say, I know sometimes it can be difficult to teach math to students who do not have the number sense or the prerequisite skills […]