After An Educator's Journey

Out of the classroom & into the universe

recent posts

about

Once upon a time, I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Now I’m retired and working on new ventures.
I taught second, third and fourth graders. Teaching was my passion and joy for 30 years. And it didn’t hurt that they called me “mom” sometimes.

Where the Math Things Are

Curriculum_Guide_Grade_3_-_1

If I EVER figure out how to make this blog do what I want, there will be fireworks — and possibly champagne.  I have a special interest in elementary school mathematics, partly because when I was an elementary school student, my own math skills were pathetic.  Maybe it takes failure to find success… I have no idea, but I do “get” mathematics now.

As I work on the curriculum and find interesting ways to teach all things mathematical, I’ll post them here.

  • Here’s a great resource for all things mathematic:  Mathwire.  Looking for ways to reteach or differentiate? This is a great site!
  • Summer Read: Math For All, Differentiating Instruction.
  • If you haven’t been on NCTM’s website lately, there’s a new section labeled Dynamic Paper. Create nets, pattern blocks, graphs…. the possibilities are endless.
  • Thanks to NCTM, math standards have been around for a long time. The Common Core has been the impetus for many states to revise and revamp their own state standards. EngageNY was my go-to site for Grade 3 and 4 materials when I needed them.
  • After I attended a Daily Five training, I began to think about using this management model in mathematics as well.  The Sisters (Gail and Joan) had the same thought and have some great ideas for making a math block more relevant and effective while transferring responsibilities for learning to students. Some of this site is by subscription – worth the cost.

4 responses to “Where the Math Things Are”

  1. Paige Byrne Shortal Avatar
    Paige Byrne Shortal

    We are second-time-around parents – grandparents raising three children, ages 4, 6 and 8. It’s going fine. But our eight-year-old is entering third grade and she really struggled with her addition and subtraction facts, prefering to rely on her fingers instead of memorizing. And yet this kid can memorize text easily – long passages, too. So I’m wondering – do you know of any experiments with teaching maths facts with the numbers spelled out? Ever see math fact sheets like these? (BTW, I was researching this question when I came across your blog. Excellent.)

    Reply
    1. amybisson Avatar
      amybisson

      What lucky children to have someone so involved with their schooling! I personally don’t know of any resources that substitute number words for the symbols — I am wondering if using an addition/subtraction (or multiplication/division) chart could be used to help with computation? I will ask our math coordinators next time we meet if they have any ideas.

      Reply
  2. Paige Byrne Shortal Avatar
    Paige Byrne Shortal

    Thanks – I appreciate the quick reply (and kind words). I just checked the wordcount of the piece she memorized for a recent public reading – 158 words. She didn’t have to memorize it – only read it – and I didn’t know she had memorized it until I looked at her summer school journal where she had written it from memory verbatim and perfectly. It just brought home what sponges they are at this age and I hate to see her miss the window of memorizing these facts. I’ll be interested in what you find out. Thanks again.

    Reply
  3. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Great blog. Thank you for loving mathematics! There are BIG changes with the CCSS for sure! I did find this new assessment totally aligned to the new standards. It is an assessment for PreK-3rd graders. I have even used it with some of my 4th graders if I need to collect more data. Here is their website: http://www.developmentalmathgroup.com

    I think the new assessment will be ready in August! What a great find. I think you will really like it.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *