Happy December!
Students in Grades 2-5 have been using a strategy called bar modeling to show their work on word problems. This visual is a wonderful representation of the part-part-whole relationship for addition and subtraction and is an excellent way to show multiplication, division and fractions as well.
The strategy has become so popular that a great interactive website called Thinking Blocks was developed to help students understand how the model works and how to create their own models. I encourage you to try it with your child! There are video tutorials that will help you to better understand this strategy.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
Happy Pi Day!
Today, 3.14, is known as Pi Day in the Math world. Since our fifth grade students just finished a chapter on algebra and are now dealing with decimals, the day could not have come at a better time.
I decided to read a fun story called Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander. In this creative story, the knight, Sir Cumference, who has been turned into a dragon, is saved by his son, Radius, after Radius discovers the answer to a riddle. Through the story, Radius discovers that there is a relationship between the diameter of a circle and the circumference. This relationship which we know as "Pi" is equal to approximately 3 1/7 or 3.14159265358979323846...and is circumference divided by diameter. In the end, Radius saves his father and they all live happily ever after.
Engaging students in inquiry and stretching their thinking is something that we try to do here every day!
I decided to read a fun story called Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander. In this creative story, the knight, Sir Cumference, who has been turned into a dragon, is saved by his son, Radius, after Radius discovers the answer to a riddle. Through the story, Radius discovers that there is a relationship between the diameter of a circle and the circumference. This relationship which we know as "Pi" is equal to approximately 3 1/7 or 3.14159265358979323846...and is circumference divided by diameter. In the end, Radius saves his father and they all live happily ever after.
Engaging students in inquiry and stretching their thinking is something that we try to do here every day!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Common Core State Standards
On January 6, 2014, I presented information about the Common Core Standards to the Northeast PTO. Many parents have had questions about why we teach math the way we do. Why can't we just learn the algorithm? Why can't I teach my child to borrow and carry? I attempted to answer these questions and more with this presentation and a lively discussion after!
The new standards are rigorous. Students have been learning about the Standards of Mathematical Practice, which are 8 characteristics of successful math learners that are the same K-12. While we try to address all of them daily, students at Northeast are focusing on true understanding of three of the eight standards this year. The first is Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. The ability to "stick with it" helps develop math stamina and lets students know that it is ok to struggle with a problem. The second standard is Construct a viable argument and critique the reasoning of others. We want students to be able to explain their solutions to others and in turn be able to ask questions, make comments and agree/disagree in a thoughtful way. The third focus standard is Model with Mathematics. Students need to be able to use and explain pictures, graphs, models, and computations that help them reach a solution. These three standards really work together within every lesson in mathematics.
Parents can help children work on these standards at home. Allowing children to struggle with a math problem, show their thinking and discuss their solutions will develop children into mathematicians!
If you would like more information about the Common Core, I suggest you look at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website www.doe.mass.edu or feel free to contact me with specific questions.
The new standards are rigorous. Students have been learning about the Standards of Mathematical Practice, which are 8 characteristics of successful math learners that are the same K-12. While we try to address all of them daily, students at Northeast are focusing on true understanding of three of the eight standards this year. The first is Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. The ability to "stick with it" helps develop math stamina and lets students know that it is ok to struggle with a problem. The second standard is Construct a viable argument and critique the reasoning of others. We want students to be able to explain their solutions to others and in turn be able to ask questions, make comments and agree/disagree in a thoughtful way. The third focus standard is Model with Mathematics. Students need to be able to use and explain pictures, graphs, models, and computations that help them reach a solution. These three standards really work together within every lesson in mathematics.
Parents can help children work on these standards at home. Allowing children to struggle with a math problem, show their thinking and discuss their solutions will develop children into mathematicians!
If you would like more information about the Common Core, I suggest you look at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website www.doe.mass.edu or feel free to contact me with specific questions.
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