In my last vocabulary blog post I discussed the need for teachers and students to use proper mathematical vocabulary. I referenced the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice and how communication is key in students making sense of problems, reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others, and modeling with mathematics. … Continue reading Mathematical Vocabulary- Part 2
Take a few minutes to watch the video below that shows you a great game/activity you can quickly show your students and have them playing immediately. Who has more? Who has less? works on comparing and ordering numbers. This game can be differentiated and played from kindergarten all the way through 5th grade. If you… Continue reading Comparing Numbers: Who has more? Who has less?
I often reference the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice when I am working with teachers. Regardless of the set of standards your school or district utilizes, the vast majority also include the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Mathematical Practice Standards are separate from content standards. The graphic below gives us an easy to understand breakdown. … Continue reading Mathematical Vocabulary Part 1
How is math learning showcased in your building? Does each teacher put up their own displays? Do you have building-wide displays for visitors to view? Kristin and I love walking into buildings where you can see the learning taking place before you ever enter the classroom. Just today I saw these hanging in the hallway… Continue reading Mathematical Environments in Your School – Part 1
Happy Monday friends!! I’m a planner at heart. I have way too many wheels moving to not have a color-coded calendar or to not meal plan. Like a lot of us, I am juggling a lot of different balls every moment of every day. I have to-do lists out the wazoo, which includes a written… Continue reading Student Ownership of Their Learning
Friends, it's the time of year that teachers are thinking about the return to school or you're already back and in the swing of things. First, I want to wish each and every one of you a great school year! I know that a lot of you that follow me here at Make Math Meaningful… Continue reading Creating a Math Community
To be honest, if you asked 100 different people you may get 100 different answers. What is a mathematician? For me this is a simple question. For students, this is quite tricky. At the start of every school year, for the past 9 or so years, I have given this question to each of my… Continue reading What is a mathematician?
With districts across the United States starting school or getting ready to start school in the next month I wanted to make my intentions clear, I AM HERE FOR YOU! Yes, you! If you're here reading this, you are probably an educator of sorts. You could be a teacher in a traditional setting or a… Continue reading I am here for you…
Any one who knows me personally knows I love to cook and I love math. It’s even better when I combine the two! Maybe you’re like me and like to have a little bit of fun when you cut your brownies? My kids know what’s coming when I have one of them come over when… Continue reading Brownies with Fractions
I am so excited to welcome you on this journey of making math more meaningful, for not only students, but for teachers, administrators, and parents as well. My time in the classroom with students was a huge part of who I was for 17 years. In 2009, I attended a Singapore Math conference in Columbus,… Continue reading Welcome to Make Math Meaningful!!
