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Warming up the Mind for Mathematical Thinking!

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Written by Rebecca Forchuk, Principal DMG Professional Learning Day, November 23, 2018 Students come to math class with different interests and understanding of concepts, but regardless of where they are on the continuum, students are adaptable.  Teachers can enhance learning when we plan for this variability in math.  Exploring instructional strategies that consider this variability was the focus of Dr. Morris Gibson’s staff learning day on November 23 rd .  I had the opportunity to learn, alongside  the staff, from their admin team and Wanda Dechant, Designer of Professional Learning, Calgary Regional Consortium . Kevin, Principal of DMG, pointed out the importance of warm ups in math and made connections to other areas of life: athletes warm up, musicians warm up and so too should mathematicians.   The benefits are: Bridges transition time for students. Allows students to shift to mathematical thinking. Builds confidence through successful math opportunities ...
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Power of Mindsets In Math

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Written by Marsi Quarin-Wright, Instructional Coach Online Teacher Course by Jo Boaler: youcubed.com I was recently introduced to the work of Jo Boaler and the website youcubed.org . What caught my interest is where she says math learning begins. Her starting point is fundamental to the vison of FSD and the role relationships play in learning. To me, this is not a typical starting point in understanding math. What furthered my curiosity was watching this approach to math instruction in a classroom.   I listened to the teacher’s positive talk and how engaged students were in the lessons.   The most impressive is listening to how students in her class love math, describe 3-D shapes with excitement and apply proper math vocabulary. I knew I had to investigate more. I went on to the website and found that there was an online course I could take. I signed up! I was nervous and fearful; what was I doing taking a math course? What if I had to add or multiply something?   To my ...
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Math Tools

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By Julie Julian, Instructional Coach Guided Math & Running Record, CRC Session with Dr.Nicki Newton Math tools help students scaffold their thinking. All learners should be able to access them at any given moment, regardless of grade level. “Good problem solvers usually construct a representation of the problems to help them comprehend it “(van Gardener & Montague, 2003), but representing mathematical information visually does not come naturally to most students. Visual representation should be explicitly taught and then practiced using a variety of tools. Both hands-on manipulatives and virtual tools : ·         Help convey concepts ·         Help visualize mathematical ideas ·         Model number relationships Classroom Manipulatives Manipulatives Tip Sheets http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/math/manipulative_use.html The tip sheets for each of the listed manipulatives incl...
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Problem Solving in Math

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By Darla Milford, Instructional Coach Running Record, CRC Session with Dr.Nicki Newton Real World Connection: Problem solving in math should not be taught separately from the mathematical skills, processes, and understanding.  In fact, according to Dr. Nicki Newton, everything ‘math’, should be attached to the real world with a story attached to it.   In order to intellectually engage our students in math, it is essential we approach problem solving from a real world context with personalization being key.   On Dr. Newton’s Guided Math Blog, she quotes Bailey saying students “don’t care how many apples Bob gave to Suzy. They’re much more interested in things like music, video games, movies, trading cards, money, and friends” (Bailey, 2002, p. 61) so make it personal!!! Here are some sites with engaging problems ready to use with your own students: * Greg Tang Math * South Dakota Counts * Math Playground Story Math Cue Words/Keywords We often fall into the trap o...
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